20% of CARMEN revenue goes to Ukrainian mothers in Poland.
Pacific Lyric Association has a direct connection to Ukraine - Board member Anna Belaya and Artistic Director Alexandra Keegan are from Ukraine and have family members there in an active war zone. To support refugee mothers who need help the most, we donate 20% of all CARMEN revenue to these Ukrainian women with children in Poland who were forced to leave their country.
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This war is ugly for all Ukrainians, but it is a survival test for single moms who lost their jobs and their homes, were forced to leave their country and move to neighboring Poland to keep their children safe. Many of them do not speak Polish, do not have a car or a job, their children do not have enough food and clothes or access to medical care. These are the real women and their stories:
Olga Myroshnychenko and her son Artem
Current living arrangement: None
Job Status: Actively looking for a job.
Immediate need: Place to live, food, clothes.
Languages: Ukrainian, Polish.
Job Status: Actively looking for a job.
Immediate need: Place to live, food, clothes.
Languages: Ukrainian, Polish.
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24.02.2022 уехали от войны. Мой родной дом в Донецкой обл. Бахмутский район, там идут боевые действия, туда было нельзя, больше нам ехать некуда, и мы отправились в строну границы. 25.02 пересекли границу.
(02.24.2022 ran away from war. My house is in Donetsk county, it is an active war zone now, couldn't stay there, we do not have other place in Ukraine, so we headed toward the border. 02,25 crossed the border (to Poland))
Я активно ищу работу. Не за что снимать жильё, через неделю необходимо съехать от поляков, которые нас приютили, к ним приезжают внуки на лето, нет возможности нам здесь находиться.
I'm actively looking for a job. I don't have money for rent. We have to leave Polish family that allowed us to stay with them at first, because their grandkids are coming to visit over the summer, there is no space for us.
(02.24.2022 ran away from war. My house is in Donetsk county, it is an active war zone now, couldn't stay there, we do not have other place in Ukraine, so we headed toward the border. 02,25 crossed the border (to Poland))
Я активно ищу работу. Не за что снимать жильё, через неделю необходимо съехать от поляков, которые нас приютили, к ним приезжают внуки на лето, нет возможности нам здесь находиться.
I'm actively looking for a job. I don't have money for rent. We have to leave Polish family that allowed us to stay with them at first, because their grandkids are coming to visit over the summer, there is no space for us.
Julia Kuzmuk and her kids Aurora, Platon, and Arcadi
Current living arrangement: Temporary staying with friends
Job Status: Actively looking for a job
Immediate need: Food.
Languages: Russian, Ukrainian
Job Status: Actively looking for a job
Immediate need: Food.
Languages: Russian, Ukrainian
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Когда началась война мы находились в Ирпене, проснулись от сильных взрывов. Мы пешком шли 10 км, затем нас военные помогли добраться до Киева в бомбоубежище, я родила там третьего ребенка. Было очень темно и холодно, не хватало питания, дети плакали , боялись звуков взрывов. Над нами летали ракеты.Наши друзья нам предложили эвакуироваться в Польшу. Мы ехали поездом, были слышны взрывы снарядов , но славу богу живыми добрались до Варшавы. Поселили на к своим знакомым. По сей день смотрим на пролетающие самолёты, есть страх что вот сейчас начнут бомбить, дети боятся гулять на площадках и заходить в траву...а вдруг растяжки. Страх перед войной живёт в каждом из нас. Но очень хочется домой. В Украине осталась моя мама и наши мужья. Мы каждый день молимся и ждём Победы.
(We were in Irpen when the war started, woke up from loud explosions. We walked 6.5 miles, and then our military helped us to get to Kiev to bomb shelter, I gave birth to my third child there. It was very dark and cold, wasn't enough food, children were crying from sound of explosions. Missiles were flying right above us. Our friends offered us to evacuate to Poland. We took a train, we still could hear the bombing, but, thanks God, we arrived to Warsaw alive. We still look at the passing airplanes with fear that the bombing might start, kids afraid to walk on a grass... what if there are "streamers" (cords-triggers that connect hidden mines). Fear of war is now inside of us. We miss our home. My mom is still in Ukraine, and so is my husband. We pray to God every day for a Victory.)
