Door of Hope and Link to Hope – working together for the people of Ukraine

This page is to provide regular Ukraine updates to let the amazing supporters of Door of Hope and Link to Hope know what is happening and importantly where and how your money is being spent.  If we are able to show photos we will, however as you can imagine sometimes that isn’t possible.  Also, although many of our project managers are pastors, please know that people are being helped regardless of their colour, creed, religion or nationality.  Our sole purpose is to help everyone we can in a crisis such as this.
With the Russian invasion growing ever more serious, this conflict has the capacity to create a refugee crisis on an unprecedented scale among Ukraine people. With much of the population heading towards the western side with the sole focus of getting their family and loved ones to some form of safety, Door of Hope and Link to Hope are working with Pastors and Project Leaders in Romania, Moldova and Ukraine to ensure they receive food and a roof over their head.
March 2024 – UPDATE
Today on the 6th March 2024 is a very sad day for us and our work in Ukraine. Door of Hope and Link to Hope together purchased a house in Zhelanny, Ukraine in 2019. This building was called the Angel of Light  and used for children who had been traumatised by the previous war in 2014. It became a haven of comfort, love and secuity for them, alongside games, teaching and food under the leadership of the very brave and good friend…. Alexandr Gorbachev.
Lisa from (LtoH) and myself Simon from Door of Hope went to Ukraine to visit the property before we bought it and although we were wary of how close it was to the front line even back then, it has been a huge blessing to many lives. As the shelling has rained down on the village, not only has it been a place of sanctuary for the children but also for the village who have sheltered in the very large basement that the Angel of Light has. Today that all ends, they are now having to leave the Angel of Light  behind. The Russian army is now too near and it is too dangerous to stay. Here is the message we have received this morning from Alexandr.
“We began evacuating people from Zhelanny. The situation is becoming critical. Airstrikes are being carried out on the village. The Russian Army is getting closer every day. We evacuate people to different places where they are ready to receive them and have housing. Keep us in your prayers. People are panicking and fearful. The evacuation of families with children is being carried out by the White Angels Police Unit. They have such opportunities. The adult population is evacuating our Angels of Light Centre and several other volunteers. This month will be very difficult! If you can help financially for fuel, we will be be very glad to receive such help. We also continue to help people food and clothing, this will be useful to them in their new place of residence. I hope that we will withstand this time physically and emotionally and that Russian shells will not hit us. It was so difficult at the beginning of the war, although now it is a lot harder…”
Please pray for them at this extremely difficult time as they not only evacuate the Angel of Light but also as many villagers as they can and salvage items from the centre. Please pray that they will all reach safety and that there will be new homes for them to go to that will mean they are safe. We now say goodbye to our beloved Angel of Light Centre which has already been slightly destroyed. We sadly may never see this building again.
 
 
January 2024 – UPDATE
Our project leaders…Zina and Alex regularly travel back to there home city called Zaropozhye to run large feeding programmes for the desperate people in Ukraine. These are street feeding stations as well as running them from their church. Recently we received some photos and this message from Zina.
“Dear Simon, On this recent return visit to Zaporozhye you had a strong feeling that it was not going to be safe one. As soon as we arrived  we came under fire with rockets  but praise God it did not last long and we were safe. We have returned be cause with the help of Door of Hope and Link to Hope we have been able to continue our feeding programmes which run twice a week. More and more people come every time and each time the numbers grow, we have been reaching out to nearly 200 people at a time. We also hold meetings once a week reaching out to teenagers. Along side this we have also been running support meetings for women at our church (The House of Mercy). Both Door of Hope and Link to Hope is the only support we receive with the work we are carrying out through this awful war. We praise God for our partnership and the continued support you offer to us”
Please continue to pray for us because all the time the Russians are advancing and currently the front line is only 50/60km from our town Zaporozhye. Thank you again to you and your supporters for your continuous support….Blessings!”
 
November 2023 – UPDATE
In the war torn area of Zhelanne, our project leader and friend (Pastor Alexandr) continues his work serving people who are vulnerable and making sure the children and families residing at the Angel of Light Centre we support, are safe and supported through this ongoing conflict. Here is the latest update from Pastor Alexandr in his own words:
“Over the past 10 days the military situation has significantly increased. Russian forces continue their assault on our military  positions near Avdiivka. As a result of this, there has been heavy shelling in the nearby settlements. Yesterday a rocket hit a school in Zhelanne, it is only 100 metres from our Angel of Light Centre. Thankfully no one was injured. the school had been completely renovated before the war started and was the pride of the community. Now it is severely damaged. people from our church spent the whole day helping the residents board up their broken windows.
The road to Avdiivka is becoming un-passable, the villages continue to get pounded and its pretty impossible to drive to Avdiivka at the moment. The military pass through it at great risk and say it is like playing “Russian Roulette” The chances of arriving alive are 50/50, it’s very unpredictable.
We continue to prepare firewood for our centre thanks to the help of Door of Hope and Link to Hope and we should have a warm building throughout the winter if of course we are not bombed. Despite the shelling, children still come to the centre regularly. We continue to face serious issues with electricity and communication and I can’t always respond to messages quickly but I will always try and provide updates on our activities when possible.
Please continue to pray for us and thank you again to you and your supporters for your continuous support….Blessings!”
