YEE HAW- but Mommy and Daddy need wheels

I am Bruce. I met Oksana and Mykoyla 4 years ago when I spent three weeks teaching with their assistance in Ukraine. They are successful, lovely people who always have a delightful smile on their faces. following is their plight

Mykola and Oksana are professionals who had a beautiful life that was rich with friends and family in Kharkiv, Ukraine. They had hopes Russia would not invade their country but left with their daughter Solomiia. The horror started two days later when Russia bombed their city and the invasion started. Their beautiful city, the parks, and their home was destroyed. Everything they had was suddenly—gone……car, home, clothes, personal belongings, memories—gone, totally gone! Friends and family that survived are scattered and surviving in basements as the devastation continues. They had apps on their phone that wanrined of missile attacks in their city, and they would wake in dread for their families nightly as alerts would go off. They were stranded in Cyprus in a tiny hotel for months dealing with bureaucratic red tape.

It took months before the US agreed to accept any Ukrainians. They were living day to day with no idea what was next. Lucky, they were among the extremely limited number finally accepted by the US. They have friends who have helped them find housing and food. They are industrious people and have enrolled in school and will be productive citizens. Currently, they are looking at a 2012 Volvo with 124,000 miles on it. A vehicle is a necessity for them to get to school and care for Solomiia.

The pictures show the beauty and joy in the life they had. (yes, Oksana made the birthday cake) You see the pristine city where they lived and then, in a matter of days, it is destroyed, leaving children being dug from the rubble. Despite the terror, shock and despair for their family and friends, Mykola and Oksana have worked to protect and provide for their daughter.

Your help will provide them transportation to go to classes, get groceries and take Solomiia to school. Money cannot replace the life they had, but it can help restore hope for them and help them start a new life.