The power of love, light, hope, and connection

I’m sitting in a coffeeshop in Kyiv. I’m drinking tea, eating a macaron, and catching up on a bit of work.

There’s one other person working on their laptop. Another just left.

People are coming and going, grabbing a warm drink for this cool and rainy fall day.

Life is going on in Kyiv, as much as it can, but that doesn’t mean the war isn’t affecting everyone you see.

Air raid sirens, with the haunting noise you’ve probably seen on the news, if not heard it for yourself in person, go off every day across the country, including in Kyiv. The air raid sirens signal to take cover, that there is potential for an attack from the air.

So while people may be grabbing a coffee, walking their dog, meeting a friend for lunch, this doesn’t mean the war isn’t on their mind. They may have spent the night in a bomb shelter. They may have just said goodbye to a loved one heading to the frontlines, or they may be heading there themselves. They may have just heard a song playing on the store’s speakers that reminds them of a friend who lost their life to the war.

I’m in Kyiv right now for just over a month to volunteer with the nonprofit organization Ukrainian Patriot (UP). They’re the first organization Planted proceeds went to. The organization is founded by Lana Niland, a Canadian who has lived in Ukraine for two decades, and has a team of many dedicated volunteers, some on the ground in Kyiv and others around the world.

UP does so much — deliver food, medical supplies, and protective gear, run kids camps, offer mental health assistance, and rescue animals, to name a few things. They truly respond to however they can best support Ukraine in that moment.

I’ve been helping out in the warehouse in Kyiv. It’s the place all their goods get sorted and packaged to be delivered. Today, the focus was packing up food bags to be passed along on an upcoming delivery run.

If you’re interested in learning more about Ukrainian Patriot and the work they do, follow along on social media (Instagram, Facebook). If you’re able, you can donate to Ukrainian Patriot through their website.

Every dollar counts, an over-said statement but a true one. And if you aren’t able to donate, I encourage you to stay up to date on news in Ukraine (The Kyiv Independent is a great English-language news site).

And at the very least, which isn’t “least” in any way, spread light, love, hope, and connection wherever you go, a sentiment that runs deep for UP and the whole team. My good friend Kaitlyn, who is a part of the UP team, who has been to Ukraine a few times the past couple years, and who has been an incredible support system for me, has regularly reminded me the power in this, the power of showing up for people and letting them know you are here for them.

If you have any questions about my time here, please feel free to ask! 

Everyone at Murashky works so hard nonstop, from the moment they walk into the kitchen.

Dehydrated meals for defenders

Last week when I had a few days off from UP, I spent a couple of those days in the kitchen with Murashky, an organization making dehydrated meals for defenders. I helped unload then reload the dehydrators, prepare ingredients to be dehydrated, and package some meals that were ready to go. Murashky translates to ants, which is an accurate description of how hardworking and efficient everyone was. Pani Hanna, who took me under her wing, never stood still. When she went from one area of the kitchen to another, grabbing this ingredient or that, she didn’t just walk; she jogged. She volunteers there every day, as do many others, which just goes to show how much they believe in this organization.

Planted donations update

In August, I donated $1,015 to the organization Second Front Ukraine Foundation, which bring the total donations up to $5,187.

Thank you for your support because I couldn't have done this without you.

I’m still finalizing where Planted proceeds will go next, but I’ll keep you posted.

Kyiv is full of beautiful murals, including “Revival,” by Seth x Kislow, by near Andrivsky Descent.

Coming home

I lived in Kyiv for two months in 2017, and while that's not that long, it did feel like home (as did every Ukrainian city I lived in over that year). Last week, I walked by my old apartment, with the beautiful bay window that was always wide open and served as a bench when we hosted friends over. I ventured behind the building, where a couple cats would greet me as I walked to the entrance. I met up with a friend at a cafe where I would meet up with friends seven years ago. I wandered the streets I walked down many times to and from friends’ apartments and dance class.

It’s nice to be home.