Ukrainian volunteers in Saskatoon making big difference to Ukrainian army

Ukrainians are trying to do anything they can here in Canada to help loved ones in their home country.

For some, the best possible way to help is through volunteering.

The Stream of Hopes is a humanitarian aid campaign designed to help donate items to the Ukrainian army as well as Ukrainian citizens who have no possible way to leave the country.

Helen Shakhova is studying at the University of Saskatchewan and is spending her limited time away from her studies to help volunteer with the organization.

“It’s devastating to see what’s happening there right now,” Shakhova said.

“It’s also devastating because you’re reading the news 24/7 so this just helps us to distract from everything that’s happening.”

Shakhova says all of her loved ones are currently in Ukraine and worrying for their safety hasn’t stopped since the war began.

“My whole family’s there. My sister, my partner, everyone is in Ukraine,” she said.

“We are in touch, but no one is OK there right now. The houses in the city where my partner lives are being bombed. My sister had to leave the capital of Ukraine because it is not safe there.”

Shakhova says she was visiting friends and family in Ukraine over Christmas and could feel it in the air that a war was in the future.

“I went there to celebrate (the) new year and you could feel the tension there already and it was expected,” she said.

Liliia Kyrylenko is another student at the University of Saskatchewan who’s volunteering with Stream of Hopes. She says it’s heartwarming to see everyone around the world wanting to help Ukraine.

“Some regions in Ukraine need this stuff, and I believe it can be helpful for them,” Kyrylenko said.

“I know all (of the) world is doing that and all (of) Canada are doing that, so we are trying to do as much as we can here.”

Just like Shakhova, all of Kyrylenko’s loved ones are in Ukraine and volunteering is one of the best things to help keep her mind off the war.

“I realize that all of my family is in Ukraine and I can’t do anything to help them there, so I’m doing everything that I can here,” she said.

Stream of Hopes is gathering everything from non-perishable food items to socks, thermal underwear and first aid kits to be sent over to Ukraine.

Items were being stored in a warehouse on 3403 Faithfull Av. in Saskatoon.