Q: Where does Last Bell work?
A: We serve orphaned youth in Zhytomyr, Ukraine, two hours west of Kyiv.

Q: Is that near the fighting?
A: No, Zhytomyr is far from the front lines. In the first weeks of the war, Zhytomyr saw residential damage from missile strikes, including damage to a church, a hospital, and a school. In 2023-2025, strikes on the city were rare, and focused on military and utility targets on the city’s outskirts. Missile and drone attacks have increased in 2026.

Q: What do you mean by “orphaned youth”?
A: In Ukraine, many children in state care still grow up in orphanages, isolated from their society. And many grow up in unsafe homes without real parental care. Teen orphans hear their last school bell on the day they graduate high school. Then they enter a bewildering world alone, with few life skills and no one to love or support them. Last Bell steps into the gap.

Q: How does Last Bell help?
A: Our staff of Ukrainian Christians offers orphaned youth and families the care they need: mentoring, youth activities, medical and dental support, help with education and housing, parenting classes, groceries, and much more. With this help, our youth are finishing school, keeping their jobs, going to church, and raising their children in safe, loving homes.

Q: But now Ukraine is at war. Are you still open?
A: Yes! Our facilities are open and we’re fully-staffed. We evacuated many orphan-led families in 2022, but about 80% have returned. And we continue to welcome new orphaned youth. We’ve continued holding summer camps from 2022 onward, giving our youth and families a restful week away from air raid sirens.

Q: What about other people affected by the war?
A: Like so many organizations in Ukraine, since the war’s first day we’ve been meeting war-related needs. We provide protective equipment to soldiers, humanitarian aid to refugees in our city, and extra support to orphaned youth and families impacted by the war.

Q: What can I do?
A: The problems caused by this war can seem overwhelming. But you can show the most vulnerable youth in Zhytomyr that they aren’t alone – even in wartime. You can make a gift, sign up to receive our newsletters, pray for our community, or contact us to learn about volunteering.