I can’t really find the words right now.
I’m tired. Heartbroken. Worried. Nauseous.
But, at least I am safe, which is more than I can say for my Ukrainian friends and family.
I’ve been trying to write this post for almost two weeks. I’m obviously very, VERY biased. I love Ukraine DEARLY. During my Peace Corps service, everything about Ukraine — from the food to the language to the culture to the people — integrated its way into my heart, and never left.
My students, host families, colleagues and friends mean so, so much to me. I remain in touch with all of them.
I spent hours lesson planning and explaining American slang over coffee and pastries with my fiercely motivated counterpart, Oksana. I hosted local English clubs for my savvy, enthusiastic Gymnasium No. 2 students, and the friendly and curious Window on America members. I went to parties and dance classes with my Zhytomyr host family, and let my Khmelnytskyi host mom mend my clothes, hold my hand through the bazaars, bake my mom’s Christmas cookie recipe and spend hours serving tea and talking about her childhood during the Soviet Union era.
So, the last week-plus has been heartbreaking.
Now, Oksana spends her days organizing projects to help the Ukrainian military with Gymnasium No. 2 students, and spends her nights sheltering from air raids while sirens blare in the background. Her husband has left home to go fight as part of Ukraine’s civilian army.
My incredible and loving host mom, Mama Natasha, and my goofy and lovable host brother, Vanya, are sheltering with Natasha’s sister and niece. Mama Natasha is worried sick about her daughter, Ira, who decided to remain in Kyiv and recently took a “promotion” from music journalist to military reporter. Ira rotates her time between sheltering in bunkers and helping provide 24/7 war coverage to Ukrainians.
Olya has taken Masha, Roma and Sasha’s mother to Germany. Sasha is remaining behind to fight Russian troops in and around Zhytomyr.
My students — at Gymnasium No. 2, at Window on America, at the You Can! Mova school — are making military scrims, filming video diaries for news segments, collecting materials for Molotov cocktails, begging and pleading for international help on Instagram…
…some of my former students are now of military age. They’ll be sent out to active combat.
It’s heartbreaking.
And it shouldn’t be happening.
It’s horrifying. It’s devastating. It’s gut-wrenching.
These are real people, and this hits so close to home. I know I’m immensely privileged and I’m safe.
Please, PLEASE do what you can to help end this attack on a country I came to know and love so much. Write to your representatives and demand United States intervention. Donate to Ukrainian charities — Razom for Ukraine and Come Back Alive are two great Ukrainian-focused causes. Razom is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to upholding democratic ideals in Ukraine, and Come Back Alive funds the Ukrainian military directly.
Also, educate yourself! Watch “Winter on Fire” to get a better understanding of the events that led to the current war and read the Kyiv Independent for war updates.
Ukraine took care of me, and I’ll do everything I can to take care of Ukraine. Please, help me help my loved ones in the beautiful country Ukraine.
Слава Україні! Героям слава!
