As I compiled this series, I couldn’t help but think of the quote from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings: “Hope is not victory, but it is the promise of dawn. It lives in the darkest of nights, a steady candle against the uncertainty, until the coming of the day.”
GlobalGiving recently conducted a three-country trip to visit the awe-inspiring, local partners at the heart of our response to the devastating war and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. We visited more than 20 organizations that have received donations from GlobalGiving’s Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund, thanks to the generosity of donors around the globe. We visited the bordering countries of Poland, Romania, and Slovakia—all hosting refugees from Ukraine. The stories we encountered on that journey are captured here in a series we’ve titled “Portraits of Hope.”
This series is about real people making a difference in their communities, as Tolkien put it, in the darkest and most uncertain of nights. It’s about their unyielding commitment to help others in need. In Poland, Romania, and Slovakia, I witnessed over and over again the power of individuals to offer hope and provide care in their communities in ways that nobody else is.
The stories you’re about to read come from people from all walks of life— a Ukrainian doctor serving in a Polish hospital, a Polish woman with a disability finding her place in a blended community, a Ukrainian refugee starting anew in Romania. Despite their diverse backgrounds and experiences, there’s one thing that binds them: their deep care for others in the midst of war.
Our approach at GlobalGiving is to support community-led work in a holistic way. When it comes to the war in Ukraine, we continue to provide long-term relief, focusing on our incredible partners within Ukraine as well as those in the surrounding countries that continue to provide refuge to displaced people.
As you read these stories, you’ll get to know organizations like the Pay It Forward Foundation in Poland, a community-led organization that adapted to the crisis by expanding their support to include refugees from Ukraine. Similarly, Ateliere Fără Frontiere (or “Workshops without Borders”) in Romania, an organization initially focused on addressing local employment challenges, opened its doors to Ukrainian refugees, creating opportunities for them to establish successful careers.
The stories in this series are more than inspiring anecdotes—they’re a testament to unwavering humanity in the face of adversity. Tolkien’s quote, “Hope is not victory, but it is the promise of dawn,” speaks volumes about the unfolding reality in Ukraine. These stories from our GlobalGiving community—like steady candles —light the way forward for all of us.
Natasha
Life Quality Fund, Ukraine
“When you are a refugee yourself you know the needs because you have felt it in your own skin. I can’t go without compassion.
It just happened with the history of Ukraine that we were suffering a lot over the course of history. It just happened that we live in this place where we are always fighting for our rights to be free. It seems like every generation suffers. We want to be free and have the right for self realization. We want to have our own will.
When there are many needs you sit down, and think, what do I do? We decided to build a foundation to help others.
In March 2022, when we realized that we needed support, we just began to search ‘charity organizations’ — my husband and myself — and GlobalGiving came up in the search. We began to ask for help. And we still have two projects on the platform, if you want to help donate or maybe share with others.
What we are doing is providing people with necessities, like food. The most important thing seems to be protecting the people and helping them to adapt. Almost all of them are at the stage of nerve break because of what is happening. Some of them have physical illnesses. Our goal is to help not only those around us but beyond.”
Twice displaced as a result of Russia’s war in Ukraine, Natasha now leads the Life Quality Fund, a GlobalGiving partner helping displaced people in Ukraine. The mission of Life Quality Fund is giving refugees hope with care and empathy.
Yana
Life Quality Fund, Ukraine
“It’s starting from scratch. We thought the war would end in two weeks and we left home with two suitcases of summer clothes and we never came back. We know how it feels to be left without basics. It’s one reason you want to help people with basics — sometimes it is hard for people to ask.
We start with the basics, but we want to help not only the body but the mind. I try to pray and meditate — that helps. I’m learning.
I try to count my blessings today, to see what’s good here today, what we were able to overcome and what’s behind us.
From my own experience I know that being a refugee is hard, you kind of end up … let me find words. It was complicated for us. When we moved from our home we had to find our way in other regions; people didn’t want to rent us an apartment. With all of this we knew that people need help — we knew because we experienced it.
The biggest need is to come up with a strategy for how to help people with a holistic approach; food is one thing, but we realize we need to help people think long term. But how to even think six months ahead? We want to learn how to live in this war environment, when you have no idea what’s going to happen tomorrow. I’m learning how to plan for the long term.
I don’t think we were meant to see so much death. Sometimes it numbs you. You really need to find a way to come out of this and come back to life.”
Twice displaced as a result of Russia’s war in Ukraine, Yana now works with the Life Quality Fund, a GlobalGiving partner helping displaced people in Ukraine. The mission of Life Quality Fund is giving refugees hope with care, empathy and real help.
