Kira and Pavel live with their 31-year-old mother, Victoria, and 57-year-old grandmother, Galina, in Kishinev. Since their father emigrated to Israel, and no longer makes any contribution to the family's upkeep, their sole source of income is Victoria's monthly wage of $64.
Although the family's financial situation recently forced them to downsize from a three-room to a two-room apartment, $25 of the family's income is still spent on rent.
Pavel suffers from hypertension and a malformation of the thorax. Victoria has a dysfunctional thyroid gland. Most serious, though, are Kira's heart problems, for which she needs constant medical supervision and regular cardiologic consultations.
Since becoming JFS clients in January 2003, the family has received food packages and footwear for Kira and Pavel through the SOS program. The children have also received assistance to enable them to participate in winter and summer retreats. However, their diet is lacking, and needs to be supplemented with more fresh fruit, dairy and meat products. They also need winter clothes and footwear, and ongoing assistance so that Kira's medical condition can be closely monitored.