(We were in Irpen when the war started, woke up from loud explosions. We walked 6.5 miles, and then our military helped us to get to Kiev to bomb shelter, I gave birth to my third child there. It was very dark and cold, wasn't enough food, children were crying from sound of explosions. Missiles were flying right above us. Our friends offered us to evacuate to Poland. We took a train, we still could hear the bombing, but, thanks God, we arrived to Warsaw alive. We still look at the passing airplanes with fear that the bombing might start, kids afraid to walk on a grass... what if there are "streamers" (cords-triggers that connect hidden mines). Fear of war is now inside of us. We miss our home. My mom is still in Ukraine, and so is my husband. We pray to God every day for a Victory.)
Snizhana Khramova and her son Daniel
Current living arrangement: I am renting
Job Status: I have a part-time job.
Immediate need: Used car (must have to get a full-time job), food, clothes.
Languages: Ukrainian, Polish.
Job Status: I have a part-time job.
Immediate need: Used car (must have to get a full-time job), food, clothes.
Languages: Ukrainian, Polish.
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Snizhana wrote:
Approximately two months before the war, it turned out that my husband, with whom I lived for 22 years, has a very young mistress ... He went to her. Took all the money and stopped helping. When the war began and explosions were heard, the son was very worried because of the war and because of the departure of his father ... We were left alone. A shell hit the building of the company where I worked and the office burned down. I was left without a job. On the eve of the war, it turned out that the son had health problems. Namely, he has high levels of sugar. The doctor categorically forbade my son to be nervous. When the son found out about his father, he gained 15 kg due to stress. Also, the son had heart problems due to chronic tonsillitis. Already here, in a Polish medical clinic, we were given a referral to the hospital for an operation on our son to remove the tonsils. Having weighed all the risks of the war, the fact that I was left alone without a husband, with a sick child, without money, that my son should not be nervous, I decided to leave Ukraine. March 2, we left the house. For 3 days we went to Poland without sleep, without the opportunity to sleep for at least a few hours. My son has problems with his legs. He has flat feet. He can't walk much. And we were forced to travel by train for three days and stand in the cold in order to cross the border. The way we got there, God forbid anyone survive. My mother stayed in the next town. She is a pensioner. Lives on a pension. Food prices have risen in Ukraine because of the war. It is very difficult for her now, but she never complains, but tries to support others. And I can’t even help her, because a lot of money is spent on renting an apartment. My son still needs to see other doctors, but now there is no way to pay for all this. In Poland, our kind neighbors brought us food. We also went to the refugee center to get food. Thanks to this, we are able to eat normally. Now my son is studying online. When the school year ends, we will enroll in a Polish school. My husband does not help us financially.. I found a job in the office. But my qualification has no value because I don't know Polish. Salary PLN 2200. My son likes Poland, but he misses home. Recently he asked me to go to Ukraine for clothes. But I think it's very dangerous, because the fighting is going on. A rocket flew past my mother 15 centimeters away. Fortunately, she survived. I lost everything I had (husband, job, home). I don't know the language. My son needs treatment. I am starting a new life with a clean slate and I believe that everything will be fine. And most importantly, peace will come soon.
Approximately two months before the war, it turned out that my husband, with whom I lived for 22 years, has a very young mistress ... He went to her. Took all the money and stopped helping. When the war began and explosions were heard, the son was very worried because of the war and because of the departure of his father ... We were left alone. A shell hit the building of the company where I worked and the office burned down. I was left without a job. On the eve of the war, it turned out that the son had health problems. Namely, he has high levels of sugar. The doctor categorically forbade my son to be nervous. When the son found out about his father, he gained 15 kg due to stress. Also, the son had heart problems due to chronic tonsillitis. Already here, in a Polish medical clinic, we were given a referral to the hospital for an operation on our son to remove the tonsils. Having weighed all the risks of the war, the fact that I was left alone without a husband, with a sick child, without money, that my son should not be nervous, I decided to leave Ukraine. March 2, we left the house. For 3 days we went to Poland without sleep, without the opportunity to sleep for at least a few hours. My son has problems with his legs. He has flat feet. He can't walk much. And we were forced to travel by train for three days and stand in the cold in order to cross the border. The way we got there, God forbid anyone survive. My mother stayed in the next town. She is a pensioner. Lives on a pension. Food prices have risen in Ukraine because of the war. It is very difficult for her now, but she never complains, but tries to support others. And I can’t even help her, because a lot of money is spent on renting an apartment. My son still needs to see other doctors, but now there is no way to pay for all this. In Poland, our kind neighbors brought us food. We also went to the refugee center to get food. Thanks to this, we are able to eat normally. Now my son is studying online. When the school year ends, we will enroll in a Polish school. My husband does not help us financially.. I found a job in the office. But my qualification has no value because I don't know Polish. Salary PLN 2200. My son likes Poland, but he misses home. Recently he asked me to go to Ukraine for clothes. But I think it's very dangerous, because the fighting is going on. A rocket flew past my mother 15 centimeters away. Fortunately, she survived. I lost everything I had (husband, job, home). I don't know the language. My son needs treatment. I am starting a new life with a clean slate and I believe that everything will be fine. And most importantly, peace will come soon.
