Angelika Garvey is a fourth-year student at the University of St. Michael’s College double majoring in Book and Media Studies and Sociology. She is currently working as a social media marketing manager and event coordinator. An active volunteer, she helps in non-profit charity organizations, teen camps, and takes part in missionary and humanitarian type aid trips. She is flying to Poland today to help with refugee work at the border.
Victory Through Love
When thinking about my upcoming humanitarian trip to assist Ukrainian refugees at the Polish border, the thought of my loved ones who are standing for peace in Ukraine against Russian military aggression encourages me to help strangers escaping for a chance to live.
Born in the city of Odesa, Ukraine, I spent my childhood enjoying the life of a small city and my teen summer years by the beautiful shore of the Black Sea. I was planning to go to Ukraine this month to help at teen camps and local churches, and to visit my family and friends. But on February 24 at around 5 a.m. my plans changed as the Ukrainian community woke up to the unprecedented news of Ukraine being under a state of war. Russian militaries illegally invaded Ukrainian territories—killing innocent citizens and destroying cities, and bombing universities, hospitals, playgrounds, and a Holocaust memorial.
It was around 10 p.m. EST when I received a text from my grandpa in Ukraine that said, “They are bombing our city and there are six missile strikes on our military units so far.” Shocked, scared, lost, and hoping for all of this to be a nightmare, I found at that moment that all I could do was pray for peace. Thankfully, at that time, I was with friends, some of whom are Ukrainian and have families and friends still living in Ukraine. As we said “Amen,” I received a text saying, “It is quiet now,” from my grandpa. At that moment, joy filled the emptiness within and around the room as we all tried to process this horrific event.
The support of community is vital in such awful moments. It is hard to imagine how difficult it is for one to be alone when watching your family, friends, and home country go through a war. To encourage others going through dismal times of distress, Ukrainian students at U of T were kind enough to share their experiences of coping with others.
“The past week has been the darkest time of my life,” shares Alina Orlova, a Ukrainian majoring in Slavic Languages and Literatures. She continues, “My family and friends are under bombardment. Some of them had to flee the country, and I have spent every minute in fear for their life and well-being. At times, I feel helpless and guilty as I am not with them and cannot physically help. All I can do is support our close ones, raise awareness, and collect humanitarian aid.
“In the past week, I prayed more than I had ever had in my life. I stay hopeful—I believe in our army and people, and I cannot wait for this brutal war to be over so thousands of Ukrainian families can be reunited once again.
“During the chaos, as we barely sleep, eat, or do things as we did before, all we really can do is spread truth about the war to as many people as possible and continue to help in ways that we can. I am endlessly grateful to all people who donate and volunteer right now. Even though your fight is not on the frontline, you save thousands of people’s lives with your contribution,” she says.
Alina also says that the university staff and professors from U of T Slavic Studies “were all extremely supportive and understanding.” She believes that the “professors are also touched by this war and are trying to help their students get through these difficult times. I even received an email from Associate Professor Taras Koznarsky informing students about donation possibilities and resources of help, which made realize that I am not alone in this fight.”
Indeed, we can testify that the support of community around the university and St. Mike’s, which condemned “the unprovoked and unsanctioned invasion of Ukraine” and encouraged everyone to stand “alongside with the Ukrainian community to pray and fast for peace,” is extremely vital during such traumatizing events. Knowing you are not alone facing these troubles brings hope and encouragement to continue focusing on making a difference.
Marta Perehinets, who is part of the Ukrainian Students Club, believes in the significance of educating society on the war. She shares that “USC has been working to promote ways in which the student body can help, like by fundraising, and holding rallies on social media. Despite the ongoing pandemic, the USC also organizes conferences with professors to discuss the historical context to enlighten anyone interested in Ukrainian culture and history.”
Although it is incredibly difficult to remain peaceful as we continue our lives here in Canada, it is inspiring to see universities, staff, and students—local as well as abroad—unite together from all over the world in helping the Ukrainian community go through this terrible crisis. As we keep receiving testimonies and miracles from those in Ukraine through people all over the world, we hope for an “end to the war, and the return of peace, security, and democracy” in Ukraine and across nations.
By uniting our strengths and showing love to our neighbours, we can each provide help from wherever we are to those who need it the most right now. And the world needs it more than ever. After all, we are not strangers. We are all one.
The University of St. Michael’s College invites members of our community to support one of the many charitable aid agencies engaged in assisting refugees and victims of the conflict, including the Red Cross and Development and Peace/Caritas International. A service of prayer for Ukraine will be held at St. Basil’s Collegiate Church this Thursday, March 10 at 1:30 p.m.
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