First years
The work of Father's House began when God called a young doctor Roman Korniyko to start working with the homeless children of Kiev, Ukraine. Initially, Dr. Korniyko had neither a specific opinions of these children nor a strong desire to work with them. Suddenly, though, in November 1996, the Lord opened his heart for Ukraine's growing population of street children. Wherever he went, he met homeless children. Since 1996, he has been unable to pass by Kiev's homeless without paying noticing them. At first, the children were suspicious of Dr. Korniyko but eventually they became close friends. Uncle Roma, as he was called by the children, ultimately became a familiar figure to many of the homeless children in Ukraine: not only to those who met him but also to those who heard of him. Uncle Roma brought food, cooked by his wife. He invited them to his home for prayer, clean clothes, and medical help.
It was difficult for those in Dr. Korniyko's community to understand his attitude towards the homeless; they warned him of the dangers of inviting the homeless into a place where his wife and two young daughters lived and played. Contrary to his friends' predictions, the children responded to Uncle Roma's generosity by inviting him into their own homes: the cellars, sewers and heating pipes of Kiev. The conditions in which these children lived left his heart troubled and restless. He understood that the support he provided was insufficient to fully change their conditions.
God's calling
Eventually, Roman spoke of his work at a local church and several people responded, proposing that they rent a more suitable location for working with the children. It was in a two-room apartment on Borshagivska Street that Roman and others started to provide spiritual, emotional and physical support for the children on a daily basis. Shortly thereafter, the organization attempted to register for official status from the Ukrainian government. They were turned down and told that there were no homeless children in Ukraine and that even if there were, it was strictly the government's right to responsibility.
Despite this setback, one evening after work, as Roman was tucking his daughter in to sleep, he envisioned the terrible conditions in which the children he tended to were sleeping. Roman was unable to sleep that night, thinking instead of the children. The next day Roman shared his concern with his fellow teammates and they proceeded to organize the housing of children within the apartment, despite a conflict with Ukrainian law. Several days later, 17 children were housed in bunk beds while another 20 came for aid throughout the day.
Children's center
Shortly thereafter, police raided the apartment causing fear and panic in the hearts of the children living there. The policemen's aggression quickly melted into concern as they saw the hospitable atmosphere within the apartment. It was these policemen who initiated the legalization of Roman's work among Kiev's homeless children. An article written in the newspaper "Vechirniy Kiev" about Roman's work raised support from various officials within Kiev, allowing him to work out of a local kindergarten. "Barnabah" International Charity Foundation supervised Roman and his team, at which time they assumed the name "Father's House". Soon, there were 36 children living in the local kindergarten. Because the kindergarten was located in a densely populated district of Kiev, Father's House began searching for a more rural location for its Children's Center. The existing kindergarten was left to "Barnabah" ICF while Father's House started as an independent organization.
Our own "Father's House"
On January 4, 1999б the Ukrainian Justice Department registered "Father's House" International Charity Foundation with the aim of assisting the government in saving a generation of homeless children. Father's House established a center for social care for children on the grounds of an unfinished house in the suburb of Pertrivske. Fifty-three children found home, love and care.
Despite numerous threats, arrest and physical abuse, Roman continued to oversee the growth of Father's House. Roman and his team continued housing the children throughout unrest and growth; the children lived in a nearby house, then part of Ketrivske's kindergarten, and finally the organization's own house which is still in use today.
Prominent milestones in "Fathers House" life
Today, "Father's House" is recognized at all government levels as the leader among programs of children's care and support in Ukraine. More than 12 departments aimed at supporting homeless children make up Father's House. The organizations actively introduces innovation forms of work with children and extends its positive experience both in Ukraine and abroad, assisting the development of organizations and programs that help children.
- 2001 р. "Father's House" center for social care for children is visited by representatives of the European Council and admitted as a leading institutions of its kind in the East Europe.
- 2001 р. Roman Korniyko becomes the main advisor to the Ukrainian Ministry for Children, Family and Youth.
- 2002 р. "Father's House" center of social care for children is recognized as the leading children's home in Ukraine.
- 2003 р. Roman Korniyko is recognized as " Person of the Year" in "Zolota Fortuna".
- 2003 р. Ukrainian President awards Roman Korniyko "Order of Merit of 3rd Degree".
- 2003 р. Ukrainian Orthodox Church awards Roman Korniyko with medal for his patriotism.
- 2003 р. Roman Korniyko reports to the Supreme Council on the matter homeless children in Ukraine.
- 2004 р. Roman Korniyko becomes a member on the public committee of Ukraine's Ministry of Internal Affairs.
- 2005 р. Agreement of cooperation signed between Ukrainian Ministry for Children, Family and Youth (now: Ministry in Youth and Sport Affairs) and Father's House.
- 2005 г. Agreement of cooperation signed between Father's House and Kiev's Regional Service for Minor Children.
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