Yuliya Kogutyak is 22 and Jewish and has overcome many obstacles in her young life. She was born in Kozyatyn, Vinnitsa region, her mother was addicted to alcohol and her father, after leaving her mother, went to Israel. Yuliya lived with her mother and step-father, one day as she was riding with him on a bicycle they were on a railway crossing and hit by an oncoming train. Miraculously they weren’t killed but Yuliyah had a partial amputation of a leg, she was 10 years old, her step-father lost a hand.

Fortunately, Yuliya completed her education, trained and now works as a manicurist. The Jewish community rallied round and provided the means for her to have an artificial leg and at each stage of her growth they have bought her a new prosthesis. All through her growing up years she has been surrounded by love from these people, who know how dangerous it is to be in difficult situations without support – they have the horror of remembering that many Jewish people were killed in World War II. Maybe this love was the source of her strength which helped to sustain her and be optimistic and dream of the Promised Land.

This incredible girl had a dream to marry and have a baby; she met, fell in love and her dream came true, she married and now has a 10 month baby girl, Leora. This leaves her main dream to be fulfilled – leave for Israel. Their monthly income is small, Yuliya’s is approx. $160, her husband’s is $150; $310pm is impossible to live on with a baby and there are no other jobs in their small town.

As you look at the picture of this young family and see how happy Yuliya is, will you please consider helping them to leave Ukraine for the Promised Land as soon as possible, so the sparkle in Yuliya’s eyes will not die out?

Update 24/03/19: Thanks so much for the wonderful response to our appeal on behalf of the Kogutyak family. Sufficient funds came in and they were able to go to Israel.