UKRAINE. FAMILIES IN WAR ZONE NEED URGENT HELP.

These days, our usually quiet yard at 10 Sofiivska street has turned into a beehive. Everyone is in a hurry, buzzing, collecting, meeting, sending...

Restaurateurs have joined us together with volunteers. Our social café is constantly preparing not only pastries now, but also hot lunches, which have already been appreciated by the defenders at checkpoints and immigrants from other regions, thousands of whom come to Odessa city every day. We distribute hundreds of food kits every day for families in need and for refugees including right at the railway station.

Today we have given shelter and meals for about 30 immigrants - women with children from Mykolaiv region in our social hostel whom we will take away to Moldova border soon. More than 250 of our wards are already live abroad in safety.

And while they are visiting us, the tutors of the Foundation hold classes with children on pottery, drawing, playing games with them. This is very important because it helps distract them from sad thoughts and reduce the effects of stress.

We also improved the equipment of all the bomb shelters in our neighborhood, because there was absolutely nothing. We have brought water, blankets, hygiene items, some furniture to make it more comfortable for those who are hiding there.

We receive a lot of support from Odesa residents and from abroad. I was moved to tears when one elderly man brought today, as he said, “everything he could for the children”: a few packs of flour, cereals, shampoo... Endless gratitude for your open hearts!

Together we stand! Slava Ukraini!

We never could have imagined the horror our country would face. For more than a week now, the war has been going on in Ukraine: incessant shocking terror, massive bombing of cities, killing hundreds of civilians, children from the most powerful weapons.

Although our hearts are breaking every day, in these conditions we are directing all our efforts to help those who have been affected by hostilities and to ensure the safety of the most vulnerable people. We are glad that our initiative found a response in your hearts.

We want to tell you what we have already done.

1. Help for vulnerable families with children who live in Odessa. Prices in the city have risen for everything, and many of the families have lost income. We prepare and distribute food packages and hygiene kits for them. In 2 days, 32 such sets were distributed and we will continue. We also inform families online about safety issues and receiving various assistance.

2. Helping refugees to evacuate abroad. Odessa city is a major transport hub in southern Ukraine and is located close to the border with Moldova and Romania. Despite daily air raids, it is still relatively safe here. Many refugees from the regions where the bombings and active battles take place come here and seek salvation. Mostly they are women with children. They are very scared and confused.

We provide them with a temporary shelter for 1-2 days in our social hostels, full meals, buy all the goods they need, and then arrange for them to travel abroad. Since the road is long, we cook and give them lunches for a snack.

Thanks to this important work, 76 women and children have already left for the Czech Republic and Moldova. We keep in touch with the refugees to make sure they are all right. To coordinate efforts, we cooperate with other NGOs and social services.

We are glad that thanks to your donations and GlobalGiving, we are able to help more people in crisis. Your support is more valuable today than ever!

Glory to Ukraine!