Ganna Nurmukhamedova with sons Andrii and Roman
Current living arrangement: I'm renting
Job Status: I have full-time job
Immediate need: Food, medical care for my disabled son.
Languages: Ukrainian, Polish.
Job Status: I have full-time job
Immediate need: Food, medical care for my disabled son.
Languages: Ukrainian, Polish.
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Мой старший сын инвалид с 6ти месяцев. Диагноз левосторонний гемипарез, парализована левая рука и левая нога. Он учиться в обычной школе, но для поддержания его физической формы необходимо постоянно получать специалищированную реабилитацию, покупаем ортопедические индивидуальные стельки в обувь и лангету на руку, что б разрабатывать пальцы. Сейчас мы все живём в одной квартире с мамой (60 лет), которая 5 месяцев назад перенесла операцию по удалению желчного и нуждается в специализированной диете и режиме питания, так же в медицинском наблюдении специалистов и медикаментах. Я сейчас работаю удалённо, как специалист по закупке, моей зарплаты ели хватает на оплату жилья и еды. Младший сын ходит в школу и посещает занятия по футболу. Финансовой помощи от отца детей , мы никакой не получаем и пенсионное пособие по инвалидности Андрея , так же оформлено на его отца, из-за военной ситуации нет возможности предъявить компенсацию. Так же я являюсь волонтером, помогаю беженцам из Украины адаптироваться, найти жилье, продукты, работу, одежду и организовываю ярмарки по сбору средств для помощи Украине.
My older son has disability. Diagnosis left-side hemiparesis, left hand is not working. He goes to a regular school, but to maintain his physical condition he needs physical therapy. We are buying orthopedic liners for his shoes and langeta for his hand to exercise his fingers. Now we all live in one-bedroom apartment with my mom (60 y/o), who had gall bladder removed 5 moths ago and needs special diet and access to medical care. I have a full-time job as an inventory manager, my salary is barely enough to pay rent and buy food. Younger son goes to school and plays soccer. We do not receive any help from kid's father, Andrej's disability payments are also go to his father and because of war we do not have access to it. I also work as volunteer, help Ukrainian refugees to adopt, find place to live, food, clothes, and organizing street fairs to raise funds for Ukraine.
Ganna Prokofieva and her daughter Veronica
Current living arrangement: Uncertain
Job Status: Actively looking for a job.
Immediate need: Place to live, clothes, food.
Languages: Ukrainian, Polish.
Job Status: Actively looking for a job.
Immediate need: Place to live, clothes, food.
Languages: Ukrainian, Polish.
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В Миколаєві війна. В Дніпрі де ми мешкали останнім часом постійно лунала Серена, донька дуже реагувала на звук. Ми жили на 6 поверсі, було страшно за дитину.
(There is a war in Nikolaev. In Dnipr where we lived the siren was going off all the time, my daughter was very scared of that sound. We lived on 6th floor, it was very scary)
Поки маємо де жити, але відмінили виплату 40 зл і хозяйка мешкання, хоче здавати квартиру за 2000 злотих. В місяць. Ми живемо в 3 в одній кімнаті. Також у мене гепатит В. Треба підтримувати організм ліками.
(So far, we have a place to stay, but 40 zloty help was cancelled, and my landlord wants 2000 zloty / mo rent. Three of us live in one room . I also have a hepatitis B and need medications.)