 
October 2023 – UPDATE
In war torn Zaporozhye we support a small church run by Pastor Sampson Boatri and his church volunteers. Once a week they run a feeding programme for people who are scared and vulnerable during the ongoing conflict. The supermarkets that still remain have very little in the way of supplies, many others have been destroyed by the shelling. This feeding programme is a lifeline to many who are scared and hungry. Recently, Pastor Sampson’s wife Galyna told us…. 
 “People are very hungry when they visit us, they constantly ask for more after they have eaten. Many of the people who visit us tell us they have no place to cook, no gas, no electricity and no work. We spend time with these people talking at lengths, it’s painful to watch them constantly looking and asking for help. People are in desperate need of warm clothes, some told us it’s so cold when we sleep and asked for hats to keep them warm. Many people arrive early for their hot meal, standing in line worried there might not be enough food left. Before we open people are sitting on fences underneath the popular trees. They constantly ask for hot tea and coffee but we assure people that there is enough food for everyone. Many who come to us haven’t eaten recently and are desperately hungry when they arrive. They tell us that they come to our church during the week in the hope they will receive a hot meal. Many people now are extremely vulnerable and poor, they have nothing to eat at home and always ask for bread to take home or a jar of tea. People always tell us that they are so grateful for the church’s generosity and how well they are treated and looked after”.
With situation in Ukraine escalating and the cold winter days moving ever closer it saddens me to see also many people now homeless and living on the cold streets due to there houses being destroyed. We are very grateful to Door of Hope and Link to Hope for there much needed support through this awful and ever growing situation. 
 
September 2023 – UPDATE
Great news has come in from the project leader in Nikopol, Dnipro region. We sent them funds to help buy water and food but their need was to buy transportation as well. The sum we sent meant they have been able to do both.
 “We are vey grateful to you that we were there in this very difficult, dangerous, hungry and time when there is no water in the city thanks to the occupiers. Despite the daily shelling, there is no water in the city, there is no work in the right quantity, but people still live here. Almost everyone has returned. They culd not settle down in other cities and countries. 80% of people retuned to the city. At the moment, we have 450 children under our care. We divide them into 3 parts of 120 children and hold meetings with them. We try to heal the spirit, soul and body! Of course, there are many traumatised children psychologically. Some began to stutter, many began to enuresis. They moved to a part of the city wher it is a little calmer and continue to visit us. We are always looking for where to get enough humanitarian aid. In one week we needed about 7 tons. Every week we distribute food packages of 10kg per family, 700 people per day, so we get about 7 tons per week. People take a queue in a few hours. We feed about 200-250 people in one day. We had one transport – a minibus, which can take away only 2 tons – and we needed funds to buy freight transport. We had an amount, but it was only 50% of the cost of transport. When you came out to meet us and sent us money, we realised that this was the answer to our prayers! We bought a vehicle near Kiev and immediately loaded it with food aid which we distributed a day later! Now we can do more. Thanks to you, more people now have water and food.
This is fantastic and here are photos of the people that have been helped.
 
AUGUST 2023 – UPDATE
We have a contact called Samuel who works in Zaporozhye, Ukraine. He has started a feeding programme as so many people now are either not able to access food, lack money or are escaping from the fighting. This is an update from Samuel.
“Today we gave out 110 plates of food and yet was not enough for all those who wanted. We see that the demand was higher than we could supply. Many people come very hungry! On Saturday, for instance one man came to the feeding programme as hungry as a wolf and asked twice for more! He confessed that he had not eaten for 4 days.
At recent programmes some wished to take away with them some food as it was previously but there was nothing left over to give.
We try to offer our visitors second-hand clothes and we aim at doing this project till autumn but we would like to continue to do this longer.
Below are some photos taken at the various feeding programmes. Thank you and God bless you!
Yours sincerely
Sampson B.
From the Ukraine Appeal finds which you have generously sent us, we have sent funds to Samuel so he can feed more people, that people can have seconds and there is left over to take away. We also hope to send more funds for him to continue his work into the winter.
JULY 2023 – UPDATE
Many of you will be aware that a large dam “collapsed” and flooded many areas of Eastern Ukraine. There is now a major lack of drinking water and water for cooking and cleaning. People are struggling to find sources of water on a daily basis. Due to your generosity we are now supporting a couple in Nikopol who have chosen to stay and help their community. Here is the situation in their own words:-
“We are a church from the city of Nikopol, Dnipro region. Before the war, we always invested bits of goodness in children from families who did not even have the possibility to buy candies for their children. We give childhood for the children.
The war came to our city. The enemies standing 5km from us are shelling the city. We understand that childhood cannot wait. This is the shortest time in our life, but the most memorable. No matter how scary it sounds, but we were able to get along with the war. Children do not know the multiplication table as well as they know the sound of flying shells. They know where to run and how to properly fold their hands behind their heads. We do not let these children lose heart and try to make children holidays as much as possible. But another problem came…
As you may already know, our dam was blown up. This is a reservoir from which our entire region was fed – four big towns: Marganets, Pocrov, Nikopol and part of Kryvyi Rih. Due to the destruction of the hydroelectric power station (hydro power plant), our reservoir dried up, all our pumping station stopped.
There is no water in the taps and it won’t be for the next few months, water has to be carried. The situation is very critical. People stand in long queues for technical water which is brought by the rescue services but not everyone has enough of it. It got to the point that people had to collect rain water that flows from the roofs. Sometimes volunteers come to the city and give 3 litres of water each but the queue still needs to be stood. People are standing for 6 hours and sometimes they do not have enough of this water. The state gives 20 litres of technical water a day to a person with a passport.
