Help Anastasia and her daughter from Ukraine war

My name is Cindy Barbieri and I am writing this on behalf of my friend Anastasia, a 28-year-old single mother from Kremenchuk, Ukraine. She and her 8-year-old daughter Masha are refugees who fled their happy life after Russia invaded their country. They lived in Kremenchuk, where a missile attack on a shopping mall killed many innocent people.

Anastasia is not just a survivor, she is also a talented and compassionate person. She was an award-winning dance instructor who taught a company of 100 dancers that won competitions in countries such as Turkey and Georgia, a certified special needs teacher at a school and she is also a stretching coach. She loved her work and her students, but she had to leave everything behind to save her daughter’s life. Masha’s father is fighting in the war.

Anastasia and Masha have been torn apart from all of their friends and family by the war. They have lost their home, their possessions, and their sense of belonging.

They managed to get out of Ukraine with the help of some people who drove them to Poland. They had to endure three days of fear, uncertainty, and hunger as they passed through checkpoints, traffic jams, and explosions. They saw horrifying scenes of destruction and suffering along the way.

They had to exhaust their savings when unexpectedly evacuating from Ukraine at the beginning of the war. Anastasia has been working three jobs to make ends meet in Poland and is coming to the US for a better future for her daughter.

They have been accepted into the federal government’s Uniting for Ukraine humanitarian parolee program , which allows Ukrainians who have had to flee their homes because of the Russian invasion to come to the U.S. for up to two years at this time.

I am their sponsor on the U4U program and will be hosting them at my home in Annapolis for the first few months as they get settled. Anastasia has been brushing up on her English and will be looking for work immediately upon her arrival to the U.S.

But they need your help to make this dream come true. They need money for travel expenses, basic necessities and other resettlement expenses. They will be starting a new life with just one suitcase each. They will need all new things to rebuild their lives. Here is a breakdown of their expenses:

Flights from Warsaw to New York: $1700

Inexpensive car to get to work: $4000

Car insurance for one year: $1000

Rent and security deposit for a new apartment: $4000

Food, clothing, medicine, and other resettlement expenses for two months: $2000

The total amount they need is $12700. Every dollar counts and will make a difference in their lives. Your generosity will not only help them survive, but also give them hope for a better future.

Please also share this fundraiser with your friends, family, and social media contacts. The more people who know about their story, the more chances they have of reaching their goal.

Anastasia and Masha are grateful for any support you can give them. They have been through so much and they deserve a chance to live in peace and dignity.

Thank you for your kindness and compassion.