Two Ukrainian Trent Students Are Rallying The Community To Support Their Home Country

Uliana Karpukhina and Mykhailo Rangiev, Ukrainian students studying at Trent University and members of Trent’s Russian Speaking Association (TURSA) are asking the community to contribute to two fundraisers; one to supply medical supplies to Ukraine, and one to help get children out of the war torn country.

Mykhailo Rangiev. Photo courtesy of Uliana Karpukhina.

Karpukhina’s mother and younger brother were able to get out of Ukraine and are currently in Spain, though her father had to stay behind.

Together with her mother, they are working to help children who have lost their parents evacuate Ukraine and find safety in Spain. Money contributed to their GoFundMe will help to pay the rent of the house they are staying in, groceries, diapers and clothes.

Rangiev has been in Canada for about five years now. His family remains in Ukraine volunteering.

He, along with the TURSA are asking to community for donations of medical supplies to send to the front lines of Ukraine.

“It would be nice to be able to accept physical donations,” he said. “But there are very specific things there that are needed - not just aspirin and bandages.”

With donations Rangiev will purchase supplies suggested by his family members directly in Ukraine. He will deliver the supplies to a shipping company in the GTA, that is flying supplies to Ukraine for free.

Donations can be sent to tursa22@gmail.com.

In addition to these two fundraisers, Rangiev is also raising money for Ukrainian students in Peterborough that may not have access to funds now, though he says the community exceeded his expectations with that fundraiser and he would like to focus on supplies now.

Both Rangiev and Karpukhina agree that Peterborough has been so supportive of the Ukrainian community as news comes out of the horrors in Ukraine.

“It was terrifying at first, seeing the news and not knowing if your family is ok,” said Karpukhina. “It’s easier now, but it’s still going on there, it’s still our country and our heritage - it’s part of our identity.”

“I wanted to do everything I could to help,” said Rangiev.

He says for the first few days of the Russian invasion he was in Etobicoke every day packing humanitarian supplies to be shipped to Ukraine.

“I initially thought to go back to Ukraine because the whole thing is so outrageous, but my Dad convinced me that at least for now I will be more helpful here and can help refugees that will come,” he said.

Karpukhina says seeing Ukrainian flags, ribbons and sunflowers around Peterborough has been amazing.

“In my neighborhood there’s a little kid who is about eight year old,” said Karpukhina. “He has ribbons and he’s been putting them up everywhere on trees and posts - I really notice them. It’s so cute and nice to see kids showing initiative.”

“It’s amazing to see such great support,” said Rangiev.

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