We also prepare food and set tables 2 times a week for 200 people. People come to eat. We bring food to bedridden patients in Nikopol and several villages around the towns of: Kapulovka, Alekseevka, Pokrovskoye, Krasnogrygorivka, Prydniprovske, etc.
We are in dire need of drinking water. It is possible to collect it in neighbouring towns in the lakes and bring it to the city, then filter and distribute it to the population. We distribute food to the people but now they are more grateful for water. Any help in this direction is extremely important.
We also heard about the pills that can neutrlize the water. We would like to buy a truck load to put in water. Or maybe someone could give us any. It is possible to buy water but we need a lot of it! Friends do give us a water filter but there is nothing to filter.
We need a lot of water and a lot of food to help the following:
450 chilldren.
About 200 of them come to us to eat three times week.
700 pensioners whom we try to help at least once a month.
Door of Hope and Link to Hope have been able to send funds urgently to Nikopol to try to help ease the situation for the meantime until another solution can be reached.
JUNE 2023 – UPDATE
Handing out Food Parcels in Zaporozhye
Moving to different areas within Zaporozhye in the Donbass region, our project leaders are currently feeding vast amounts of people during this conflict. After talking to many people and chaplains it was discussed that what people needed the most, was food and hygiene products.
On this occasion more than 200 people came and we distributed household kits and potatoes and bread. It was a scary time as we only had 100 packages made up and there were clearly many anxious and frustrated people. The packages disappeared quickly with people frantically asking…”when will there be more”
With the financial support of Door of Hope and Link to Hope, our project leaders will continue to return to this and other communities in Zaporozhye.
MAY 2023 – UPDATE
Giving Back Peoples Identity
A couple of years ago we became aware that peoples life chances were so much lower without ID or a passport.  Children are denied education, elderly people couldn’t claim their pension, new mothers weren’t receiving financial support, people had difficulties getting legal job etc, etc.  We set up the I AM Project to help people gain birth certificates and help them move on.
Who would know that the I AM Project in the Ukraine would become so critically important and that through the Ukraine Appeal funds, we have been able to finance many more people receiving these documents.  This from Max, one of our project managers based in Odessa, Ukraine
“Since the start of the war, many people have experienced document loss. Their homes were destroyed due to the shelling and sometimes they fled as refugees forgetting their documents in the rush. We have helped a vast number of individuals (over a hundred people) who arrived from Kherson and Mykolaiv regions where fighting took place. We aided them with new documents. We would greet them as they arrived by bus at the station and take them to the migration office. We would go through the necessary procedures, pay the government fees and facilitate their documents. We provided significant assistance to people with a particular focus on children who left with their mothers or one of their parents who had also lost their birth certificates. Many children would arrive and when the time came for them to obtain passports, we assisted with the process. It was a wonderful moment for these people especially because when they applied for their passport they received a certificate with a photo and a stamp. During the month it took to produce the documents, they could still use the certificate to move around. It is necessary to understand that at the beginning of the war there were checkpoints on all the roads and document verification was conducted. People without their documents were stopped and detained until their identities were confirmed. Therefor, this project has helped not only in obtaining these documents but also moving through checkpoints with the correct documentation.
APRIL 2023 – UPDATE
Food Distribution in Zaporozhye
While the shelling continues overhead in the city of Zaporozhye, our project leaders Zina and Alex and church volunteers continue their street feeding programmes for the elderly, young and vulnerable people. With supermarket shelves becoming more and more empty as the conflict continues, many people are in desperate need of help and a hot meal.
Your support helps vital projects such as these.
MARCH 2023 – UPDATE
Conflict Advance Near the Angel of Light
With the Russian troops bypassing the town of Avdivka with failing attempts to take the city they are now advancing and are about an hour away from Zhellanoye which stands the Angel of Light centre. The worried children in the centre are now able to see the front line through binoculars. In the distance Russians are dropping awful burning bombs that are starting fires in the distance. Our project leader (Alexandr) and his volunteers have many items packed and transport vehicles refuelled with the children on high alert should they have to leave the Angel of Light quickly. We continue to keep the children calm and feed them within the centre at this very difficult time for all of us.
Many of the supermarkets and stores have been destroyed now so on occasions it can be difficult to obtain food and aid. This is a supermarket just outside Avdivka. The Russian troops walked in and shot all the staff and then destroyed the store in front of many bystanders standing on the streets. The nearest place to get food now is in Pokrovsk which is 40 kilometres away from Avdivka.
We thank you for your continued support through this difficult time.
FEBRUARY 2023 – UPDATE
Food Parcels for Ukraine People – Zaporozhye 
We have two wonderful project managers Z & A who asked us for funds so they could go out and feed people in the city of Zaporozhye, Ukraine. They have worked for years in Zaporozhye and every Sunday used to feed up to 200 people with soups and stews and other food items.  They have had to flee the city but wanted to return to see how they could help.
First they bought food, and then they put it in bags.  They managed to produce 90 food parcels from the funds that were sent. They assembled a very brave team of volunteers and spent one week preparing the parcels to distribute food to people. On the appointed day, people lined up 2 hours earlier than they should.  When  Z & A arrived they were slighly nervous at the amount of people that had come.
They gave out products according to documents and statements (categories – lonely old people, widows, large families, disabled people).
