A young black boy was neatly drawing a picture with an interesting African design, though he has never been to the mother land of his father - Congo. Eric was born in Cherkasy where he lived with his grandmother, mother and three of his sisters. "We had another little sister but my Mom gave her away in a carriage to a woman on a street in Kiev" - Eric tells his story, "Later my other sisters stayed to live with my Mother and I went to live with my Dad after he was released from prison". That's how Eric began to live on the streets. Eric's biggest wish was to go back to school. He was ten years old when he finished first grade. While living on the streets he attended Sunday school held by the Street Ministry. It was the only opportunity for him to learn something new, to play and to draw. Most of all he enjoyed listening to stories about the life of Jesus.

While living on the streets he would be taunted or teased but wouldn't retaliate even though he was stronger then his offenders. It helped him to stay kind and sensitive even if he knew he would be an outcast among the other children. "I always kept the hope in my heart that something would happen and everything change" - says Eric.

He was right, because God is merciful and He "rewards people for what they have done". (Psalm 62:12).

After three months of rehabilitation at summer camp Island of Treasures" Eric was taken to the Father's House center of social care for children. After awhile he was moved to live in a family which is run by the family program developed by ICF Father's House.
Eric has a lot of friends. He is very successful. In one year he's finished three years of normal school classes. In February, together with other three children from Father's House he made a covenant with the Lord through water-baptism at the local church "Salvation".