Supporting Ukrainian Women and Children through War

Project Kesher Ukraine opened a legal charitable fund, The Women's Opportunity Fund in Ukraine this week, and continued to process new grants for Ukrainians in need. Since the start of the war, Project Kesher has supported 254 Ukrainian women, heads of multigenerational households, with grants totaling $88,214.

In addition to giving grants to women and children moving to safety in-country or across borders, PK Ukraine has started to make community initiative grants. The first grant approved purchased 2 washers and dryer sets, to be used at a school that is housing hundreds of refugees in western Ukraine. Until now, the mothers have been washing kids clothes and their own clothes in sinks. This grant will provide clean clothes for hundreds of refugees.

Vlada Nedak, Executive Director of PKU, told us recently that 556 babies have been born in her city, Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, since the war began. To help new mothers and the Ukrainian economy, Project Kesher Ukraine placed an enormous order for baby formula, baby food and bottled water, with a manufacturer in Kryvyi Rih, rather than purchasing from Europe. The order has now been expanded, keeping the factory open and providing the opportunity to get these critical resources to moms in more cities across Ukraine through PKU.

A young Ukrainian man in Kryvyi Rih learned about the new babies and this local program to provide formula to moms and he was moved to initiate his own local project, to support refugees with children. Within a few hours, he raised $170 from Ukrainian friends on Instagram and supplemented the baby food with food for 9 people, diapers, and wipes. Then, he and friends collected used bikes from local families, to give to refugee families. During this terrible time, the level of volunteerism in Ukraine is tremendous, and it speaks volumes about Ukrainian culture and values.

Generosity abounds! Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston sent 140 boxes of medical supplies and hygiene products to Project Kesher Ukraine's Visiting Moms Program in Dniepr, Ukraine. The Visiting Moms program supports moms, babies, and their families in staying healthy, safe, and connected. CJP Boston is a longtime supporter of the Visiting Moms program and made a generous gift to Project Kesher's Ukraine Emergency Fund.