Oleksii sold his family car and bought a van and trailer in order to deliver food to the needy families in the small villages surrounding Kyiv. These villages were bombed and occupied by Russian troops. The troops have now moved on to Eastern Ukraine leaving the people in great need. He delivers food. The larger relief organizations are not active in these smaller villages.
Ivan and Vica lived in Mariupol. When the shelling began they went to an underground shelter where they remained for a month. In order to leave, they had to go to Russia. After a few days in an internment camp, they were able to go to Belarus. They were denied exit from Belarus several times, but finally got approval to go to Poland from a sympathetic guard. They met up with their 21 year old daughter in Poland and then flew to Mexico. They were admitted to the US at Calexico crossing from Mexicali . They flew to Portland and then took the Amtrak train to Spokane arriving in the middle of the night. They were welcomed by Ukranian families in Spokane and have just moved into an apartment. It took them 30 days of travel to get to Spokane, an exhausting trip, especially after a month in an underground shelter.
Michael and Anna and their 2 little boys, Elisha (6) and Gabriel (1), had a nice life in Mariupol before the war began. Michael had a successful business and life looked so promising. Then came the war and destruction of their home. When the "green corridor" opened up for civilians to leave, Anna and the boys escaped to Germany by way of Poland. Men were not allowed to leave, but Michael was able to go to Moldova and get approval to seek asylum. The family reunited in Germany and flew to Mexico. They came to the US from Tijuana. They are currently staying with a Ukranian family in Spokane and hope to get their own apartment soon.
We recently were asked to help provide funds for food for 20 orphans who were relocated from Mariupol and Khramatorsk to a vacant orphanage facility in Trapani, Italy. Nine of the children have significant special needs and require specialized care. Thankfully some of the staff relocated with them to provide continuity of care from caregivers who speak their language. Although the facility is provided for them, they must fund their own food and supplies. We are so thankful the children are in a safe location.
The orphanage in Bucha near Kyiv was home to 120 children. When the war got close, this orphanage was relocated to Chernivtsi. The facility had been used for rehab before the war. It is now temporarily both home and school for the orphans. While it has been a safe location so far, there is the possibility that they may have to move again. Meanwhile the workers strive to provide a safe, comforting environment for these children.
The 60 children and staff of the orphanage in Mariupol moved to Lyviv on February 24, the first day of the war. After a few weeks, the war began in Lyviv. We helped this orphanage until it was relocated to Poland. Although they had to leave their home country, thankfully they are safe and being well cared for in Poland.