They also met a grandmother on the way, she was barely walking with her blind son to the place where they were distributing food.
JANUARY 2023 – UPDATE
NEW PROJECT – The destruction of Ukraine infrastructure means that millions of people have been left without power – so no heating, lighting, ability to cook food, hot water and a lack of food in the shops – the list is endless.  Everyone is suffering.  Our contact Peter has been going back and forward from Oradea in Romania to Uzhgorod in Ukraine since the war began.  His main interest is for disabled children and families but he has seen so much suffering amongst all people that his remit has widened.  So Pete has set up – funded by Link to Hope – a centre for helping people with sleeping bags, hot meals, drinks and support.  This has now started and this is what is currently being done to help.
Each week 250+ meals are provided. Each meal has a soup (with bread) a meat dinner and a juice or tea. Meals are collected and taken away, often for relatives, spouses or to centres.  People travel long distances to get the food and word has started to spread so even more people are coming for help.  They give out meals between 12pm-1pm, but each day people arrive even earlier.
Meals are prepared at a local restaurant, who do them at a reduced fee of approx £3 per head. Pete and his team receive them and put them into individual bags provided by the restaurant. Word has now got out that the meals are available and what began as 40 meals per day has now increased.
Before the help was known about, there were a couple of meals left over and Pete and his colleague, took them to poor families in her village. Each day thereafter, families were waiting outside in the village so this week, they will make 10 extra for Tanya to take back with her.  They also gave out some meals to people who were walking in the streets trying to keep warm, many with no place to go as they have escaped the war in the East of Ukraine.
Pete says “Here in Uzhgorod it doesn’t stop me from hurting, seeing such poverty and struggles in people lives.  I met a young lady last week, she is 26 and her husband is the same age.  They both have Polio.  Elena comes on public transport walking with a stick through pouring rain, to collect three meals for the elderly and disabled.  Never one complaint from her as she enjoys helping others as a volunteer.  They along with many others are suffering from power cuts and limited food and medicines”   Link to Hope will continue to fund this project along with your support as long as we can.
DECEMBER  2022 – UPDATE
With the winter months becoming more intense, the Russian military are more intent on destroying the electric power industry in Ukraine. Our project leader tells us their has been no electricity for days and weeks. Some cities report no electricity for months. As he continues to serve the most vulnerable with hot food, tea, hygiene products, blankets, clothing and games, underground shelters are where most of them are sheltering. Door of Hope and Link to Hope continue to support him and all the vulnerable people hiding underground through this cold and difficult winter.
 
NOVEMBER  2022 – UPDATE
Continuing there work within the war torn areas, our project leader met a single mum with 3 small children. The mum’s parent’s died some time ago and she has no husband. Little Misha here was one of the siblings found in the house when our project leader showed up. When the war began the mum took in another single parent with a child and this is how they lived together. Because of Door of Hope and Link to Hope, our project leader has helped them with food, diapers and shoes, they were eternally grateful.
 
OCTOBER 2022 – UPDATE
As this cruel war continues in Ukraine, hundreds of people continue to die each day. Many cities especially in the east of the country are almost completely destroyed. People are being forced to live in basements and on the ruins of their houses. With the constant attack from Russian Military, people of Ukraine are now experiencing problems with the electricity and water supplies. Our project leader (A.G) tells us…. “It is October now and the weather is already starting to get cold. Thanks to Door of Hope we have been able to buy firewood and fuel briquettes to heat the Angel of Light centre for the children and residents”. With refugee families now also staying in the centre along with the children, (A.G) and his team actively distribute large amounts of humanitarian aid, this being…. food, clothes and medicines. (A.G) tells us… “more than a thousand people have received help through our hands”.
SEPTEMBER 2022 – UPDATE
Our project leader Zina is based in her childhood village called Nikopol in Zaporozhye. With constant shelling every night, she tells us her childhood village is very scary and not the same anymore. Every night, Zina either spends it in the basement or in the bathroom where there is protection from the walls. Along with her team from the church, Zina travels to a village close to Zaporozhye to purchase large quantities of food and makes up food packages for over 100 people. Food and aid has not been given to this particular village and many people came out to see Zina and her team including people with disabilities to except one package per family. Zina and her team continue to visit various villages, distributing food packages through the support of both Door of Hope and Link to Hope.
AUGUST  2022 – UPDATE
This is the latest update from Z & A our project managers in Ukraine who are temporarily based in Germany.
“Dear friends.  On February 24, 2022, the war began in Ukraine.  My husband and I left for Germany, many left for Poland, Spain, but 24 people from our church stayed in Ukraine, in Zaporozhye.  We are all constantly in touch, and regardless of the distance, the church exists, services are held.  The House of Mercy continues to work in Zaporozhye.  Now there are 12 people in the House of Mercy.
There are new people – the families with whom we work and support now.  These are women with children (some of them lost their husbands in the war), women migrants from the shelling zone, the elderly and the disabled, remained without care. Their children moved to more safe places. We deliver groceries to their homes”
“There are people who ask for help, but they are in different parts of the country.  We send them some help by mail. In total there are 12 families.
Still, when we find opportunities, we collect food packages and our group of volunteers in the city of Khmilnyk, Vinnytsia region, distribute them to displaced people. They buy products, pack packages, announce the place and time of distribution and distribute these kits. Thanks to your help, we were able to do this.
