When Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Yvonne's nephew Edward Ma was particularly horrified. Ed lived in Ukraine and formed deep bonds with his Ukrainian friends and colleagues. Since the new war began, Ed has worked night and day, sending money, medicine, and supplies directly to Ukrainians in need. 

Ed's been describing his efforts in a family text chat. It's heart-rending. You can't read his messages without wanting to help. That's why we've set up this campaign, to support Ed and to contribute to Ukraine's fight to remain free. Scroll down to hear from Ed.  Please help us give direct aid to Ed's friends in Ukraine. 

A Note From Ed: 

Hi everyone. I lived in Ukraine for 12 years, first as a Peace Corps volunteer and later as an entrepreneur. During my first three months, I lived in a small rural community near Kyiv with a host family who had sunflower fields, cherry trees, chickens and goats. They treat me like family to this day. The peaceful country I called "home" is now under attack. The lives of my Ukrainian friends have been upended, so I’m doing what I can from afar to help support them in their time of crisis.

This once peaceful country that was my home for 12 years is no longer peaceful due to Russia’s 8-year military assault. It began in 2014 with the occupation of Crimea and parts of Donbas, and now I watch from the U.S. as Russia escalates its military aggression against Ukraine, violating principles of international security and peace, and causing a humanitarian catastrophe. 

In January 2022, I was with my host brother in the Obolon district of Kyiv (a district which was later shelled) while Russian forces massed at the Ukrainian border. On March 9, 2022, a Russian tank squadron attacked Brovary and was defeated by Ukrainians in battle just 15 minutes from my host family’s house. 

Since the beginning of the war, I have been helping friends in Ukraine with funds to evacuate their families and bring life-saving food and medicine to help others. This direct friend-to-friend support is extremely effective.  Now, with your help, we can do more.

Direct aid to Ukraine: I intend to transfer 100% of your contributions directly into friends' bank accounts in Ukraine. They will use the funds to enable volunteers who stayed on the front lines in smaller cities to purchase, transport and distribute food and supplies, including diapers, clothing, boots, vests, medical supplies, etc. to families who are not getting Red Cross or large-scale organized relief funds. 

I'll do my best to provide periodic updates from them as they band together to help their family, friends, neighbors and country to survive.

May Peace Reign / Хай панує мир

Ed

P.S. You can see my latest posts on this project on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edward.ma.5458

NOTE: Yvonne will collect the funds and transfer to Ed.

P.S.S. After Ed's successful delivery of food and supplies in March, we're raising the goal to raise enough funds for a second delivery of direct aid.