Hi everybody! My name is Elena. I am the founder of the Umbrella of Ukrainian Hope.

I was born in Ukraine and have lived in Philadelphia, PA, US since 2014.
Learn more about me here: https://taplink.at/en/profile/7329767/pages/
I would like to share my story about how I decided to open the Charity Non-Profit Organization “Umbrella of Ukrainian Hope”( UUH).
Our small "Umbrella of Ukrainian Hope" is a very important organization, a model that in time might be used for other “hot spots” in our World.
We need the World to hear about us and help us fulfill our mission in this challenging time. We are looking for help from teachers, parents and financial support. Thank you for reading this message.

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Our story

Before 24 of February 2022, I worked as a teacher in my private online Schools «ABC School of Goodness». The idea of this School is to unite children, teachers, and parents and create a space for creative freedom, to study history, culture, and values of their ancestors. I started this school in 28 may, 2019.
The mission of ABC School of Goodness is to bring peace to this world by preserving and developing human values, culture, and traditions and teaching the next generation the art of kindness and peace. Over 50 children have completed our programs since 2019.

The 24 of February 2022 changed my life.

First, I got news from Ukraine about my mom's health condition. On 20 February, I took an airplane to Odesa, Ukraine, with one stop in Istanbul. Ironically, when I landed in Istanbul, I watched Putin's speech, and I understood that he was ready to start a war. I could not believe it; all I could do was to think about my mom and how I could reach her as soon as possible.
On the 22nd of February in the morning, I came to see my mom in a hospital, and I was lucky to spend with her the last 8 hours. She died on February 22. The 24th of February was the date of her funeral.
On February 22 at 4.45 am, somebody called me on my cellphone and woke me up. It was a call from my lovely husband, Stephen Glickman. He told me that the war started in Ukraine, and Russia bombed Kyiv. I couldn't believe him. But my relatives and I ran outside and did not see a beautiful sunrise. We saw dark smoke in the sky and heard sounds of falling bombs on a nearby military unit. It was a war!!!

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This day changed my plans

This day changed my plans to be with my family in Ukraine and then fly to Moscow to see my son and his family there, whom had not seen for at least three pandemic years.
We arranged my mom's funeral very quickly. People were scared and frustrated. Three hours after the funeral, I left my family with a heavy heart because I could not be with them in this unhappy time for our family and the world. I took a train to Lviv, a bus to Krakow, and an airplane to Philadelphia. I spent more than 36 hours with refugees, and I listened to many stories from people who had to leave their homes within one hour and run from Ukraine. I know how the war breaks people’s lives.When I came back to Philadelphia, I immediately started to help with organizing donations through the Ukrainian Сultural center in Philadel.
Then I began to look for information about what kind of help is needed for children in Ukraine. I know that children need to be safe. They are the future of Ukraine.

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I was introduced to the manager of an orphanage in Dnipro. She evacuated the kids to a safe place in Mukachevo (Ukraine). They ask me to organize online classes for them. I started to think about helping them and talk with people.
So, I spoke to Chris Ramsey, the owner of a small café Trail's End Café in BalaCynwood station in Philadelphia and we decided to make a one-day sale event for Support Ukraine Children. I made my Ukrainian borscht and created the "Peace for World» workshop. Chris provided services to sell everything that we have made.

For one day, we raised $1,000 for the orphanage in Dnipro that moved to western Ukraine. After this event many American families came to us to contribute some money and help the kids from Ukraine.
Totally we collect more than $3000.
We are buying digital equipment, art and school supplies and arrange online learning for 69 orphans in Mukachevo!

On 27 May 2022 year we began our first meeting with kids from Ukraine

We provided access to online programs, art classes, as well as learning and watching films and educational videos for 69 children by collecting donations and involving professional teachers in the project.
Our teachers are real healers of children's souls. They have helped 69 children forget for a while about the horrors of war and fill themselves with the joy of creativity and knowledge.
Our colleagues from the US, Canada, Russia, and Ukraine who work with us in our online school “ABC School of Goodness” will provide unique programs that help children to reduce stress and keep love and kindness in their hearts.

The children we are helping now are under double stress.
They have no parents and have been evacuated from their hometown.
This is an unforgettable grief for them. However, we met each other! We help keep joy, love and trust in the world in their hearts.

We look forward to development our approach and help to more children and kids in Ukraine!

Contacts

3900 Ford Road, apt. PH-E ,
Philadelphia, PA, US

    +1 267 588 44 20
    moc.liamg%40ytirahc.huu

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