Today, I went to our farmer’s market to see Aladin; Nataliya is at home in Troy working on getting her daughter and grandchildren out of Poland. Her son-in-law is in the Ukraine Army fighting.
They are apprehensive about him; they’ve heard nothing from him for a while.
(Nataliya, Aleks, Alina)
Thanks to many of you (Maria and I contributed some of our own money), we helped raise $10,420 for the family on a gofundmepage; the money is for visa fees, travel, and other expenses. Alina, Aleks, and Irena escaped Ukraine with nothing more than a single suitcase between them.
They need all the help they can get to start a new life in America.
Aladin said they had raised enough money to get their family to the United States once visas are approved (they applied last Thursday), but the three have absolutely nothing – they lost everything in their house – and could still use any help people feel they can offer.
Aladin is from Egypt, Nataliya is from Ukraine. The two run the Slovenian Cafe in Troy and work on weekends traveling to farmer’s markets. He is a sweet, quiet man and a skilled chef. He has been working day and night ever since the pandemic to keep his cafe afloat.
He doesn’t speak a lot of English, but he wanted me to thank all of the generous people who have come to the aid of his family.
He says Natliya is having a hard time dealing with what’s happening to her friends and family in Ukraine; Aladin is working the farmer’s markets by himself. He looked exhausted.
Thanks again for helping this family. If you haven’t contributed or wish to contribute further, you can do so here.
How does one verify both the bona fides of
1. These people escaping Ukraine
And
2. The people who are taking them into their homes?
It seems like it’s ripe for exploitation. Or worse.
Tiffany, I know these people, they are honest and hard-working and genuinely desperate, as I have written, I’ve posted their pictures and written about their needs. If you don’t trust that, then you should not send a penny. I will be following their journey when they arrive, and this is why I take photos so people can see just where their money is going. I trust them completely and if you don’t feel comfortable, stay away. Their neighbors have started this fund and they know them well also. The money goes straight to the fund, nowhere else and they will need it. I’m afraid that’s all the verification there is, and I completely understand if that doesn’t work for you. I find your suggestion of exploitation to be somewhat revolting, even in our messed-up country. I have contributed happily and wish I could give more.