On International Children's Day, the Ukrainian National Women's League of America (UNWLA) held its annual “Children Praying for Children” campaign, which communities across the United States joined. Prayers and events took place in churches, community centers, and even a baseball stadium.
This was reported by UNWLA – Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, Inc.
In Houston, Texas, the UNWLA's 118^(th) chapter organized a meeting at the Church of the Intercession, where children and their families prayed for the more than 19,500 Ukrainian children who were forcibly taken to Russia. A special moment was the creation of a chain of handwritten prayer messages, which became a touching symbol of hope and solidarity. Children and their families created it to emphasize the importance of safety for every child.
In Stamford, Connecticut, the community gathered at St. Vladimir's Cathedral. After the liturgy, participants planted a tree as a sign of hope and faith in a peaceful childhood. A US government representative attended the event to emphasize the United States' support.
In Williamsburg, New York, Holy Spirit Church became a place of sincere prayer for the community. Active participants included members of the honorary first division of the UNWLA, who also took part in a public event.
On the same day, the campaign was announced at a baseball game between the Ukrainian team and the Eastern European All-Stars at Coney Island Stadium in Brooklyn. Baseball legends Bobby Valentine and John McLaren played in the game, and New York officials were in the stands to publicly support the campaign.
In response to the mass deportation of Ukrainian children, the UNWLA launched the Children Praying for Children campaign in 2024. Of the estimated 200,000 victims, only about 20,000 have been officially identified. Most of these children have been subjected to forced adoption, "re-education," or loss of their names.
Participants urged senators to support Resolution S.Res.236, which calls for increased international pressure on Russia to return the abducted children, and called for the fight to bring the children back to continue.
"We must not allow abducted children to become another statistic. They deserve a home, parents, and a childhood," said the UNWLA.
Author: Danylo Pievchev