Need help for my sister-in-law and the kids.

Dear friends and colleagues,

I have set up this GoFundMe for my brother’s family which was finally able to come to the United States after 10 months of running and hiding after the bombing started in Ukraine. My brother Igor and his wife Natalia, and their two children, a 15-yr old Svyatoslav and 11-yr old Stephania, spent the first month in the bomb shelter before he evacuated them to Croatia, as he had to stay in Ukraine.

Natalia did everything she could in Croatia to keep some semblance of normalcy for their children, living in a gymnasium-like dorm, she was out of options. By the grace of God and some networking, Natalia and the kids became sponsored by a family in Central New Jersey. This amazing host family flew them over to the United States and set them up temporarily in their house.

Nonetheless, it is bittersweet: They miss and worry for their dad, husband, and I too for my brother. It is very surreal.

My nephew is doing better: he is a world champion competing ball dancer and may have the chance to continue here. My niece is having a tough time missing her dad, friends and all her pets.

I am doing everything I can: financially, legal-wise, education, healthcare, etc. But as a single mother, taking care of my parents as well I can only do so much and can’t handle this myself. I’m asking for your help.

Natalia’s limitation to support her children, her son’s passion, her daughter’s love for reading, and importantly her ability to earn a living, is that she needs a reliable cheap car.

The host family is in a rural area, distant from everything. To stand on her own two feet and get the children where they need to go, she needs transportation. I have a friend that can get her a reliable cheap car, something for about $4,000 - $ 5000 plus tax, title, registration, and any additional expenses. Anything raised above will be used to get new clothes and wellness/everyday items.

Having a car will help Natalia to find a solid job, she is a hairdresser by trade, but is willing to do whatever it takes to eventually get a temporary living place to rent until it is safe to return to Ukraine.

If you can donate and please spread the word as soon as you have time I would be eternally grateful. This has been tremendously stressful on us, but more importantly, we are focused on the children to experience life as any child should.

Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions you have or ideas that would help.

With Love,

Tatiana