In February 2022, the world watched in horror as the Russia-Ukraine war erupted, bringing destruction and chaos to cities across Ukraine, including the vibrant capital Kyiv, the coastal gem of Odesa, the cultural center of Lviv, and Kharkiv. Countless Ukrainian citizens were forced to flee, leaving behind homes and lives they had built with love and care.

Among them was an extraordinary 8-year-old boy named Arsenii, who lived in Odesa. His father is a captain in an international shipping company owned by the founders of the Idan and Batia Ofer Family Foundation.

Faced with the overwhelming reality of war, the foundation felt a deep responsibility to help those torn from their homeland and refused to remain passive in the face of Ukraine’s suffering. With unwavering determination, the foundation rented hundreds of apartments in Varna, Bulgaria, and invited 600 Ukrainian families of their employees to live there for the duration of the war.

During their stay, the foundation provided for all of their needs, enabling them to maintain a sense of normalcy: food, clothing, toys, educational programs for children, and even weekend trips to help them relax and momentarily escape the trauma unfolding in their homeland. When the war ends, the foundation has committed to helping restore their damaged homes.

Amid these acts of generosity, the foundation’s founders encountered a heartbreaking story that deeply moved them—the story of young Arsenii, who had been battling a mysterious and debilitating illness for years. He suffered from severe abdominal pain, painful muscle spasms, and a neurological condition that caused involuntary tics and head drooping. Despite exhaustive efforts in Ukraine, doctors remained baffled by his condition.

Arsenii’s struggle became a personal call to action for the foundation. Recognizing the need for exceptional medical intervention, they arranged for Arsenii to be flown to Israel for top-tier care, fully funded by the foundation. Within days, Arsenii and his mother arrived in Tel Aviv and began receiving treatment at Dana-Dwek Children’s Hospital, under the care of Prof. Shlomi Cohen, head of the Pediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit.

Prof. Cohen’s initial assessment was grim—Arsenii arrived severely malnourished, suffering from symptoms that affected both his digestive and neurological systems. Yet hope began to blossom. Through intensive medical care and specialized nutrition, Arsenii showed not only resilience but also remarkable maturity. He even began learning the Hebrew alphabet, revealing a fighting spirit that inspired everyone around him.

Within weeks, doctors saw significant improvement. Arsenii was able to return to Varna and reunite with his friends.

The foundation’s unwavering commitment to transforming lives and offering hope to Arsenii—and countless others affected by the war—demonstrates that compassion and generosity can truly make a world of difference.