It’s so hard to cope with all the sorrows … a postcard makes you feel that you are not alone

Paul and Natalka lived with our family for three months, then lived at the Ostroh University campus for three months. Those six months with CWY informed the life paths both would take.

I, too, was impacted by the experience, which forged life-time connections with Paul and Natalka, as well as a special friendship bond with Svitlana. For several years, I traveled to Ukraine to teach in a democracy education project, working with students at the university, as well as with educators who taught students of all ages. Those many happy times in Ukraine are part of the reason that I have dedicated time and resources to Postcards to the Front Canada.

Communication by letter and postcards has been one way that we’ve maintained our friendship all these years. So, naturally, when the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, I contacted Svitlana to assure her that we wouldn’t forget her and that we would do what we could.

Svitlana lives in a small village in Rivne Region in Ukraine’s west. Aware of the struggles experienced by those living along the front lines, not forgetting the challenges and horrors that Defenders face daily, Svitlana, her family, and her colleagues have joined the masses of Ukrainians doing all they can to support their sisters and brothers.

For example, both Svitlana and her husband are retired educators. Like so many pensioners in Ukraine, they have been called back into service. He at a nearby high school. Svitlana back at the university where all too often students are sent to defend their country, some returning home either badly wounded, or … to be buried.

“It’s so hard for us to cope with all the sorrows. It hurts us painfully when every single day we hear and watch how people are murdered … especially, children. Homes are destroyed. Terrorists conduct genocide of our population … they want to destroy Ukrainians and our state. But, we are resistant, defending our land.”

This is an old story, as one finds when traveling across Ukraine where one will see monuments in most cities, towns, and villages that have been erected to remember lives lost in past conflicts. Ukrainian sons and daughters killed defending their country, or while conscripted by former Russian / Soviet rulers.

Wages and resources of Ukrainian civilians support Defenders. For instance, they contributed funds for the provision of necessities needed by Defenders, such as military equipment, medical supplies, and even food. For Defenders and for civilians trying to survive in Ukraine’s east.

The fact is that Ukraine’s army is largely made up of Defenders; ordinary individuals doing what they can to defend their homeland. Not professional soldiers that would otherwise be well-trained and well-equipped.

With her brother and nephews defending their homeland, Svitlana knows well the importance of postcard messages of support that Defenders receive.

“All the soldiers who receive your postcards are thankful. We see the messages and reports from them about letters and postcards, and little presents from children … they are happy to receive, keep them always with them. They say that ‘such things are dear’, and that they [help them go on to] fight bravely, to defend all Ukrainians from the terrorists.”

Svitlana emphasized that the postcards that Defenders receive from outside Ukraine are “so nice and warm, so caring … the Defenders make videos and send out thanks for such support. They say that the small things they get from time-to-time bring fresh air. They are dear to them, so human, terrific. They inspire solders to fight and believe in victory in the awful battle without rules. The postcards make their fight easier … .”

I must admit that each time that I interview a Ukrainian about this project, I get a tremendous sense of meaningful purpose from each little postcard to cheer someone, to give a bit of ‘fresh air’ during terrible times. I admit to feeling pride in all that each postcard warrior – that’s you! – has done to send a bit of sunshine where there is darkness and sorrow. So many beautifully crafted cards, and so many heartfelt messages have passed through my hands on their way to a Defender at the front lines.

Svitlana tells us, that “We are very lucky to have wonderful friends who support Ukraine. The postcards are amazing, the people are warmhearted, and we feel the care. A postcard makes you feel that you are not alone; you feel happy. It’s a precious gift.”

She has also been grateful for the emotional support that she and her family receive during these times from those Canadians, from across the country, met all those years ago when she was involved with Canada World Youth. She cites a long list of gratitudes to CWY Canadian friends, some of whom have “donated money to buy drones and medical supplies for the front.”

When asked what she would tell you, dear reader, face-to-face, Svitlana has a clear response:

And, she adds, “the world shouldn’t be indifferent.”

Meanwhile, Ukrainians “are grateful for the support we have got from many countries,” that has made it possible for Ukraine to stand for so long against the invasion. But, she added, “… we need help with weapons to fight; heavy weapons, air crafts, as we are defending our democracy, freedom and human rights.”

When asked what she sees in Ukraine’s post-victory future, Svitlana recognizes that there will be many demands on Ukraine to restore all that has been destroyed. She also noted that a lot has already changed, “for the better, in our society,” these past few years.

Until Ukraine is free, Svitlana remains fiercely optimistic about the resilience of Ukrainians, stating that “our people are brave historically and will cope with hardships.”

But, she would like it all to end soon, so they can get on with their lives.

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Need cards? Let us know at postcardstothefront.canada@gmail.com, and we’ll send you postcards to write to Defenders. FREE!

Need ideas about what to write? Check our Tips page, and our Ukrainian phrases page. Want to organize a group of family, friends or others to write postcards? Visit How to Run a Postcard-Writing Workshop. Consider a group effort over the holidays or in the New Year, so we can send a lot of messages of love and support in time for February, when the 3^rd anniversary of the full-scale invasion rolls around.

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Postcards to the Front   *   P. O. Box 184, Millbrook, Ontario L0A 1G0 Canada