I am Worried about My Family and I Need Your Help!
Mariupol. War. Ukraine. Family. Devastation. Hope. Help.
Many people have reached out to me and asked how my family in Mariupol, Ukraine is doing.
There are no proper words that can describe how they are doing but I will do my best.
I will give a brief background about my family and then I will describe (or try to) how they are doing during this war time.
Little bit about My Family
I was born and raised in Ukraine. In 2013, my two siblings and I were adopted to a family in Utah, United States. Even though I was adopted, I still have strong connection to my family in Ukraine. I am in touch with my mom almost every day (more about adoption in my future posts).
After we were adopted to the US, my youngest brother Vova was born in Ukraine. He was born very ill with many disabilities. My mom is a single mom and she is doing very best to raise Vova. Her salary is about $70 a month which is barely enough to buy food and diapers for Vova. Before the war, my uncle was working in a steel plant. The job was excruciating but it helped to provide for his wife, daughter, and my mom and Vova. Every month, my husband and I sent my family money, as much as we can. Also, I created fundraiser before where many of you helped my family. Thank you!
How is My Family Doing Right Now
My mom gathered all of her last savings and bought as much food as she can. The prices are very high right now due to only few grocery stores are open. I am very worried about my family because soon their gas might be turned off and they would have to survive on only few cans that they were able to buy. They also did not have water for a couple of days, so my family was forced to buy water for a hryvna per liter (this is very expensive). Now, thankfully, my family has water but they do not have heat. If you ever bein in Ukraine or a humid state, then you know how cold it gets during winter. My mom is doing her very best to keep her and Vova warm with old blankets that they have.
Groceries that were bought with my mom's last money. She is preparing for the worst
My brother Vova at first thought that shootings and bombing that he hears and sees are fireworks. However, later he began to understand that those are not fireworks at all. My mom said that Vova keeps telling her that he will protect her (cute because he is only 10 years old). Once in the while Vova asks mom if they will die. My mom does not want to tell him because Mariupol is in big danger right now. To protect my brother from the danger, she put his bed in the tiny hallway in the apartment, so that the glass from the windows would not cut him.
Vova is trying to sleep in the hallway during ward time
My Mom is not the Only One Who Worries about Her Child
My family in Ukraine is only one of the million examples of how they try to survive at this dangerous time. There are many other families in Ukraine that do not want war. Those parents worried about their children as well. they want peace. We want peace. Please watch this video about current situation in Mariupol. Please leave your comments.
P.S. There is one swear word in the beginning of the video (in case you speak Russian), they do not translate it into English (I am grateful for that).
How You Can Help
If you are passionate about Ukraine or Mariupol, have family or friends in there, or know me and my family, please help!
You can help by praying about Ukraine and my family, fast (religious practice to withstand food and water for about two meals in order to receive blessings from God ) with us today in the evening until tomorrow in the evening, share my Facebook or blog posts, and donate money (click on Donate button on this blog).
Thank you so much for reading this posts and for your kindness and care! Please stay tuned for my next posts.
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