Kateryna
International Medical Corp, Poland
“When I first came to Poland I didn’t know where to go. When I came to work here [at the hospital] it’s good because I can communicate with the patients and their families. There is already a shortage of medical staff — and more Ukrainian patients — so Ukrainian doctors are crucial.”
Kateryna is a Ukrainian doctor working in Krakow, Poland. The children’s hospital where Katerina works receives funding from International Medical Corp, a GlobalGiving partner. International Medical Corps is a global humanitarian nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through healthcare training, disaster relief, and long-term development programs.
Stefania
Ateliere Fără Frontiere, Romania
“They can be homeless, have addictions, be mothers in violent situations, people with health issues, illiterate, with lots of difficulties getting hired. But six out of ten people can get a job after the workshops we have here.
We have a methodology. First, we try to stabilize and help solve health and housing issues. Next, we work on gaining skills — from simple skills like coming in to work on time and knowing how to interact with colleagues — to work skills like how to sew. Lastly, we work on their work portfolio with their counselor, establish objectives, start to dream, and think about what they want to do. We work on CVs, and their counselor continues to stay in touch for at least 3 months after the workshop time.
At this location we collect electronic waste and find ways to dispose of it. Some things are still good to be used; we refurbish computers to be used at schools, for instance. We work in poor areas where there is no infrastructure. When Covid hit, we realized truly how ill-equipped these kids are with no technology supplies. We also collect billboards and signage to create bags and other accessories out of them, and avoid single use plastic.
We also have a farm — ecological, green certified — and we grow all kinds of vegetables. We work with poor and Roma communities so they don’t have to go far to work. The vegetables that we grow there get delivered to 14 points in Bucharest, and we have a subscription service for our veggie basket.
When the war started we opened spots for the Ukrainian people to join our workshops. We hired a translator to help us. We offered refurbished computers to children from Ukraine who are doing online schooling.
We’re using a ‘place and train’ model. The people coming from Ukraine are vulnerable — they may have education but it’s often not recognized here in Romania, and they might need to take a different job.
We’re trying to work on coaching and motivation and helping people find a job that suits them and their interests. Then we try to make a match with a prospective employer.
With everyone, at the beginning we have to gain their trust. We do that through a community effort; we organize different workshops. We focus on self care, on empowering people in the community to create connections.”
Ștefania is the Mission Facilitator & Fundraiser at Ateliere Fără Frontiere, a GlobalGiving partner in Romania. Ateliere Fără Frontiere (Workshop Without Borders) is a circular economy based NGO whose activities main focus is to create jobs for people coming from vulnerable groups (including the Roma people, people experiencing addiction, violence, homelessness, among other things) and provide social services that consist of job coaching, financial counseling, access to education and mental health.
Dionisia
Give Life, Romania
“We had a meeting where we realized we need to stop, reboot, and help Ukraine. It’s the DNA of the founders of our organization to react when something goes wrong — that’s why we had to pause our work fundraising for the hospital. Construction on the hospital continued, but we moved the focus of all of our fundraising efforts to our Emergency Fund for Ukraine.
A lot of companies got involved—around 40-60 companies. We had a young woman volunteer from Ukraine who did all of the logistics. She gave us the list of necessities. We bought medicine, surgical support, stuff for injuries, antibiotics, and we gathered everything in the warehouse. All of this support was for people who stayed in Ukraine. For us it was very emotional—our volunteer in Ukraine was just 18. Her mother was with us in the warehouse while the daughter and husband stayed in Ukraine.”
At first it was panic because of the war. But pretty much like any disaster you start to just keep on.
Dionisia works with Give Life, a GlobalGiving partner in Romania. They are currently building a children’s hospital in Bucharest.
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Olga
Fundatia Inima de Copil, Romania
“All my childhood I grew up seeing Romania over the border. When we had to leave Ukraine, we came here. We stayed at a small hotel from the end of February to the middle of May. All the people who came with us were moving to Germany to other places. But me and my sister and mom were not moving on.
I said to the hotel owner, ‘Tell me directly if we need to leave.’ She said, ‘You can stay as long as you want, just help me in the kitchen.’ It was so cold! The water was cold and I was washing dishes for 150 people. After that, I thought, ‘I’m not afraid of anything.’
That day washing dishes, it was the first day since the war started that my mind was clear. I was not just ok — I was good because I could distract myself.
I escaped. My family didn’t see me, I was so busy. I didn’t have any time to watch the news. The news wasn’t good, and I couldn’t change the situation. Being in that mental state wasn’t helpful.
