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UPDATE 3/13: THANK YOU all so much for your incredible donations! I am beyond excited and grateful that through your support these wonderful women will have the opportunity to provide for their families. If you would like to donate additional funds beyond our goal, the money will be sent to these women who will distribute it to others in their community who need help. This is a great opportunity to support Ukrainian people directly, knowing that 100% of your donations will be placed in the hands of those in need. Thank you again, and Glory to Ukraine!
Three of my closest friends are in Ukraine right now, living through the hell of war. We met when I moved to Kyiv in 2016; they took me in and made me part of their families. These women are unbelievably strong and facing horrors most of us can't even imagine.
Due to the war, these women are no longer able to work and have no source of income at a time when they desperately need money. They need to be able to afford food, medicine, blankets, supplies for their children, and accommodation -- which they can't do now without our help. Therefore, I am raising money to help them support themselves, their families, and Ukraine. I hope to provide them with enough to cover one month's minimum expenses: $1,000 per month in ordinary times + 50% to account for these uncertain circumstances. I will cover international transaction fees.
- One of these women was forced to flee her home in Kyiv with her young daughter. They are presently searching for a stable place to stay where they can be safe. Despite all these stresses and challenges, she still finds the inspiration and energy to volunteer to help those around her. In her words:
"Intruders came to my land
My daughter woke up because of an explosions in front of our windows
We were running from Kyiv to save her life with a series of bombs behind us
She is afraid of any loud sound now
I couldn’t fall asleep till 5 today, because there are 9 of us here in one house with 2 small kids, and one of us snores. So I couldn’t fall asleep because one man snores so much that it seemed the sound of explosions for me"
- Another of these women is remaining in the Kyiv region, partly because of her family and partly because she cannot leave due to medical circumstances. She is a kind and loving woman who is fiercely devoted to her family, and she is generous beyond compare, always genuinely wanting to help others. Without disclosing her personal circumstances, this would be a difficult time for her family even without the war, which is now made worse, hiding in basements when the shooting and bombs get too close.
- The third woman is a force of nature. She loves and believes in Kyiv and Ukraine so strongly that she is remaining in Kyiv to support the local defense however she can. She is a talented artist, often inspired by the sea, and has a passion for studying and understanding human psychology. Her inner strength and desire to help and protect others are unparalleled. In her soul is an absolute warrior, and I trust she won't let Kyiv see defeat. In her words:
"On February 24, my family and I woke up at 5:30 from the explosions. Until recently, we could not believe that this is possible in the civilized world. Today is the 8th day of the war and we still can't believe it's happening to us. I am in Kyiv, I did not want to leave my home and become a refugee, my city needs me and I will protect it as much as I can. My heart bleeds when I see what they are doing to my country. Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Kherson, Mariupol are very beautiful big cities of my country, now they are in ruins. Thousands of dead, including children .... I try to be strong despite the fact that my hands are shaking and sometimes like a wave of fear. I would never have thought that I would ever experience this. But we will stand for independence! Glory to Ukraine."
Any support you can provide would be incredibly appreciated. Even a couple of dollars would mean a lot and would be a sign to them that people around the world are thinking of them and supporting them during this horrendous time. None of these women would ever accept this support if it were not truly desperate circumstances. And they have all said that any financial support they receive and do not use, they will donate to helping others in their community.
You can be assured that 100% of donations will go directly to these three women so they can support themselves and their families as they live through hell. Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity.
Слава Україні!