Я поки вирішила залишись у Польші. Боюсь за життя дитини і не хочу повертатись додому.
(I decided to stay in Poland. I'm afraid for my child's life and do not want to go back.)
(There is a war in Nikolaev. In Dnipr where we lived the siren was going off all the time, my daughter was very scared of that sound. We lived on 6th floor, it was very scary)
Поки маємо де жити, але відмінили виплату 40 зл і хозяйка мешкання, хоче здавати квартиру за 2000 злотих. В місяць. Ми живемо в 3 в одній кімнаті. Також у мене гепатит В. Треба підтримувати організм ліками.
(So far, we have a place to stay, but 40 zloty help was cancelled, and my landlord wants 2000 zloty / mo rent. Three of us live in one room . I also have a hepatitis B and need medications.)
Я поки вирішила залишись у Польші. Боюсь за життя дитини і не хочу повертатись додому.
(I decided to stay in Poland. I'm afraid for my child's life and do not want to go back.)
Yevheniia Dobrovolska and her daughter Alexandra
Current living arrangement: Temporary staying with friends
Job Status: Have part-time job
Immediate need: Food, medical care, clothes.
Languages: Ukrainian, Polish.
Job Status: Have part-time job
Immediate need: Food, medical care, clothes.
Languages: Ukrainian, Polish.
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Через війну в Україні, пішки 10 кілометрів ішли з донькою до кордону з Польщею, взимку (26.02.2022), ночували в пункті обігріву, який створили небайдужі люди прикордонного селища, до Польщі виїхали, бо тут мала знайомих і сестру, і трохи розумію польську.
(Because of the war, me and my daughter had to walk 6.5 miles wait-line toward the Polish border in winter (02.26.2022), spent a night at the warming booth setup by people from local little village who care, went to Poland because I have friends and a sister here, and understand Polish a little.)
Дитина дуже любить ходити на футбол(ходила ще в Україні), та на танці, що теж є недешево в Польщі. Хотіла би спочатку отримати водійські права, що теж не є дешево в Польщі, для майбутнього пересування на машині та бути більш мобільною, що теж буде перевагою для роботи.
(My daughter needs orthodontist. That is very expensive in Poland. I also need a driver license, which is not cheap here either, to be able to get around and find a better job.)
(Because of the war, me and my daughter had to walk 6.5 miles wait-line toward the Polish border in winter (02.26.2022), spent a night at the warming booth setup by people from local little village who care, went to Poland because I have friends and a sister here, and understand Polish a little.)
Дитина дуже любить ходити на футбол(ходила ще в Україні), та на танці, що теж є недешево в Польщі. Хотіла би спочатку отримати водійські права, що теж не є дешево в Польщі, для майбутнього пересування на машині та бути більш мобільною, що теж буде перевагою для роботи.
(My daughter needs orthodontist. That is very expensive in Poland. I also need a driver license, which is not cheap here either, to be able to get around and find a better job.)
Svetlana Shaposhnik and her daughter Alexandra
Current living arrangement: Refugee camp
Job Status: Actively looking for a job
Immediate need: Place to live, food , clothes.
Languages: Ukrainian
Job Status: Actively looking for a job
Immediate need: Place to live, food , clothes.
Languages: Ukrainian
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Я уехала с зоны активных боевых действий Донецкой области, так как я воспитываю дочь одна,не работала, снаряд попал в соседний дом и я решила спасать себя и своего ребенка! Приехала в Польшу! Возможности вернуться домой нет!
(I left my home in Donetsk county because of the active war, I am a single mom and wasn't back to work yet, a missile destroyed a building next to mine and I decided to safe my daughter and myself! I went to Poland! There is nothing to go back to.)
(I left my home in Donetsk county because of the active war, I am a single mom and wasn't back to work yet, a missile destroyed a building next to mine and I decided to safe my daughter and myself! I went to Poland! There is nothing to go back to.)
We forward every donation (100% of the amount) made via "HELP THIS FAMILY NOW" button to these families' PayPal accounts within 48 hours. You will be able to communicate directly with family you support after you make a donation, all of them have emails. Suggested amount is $50+.
Or just come to see our CARMEN, and we will forward 20% to these women.
Or just come to see our CARMEN, and we will forward 20% to these women.