At this difficult time for people from Ukraine who are in great need of moral and everyday support, any help is like fresh air for them.
Even in Germany, a lot of people came from Ukraine, many of them are from Mariupol.  They start a new life almost without anything”
Your funds are being sent to these families to help them survive because no-one else is offering to help them.  Thank you so much.
SUMMER CAMPS
Although some refugees have gone home, some have stayed in the surrounding countries.  Many of the children are deeply traumatized and almost all still have their fathers and grandfathers fighting in Ukraine.  Their mothers and carers are constantly worried and have the additional stress of living in a foreign country with almost all not being able to speak the language and being reliant on the generosity of strangers.  Door of Hope have supported a number of summer camps that local children and Ukraine children can both attend and just for a few days be children again and be happy.  Thank you so much for all your support.
25/07/2022 – Eastern Ukraine
Our project leaders and their supporters are seeing a new ‘wave’ of refugees because people are leaving the Eastern side of Ukraine again. With the shelling and destruction intensifying in many areas, many more are losing their homes with nowhere to live and moving forwards seeking cover in refugee camps. Many long to go back home but know this is not possible. Through your support, our project leaders and their volunteers are able to supply these refugees with food and hygiene products as well as on occasions getting them to areas of safety. 
Your strong support has helped our project leaders and all the volunteers through a difficult and tiring time. We ask that you continue to pray for their strength and safety at this time.
JULY 2022 – UPDATE
This is a story of a family that your funds have been able to help.  It is in the project managers own words:-
Nastya’s family. 
She has 5 daughters. They lived in Mariupol near the railway station. We often helped them with food, diapers, medicines, and household goods.
When the war began in Ukraine (02/24/2022), they immediately came under heavy fire. The Lord kept them alive. They were miraculously able to leave for a safer place, but they still remained in Mariupol and hoped that the shelling would end soon. But it got worse and worse, Mariupol was destroyed more and more. And there was no safe place in the city. They were evacuated from Mariupol under shelling.  That is their house in Mariupol now. Our friends could make picture of their house. Nastia’s family has managed to move from Ukraine to Germany. They are cared by believers. Now they are staying in new house.
Now the family is in safe place. Praise the Lord!  We together with you have passed part of the path of their life. Your strong support has helped them through a difficult time. Now we are happy for them. They are fine. thank you. Z & A
JUNE 2022 UPDATE
It is a tense time with the situation in the Ukraine at present.  As the fighting has been concentrated in the East then many of the refugees that we have been looking in the surrounding countries have decided to return home to the Ukraine.  However with bombs starting to be aimed at Kiev again then we do not presently know if refugees will start to flee again to surrounding countries.  We therefore watch this space and our project managers in Moldova and Romania and ready to host again if required.  A message has just come in from Slavic in Moldova
“It’s been over 3 months and as you know the war is not finished. I want to let you know that all the refugees who stayed here with us have returned back to their homes. It’s been so hard to say goodbye and we will truly miss them all but praying so much that God will protect them where they are. The last refugees returned back on Saturday and it was so sad to receive a message from one of the mothers saying that her first night at home was very frightening because of the siren alarms and bombing. They all know that our doors are opened for them at anytime if they will need to leave again but really praying that this war will finish because we all understand the effect of this. Thanks to you help we were able to offer support to a couple of hundreds who were just transiting Moldova and over 150 here at the centre. Thank you so much for your prayers and all the support you have given us. They have returned back so grateful and have told us that they have never felt so much love and care especially when they heard people from UK who never met them and yet they show so much love and care. A big thank you to you all”
24/05/2022 – Eastern Ukraine, Doblast Region
300,000 Miles of Helping People – Our latest request has been for a car for our project leader A.G who is driving refugees to safety as well as trying to get food and medicine to them.  He has just clocked up 300,000 miles and its on its last legs.  With no transport then the humanitarian aid will have to stop.  A second hand car has been found, this blue people carrier which your donations have funded and A.G is driving across Ukraine to pick it up.  Fuel has also hit a high of £1.84 a litre which is extremely high for Ukraine and the queues at petrol stations are very extremely long and on occasions difficult to obtain fuel.
This video has been filmed by a Pastor in Ukraine who is doing very similar work to AG our project manager in the East of Ukraine. This is the day to day reality faced by project leaders in this part of the country as they drive around delivering food and medicine and helping those in remote communities. We are astonished at just how frightening and dangerous the reality of the situation is.
19/05/2022 – Zhelannoye – Eastern  Ukraine
We have just received information from our project leader who is working in Zhelannoye where our project the Angel of Light is. The Angel of Light centre is housing refugees and children from the project and unfortunately all around several houses have been hit by Russian shells. Miraculously, through the grace of God the centre is still standing. Our project leader and his volunteers, continue to bring food, hygiene products and essentials for the children and refugees inside. However, he  told us that the fuel situation is becoming a major problem here now. The rare sighting of a station would have a queue a kilometre long and the cost of diesel is 68 hryvnia, approximately 2.2 USD per 1 litre.
On this particular visit our project leader came across this man called Yuri in the village. He is partially paralyzed and has trouble with mobility. Yuri was found in his basement where he hid from shells and rocket attacks. Our project leader kindly drove him to his relatives some miles away in a safe town called Poltava where he is now cared for.
Your financial support helps us, Door of Hope and Link to Hope to support the amazing work that our project leaders in Ukraine put their lives forward for.
