“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.” —Psalm 82:3
War leaves nothing unscathed. Its destruction is vast and overwhelming, but some of its deepest wounds are inflicted on the smallest and most vulnerable among us—children who lose their parents or are torn from their families in the chaos of conflict. In regions like Ukraine and South Sudan, where our faithful partners continue to serve orphaned children, the cost of war is etched into the stories of each child. These stories are often overlooked and untold.
How does war impact children?
-It separates them from family
-Strips them of legal identity (no access to documentation—if they had it to begin with)
-Imprints deep emotional trauma and post-traumatic stress
-Exposes them to trafficking and exploitation
-Interrupts their education and access to basic needs
-Places them in institutions where they receive little oversight or care
-Brands them with social stigma and fractures their sense of self
And yet—God sees them. Even in the midst of missiles and unrest, He is not absent. He is near to the brokenhearted. And He calls us—His people—to be near to them too.
In Ukraine, our partners have chosen to stay. For three long years, they’ve endured the horrors of war—air raids, explosions, and sleepless nights—so that orphans with special needs wouldn’t be abandoned. They send us messages asking for prayer, not just once, but again and again. And each time, our hearts break a little more. Yet we also witness their perseverance—proof that God’s strength is made perfect in weakness.
In South Sudan, the story is just as sobering. Years of civil war have left tens of thousands of children without family. But in what appears to be a hopeless place, our partners have created a refuge—a home for orphaned girls, led by godly house mothers offering not just shelter, but belonging, structure, and love. Still, war casts a long shadow. Uncertainty is the backdrop of daily life.
So what do we do with this? How do we respond?
We return to God’s Word. We remember Psalm 82:3. We do not turn our faces away. Here’s how we can respond:
1. Pray.
Cry out for the children and caregivers in Ukraine and South Sudan. Ask for God’s protection, healing, and peace. And remember—your prayers are felt. It is so encouraging to be able to tell our partners that they have a community of believers across the world standing with them in prayer.
2. Learn and Share.
Let your heart be stirred to understand what these children face. Then tell someone. Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. Be a voice of advocacy in your own sphere of influence.
3. Give.
As you pray and learn, listen to where God might be nudging you. Whether through your time, your finances, or your talents—your impact matters. You may be the answer to someone’s prayer.
Brothers and sisters, even in the darkest corners of war, hope is not lost. Our partners prove that every single day. The Father is still at work—healing, restoring, and redeeming. And we get to be a part of it. Let us stand together, faithful and unwavering, pointing always to the One who never changes. Our constant, sovereign, ever-present Abba Father.
With over 25 years of experience and a network of like-minded people around the globe, The Boaz Project can help you show Christ’s love to scared and abandoned children.
To learn how you can help save orphaned children from life on the streets—connect with us on Facebook and Instagram or visit our website here.
When I think about my hardships, they disappear in light of hearing about orphaned children and caregivers running for bomb shelters or not having enough resources and stability to sustain daily living.
LORD, have mercy; Christ have mercy! Thank you that you have enabled The Boaz Project to learn about and communicate the needs, and then provide ways for us to reach across the sea with specific prayer and a little tangible hope for people You love.
Thankful for the knowledge of the need in this area. Often we hear about war but aren’t made aware of these needs under it all. Thank you for sharing so we can pray, learn, support and share about God’s people in need!
It is hard for me to grasp the realities of war. I’ve never had to live through it. Yet knowing that it is the day and night circumstance of many throughout the world, including the fatherless, is sobering. But “we do not turn out faces away” as people who follow Jesus. I’m thankful to Boaz for providing this article as well as different to engage lovingly with orphans experiencing war.
War is mass destruction and you can see it but what you can’t see is the stories etched in the children’s lives forever. I will hold on to the fact that God sees everyone of these children and He is not absent.
Such a powerful reminder that even in the devastation of war, God is near to the brokenhearted. Thankful for The Boaz Project and its partners who faithfully stand with vulnerable children, bringing hope, love, and the truth that they are never forgotten.
It is humbling to read this blog on how war impacts children and caregivers. It is easy to take for granted and go through the motion of praying for children or even give money for a noble cause without having a heart for the individuals dealing with the realities of surviving and living daily, through a war around them. I am touched by the eyes of what caregivers must see and experience with the care they give the children entrusted in their care. They must be strong and committed people being the hands, feet and mouth for Jesus to these children. It gives me a deeper perspective on how traumatic the experience of war must be on children and adults. But most of all, I see our majestic Triune God shining so bright with love, care, compassion , protection and mercy. He is still in control during war times and his protection and provision doesn’t stop. He particularly has a promise for orphan children and a command to all adults to minister to them
It is so eye opening to read about these children going through such crises. In our daily lives we don’t face what these precious souls do and it is heartbreaking to comprehend. It compels you to jump in and advocate for those who can’t speak up for themselves!