Rebuilding Life with Streams in the Desert 

At CBN Israel, the mission to support single mothers is viewed not as a quick fix, but as a long-term journey requiring patience and a dedicated community. This commitment is realized through a partnership with Streams in the Desert, an organization focused on helping mothers manage the heavy burdens of caregiving and providing for their families. As Oksana of Streams in the Desert explains, "The mission is Isaiah 1:17—to help widows, orphans, and refugees in the land. CBN were the first who believed in my children’s project... and then I understood that for children to be helped, they need their moms to feel better and to be helped".

Natalia was one of the first women to seek help from this vital program. She originally moved to Israel hoping a fresh start would help her husband find responsibility, but the situation turned dire. “Instead, he turned violent," Natalia recalls. "I left him and went to a women's shelter while pregnant and with my two older kids. Coming to this support group and sending my kids to these activities was exactly what I needed—and not just for the financial help". Through the years, the consistent support of donors has allowed CBN Israel to care for Natalia’s family as they navigated these challenges together.

Now that her children are grown, Natalia is preparing for a significant new chapter of independence. Though she has spent years working with the elderly, the physical toll of the job led her to seek support once more to build a more sustainable future. “I didn’t think I’d succeed, but with the support I’ve received here, I’m now stronger," Natalia says. "Now I‘ll be able to make more money and have a retirement fund. I'm no longer scared. I can finally be myself". Because of this ongoing generosity, mothers like Natalia can finally look toward the future with confidence and stability.