16/05/2022 – Kramatorsk – Eastern  Ukraine
Our project leader who we will call A.G for protection purposes, continues to serve and support the people in Kramatorsk and surrounding areas in Eastern Ukraine. A.G tells us that the shelling continues with such intensity on many occasions and communication with the outside world is difficult sometimes. He said sometimes it can be hard to breathe with the amount of smoke and fires circulating. Visibility on the roads makes it difficult to drive due to the smoke and its not always to get fuel for the van. Through all this A.G continues to help the people in this hard hit area, delivering food and aid parcel’s to the elderly and others who are unable to leave their homes. With your donations, Door of Hope and Link to Hope continue to support A.G and the work he does. We pray that God continues to protect him and his volunteers through these uncertain times. 
14/05/2022 – Zaparozhia – Eastern  Ukraine
For many years our project leaders Zina and Alex have been running various projects in Zaparozhia near Mariupol, from feeding the homeless to helping single mothers with HIV. Due to the invasion, projects have been displaced but Zina and her team continue to serve in an area which is hard hit and seen regularly on the news. Door of Hope and Link to Hope continue to support Zina and the team financially so they can purchase large quantities of groceries and aid to give to the people near war torn Mariupol. Many still can’t leave for various reasons and so are house bound. Many are trying to leave the areas with little in the way of money or belongings, so the support and kindness shown to people in desperate need is why your financial donations are so important to the bravery of people such as Zina and her team.
02/05/2022 – Uzhgorod – Ukraine Border
For many years we have supported Nickolay, our Project Leader and Pastor. Over the last two months Pastor Nickolay has been moving members of his Church and Roma Community from his home town in Kharkov to Uzhgorod on the Polish border. Making trips back and fourth, Door of Hope and Link to Hope have supported him financially with travelling costs, food, aid and hygiene products. Sadly recently, Nickolay’s family home was shelled and so he lost his family home not knowing when or if he will return.
Last year we purchased this large Marquee for his Christian Ministry work within the Roma Communities. He is now currently living in Uzhgorod using this marquee for refugees to gather and to hold Church Meetings for anyone who wants to spend time with others and reflect on the devastation happening around them.
25/04/2022 – Zaporozhye – Mariupol
This lady is called Svetlana and she is disabled from the waist down. Sadly, Svetlana’s children left her and their village near Mariupol as the war in Ukraine progressed, leaving her all alone. Door of Hope and Link to Hope are supporting 2 brothers from our Haven of Hope project near Zaporozhye who have bravely stayed behind and are helping refugees leave checkpoints out of Mariupol. On this particular day! the brothers stumbled upon the house by chance where Svetlana is living, she was crawling across the floor and putting things in her stove to keep warm, they could see she was terribly hungry and cold. They continue to visit Svetlana regularly now, bringing her food, preparing the food for her and chopping wood for her to burn. The brothers say it is getting more difficult week by week as there are no products in stores and having to buy produce in local markets where items are more expensive.
22/04/2022- New Life Church – Liviv
With the amount of refugees entering safer places to the West such as Liviv, it’s a monumental task to obtain enough food to feed everyone. We support Pastor Misha and his volunteers at New Life Church in Liviv which has seen a wave of refugees enter the building. Here you can see them on one of their food runs purchasing sacks of rice, pasta etc to take back to the kitchens in the church to feed many hungry refugees that are arriving daily. Pastor Misha even finds time to go out and deliver food parcels to help support the hungry local forces who are defending Ukraine.
15/04/2022- Refugee House – Poland
This house has been kindly donated to both Door of Hope and Link to Hope to house Ukraine refugees. This home will be used to offer people safety who will be tired and traumatised by their experiences.
Because the owner of the house lives in the UK now, this house has been empty for a long time. Unfortunately, because of this… the boiler system had died so the house was very cold and had no hot running water. With your donations we have been able to fix the boiler system so that the refugees who have entered can experience hot running water and heating.
13/04/2022- Oradea, Romania
Nelu is one of Link to Hope’s project managers in Oradea, Romania and someone they have know for many years.  We received this e-mail from him. “
“The refugees are coming, hungry, tired, wet and cold. They need food and clothes when they manage to cross the border after many hours in lines.
Now we like to buy some food to send to the other side of the border. We received a request for food from a Romanian church in Cernautzi, Ukraine  to distribute in the bombing area and to feed the refugees that stop on the other side of the border.
So with your support we sent funds in order to help Nelu buy and deliver food to this church in Ukraine who need food and clothing.
Nelu was able to buy 1800kg of food and drinks which was loaded onto 3 minibuses and Nelu and his team crossed over the border from Romania to Ukraine to deliver it.  We were amazed at how much food they were able to take over and they were greeted so warmly when they got to their destination.  Ukraine is beginning to run short of food in some places so this will be used to help people who desperately need it.
05/04/2022- Kramatorsk-Ukraine
Today in Kramatorsk, the Russian army launched a missile attack on the city.  School number 15 was completely destroyed. Fortunately, there was no one in the school, the children study remotely.
This is from our contact AG who is project manager for the Angel of Light. There is going to be so much rebuilding necessary when this war is over. Thank goodness the children were not there at the time.
