With a smile and hope for a bright and easy road ahead, we sent off the Big Boy of “House of Opportunity”.

A year ago, Yuli crossed the threshold of “House of Opportunity” not as someone with a plan, but as a young man facing complete hopelessness.

We found him in a small, remote village, in a semi-abandoned house. He was living in conditions that could hardly be called a home. He slept on an old mattress on the floor, with no kitchen, no bathroom, and none of the most basic conditions for a dignified life. This was not just poverty – it was isolation, lack of support, and a long history of neglect and abandonment.

We invited him to become part of our community. He accepted.

From the very first days, we saw in Yuli something far beyond his circumstances. A calm, intelligent, well-mannered young man, carrying within him both the strength to move forward and the vulnerability of a child who had not received enough care. Behind his silence was a story marked by repeated separations and a lack of stability.

We started from the basics.

We provided him with a safe place to live. A real bed, shelter, and an environment where he could finally “catch his breath.” Gradually, we began to build structure and direction into his daily life. We helped him find a job – not just a source of income, but an opportunity for belonging and growth. Today, Yuli continues to work there and has built a stable relationship with his employers, who have also become part of his support system.

One of the key steps was restoring his access to healthcare. With the support of our team and thanks to the commitment of his employers, Yuli regained access to medical care. He registered with a GP, underwent the necessary examinations, and began treatment. We stood by him at every stage – both as professionals and emotionally, as part of the “House of Opportunity” community.

In this process, we were not alone. Volunteers and friends of the organisation became actively involved, helping both with health consultations and with improving his living environment. This included repairing his bed, providing a new mattress, and creating a more comfortable space that could support his sense of safety and normality.

Step by step, day by day, Yuli began to build his independence.

And so, a year later, he made an important decision – to take the next step and try living independently outside “House of Opportunity.” It is a moment filled with both pride and anticipation. Because the true goal of our work is not for people to stay with us, but to move forward feeling confident and supported.

Yuli knows that our door remains open. That he is not alone. That there is always a place he can return to for advice, support, or simply human connection.

And we continue.

Very soon, we are expecting two new young people who are about to turn 18 and leave the child care system. For many, this often means one thing – being left to manage on their own, without direction and without support.

We want to change that.

To give them a chance. Time. A supportive environment. People who believe in them.

Good luck, Yuli! We wish you success as an independent and достойно living person.

And to those who are coming – you are welcome. There is a place for you here.