Request from Two of Our SMC Ukrainian Students & Ways We Can Help
I recently met twice with two Saint Mary’s College students from Ukraine. Their names are Lakov Livshits and Valentina Kornach, and they are both SMC undergraduates majoring in biology and bio chemistry, respectively. They both have childhood friends and relatives still living in Ukraine. The two Ukrainian students I met with asked me to share their letter with you in the hope that it would encourage those of us in the SMC community to do what we can to help the people of Ukraine:
To Our SMC Community:
Two brothers, Russia and Ukraine, forced into combat by politicians, resulted in unnecessary bloodshed and tears; the entire destruction of a country happened at the hands of leaders who were supposed to protect their people and failed. Ukrainians and Russians alike suffer loss, as they have always been, and still are, intertwined by blood and culture. Ukraine is a country that has never been a war zone and lacks an infrastructure to protect its people; they don't have bomb shelters readily available to them so they hide in subways, if their homes are bombed, they move to the next city and sleep in tents. Food is scarce and stores and many of their schools and sacred spaces have been burned to the ground. Those of us with family and friends in Ukraine and Russia worry every day for their lives. So we want to share that there are ways we can all help. Organizations like the Voices of Children, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and CARE are focused on directly helping Ukrainians and Russians that are being by this war. Even if you can’t afford to contribute, the petition below from Change.org focuses on getting the attention of politicians to end this destruction. Please donate and sign if you are able and willing. Millions of people and the survival of a country are on the line.
Sincerely,
Valentina Kornach & Lakov Livshits, (Ukrainian Saint Mary’s College Undergraduate Students)
Michal Strahilevitz, PhD (Supporting faculty member).
Organizations and petitions we can contribute to:
International Committee of the Red Cross
Working closely with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, we are increasing our response to the humanitarian needs in Ukraine. Our support to people includes emergency assistance such as food, water, and other essential items.
During the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, Voices of Children is providing non-stop assistance to affected children and families from all over the country, providing emergency psychological assistance, and assisting in the evacuation process.
CARE is raising money for its Ukraine Crisis Fund, which will provide immediate aid including food, water, hygiene kits, support services, and direct cash assistance.
Change.org Petition to end the war in Ukraine.