Help Jessica and Ole host a family from Kyiv

On March 15th, my daughter, Jessica, her husband, Ole, and son, Luigi Rainbow, began hosting a Ukrainian family from Kyiv: Anna Riabcheniuk, 41, her son, Nikita, 13, and Anna’s mother, Tanya, 68. The family had been living in a residential area in Kyiv. They were forced to flee the city on March 1st, with Anna’s older son, Vanya, 18, after several nights in a bomb shelter following rocket strikes in their neighborhood, including one that hit the playground across the street from their home. After leaving Vanya with family friends — he is of fighting age and therefore, had to remain in Ukraine — they spent four days traveling by car to reach Northern Italy.

While Jessica and Ole are able to host Anna and her family in their guesthouse until it is safe for them to return home, they need help supporting the cost of living for an additional family of three. My request is based on a modest estimated budget to cover expenses for food, clothing, basic amenities, gas, and contingencies such as medical emergencies and car repair, for a family of three living in rural Italy for one year. The family arrived with very few personal belongings and have lost all means of financially supporting themselves. While they are desperate to return to Ukraine as soon as possible, we all understand this may not happen for some time.

Support we raise beyond this budget will go toward helping Anna and her family rebuild their lives in Ukraine when the time comes, or if need be, start over in Italy. Jessica and Ole are working to place Nikita in the local middle school as soon as possible and will expand their vegetable and fruit gardens to support both families through the summer.