A safe roof for a grandmother and her granddaughter in Uzbekistan

In Uzbekistan, shortages of basic necessities force some people to limit themselves to one meal a day or to ration food so that it lasts longer. Some residents live in very modest housing conditions, with two or three families sharing the same dwelling.

In Tashkent, the country's capital, a single grandmother is raising her 9-year-old granddaughter Liza on her own. The grandmother's name is Natasha. The child was entrusted to her when she was only eight months old. 

“The grandmother brings her granddaughter to our day club for children and teenagers mainly so that Liza can have a hot, nutritious meal and get help with her homework from the teachers. Meanwhile, Natasha is very active, willingly offering her help to both us and other parishioners, for which we, in return, support her by providing her with food.”  Sr Renata Zygmaniak

Today, this grandmother and her granddaughter live in a house that is in very poor condition and unsanitary. The roof has collapsed. The walls are weakened, and the dampness and cold make everyday life difficult and dangerous.

"Last year, the electrical wiring in two rooms caught fire, and in the spring, after prolonged rainfall, the roof collapsed in one of the rooms. More recently, in October 2025, a fire destroyed the house next door to Natasha's, and the entire neighboring building burned down. Natasha's house was partially damaged by both the fire and the water used by firefighters to extinguish the neighboring fire: one-third of her roof was burned, and the wall adjacent to the affected building was partially destroyed by fire and water damage." Sr. Renata

This house is no longer a refuge. It has become a risk.*

"Following the recent fire, the partially burned wall shared with the neighbor's house continues to emit a strong, unpleasant, and unhealthy odor, even though the fire has been extinguished. Similarly, due to the lack of heating, the bathroom is covered with mold and needs to be completely renovated. Liza, the granddaughter, frequently suffers from kidney and urinary tract infections caused by the cold and damp conditions in the bathroom." Sr. Renata

Project: Improve the living conditions of the grandmother and her granddaughter by repairing their house to ensure safety, hygiene, and comfort.

This grandmother does everything she can to protect her granddaughter. But despite her immense courage, she cannot repair alone what disasters, time, and poverty have destroyed.

"The small pension that the grandmother receives does not allow her to finance major repairs. This year, with the little money she has managed to save, she repainted the living room and kitchen herself. She has no money left for further renovations. The roof, which has been partially repaired thanks to the goodwill of her neighbors, will not withstand the weather. The situation has already worsened significantly with the rainy season... Uzbekistan is a country where it rains almost every day from November to early spring!" Sr. Renata

Without outside help, Natasha and Liza will continue to live in unacceptable conditions, exposed to the elements, the cold, and the risk of their house collapsing.

The situation is urgent, and action must be taken now to secure their home and provide them with a healthy, safe, and dignified living space:

- Reinforce the structure of the house
- Repair or replace the roof
- Clean up the walls and floors.

Even a small donation can have a big impact.
You can turn fear into safety.

With them, thanks to you

If the project is funded beyond its target, the surplus donations received will be allocated to a similar project.