We’re raising money to help a Ukrainian refugee family that fled the war to the US. When they got here they got jobs, and saved enough money to buy a car. Unfortunately, they got taken, and received a undriveable vehicle. We’re trying to make this right by raising enough money to fix the vehicle and get them back on their feet.

 

Igor and Olga Bludov and, their 10 year old son, Misha, lived in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Their town was among one of the first hit by Russian soldiers in late February 2022. When the bombs began to hit close to their home, and Misha’s best friend’s house was invaded by soldiers, they decided to leave.

 

Living first in their car, then on various church floors in Moldova and Hungary, they finally received permission to come to the US as humanitarian refugees. They connected with a Charlotte family who took them in, and they began the slow process of rebuilding their lives.

 

After getting jobs their first major expense was for a car. They wanted a reliable family vehicle, and sought out a minivan. When they found a decent one online advertised as runs & drives for $5,000 they took the plunge with a large chunk of their savings. When the vehicle arrived, it had broken shock absorbers, transmission, and the rear drivetrain needed to be completely replaced. It definitely wasn’t as advertised. It remains undriveable and the Bludov’s need money to fix it or replace it.

 

Life in a new country, with new norms and a new language has not been kind. We’re pursuing small claims court and formulating a plan to fix it, but we need money and they need reliable transportation to keep their jobs. We are looking for donations to get started on the repair, secure a short term transportation, and get them back on their feet. 

 

Please help with anything you can afford to contribute.

UPDATE: Any  funds collected that are over what they spent on the car initially will be split between MSF (Doctors without Borders efforts in the Ukraine) and immigration assistance for the Bludov's.