Stranded in Kyiv

Hi friends,

Those who know me know that asking for help is my number one weakness, but today is not about me.

Today is about my cousin, her husband and their 9-year-old daughter; they live in the middle of a war zone in Kyiv.

So many of you reach out for updates; some offer help in Ukraine or abroad. I truly appreciate it and can’t thank you enough.

At this point, we can’t get them out. Several bridges are down; there is no safe access to a train, airports are shut down. Running onto the wrong militants could be fatal. Finding a safe way out is nearly impossible and is very unsafe at this point. My cousin does not drive; her husband will have to find a safe way out of the country and then his way back home because men are not allowed to leave Ukraine right now. The situation is a big puzzle. I have filled out the refugee documents with Canada. The process will take some time, there are still many steps to this process, and the main one is getting them out safely. We will board them in our home if they make it here.

Morning after morning, I wake up and look for their updates. Every single morning I hear how terrifying the night was. They are exhausted, stressed, take turns sleeping; one parent is always on guard. Some nights they don't get to sleep at all.

You have seen it all on the news, civilian homes, daycares (thank God children are no longer present ), hospitals are under attack. The family is fully dressed day or night, ready to hide or run if they have to. They hope the invasion will soon move onto another shore of Kyiv, giving them a bit of relief and a chance to flee.

Hearing these updates and reading the news tirelessly, hoping to find an evacuation plan, I have a feeling of being helpless. I know money is not a perfect solution, and I have no idea of the proper amount, but it is the only way I can help right now. They no longer have a job, and getting back to one will take a while. They will use the money for food, medicine, gas or train tickets to escape. It will give them a better chance to overcome this tragedy.

Please don’t feel pressured in any way; help if you can and wish.

There are other ways to help, through the Red Cross. Their story is one of many.

Thank you so much.

Karina