When the unthinkable happened on Feb 24th when Russia invaded Ukraine, Ukrainians in Ukraine and around the world made a united decision that they were going to fight for their land and for their freedom.
Every Ukrainian decided to help the war effort with their God given talents. In every sphere of life where someone could help physically, intellectually, spiritually, they did so and are continuing to do so. They started to fight, work, produce, influence, rally and raise awareness all around the world. They reacted swiftly and decisively and did what they did best to serve their country in this time of crisis.
Because the Ukrainian Youth Association in Canada has been successfully running summer camps for almost 75 years in Canada, it has decided to extend this awesome and life-altering camp experience to refugee children from Ukraine this summer. The UYA is sponsoring children this summer at Camp Veselka near Acton, Ontario. Children from Ukraine will be attending camp together with Ukrainian-Canadian children. Together they will be learning, singing, swimming, hiking, dancing, and creating life-long friendships. Many Ukrainian-Canadian children, who are already 3rd of 4th generation Canadians can still speak the Ukrainian language and so they can freely communicate with children from Ukraine, who are also immerging English speakers. It really is an ideal situation in which summer campers can experience nature, learn new skills together, understand each other and simply be kids and have fun.
Camp helps kids build self-confidence and self-esteem. It helps them learn to be more independent, but at the same time it helps them learn teamwork. Camp stimulates children physically and mentally and yet, it is also a safe haven where they can relax and recharge and forget or gain perspective on their problems.
The UYA is working diligently to create an action-packed program. Counselors are receiving expert training to be able to handle new challenges with traumatized youth. The UYA is trying to make Camp Veselka a home away from home for Ukrainian refugee children. And in so doing, we are acting as one more cog in the Ukrainian war wheel and doing our part in making Ukrainian children feel safe and cared for at a time that they’ve been forced to flee from their homes.
Many sponsors are coming forward to help send a Ukrainian refugee child to camp and offer them a memorable experience. Local businesses are making donations of food and camp supplies. Sympathetic individuals are opening up their hearts and their wallets and generously donating to make summer camp a reality. The UYA is so grateful for their kindness. If you’d like to be part of this wonderful initiative, please consider becoming a sponsor and gifting a child a summer camp today! Donations can be made by visiting www.cym.org/canada .
Eerka Shust-Dankowycz
UYA Toronto Branch President
The Ukrainian Youth Association is a non-profit youth organization whose goal is to organize, nurture and educate Ukrainian-Canadian youth to cultivate unity with Ukrainians in Ukraine and around the world. The UYA was established in Canada in 1948.
