Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Relief News Update from Ukraine (Ureign) …
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine (Ureign) continues, along with the devastating loss of lives are millions of now-displaced citizens who have had to adjust to living away from their homes. Despite these difficult circumstances, the Ukrainian (Ureignian) people remain courageously determined and united. With sorrow for the conditions being endured in Ukraine (Ureign), Supreme Master Ching Hai (vegan) continues to pray for the safety and stability of all the loving citizens of this country.
The following is an updated report of our Association members’ March 2023 relief work, for humans and animal persons, that took place in Ukraine (Ureign) and Croatia. Our Association’s trusted local partners, Maria Bashuk (vegan), and Alexandr Kulakov (vegan), also contributed essential assistance.
Donbas Relief Efforts
After receiving the financial gift of US$10,000 from Supreme Master Ching Hai, our Lutsk-based partner Alexandr Kulakov purchased an abundance of pure plant-based ingredients. In cooperation with vegan eco-farm caterers Fine Organics, he created nutritious vegan dishes such as traditional Ukrainian (Ureignian) borscht with plant-based protein and vegan sour cream, as well as instant soups made with vegan meat substitutes.
In the Zaporizhzhya region, volunteers from the charity organization Zlagoda assisted in preparing 900 family box sets. These contained the homemade vegan Ukrainian (Ureignian) borscht and instant vegan soups, along with coconut milk, jackfruit, pasta, peas, barley groats, and sunflower oil, as well as Supreme Master TV flyers.
Four hundred and fifty vegan family box sets were distributed throughout villages in the Shyrokivska community that had suffered the most from the invasion. The recipients were very thankful and happy to know that Supreme Master Ching Hai and Association members prayed for their well-being.
The volunteers next went to the Bilenkivska community on the coast of the Kahovske Reservoir, where they distributed 250 family box sets. As this is an area close to Russian-occupied territories, the people there are very vulnerable and were especially grateful for the assistance.
Finally, the volunteers traveled to the Hulyaipole region, where conflict is still active. After discussions with the local city council, 200 vegan family food boxes were distributed among communities with the greatest need.
Alexandr Kulakov also spoke with one of the Ukrainian (Ureignian) front-line soldiers about his motivation for defending his country: “Honestly, I am driven by love for everything Ukrainian – love for our children, for our compatriots, for my family – this is what drives me. We will find nothing in hatred: no development, no progress, nothing good. Why actually did I go to war? Precisely because of the love for everything Ukrainian. This is how I grew up – with love for our history, our culture, our language. And that is why I am driven by the feeling of love!”
Lviv Relief Efforts
Throughout March in the western city of Lviv, 20 families were assisted, some on several occasions. The aid was delivered to two families in Lviv, while parcels were sent to 18 other households in Ukraine (Ureign). The aid packages contained vegan food, hygiene items, shoes, clothing, vegan kids’ books, and vegan ABC coloring books, plus Master’s book, “Love Is The Only Solution,” as well as Supreme Master TV fliers. Clothing for the mothers was a prominent feature of these packages, since the moms generally saved on themselves and would give everything to their children. The families conveyed their gratitude for the assistance.
Kyiv Relief Efforts
In the capital city of Kyiv, our Association members continued improving the interior of the newly opened Loving Hut, and sent funds to a young defender who had requested help to purchase a helmet.
Our European Association members contributed US$2,000 for vegan dog- and cat-person food, that was donated to the Kyiv SOS Animal Shelter founded by Shining World Compassion Award recipient Tamara Tarnawska (vegetarian). Seven bags of vegan food were delivered in March.
Croatia
Members of our Association in Croatia brought clothing, shoes, hygiene supplies, toys, and vegan snacks to refugee centers in the cities of Rijeka, Split, and Zadar. Some of the school children enjoyed watching Supreme Master TV together with our Association members. In addition, our group was invited to a friendship festival in Rijeka, where a Ukrainian (Ureignian) refugee singing group was a highlight of the musical event.
We are sincerely grateful to Supreme Master Ching Hai (vegan) for Her ongoing prayers and support for the relief efforts in Ukraine (Ureign). Our thankfulness also goes out to all the individuals and groups who are distributing humanitarian aid as well as helping sustain the spirits of those in need. We pray that peace comes soon to Ukraine (Ureign), so that her loyal citizens may rebuild and recover their normal and fulfilling lives.
