Support a Ukrainian family as they take refuge

This is a fundraiser for a family from Odessa, Ukraine. At the moment, the father must stay to defend Ukraine, the mother is fleeing Ukraine and heading to Poland with her two youngest children (Tasia, 6 and Vlad, 13) so that she may reunite with her eldest son, Dima, who is 14 years old and currently all by himself in Poland--he knows no one and speaks no Polish. 

 

This family is a close family member of my dear friend Elena, who was a Ukrainian refugee herself and escaped the USSR many years ago, and is now living with her family in Connecticut, US. Through some kind and resourceful friends/family, Alexandra (the mother) and her children have an immediate place to stay once they reach Poland, but they will need food, toiletries, school supplies and other necessities. Alexandra and her children are fleeing a very dangerous situation in Ukraine and she is very afraid for her children's safety.  We are raising money to cover this family's expenses for the first few months in Poland, while we pray for peace in Ukraine.

 

Here is a message from Alexandra, the mother:

"Hello, my name is Alexandra, and I'm from Odessa, Ukraine. I have a big family - starting with three kids and ending with grand-grand-mothers of 80 years old. As you know, here in Ukraine we've got a huge problem in our country, that touched all the cities. We accepted an offer from volunteers to take care of my 14 year old son's sports team in Poland. But when they arrived, it appeared that the shelter is given only for a month. The other boys found other places to stay, but my son, Dima, is all alone in Poland. Of course, those mothers who went as leaders of the sport group, started searching options to settle somewhere in Europe; the chance that Dima could go back to Ukraine was lost - he is 14, and without an adult, he won't be able to stay in Hotel nor cross the border.

We didn't even think about moving to Europe - we had no relatives or close friends to manage the situation with roof over heads or some money help. The situation now requires me to take my two younger children of 13 and 6 years old and go to Poland to help Dima. But today, the border-guards gave the information, that we can't cross the border back to Ukraine, until it is safe enough. And no one knows how much time it will be before we can go back to Ukraine.

 

Please consider making a contribution to this family. Before war broke out, these kids were just living an everyday life in Ukraine--going to school, being active and enjoying all sorts of activities. Dima was on a Mountain Climbing team in Ukraine and is very good at programming.
Alexandra will be looking for work when she arrives in Poland. She is a tutor in math, Urkranian, and English and she speaks Polish. If you know anyone who needs a tutor in these subjects, please reach out, as Alexandra would be grateful for the work to support her family. 

This is Dima, age 14.

 

 

This is Alexandra, the mother.

 

This is Alexandra's daughter, Tasia, age 6.

This is Alexandra and two of her children, Tasia and Vlad.