I was sleeping again and I took showers and started to speak English and a little Spanish, too. I spoke with a woman who spoke Spanish, and she was so nice and accepting and kind. I am so blessed because I only meet great people. I made such good friends. We were laughing all the time—I misunderstood so many things and had so many stories.
After that, there was a girl who said, ‘If you want, I can talk about you with my boss.’ I came here to Fundatia Inima de Copil and they helped me find an apartment. My mom, sister and I live here now.”
Olga now serves with Fundatia Inima de Copil (Heart of a Child Foundation), a GlobalGiving partner helping Ukrainian refugees in Romania. Fundatia Inima de Copil helps children, parents, and their communities in difficult and at-risk situations with medical, educational, emotional, and economic support. They believe that poverty should not be a barrier to success, and that every child, including those from underprivileged backgrounds, deserve to have hope for a happy childhood and a successful future.
Anna
IsraAid, Ukraine
“I am from Kiev. I come from 18 years of interpreting. My family made a decision not to leave my country or my city. And we watched a major checkpoint be built right outside my house. I saw my sons out on the balcony saying, ‘Look, Mom, it’s a sunny day — see the anti-tank mines shining in the sun!’ And the worst thing is that I kind of thought, at least it’s good they can still see the bright side to it. Thank God I never had to regret my decision, because we all know people in Mariupol had a very different experience.
Eventually I started working with foreign journalists to accompany them throughout the country, seeing lots of awful stuff. With one of the groups I went to Bucha on the second day after its liberation and what I saw there made me realize that just helping spread the word was not enough.
So, I jumped on the opportunity that presented itself to interpret an amazing training for social and psychological workers of the Bucha region in Bucha with IsraAid.
It clicked immediately—I felt that this is something I can do. I can do this meaningful job and I can make a difference.
And I was happy to get an offer to join the IsraAid team on their Ukrainian mission. I have been working for them as an interpreter and communications officer ever since. It’s one of the best things that happened to me over the last year.”
Anna serves as Communications Officer in Ukraine for IsraAid, a GlobalGiving partner. IsraAid’s mission is to support people affected by humanitarian crises. They partner with local communities around the world to provide urgent aid, assist in recovery, and reduce the risk of future disasters.
Marina
Fundatia Inima de Copil, Romania
“It was a challenge in the beginning. When I came here to Romania my husband stayed in Ukraine. We didn’t know what to do. We found an apartment and met members from Fundatia Inima de Copil. They organized a meeting for Ukrainian people in this big empty space. They asked what we want, what we need for our children. They made accommodations for us. For three hours every day my kids could play with other Ukrainian kids. My kids are 12 and 14—they have friends now and they are happy.
I was finishing my degree as a psychologist, and by June those savings I had were finished. It was such a coincidence that I was in a bad spot at that moment — and then I was able to be hired at the foundation. I work with adults. It’s very good. I’m happy to have this experience because I can help. I have things to do and it’s a good place, a good atmosphere.”
Marina now serves with Fundatia Inima de Copil (Heart of a Child Foundation), a GlobalGiving partner helping Ukrainian refugees in Romania. Fundatia Inima de Copil helps children, parents, and their communities in difficult and at-risk situations with medical, educational, emotional, and economic support. They believe that poverty should not be a barrier to success, and that every child, including those from underprivileged backgrounds, deserve to have hope for a happy childhood and a successful future.
Olga
Fundatia Inima de Copil, Romania
“At first when we left Ukraine we had a big problem with accommodation. I’m a mom of three, and we also have a small dog and two cats. We were in a very difficult situation. I wrote on Facebook asking for help, and people from Fundatia Inima de Copil sent me a message. They said, ‘We can give some help with food, and your kids can start to attend classes at the foundation.’
And then, they hired me. I’m a working mom—and I’m so grateful now to work here at Fundatia Inima de Copil. I feel comfortable. I like my job and I’m grateful to the staff because everyone accepted me here. I’m grateful to God because — especially with the language barrier—it’s a miracle I got a job here.”
Olga now serves with Fundatia Inima de Copil (Heart of a Child Foundation), a GlobalGiving partner helping Ukrainian refugees in Romania. Fundatia Inima de Copil helps children, parents, and their communities in difficult and at-risk situations with medical, educational, emotional, and economic support. They believe that poverty should not be a barrier to success, and that every child, including those from underprivileged backgrounds, deserve to have hope for a happy childhood and a successful future.
Sophia
Pay It Forward Foundation, Poland
At 9 years old, Sophia came to the Pay It Forward Foundation with her mother from Ukraine. Sophia lives with a disability, and needed additional support that became impossible to find when Russia’s war in Ukraine began.
