Hello, everyone, my name is Dasha, and my mama Shari and I are raising money to help five families in Ukraine who are living in terrible conditions during the war that is happening in Ukraine right now. Please do not remain indifferent, and donate as much as you can. I'm asking you all to help these Ukrainian families save their children from starvation and dehydration during the war. When I was sixteen years old, I was adopted to the US from northeastern Ukraine, from a town about 35 miles from the Russian border. Three of these families are families of girls I lived with at an orphanage in Ukraine. These families are like brothers and sisters to me. They have no one, and they need urgent financial assistance so that they can survive this horrifying time in Ukraine. Their cities have all been bombed and are in ruins. I have a bank account that will be used only for this purpose, and we will provide pictures of the families with food and receipts showing that the funds were transferred to them to anyone who wants to see proof that the money was sent to them. (Fundraiser goal is just a high ceiling to accommodate whatever amounts may come in. We will send all funds to Ukraine, no matter what the amount.) 

These families need help to save their children from starvation and dehydration. Electricity, water and heating were turned off in my home city, Okhtyrka, Sumy region, due to the bombing of electric stations. The water channel was blown up by a bomb, and people can get water only at the store. Stores have raised prices, and everything is extremely expensive. Right now, one liter of water costs the equivalent of $33.12. We are setting a high fundraising goal because everything is so expensive in the region now and we are trying to help a large number of people. All the money we raise will go to families in Ukraine. If we raise more money than these five families need, we will send that money to more families. Many people I know in Ukraine are messaging me every day, begging me for help.


Family #1: Irina and her six-year-old daughter Dasha and her eight-year-old niece Kristina
Irina and I are best friends. We have been besties since we were eleven years old. We were at the orphanage together as well. Ira's husband has also joined the military to fight in the war. She does not have anybody who can help her during this horrible time in Ukraine. Irina's brother went with his wife to Kyiv to work before the war started, and they left their eight-year-old daughter Kristina with Irina so she could take care of her while they earned money in Kyiv. Literally a week later, the war began. Her brother and his wife cannot leave Kyiv, so Ira has to take care of their daughter as well as her own. The three of them are in need of food and water to be able to survive. From Ira's words: "I am horrified. I do not know how to feed my children, and my husband is gone and who knows if he will ever come back. Every day here is worse than hell. God please help us all. I am begging, please help me to feed my children and buy water!" Please help Irina, her daughter Dasha, and Irina's niece Kristina. My whole family loves Ira very much. (Located in Okhtyrka.)
 
Families #2 and 3: Tatiana and Nataliya and their families
Tatiana and Nataliya are very close friends of mine from my hometown who also need financial assistance so that they and their children can eat. Tatiana has four children and Nataliya has three children. They have an old grandma Svitlana who is 98 years old and unable to provide any financial assistance. Both husbands of Nataliya's and Tatiana's families have left to fight for freedom in Ukraine. When Tatiana and Natalia were just six and seven years old, these girls swept the market to help their mother, who later died due to a health problem. Despite their poor finances, this family extended a helping hand to me when I was a girl, even though they themselves also needed food. Please help these big-hearted families. (Located in Okhtyrka.)

Family #4: Marina, Oksana, Dmitry, Denis and Oksana's three-year-old son Renat
Marina, Oksana, Dmitry, and Denis are sisters and brother. Dmitry has decided to join the army and protect the Ukrainian people. He is only 16 years old. They really need your help! They have not had food for the past two days because they don't have any money. There are some water supplies at their apartment, but they're extremely limited. Please help this beautiful family. (Located in Sumy.)

Family #5: Liliya
Liliya is a wonderful person and a wonderful mother. She has a very big heart that is full of love and hope. Liliya and I were in an orphanage together, and we spent beautiful summers with her. We used to go to the river and splash in the water without knowing any worries in the world. My mama spent a lot of time with Lililya when my family came to adopt me and my sister, and we all love Liliya very much. Today Lilya's heart is filled with fear for her children and what tomorrow will bring. Her daughter is two years old. Right now Lily's husband is still at home with his family. They really need your help. They need water and food. Her family does not have the financial means to survive this terrible time. (Located near Sumy.)

Bless you all for your help. They and I and my mama are very grateful to you for your support of Ukrainian friends during this frightening time.