oneconnectedvillage

Very honored to join the Razom Advocacy Advisory Board. 🇺🇦🇺🇦 RAZOM, which means together in Ukrainian, has been working tirelessly since its start in 2014 to deliver humanitarian aid and advocate for Ukraine and its sovereignty. It has built a strong and passionate network across the globe to fight for Ukraine’s dignity and partner on meaningful projects.

Want to learn more? Check out RAZOM’s website here. https://www.razomforukraine.org/about-us/

for.ukraine

Just back from a whirlwind 2-week trip which took me to 🇦🇲Armenia (for the first time), then onto 🇲🇩Moldova to visit our amazing project team…and ending in 🇵🇱Poland, where I spoke on a panel about the urgency of our efforts to support Ukraine 🇺🇦with additional humanitarian and development assistance.

Many insights gathered from the media, government and civil society leaders whom I met with. Always inspired by those fighting for their freedoms and democracy! Humbled to do this work alongside so many giants in their fields.

Just when we think that the Russians cannot cross another red line, they find another inhumane and criminal way to do so. We’ve all watched in horror in recent days as they destroyed the Kakhovka dam— sending millions of gallons of water downstream and flooding more than 40 towns and settlements, including the city of Kherson.

This senseless destruction resulted in loss of life, displacement — and unleashed an unprecedented manmade disaster that will have repercussions for wildlife areas, crops and agriculture and water availability for years to come.

Ukrainians again showed their unselfish grit and heart ❤️💙💛as life rafts were deployed, neighbors pulled the elderly from their homes and innocent pets were rescued. Meanwhile, the Russians stood by and watched as people were stranded@in occupied areas, despite their pleas for assistance.

We are giving generously to .for.ukraine .media .now! 💪🇺🇦💪🇺🇦

With thanks to Timothy Snyder and others who are ensuring that the world watch and not look away!

Proud to support and attend the Literacy for Democracy 📚📚international conference organized by the Universal Reading Foundation, the National Literacy Trust, the Federation of European Publishers and key officials from Poland — and many other important entities that believe that “reading books has proven to be the most effective tool to nurture social capital and inclusion…”

Please come by Tandem in Bristol on Monday night at 630 pm. I will be talking about Ukraine’s 🇺🇦 courage and strength in its year plus long battle against Russia- a war it was expected to lose in three days.

We will be hosting a silent auction featuring children’s art from a refugee center outside of Warsaw - where art is rightly used for therapy…as well as three pieces from Ukrainian artists.

ALL proceeds will be donated to LOCAL Ukrainian charities including which is doing some critical work to rebuild housing in hard hit areas; and .modlinska which continues to house, feed and clothe approx. 800 Ukrainians, mostly the elderly, women and children whose homes were brutally destroyed by Russian bombs and shelling.

With thanks to for hosting what promises to be a great evening of drinks and discussion! 💙💛💙💛

Today I had the pleasure of meeting with the director, Maria Dekur, and her colleague Katarzyna,of the Universal Reading Foundation in Warsaw’s Dom Literatury or Literary House. Since Russia’s brutal invasion/war against Ukraine, they have worked with publishing houses here and in the US and UK to deliver more than 200,000 books to children. It’s horrifying that Russians have already burned 200 libraries- an attempt to wipe out culture- just as the Germans did here in Poland.

The Foundation understands the importance of literacy to a vibrant and educated society. 📚📚I couldn’t agree more!

Imagine losing your home, your school and your precious books. Please consider donating to this amazing organization: https://fpc.org.pl/homepage/about-us/

Since Russia invade Ukraine 🇺🇦 in February, our Foundation has donated thousands of dollars to help with humanitarian assistance including to groups like .22 .for.ukraine and many more. They are doing lifesaving work. ❤️

As we head into winter and Putin’s barbaric attacks on energy and water supplies continue, Ukrainians need our help even more. If you want advice on where to donate, DM me. I will also be organizing a fundraiser at the end of this year in the US. Stay tuned for details. 💙💛💙💛💙

There are signs of support for Ukraine 🇺🇦 throughout Warsaw (and one photo included from Chișinău, Moldova). The war is ever present here and in neighboring countries—with a huge influx of refugees, Putin’s threats of deploying nuclear weapons and the impending winter and likely energy shortages.

The parallels between Hitler’s attacks on Poland and its people and Putin’s attempts to dehumanize Ukrainians are striking. As a world community, we have to continue to hold strong against this aggression, continued war crimes and disrespect for the rule of law and international borders. 💪🇺🇦💪🇺🇦