Help a Ukranian Family in Santa Monica start anew

Back in September my son started Kindergarten with a little boy who had fled with his family from the war in Ukraine. I have gotten to know their family and am asking for help as their family resettles in Santa Monica.

That boy's parents, Olga and Petro, worked as well-known doctors in Kyiv, Ukraine. Both were ENTs at a clinic and lived happily with their 3 young children until March, 2022. They never could have imagined that their life would change so drastically until they started to hear reports that there were bombings in schools. But within weeks, their lives were turned upside down by the Russian invasion and violence in their home country.

They spent the nights huddled in a tiny basement in their home, scared for their lives till they decided to leave. They drove to Romania for a harrowing and freezing 2 days (normally a 6 hour trip) where they eventually made it to Prague, trying to survive on limited food. Finally, they were able to fly to Mexico and cross the border into the US, and have asked for refugee status which they are waiting for.

They are currently studying for the US Medical English Exam so that eventually they can practice as doctors here in the US. But the exam is grueling and while studying, they have not been able to work so far. They are not the kind of people who ask for help easily. But as I have gotten to know them, I have found out that they are scraping together $1,000 a month to rent a car for their family. I believe if our community could help them raise money to buy a car, it would help alleviate some of the stress of their current situation. I am including a link to an ABC news article about them as well: ABC news article about Petro and Olga and some pictures from their journey.

Please donate generously and share widely. Thanks,

Tamara Kagel