Father’s Day: The Story of Andriy Vydiuk and His Extraordinary Family
Andriy Vydiuk, a 23-year-old resident of the Lviv community, and his wife Olena are raising ten children. Among them is their biological daughter Yustyna, along with nine adopted children. The couple became foster parents through their volunteer work at a local child support center. That experience changed their lives, especially after they met children who desperately needed a loving home.
One of their adopted children is a girl named Solomiya. Andriy and Olena recall that during their time as volunteers, Solomiya would repeatedly ask when they would finally take her home for good.
“My wife often jokes that Solomiya chose us,” Andriy says.“We spent a lot of time volunteering at the child center, and every time we had to say goodbye, it was heartbreaking.”
Raising Children with Special Needs
Three of the children in this large family have hemophilia and require ongoing medical treatment. Andriy explains that “managing this takes up nearly the whole day, because we make sure not to miss a single dose.” The children with hemophilia receive intravenous medication twice a week, which demands careful planning and constant attention.
Describing a typical day, Andriy says: “I wake up the older kids first. Meanwhile, my wife prepares breakfast, or the children sometimes cook it themselves—they’re really good at it. Then the older ones head to school, and I drive the younger ones to kindergarten or school. After that, I come back home because I work remotely.” This daily routine has become second nature for the couple, who are learning to balance work and parenting.
Andriy also notes that “all the foster parents I’ve met are a bit older than me, but we always have plenty to talk about when it comes to the children.” This mutual support and shared experience have become essential parts of their lives.
The Vydiuk family stands as a model of a large, close-knit household that chose the path of adoption, giving children in need the chance to grow up in a loving environment. This story was shared by the Lviv City Council in honor of Father’s Day, highlighting the importance of support and family values in today’s society.
The story of Andriy and Olena Vydiuk underscores the power of adoption and volunteering in shaping modern family values. Their experience not only shows how vital a warm family is for children without parental care, but also how crucial it is to support foster parents who take on the responsibility of raising children with special needs. It serves as a reminder to society of the need to create a nurturing environment for all families—especially those caring for children who require extra attention and love.
As Father's Day approaches, stories of dedicated fathers like Andriy Vydiuk remind us of the profound impact of parental love and commitment. In a similar spirit, President Zelenskyy shared a heartfelt message to celebrate fathers across the nation, highlighting the role they play in shaping the future of their families and communities.