Deputy of the Lutsk District Council Mariia Prus is known in Volyn not only as an activist in the public and political life of the district and region, she is also a mother of eight children. Three of her own children already have their own families, and three years ago Mariia Antonivna realized that her maternal affection would be enough for those children who are deprived of parental care as well. It was then that at the Volodymyr-Volynskyi boarding school, together with her husband, she took in 6-year-old Nadiika and 7-year-old Sashko for upbringing. According to Mrs. Mariia, for the first six months they independently, without state assistance, created for the children the conditions of which they had been deprived for so many years; they even had to sell an old car. \n \nLast year, in December, Mariia Prus, with the assistance of the Minister for Family, Youth and Sports Yurii Pavlenko and the head of the Volyn Regional Administration Volodymyr Bondar, created a Family-Type Home and took in three more children for upbringing: 9-year-old Svitlanka, 7-year-old Serhiiko and 14-year-old Natalka. Mariia Antonivna's wards affectionately call her "mama," and they agreed not to mention the boarding school, because now they are all one family and have a loving mother and father. \n \n"In our state, the President cares about children. Viktor Yushchenko pays great attention to children with disabilities and to orphaned children – this is noticeable, but I believe that no matter how much money goes to children's boarding schools, whatever they are given there, whatever conditions are created, nothing can replace a father and mother for children – that cannot be bought with money," says Mariia Prus. \n \nOn Children's Day, the Volyn Regional Organization of the Political Party "People's Union Our Ukraine" thanks all those people who selflessly and sincerely give their love to children and care about their well-being. Many years of life, health and strength to you! A deep bow to you! \n \n(in the photo – wards of the Prus family's Family-Type Home) \n