A few weeks prior to 24 February, I’d given up reading the news. It was a very happy time. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it’s been hard not to jump back into my Google news feed and periodically check in at NPR. Given the rise of misinformation over the past few years, it’s hard to know what is accurate and what isn’t, so much of what I read I take with a grain of salt.
Over the past few weeks, my family and I have discussed the situation on a daily basis to try to understand what is happening as well as determine how we can help. For our part, we do not believe that we should stay silent on occasions like these. And, to be blunt about it, I’ll be damned if I’m gonna look my kids in the eye and say that I didn’t do my best to help out.
We live in Western Europe, in Lisbon, which is about as far west as you can get, at least in Europe. And while we are far removed from the war, there is a cloud hanging over sunny Portugal. People feel somber and the atmosphere seems somehow muted.
Though most of the news these days is bad, there seems to be an increasing number of stories about courageous people and organizations taking political sides against the war, against Russia, or against both. I only wish this list was longer.
As I go about my daily life, I see more and more support for Ukraine, at least in the form of the blue and yellow flag and the hashtag #standwithukraine. Heck, we even had some folks here in Lisbon project the Ukrainian flag against the Russian embassy. It’s hard not to feel good about that one!
Whether any of this support translates into something tangible that helps end the war and the unnecessary suffering may be up for debate. Nonetheless, it’s refreshing to see and it, along with the constant bombardment of bad news, provides a daily opportunity to reflect on what we can do to help.
For our part, we have identified a number of organizations both locally and internationally to support, and each day we talk about what’s happening and where we can give aid. We’ve cut our planned trip back to the US to visit family this year in order to help fund aid organizations as well as organizations that are fighting on the front lines. Yeah, it’s hard for me to believe that I’ve actually donated to a foreign armed forces. #timestheyareachangin.
Several of the organizations we’ve supported came recommended by the team at Agiliway, CiviCRM’s sole partner based in the Ukraine. They are the developers behind CiviMobile and are active contributors to the project. I’ve had the opportunity to meet them on a few occasions and have tried to stay in contact since Russia invaded. My heart goes out to them.
It is truly difficult to know what is happening and how best to help. When I think about it I’m reminded of a story that a buddy of mine told me years ago about a soldier in the army fighting in the trenches of WWI. During some heavy fighting the soldier jumps up, grabs a grenade, pulls its pin out and prepares to throw it. In that instant, he looks across at his sergeant who happens to be watching him. The sergeant looks him in the eye and simply says, “whatever you do, don’t do nothing.”
I’m not sure that what we’re doing is right or if it will have any impact on the war or on those that are affected by it. But it ain’t nothing.
Comments
Thank you for this post. I also struggle to find a way to do something. I feel the urgent need to do so but at the same time I feel so powerless and overwhelmed by all the suffering on the Ukrainian side and the ignorance and brutality on the Russian side. For me it is helpful to see postings of solidarity like this.