01/04/2022 –Zhelannoe – Donbas, Ukraine
The Angel of Light Centre that Door of Hope and Link to Hope support is now also being used for fleeing refugees from neighbouring towns. Our amazing super human friend and project leader A.G, is constantly moving back and forth from Zaporozhye delivering food and medicines to the Angel of Light and households within the village of Zhelannoe. Because of the incredible support received, we have been able to finance A.G to purchase these items from a warehouse so he can continue to supply all this food and aid to the many refugees entering the Angel of Light and the town of Zhelannoe. A.G is a courageous and always giving man and we know that he will not stop what he is doing for his own safety. The Angel of Light is from one of the hard hit areas in the Donbas region, so we continue to pray for his safety and others.
29/03/2022 – Iasi, Romania – Odessa, Ukraine
With the help of Link to Hope’s contact, Pastor Pavel and his church wanted to send food to a church in Odesa in Ukraine who are helping to look after refugees.   Alongside food and other items they specifically required funds in order to buy medicine that is needed so badly at the moment.  From your donations we were able to buy the medicine that was needed along with other items.
Pavel says ” here we are loading the van with food: flour (300kg,) oil (150 litres), sugar, rice, canned beans, canned meat and 7 boxes with medicine (paracetamol for children (syrup) and for adults (pills), antibiotics (adults and children) and antivirals.  We were also able to buy diapers, sweets, hygiene items (tooth paste and brushes, wet and dry napkins.  Other vans are carrying mattresses and clothing. Thank you so much to both charities”
The van alongside other ones have now left for Odessa.
26/03/2022 – Bozieni, Moldova
Here is the top floor of the community centre that has just been finished in Borzieni, Moldova.  Our project manager and team have speedily made it available for more refugees to come and stay.  Everyone is volunteering their time and talents to help out. Now we are awaiting for the beds and mattresses.
24/03/2022 – Odessa, Ukraine
Both Door of Hope and Link to Hope have the bedrock of the charities rooted in helping the poorest and most marginalised.  One of those groups is the Roma Community who are almost always the poorest in society and are often misunderstood and disadvantaged.  As you can imagine in this war the people who have the money and the cars have been the first to leave Ukraine and who can blame them.  However there are millions left behind who have no ability at all to leave the country.  They are either too old, too poor, to illiterate or just couldn’t work how or what to do.  Max works amongst the Roma community outside Odessa in Ukraine and we have totally invested in him and his ministry.  We were raising funds for the “I AM Project” to get as many people birth certificates as possible and we helped buy a house to be able to outreach into the community.  Max is still in Odessa and taking food parcels and medicines to people that desperately need it.
Max says “Thank God we are doing well in Odessa so far. Sometimes there are air raids warning and shelling, but in general transport works, the city lives its own life. We distribute food packages to Roma people, unfortunately the range of products in stores is very poor. No cereals, flour, sugar. Recently we were in Berezovka and saw Nino, an undocumented woman who has many children. She told us that she had not eaten for 2 days. We gave her a food package that will help her live for at least a week.
We also deliver food to other Roma settlements. We recently managed to send a believing Roma family to Moldova. There was a husband, wife and 7 children. They are from Kharkov, their house was bombed, they lived in the subway for several days, then they came to Odessa, we settled them in the same church, where they spent the night and in the morning our volunteer took them to the border and advised them to take some of the children to their husband and without a wife to go through the border and leave some of the children to the wife so that she can cross the border on her own, because men are not allowed out of the country.
We continue to work, consult, distribute food packages, medicines and reassure people, hope for the mercy of God and are very grateful to you for your support in such a difficult time”
Max has a wife Julia and two small children.  They are very brave and we can’t imagine what it must be like to be waiting for the bombs to start dropping on Odessa.  We pray they don’t.
22/03/2022 – Zaporizhia, Ukraine
Two of our Ukraine project managers Z & A had been helping refugees on the Hungarian/Ukraine border but have now crossed over to Germany with two families and children in tow. Z & A however are co-ordinating efforts to send funds back to Zaporizhia to their project House of Mercy which looks after homeless people and people going through drug rehabilitation. This is one of the projects that Door of Hope and Link to Hope jointly support.
This is what Z & A have said ” The House of Mercy remains in Zaporizhia and there are people there as well as many animals. We care about them. We left them 3 cars, and enough food for them and the animals. Two brothers from the church team remain with them and continue to do social work there. We send money to fill up their cars with petrol and buy food particularly for people who are now escaping from the blockade of Mariupol” Z & A are able to get funds directly into the heart of where people are at most need….so Door of Hope and Link to Hope have sent funds in order to increase the number of people they are able to help. Again without your support none of this would be possible. Thank you so much.
21/03/2022 – Stauceni, Moldova
With YOUR help we are sending funds today to Mihail, our project manager in Stauceni to buy 15 bunk beds to give him an extra 30 beds for more refugees that are coming over the border. For anyone wondering what we are going to be doing with all these beds when this awful war is finally over – then think of all those very poor families who will have a lovely new(ish) bed and mattress to sleep on.
This is from Mihai -“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your financial help, moral support, and prayers. With tears in my eyes I come to tell you that your help is very important in these days full of pain, tears and despair both for the Ukrainian people and for us in Moldova. Thanks to your support, we can now help refugees in Ukraine who are becoming increasingly vulnerable. At first some husbands came with their wives, now there are more mothers, children and the elderly who need a lot of care. In the building of the center in Stauceni, at this moment, more than 160 refugees passed, who received a place to sleep, hot food, a hot shower, transport from customs with Ukraine and to customs with Romania and comforts. I was able to provide these things with Link to Hope’s help” Thank you everyone and please share.
