HELP US HELP UKRAINIAN KIDS IN NEED
As Ukrainians enter into the second year of this senseless war, we are both heartbroken for its terrible civilian impact and driven to action to help where we can.
We have a strong connection to humanitarian efforts in this region. Our Director of Development, Sharon Girdlestone, and two of our Board members, Tim Cronin and Noah Sims, have all been to Ukraine and Poland to help feed, clothe and procure essential items to those who have been injured and displaced due to the atrocious attacks on the country. Noah is there now, working with World Central Kitchen, and has been for the best part of a year.
When the the war began, over 105,000 children were already living across more than 700 orphanages, boarding schools and other establishments. Now entering year two of the war, the number of orphans is estimated to have grown to over 150,000 and the displacement of these children has been horrific to say the least.
While thousands of orphans were sent back to the homes that originally could not care for them, tens of thousands more have been displaced across Ukraine with no place to call home. Even worse, according to a report by the Conflict Observatory (an organization supported by the US State Department), more than 6,000 Ukrainian children have been kidnapped and put in Russian camps and over 14,000 more have been forced into Russian adoption.
While we do not know the exact number of orphaned children at this point, we do know that the need is NOW. In collaboration with local non-profits, Boca Helps Ukraine and NovaUkraine, we are launching this online drive and could use your support immediately.
Our goal is to provide 2,000 backpacks filled with highly requested school supplies and other essential items (coats, washcloths, toothbrushes, etc) to orphans in Eastern and Southeastern Ukraine. With your help, we can make a difference.
Please join us in our mission to help these children by making a donation today and spreading awareness about these needs.
With love and gratitude,
The Sydney Paige Team