Help Ukranian Refugee Darina start a new life

Hi, my name is Sharon Kremen and I am raising funds for Darina Gavrilyuk and her mother Irina, Ukrainian citizens who were forced to flee their country when Russia attacked.

Darina and her parents were living a peaceful and happy life in a small village on the outskirts of Khmelnytskyi, where Darina worked as a freelance illustrator and her mother as a seamstress. When the war began, they were forced out of their home and became refugees overnight. They were lucky to escape and found a refugee program in Germany where they currently reside. Darina's father was forced to stay behind since at 48, he is still considered to be of military age.

I met Darina 3 years ago via 'Upwork', an online job site as I searched for an illustrator for a children's book I had written. I went through hundreds of potential illustrators and countless applicants to bring my characters to life. I was not only looking for a talented artist but for a person that would reflect my characters' sweet, loving nature. When I came upon Darina's application and portfolio, we set up an interview. Almost instantly, I sensed her kindness, compassionate nature, and industrious work ethic. I hired her that day.

Now, having lost everything, they are desperate to cultivate a new life. With virtually no savings to their name, no way to generate income, and no home to return to, they are in dire need of help.

While the current refugee program in Germany is a blessing, it is not sustainable and they wish to make a new start for themselves in the United States. When Darina asked my husband and me to sponsor them, we immediately agreed. My father escaped a communist regime in Cuba in 1960 thanks to a sponsor that gave him the opportunity to start a new life in America and we want to do whatever we can to pay it forward. While waiting for the sponsorship application to be approved, we are raising money to help them transition into their new life here until they are able to obtain work permits. We sincerely appreciate your generosity and will keep you updated on the sponsorship process and their journey.