As soon as donations started flowing in, for which we are very thankful, we transferred the money to Elena in Lviv. Lviv is the westernmost city of Ukraine and close to the border of Poland. Within the first day of donations, Elena chose to help the child victims in children's hospital Ohmatdyt.
"children are the most innocent, suffering the worst and we need to help them"
Elena choose to help kids, because they are the most innocent and suffering the worst. A head nurse and contact person at Ohmatdyt told Elena to buy games, lots of candy and blankets for the kids as a means of distraction. So that is exactly what she did. Ohmatdyt is one of the children's hospitals that take in injured kids from across Ukraine.
But then on March 13 a missile hit a peace keeping center near the border. Elena messaged me Lviv had air alerts at night (that means they have to take shelter). The war approached, air alerts became reality. Taking shelter underneath the apartment building at night became routine. Lviv isn't a safe haven anymore.
The war in Ukraine becomes a part of daily life.
People get used to it. But thanks to your donations, we can still help the children in need. Because the situation isn't getting any less worse, don't forget. The head nurse of Ohmatdyt asked Elena for some baby strollers. So she managed to buy 4 baby strollers over the course of 1 week. Thanks to all efforts, 4 babies were carried around safely again. Can you imagine how relieved those mothers and fathers were?
We try to stay in contact via Instagram, not on a daily basis but just once in a while. Internet is shitty sometimes, and yes what do you talk about other than war? Of course, our fluffy dogs! What better than cuddly animals? She has such a cute dog:
But then on 18th March the Russian army decided to attack the airport of Lviv. I was sick to my stomach. If I was feeling this, how would Elena feel? Luckily she replied in an instant. She and her mom got off good. Her mom works at the airport and was about to get ready for work as the bomb hit. Their morning was not pleasant at all. The info of the bombing couldn't be disclosed as it was part of confidential army intel.
After that the frequency of air alerts raised and it got harder for Elena to drop off stuff at the children's hospital. But as I’ve gotten to know her, she's a tough one and a hard worker. So within one or two days I already received a message that she has a new donation collab with a lovely lady: Natalie Ovatio. Natalie helps children in need. mostly orphans, and children with special needs. Elena donated food for cooking and other supplies, so Natalie can cook with kids send out to Lviv from Marioepol.
Elena feels supported by her friends in the Netherlands and wants to thank you with all her heart. We want to thank you as well. We managed to make a difference in a war that is so devastating to many people. And due to that, we will keep going with our donations.
As long as it takes! #standwithukraine
How you can help
Buy yourself a sustainable 3D printed car diffuser by @3dtechroom, scented with Elena's favorite scent: marshmallow cherry fluff from @rawcandles.shop. Choose which amount you would like to donate, starting from a minimum of €5,- for the car diffuser, and pay at check out. All profits will go directly to the local people of Ukraine.
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