My name is Andrea Keogh. I met Maryna in 2007, when I made my first volunteer visit to the Vesnova institution.
We
became instant friends. She is ten years old. I don’t know much about
her background. I know that her parents abandoned her when we was 9
months old, soon after they discovered she had cerebral palsy. She has
lived at Vesnova since she was 4. Before that she lived in an
institution for abandoned babies. It’s sad to realize that she has not
had a home or family since she was an infant. Maryna can’t walk or talk. She needs 24 hour care. But you only need to spend a moment with her to see how intelligent she is. Our relationship is magical 
Words
can’t really describe our relationship, it is a little magical. We
actually don’t use words to communicate, we don’t need them. Her smile
would launch a thousand ships, her laugh is infectious, and she is truly
a joy to be around. She
has become a major part of my life, and my family and friends too. I
have been able to bring her to Ireland to visit me. She really does
love visiting and falls into our family life, helping Dad on the farm,
going to see my brothers play hurling matches, and she loves shopping
as every young lady does! I don’t know what lies ahead The
fresh air and good food she receives when she comes to Ireland is truly
beneficial to her and it speaks volumes when she’s going back with
colour in her little cheeks and with a few extra pounds on from good
food (and ice cream!!). It
is difficult to say what lies ahead for Maryna. I would love to see her
move into a Home of Hope. I do know for as long as we can we will
continue to support her, love her and bring her home to Ireland to help
prolong her lifespan. She is my little treasure and I am very glad to know her.
See Andrea and Maryna in this clip from Children Beyond Chernobyl: