A Quick Update on Your Support Before Christmas

A quick update on what we and our partners have been doing with your support in Ukraine before we head into Christmas. Check out the gallery for some pics.  I’ve been privileged to share some stories of my time in Ukraine and the amazing people I met there-through speeches at Rotary Clubs, community groups and health worker meetings, and through an article in one of Australia’s most read publications, The Weekend Australian. We’ve also sold some handmade earrings, held market stalls and sold items in our online shop. Many of you have generously donated funds directly as well. All of this has helped provide funds for our partners and also to raise awareness. What has been most helpful is the people who have committed to regular giving – even if it’s small amounts, the regular donations make all the difference to our partners for planning and ongoing support.

I know that the Ukrainians that I am in contact with and those being helped by the work of our NGO partners are so grateful for every little bit of help they get, and it means so much to them to know that people in Australia have not forgotten them.

The amazing team of our main partner CMA-Ukraine has been working tirelessly doing so many activities that I cannot list all of them here. They have a private group where they send photos of the aid they deliver being received, and I’ve posted some of them here, but it’s literally dozens per week, so I couldn’t possibly post them all!  They make fantastic use of every donation or delivery from partners to make sure that needs are met all over the country. Furthermore, they have provided tourniquets, medical equipment, paramedic backpacks, blood warmers, ambulances and countless other items. They also continue to provide mobile clinics to people in desperate situations. I met some of the doctors and nurses who work for these clinics (many of them are volunteers) and know that they themselves are living in towns and cities that have had countless missile and drone attacks in the last few months, but they continue their work.

All of our general donations for Ukraine go directly to our partners to be used for humanitarian aid.  All our work is volunteer and the only amount that comes out is the small amount to cover bank transfer fees. We have had some specific requests where we have provided non-lethal aid to the military through our partners, but we only use your donations for this by special request.

A smaller donation has gone to Family of Christ Uszghorod who also distribute aid across the country.

We’ve also been able to assist” Fortress of Good” (фортеця добра) – the NGO branch of Banner of Love (Знам’я Любові ) church, with the purchase of another vehicle for the valuable aid and support work they do in de-occupied, bombed villages. Iryna and her team of volunteers have been providing food aid, comfort and programs for kids and teens in these isolated villages.  Pastor Oleg continues to provide aid and support to adults in de-occupied villages who have nothing, his wife Sveta continues her work as an army chaplain, going to the front lines to provide aid and support. Pastor Dima has worked closely with us to deliver aid that we’ve been able to fund for him to deliver to some of the most dangerous areas of needs. He tells me it is a great encouragement to him and those he serves, to be getting assistance from all the way in Australia.  In a nice connection we’ve been able to buy lovely warm fleeces and raincoats from Filter IF – one of the NGO’s  I visited in Ukraine – who provide support for refugees and the refugees run a social enterprise making clothing including warm clothing for the soldiers. They also have volunteers who pack jars of honey and nuts – a traditional Ukraine treat that provides a great source of energy for those in difficult conditions. Our friends at Filter IF sent the 50 fleeces and raincoats along with 50 jars of honey and nuts along with reading materials, to Pastor Dima, who ensured they were delivered to areas of need near the frontline.   Pastor Dima has been unwell but is now recovering and will be taking some leave where he will hopefully be able to connect again with his wife and young son who had to flee the country as refugees. It is a difficult situation to be living in, but he and others continue to serve faithfully, doing all they can.

Every little bit we can do to help is so greatly appreciated and so carefully used. Please, as you enjoy your Christmas, in a country free from war, kindly consider if there is a small treat or drink you could swap for a small regular donation to help support those in need.

Have a blessed and peaceful Christmas.