Evacuating Ukraine and Starting Over
Donation protected
Kuchayev Family's Current Situation
Hello friends--
First and foremost, we’d like to thank you all for your ongoing support--we are truly overwhelmed by the kindness bestowed upon our family. The sheer volume of people continuing to offer words of support, clothing, food, and financial assistance is beyond words of gratitude--we are humbled and so, so blessed to have such tremendous people surround us during this unimaginable time. Second, we’d like to give you an update on Katya, Artyom, Fedor, and Ivan.
Artyom and Ivan are currently in Kyiv. Ivan has joined volunteer forces and has been traveling with his squad to cities and villages surrounding Kyiv assisting with evacuations and defence.
Artyom works in supply ordering and distribution. His work takes him to various cities gathering and delivering supplies. Both Artyom and Ivan are doing as much as they can to help the citizens of Ukraine and to support the war efforts.
Katya has qualified for refugee assistance in France and has started taking French language courses. The adjustment is definitely not without challenges but she and Fedor are also trying their best to acclimate and build a life while they wait to be reunited with Artyom and Ivan.
Here you will find a BBC News video in which Ivan is featured beginning on minute 9. And here's the article mentioning Ivan: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60959667
You will also see some new photos of Katya and Fedor in France and Ivan in Kyiv.
We hope you will continue to pray for our family and all those affected by the war in Ukraine. Lastly, we’d like to share that with the funds collected, we are also helping others when we are able to connect with those in need.
THANK YOU!
22nd April 2022
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Kuchayev Family's story after 24th of February 2022
Our sister, Kateryna, her husband, Artem, and their two sons, Ivan and Fedya were in Kyiv when the Russian forces entered Ukraine and began viciously attacking Ukrainian cities.
Katya was resting at home, recovering from emergency surgery performed on February 21, when they had to suddenly abandon their home and life to flee to safety.
Unfortunately, because everything unraveled so fast, they could only grab one backpack with documents and their three cats, Keks, Kasya, and Flora.
All their belongings and their beloved home of nearly 16 years were left behind.
They took shelter for two days in a house 45 minutes outside of Kyiv, hiding in the basement between air raids and bombings before finally deciding to make their way to the Polish border.
The road was not easy for them. Physically, mentally, and emotionally there were countless obstacles. After nearly 22 hours at the border, about 11 of which Katya and Fedya spent standing in a bus full of people at the border of Poland, they were able to get to safety.
Artem, 43, and Ivan, 22, stayed in Ukraine, since they are both in the 18-60 age bracket for fighting in the war.
Now, Katya and Fedya are in France with our youngest sister, Tania. Foolishly we thought that getting out of Ukraine would be the hard part. However, now, we all realize the "hard" part is only beginning.
As of this moment, Katya and her family are living in a world of uncertainty. Unsure of what each day will bring or when they will all be reunited. Now, there is also the question of surviving in a foreign place without any possessions, a home, or a way to earn a living.
One thing is certain--nothing will ever be the same for our sister Katya and her family. They are forever changed and their future in question. Yet, like the countless Ukrainians around the world, they continue on, hopeful and determined.
We are truly grateful for your contribution and support to our family during this unimaginable time.
Hello friends--
First and foremost, we’d like to thank you all for your ongoing support--we are truly overwhelmed by the kindness bestowed upon our family. The sheer volume of people continuing to offer words of support, clothing, food, and financial assistance is beyond words of gratitude--we are humbled and so, so blessed to have such tremendous people surround us during this unimaginable time. Second, we’d like to give you an update on Katya, Artyom, Fedor, and Ivan.
Artyom and Ivan are currently in Kyiv. Ivan has joined volunteer forces and has been traveling with his squad to cities and villages surrounding Kyiv assisting with evacuations and defence.
Artyom works in supply ordering and distribution. His work takes him to various cities gathering and delivering supplies. Both Artyom and Ivan are doing as much as they can to help the citizens of Ukraine and to support the war efforts.
Katya has qualified for refugee assistance in France and has started taking French language courses. The adjustment is definitely not without challenges but she and Fedor are also trying their best to acclimate and build a life while they wait to be reunited with Artyom and Ivan.
Here you will find a BBC News video in which Ivan is featured beginning on minute 9. And here's the article mentioning Ivan: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60959667
You will also see some new photos of Katya and Fedor in France and Ivan in Kyiv.
We hope you will continue to pray for our family and all those affected by the war in Ukraine. Lastly, we’d like to share that with the funds collected, we are also helping others when we are able to connect with those in need.
THANK YOU!
22nd April 2022
--------------------------
Kuchayev Family's story after 24th of February 2022
Our sister, Kateryna, her husband, Artem, and their two sons, Ivan and Fedya were in Kyiv when the Russian forces entered Ukraine and began viciously attacking Ukrainian cities.
Katya was resting at home, recovering from emergency surgery performed on February 21, when they had to suddenly abandon their home and life to flee to safety.
Unfortunately, because everything unraveled so fast, they could only grab one backpack with documents and their three cats, Keks, Kasya, and Flora.
All their belongings and their beloved home of nearly 16 years were left behind.
They took shelter for two days in a house 45 minutes outside of Kyiv, hiding in the basement between air raids and bombings before finally deciding to make their way to the Polish border.
The road was not easy for them. Physically, mentally, and emotionally there were countless obstacles. After nearly 22 hours at the border, about 11 of which Katya and Fedya spent standing in a bus full of people at the border of Poland, they were able to get to safety.
Artem, 43, and Ivan, 22, stayed in Ukraine, since they are both in the 18-60 age bracket for fighting in the war.
Now, Katya and Fedya are in France with our youngest sister, Tania. Foolishly we thought that getting out of Ukraine would be the hard part. However, now, we all realize the "hard" part is only beginning.
As of this moment, Katya and her family are living in a world of uncertainty. Unsure of what each day will bring or when they will all be reunited. Now, there is also the question of surviving in a foreign place without any possessions, a home, or a way to earn a living.
One thing is certain--nothing will ever be the same for our sister Katya and her family. They are forever changed and their future in question. Yet, like the countless Ukrainians around the world, they continue on, hopeful and determined.
We are truly grateful for your contribution and support to our family during this unimaginable time.
With hope,
Oksana Kolegina
Anastasia LaBagnara
Tatiana Kolegina
Valentina Taylor
Ivan with his friend Dima in Kyiv, March 2022
Ivan with his friend Rina, March 2022
Ivan in Irpin, April 2022
Katya at Alliance Française in Nice, April 2022
Katya & Fedor in Dolceaqua, April 2022And some pictures from family album made before February 2022
Organizer and beneficiary
Tatiana Kolegina
Organizer
Nice
Kateryna Kolegina
Beneficiary