Ukraine is our mother. She is irreplaceable and much needed, much like the air in the chest of every Ukrainian. But, I am also a mother, first and foremost… A mother who loves, cares for, and protects her children and everyone around me because this is the nature of a mother’s heart—to love and care.
Start
Vision and mood
This is Ms. Nina. She had a home and a big, happy family until February 24th. Today, the house built by four generations of her family lies in ruin, destroyed by a Russian rocket. Her wounded daughter remains in the hospital, and the rest of her family has been separated from them by war.
Ms. Nina’s son and son-in-law are currently fighting at the front, and the godmother of her 12-year-old grandson Danylko is also.
“They are fighting for us there, and I am holding my front here,” the woman says. “I have to take care of my daughter, who was seriously wounded during the Russian shelling, take care of my little grandson, who grew up too soon because the lessons of war are so cruel.”
Step 1. The spring that changed everything
The beginning of spring is usually associated with awakening and renewal, but many people will remember March of 2022 as the loss of everything.
“There is nothing left,” Ms. Nina says. “The house in Novoselivka in Chernihiv region, where we nested for so long and invested so much soul and work, was destroyed. We were shelled terribly from February 24th until the end of March; the occupiers bombarded the village with Grads, and more than half of the households were destroyed. Wherever you look, you see destruction.”
“Of all our animals, only one cow survived; I saved her under fire, risking my life. I went back to get her because how could I leave her?! I saved her and somebody else’s cow and took them with me. They are alive, they feel both pain and fear, and we, the people, must help whomever we can.”
Step 2. Humanness is helping despite everything
“When our house was destroyed by several shells at once, we hid with our neighbors, but the shelling reached there as well,” the woman speaks of her experience. “We were shell-shocked in the explosion, and Lyuda, my daughter, was badly injured by shrapnel. The doctors are fighting to save her leg now. Her treatment takes all our strength and finances, and how can we get more? Good people give me and my grandson shelter in the village of Ulyanivka;. However, this family has many children and enough of their own troubles. Still, they support and help us a lot.”
“Our Danylko is a small, fragile boy who rides his bicycle to visit his mom in the hospital, 15 kilometers each way. He was selling milk from our cow in the city and wrote a sign: ”Buy some milk, please. My mom is wounded, and we need money to treat her.” This brings tears to my eyes. My daughter’s classmate gather funds for her treatment because it is of utmost importance to save her health, and we still have a long and difficult road ahead. When our fellow villagers, whose homes were destroyed too, came to us with funds they could spare for Lyuda’s treatment, it was incredibly moving!”
“We thank all the dedicated volunteers and benefactors who support us in this time of need! The help from Goodacity — a microwave oven, an electric kettle, and bed linens — is exactly what made it possible to arrange a life we built practically from scratch. All kinds of help today are more than just things or money; it is hope. Hope the people still have a lot of good and light within despite all the horror and pain surrounding them.”
Finish
Time to sum it up
Our humanness is what sets us apart and saves us. Our solidarity and team spirit, our unity by love within the country — all this love and goodness shine brightly, becoming a guidepost for others!
You can afford yourself the luxury of goodness!
Doing good is very simple!
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