“We arrived at 3 a.m. and people welcomed us at 3 a.m.,” Sophie recalls of her first night at the foundation. “And then Emilia arrived, and I just love her so much.”
Sophia resides at the Doctor Piotr Janaszek Pay It Forward Foundation, a GlobalGiving partner helping to provide rehabilitation and other forms of assistance to people with disabilities. The Pay It Forward Foundation is working toward a world in which people with disabilities can feel empowered, work, pursue their passions, and find happiness independently and within a caring community.
Emilia
Pay It Forward Foundation, Poland
“At first I was unsure if it was a good step to become more independent and living on my own. My mother had made a task of taking care of me—it was her whole aim in life. She sacrificed herself.
I was the gem of my mother. She wanted to take care of her through her whole life. But I was stubborn and pushed the thought of living on my own. Finally, I convinced my mother.
It’s not easy living on my own. I have to plan every single task the day before it happens. But it gives me a lot of satisfaction. Because I’m proving to myself and everyone else that even though I’m in a wheelchair I can live a full and happy life. I can do this. I am fulfilled.”
Emilia’s life was impacted by the work of the Doctor Piotr Janaszek Pay It Forward Foundation, a GlobalGiving partner helping to provide rehabilitation and other forms of assistance to people with disabilities. The Pay It Forward Foundation is working toward a world in which people with disabilities can feel empowered, work, pursue their passions, and find happiness independently and within a caring community.
Marzena
Pay It Forward Foundation, Poland
“I am the mother of two boys, aged 12 and 5. I came here to get strong for me and for my family. It’s tough for me because I’m losing the important moments with my boys—but I am clenching my teeth and I am working as hard as I can. I got a new wheelchair—the old one was too big—and now I’m able to learn all these new things in order to live independently.
I’m learning from scratch how to live in a wheelchair, how to maneuver, and how to do things that will help me in the future.
I’m always thinking about new challenges. I learned how to swim. Now I’m thinking about diving. These are my new aims.
It all connects with the dream of standing up again.
There is still a slight chance it could happen, that I could walk again. So I’m working very hard to make it come true. But even if the illness will not allow this, I know I have to live my life and enjoy it as much as I can.”
Marzena resides at the Doctor Piotr Janaszek Pay It Forward Foundation, a GlobalGiving partner helping to provide rehabilitation and other forms of assistance to people with disabilities. The Pay It Forward Foundation is working toward a world in which people with disabilities can feel empowered, work, pursue their passions, and find happiness independently and within a caring community.
Ela
Pay It Forward Foundation, Poland
“I heard about the training apartments from my friends, so I came here. I have been here for 7 weeks. The 8th week is now. I am living in an apartment. We have only one training apartment with multiple rooms, so we live in one space, with some assistance and with some other people.
My experience is getting better and better. The exercises — cooking for example, cleaning up — I have to do everything on my own. It all matters. For me the most important thing is making myself independent.”
Ela resides at the Doctor Piotr Janaszek Pay It Forward Foundation, a GlobalGiving partner helping to provide rehabilitation and other forms of assistance to people with disabilities. The Pay It Forward Foundation is working toward a world in which people with disabilities can feel empowered, work, pursue their passions, and find happiness independently and within a caring community.
Olena Zywiec Development Foundation, Poland
“It’s very important to find some good things to do—what you can do in this moment—without thinking about the future. And this place is perfect for that. It’s a super thing for me.
There are a lot of Ukrainians here, and we have a lot of support here. A community. I have my daughter with me; she is 15. She draws. In fact, that picture on my desk, she did it. She goes to Polish school, and it’s been difficult but now it’s going ok. She thinks about that time when we will come back to Ukraine.
I am looking all the time for some possibilities for doing what I love. That’s why I am here. And when the war is finished, I have many ideas for what I will do then.”
Olena works with Zywiec Development Foundation, a GlobalGiving partner in Poland helping Ukrainian refugees. The foundation helps refugees find places to live and work, and provides psychological assistance and support, childcare, and long-term assistance.
Anna
Zywiec Development Foundation, Poland
“I enjoy doing what I do; it’s creative. Fantastic.” Anna leads and facilitates a group of Ukrainian women on a project titled “Wool for Ukraine,” a creative endeavor to sell handmade items to support Ukrainian families.
“I like it when the ladies can think about something else outside of war,” she says, “to do something different. We make beautiful things, and it helps us.”
Anna works with Zywiec Development Foundation, a GlobalGiving partner in Poland helping Ukrainian refugees. The foundation helps refugees find places to live and work, and provides psychological assistance and support, childcare, and long-term assistance.
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