Operation AKALA – Shine Some Light in Ukraine

Lara Palafox is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Aloha, my name is Lara. I live in Hawaii, and have family in Ukraine and Hawaii. I taught ESL at the University of Hawaii for 8 years and now work as a freelance writer and also volunteer for a local group HawaiiStandsWithUkraine–Honolulu (HSWU), a Ukrainian support group in Hawaii.

I'm inviting people in Hawaii (and anywhere) to join me in shining some light on the lives of some specific people, families, and children in Ukraine.

It is a harsh winter now in Ukraine and people are in need of food, warmth, and light – literally and metaphorically.

Continued bombings from Russia are leaving children without parents, handicapped children with limited ability to travel, and limited care. Homes are without light or electricity and it is hard to function and keep warm... We can help some of those people right now!

This fundraiser will bring funds to people that some members of HSWU have identified as being in need right now.

What the funds are for:

food
hygiene necessities
sleeping bags/warm bedding
small generators (to bring some essential power)

Who the funds will go to:

Anna, who brought 6 orphaned children into her home to care for them
Oksana V, who is a volunteer helping handicapped children
NovaUkraine volunteers (known to HSWU members)
Other Ukrainian children in need

Why donate through this fundraiser:

We have a direct connection with those in need in Ukraine
We are helping a few targeted groups
We see the immediate effects of our financial aid
We receive responses from those who have received the aid

In Hawaiian, "LA" means "SUN" – AKALA means "OF THE SUN"

Let's bring some of our warmth and light to Ukraine now. We can spare a little, surely? Every bit counts right now...

I believe that giving to those in greater need, is a gift of love, that we also receive.

Mahalo, Dyakuyu, and Thank you for your kindness.

Lara Palafox

NOTE: There will not be tax receipts issued for donations. There will be a record of whatever information the donor chooses to provide to GoFundMe (name, email etc.). Donations are completely the responsibility of the donors. I (Lara Palafox), and Hawaii Stands With Ukraine offer no guarantees that once the money is sent to Ukraine, the funds will be dispersed exactly as outlined in this fundraiser. We will do what we can to the best of our knowledge, and are acting in good faith on behalf of those asking for help in Ukraine.

The photos below are of some of the people being helped by the Ukrainian volunteers listed above, and a couple of the items we hope that the fundraiser will be able to help them purchase.