We have all heard about the war in Ukraine and the effects it has had on the Ukrainian people. It has been all over the news as well as social media. We understand the basic parts of this, such as why this is happening, the weapons that have been used, and both Putin and Biden’s take on things, yet I can’t help but place my heart with the families. Mothers are packing suitcases to seek safety with their younger children and heading into the unknown while being forced to tear themselves apart from their husbands, brothers, and fathers.
According to the BBC website, more than 1.7 million people have fled Ukraine to seek shelter from the Russians. Many of them have headed west to Poland, Romania, Hungary, and Moldova. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-60555472.
Mothers are having to comfort their children in underground shelters and some pregnant women have had no choice in giving birth in these underground shelters. A moment that should be full of joy and filled with excited voices and praise, has been turned into pure terror and drowned out by sirens and bombs in the distance.
At a cancer hospital in Ukraine, young patients in the basement held up signs in English for a visiting photographer that said: “Stop War”. https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-photo-gallery-children-c3a83cdaa77b7bfe9c3b2f3ae4d0ad03
I had the privilege of speaking with Yuliya Keener, a former student at Calhoun who is from Ukraine. Yuliya has been in the US for 18 years. She got married in 2004 and became a US citizen in 2007.
“No one could imagine this would happen. There are no words that can describe it. It really is genocide. We have a mix of emotions. At first, I was crying, praying. I cannot imagine hiding in basements from the bombs. Most of my thoughts and most of my prayers are in Ukraine. I’m helping by sending money to my cousins who have escaped to Vienna. I’m thankful for the support of Americans who want to help somehow too ” Yulia said.
With every war, women and children will always suffer the most. As a mother to two young children, I can not begin to imagine what these families are going through. I pray I never have to.
“I am so amazed at the bravery of the people. They are teaching everyone to make Molotov cocktails, even the grandmothers.” Yuliya said.
There are a number of organizations taking donations to help the victims in Ukraine. If you are able to help, you can donate here: Want to help people in Ukraine? Here are ways to donate – CBS News