Making the world smaller, Montreal women helping Ukrainians from home
Posted March 18, 2022 3:50 pm.
Last Updated March 18, 2022 6:04 pm.
Helping in any way she can. That’s what one Montreal woman is doing after finding out her friend’s family was in Ukraine when Russia started attacking the country.
Helga Eizaguirre says she turned to Facebook, connecting the family to safety through contacts she discovered on the social platform. But she didn’t stop there, with all the information gathered she’s now lost count of how many Ukrainians and charities she’s assisted from across the globe through her computer screen.
“I do whatever I can, I don’t do it because I want to keep in touch with them or want recognition. I just do what they can do and pass to another family.”
People handing out food to those that have been displaced by the Russia-Ukraine crisis. (Photo Courtesy: Beata Cimoch)
Eizaguirre says she’s been able to arrange rides, lodging, and other support, as well as helping a Ukrainian orphanage.
“I saw a picture of a group of kids sleeping in a basement on top of dirt and rocks just with a blanket. Very peaceful, they were sleeping, but the conditions were so bad and so many kids. So, I contacted the author of this posting on Facebook and I help him to find transportation for them.
“I don’t know where they are. There were, for example, 25 kids in this case. I know that they are safe now.”
In Poland, Krzysztof Rek’s sister was one of the contacts who helped get the orphans to safety.
“I call them special agents because they try to connect dots and connect drivers to refugees,” said Krzysztof Rek, co-founder of Stowarzyszenie Otwarte Kaszuby – a charity organization that is now assisting Ukrainians who found refuge in their country.
He says they are thankful for everyone’s support, including Eizaguirre via Facebook, but adds that help and donations are still needed.
“For an organization based on voluntary work, the pressure is huge. Yesterday, we had more than 200 people refugees who came for help for material help at our center.”
From charities to personal initiatives, Eizaguirre is also connected with Beata Cimoch, the leader of a convoy bringing Ukrainians across the border to Poland, providing shelter and supplies.
“We try to collect as many people as we can. We transport them to Poland, and we take them to our homes and we organize some clothes for them. We feed them, we take care of them,” explained Cimoch.
If you want to help these initiatives in Poland – assisting Ukrainians – Eizaguirre says just look her up on Facebook and reach out to her and she’ll do the rest.
RELATED: How can you help Ukrainians?
As for her friend’s family, she is thankful they are now safe, like the many others she has helped.
“There’s still a long way to come to Canada, but they are safe, I’m happy for them.”