18/03/2022 – A.G -Kramatorsk and Zhelanoye
TODAY – Just after 8.45am, our project leader who we will call A.G for reasons of safety – sent us this picture on the LEFT of an apartment block that had just been hit in Kramatorsk where he lives. Fortunately, A.G lives in a block next to this and so suffered minor damage to his apartment
In 2019 we visited the village of Zhelanoye, Ukraine where Door of Hope and Link to Hope jointly fund a project called the Angel of Light, run by A.G. It is in what was previously called the Red Zone and only three miles from where the 2014 war had stopped.  Russian troops could be seen in the distance.  Although the Ukraine war has moved to full scale in the last three weeks, for the last 8 years there has been shelling and sniping for much of that time.  The Angel of Light was set up to take care of the children traumatised by the last war and we met many whose lives had been damaged by their experiences.  We took a decision to fund larger premises for this project which had previously been based in a single room.  A multi-roomed house with two floors, outbuildings, loft and cellar was being sold for around the price of an average second hand car in the UK.  We bought it and the house and the facilites has transformed the lives of many of those children with activities, lessons, play, community projects, crafting, sports and so much more.
Fast, forward three years and a country decimated.  Our wonderful project leader A.G (who will remain nameless as he is in danger) drove his family to the border of Poland over 4 days to make sure they were safe.  He then drove all the way back to make sure that he could still support the families and children of the Angel of Light centre.  When we visited the building we remember the very large loft and premises.  What we didn’t notice was the very big basement and there is where many of those people are now living protected from the shelling and bombs above.  Our project leader A.G is trying to buy food from rapidly depleting shelves and also repair a car that keeps breaking down.  Funds have been sent to him to help buy foods and to buy parts to fix the car to enable him to carry on in his quest to help as many people as possible survive this war.  He is so brave and he could easily have chosen to stay as far away as possible but he is also a medic so knows that people need him and he is willing to risk his life to help.   We have been sent this photo of some of the children in the basement of the Angel of Light eating together.  Also the shelves of a local supermarket.
16/03/2022 – Dancu, Moldova
An update from Pastor Slavic welcoming Refugees
“Every day we are extremely busy here and it is hard to put in words how we feel emotional.
Yesterday, my day started at 2:30 am and went to bed after 12 mid night and then after 15 minutes got a call from the border near us asking if we can take two mothers and their children for at least one night because they were exhausted.
Yesterday we spent all day at the Moldova/Romanian border serving the Ukrainians who are feeling this horrific war. We had the opportunity to see and interact with hundreds of Ukrainian citizens as they crossed into Romania. There were numerous convoys of buses all during the day transporting people from the Ukrainian/ Moldova border to the border with Romania. Many people pulled up in cars too. All almost exclusively women and children. It was good to see that those people are safe now but at the same time it is a heartbreaking to see everyone looking so sad and hopeless because they have no idea where they go and they don’t know if they will be able to return back to the their country. I spoke with some of the Romanian drivers of this convoys and they said that they have been doing these for some days already and soon all places in Romania will be full with the refugees.
This morning another lady came here at our centre and when i invited her to have some breakfast she was brought in tears saying that she doesn’t want anything now. She just needs some quiet time to forget the terrible noice of bombs etc. We took her to my brother’s house where Pavel’s sister from Ukraine is staying to have some rest and then we will see her at lunch time.
Thank you so much for your ongoing prayers and all the amazing support you are giving us. We have received the funds from you and we were deeply touched the other day to see how God works to encourage us. I called every company i knew asking about coal and all of them said they don’t have anything left and because of this situation in Ukraine they don’t know when they will be able to import more. I was so worried because here it is still cold and we had coal left here for only one day. However i went to Straseni, a small town not far from Chisinau and i got there just in perfect timing to buy the last coal. That was really amazing. Thank you so much for your help.
I have been greatly uplifted this morning and greatly encouraged by what this lady shared with me. She is here with her two daughters and 4 grandchildren. They were so touched when they arrived here at our centre. This morning she told me that her husband who is in Ukraine now never believed in God and didn’t allow her to attend a church. However when she arrived here she shared with her husband about us and how blessed they are that God directed them here. With tears in her eyes she said pastor, my husband never said praise the Lord but now he is saying this everytime we speak with him and he is motivating us to pray and thank God. She and her daughters read the Bible here and have found some Christians books in Russian and are so happy that they can ready this. We pray so much for them and for them and for their husbands. God’s work is amazing.
My eyes are most of the time in tears specifically when i see kids suffering. We took these photos at the border when this car stopped at our tent. There was a family with 7 kids, very hungry and so desperate because they didn’t know where to go. We have good contacts in Romania like Pavel Smantana and we are working together to help everyone to find a safe place”
 
14/03/2022 – Oradea, Romania & Uzhhorod, Ukraine
We have a contact Pete who is presently working in Oradea helping refugees particularly children with disabilities.  He is driving into Ukraine to the city of Uzhhorod with supplies and then coming out with refugees who want to escape to Romania.  He is particularly involved with trying to rescue children with disabilities and getting them out of the Ukraine.  However he is trying to group them together so that when they get to a new country they have a support group already formed.  They are mostly going to Austria and Germany.  People are contacting him to see if he can arrange accomodation for refugees in Oradea,
“The situation has gone crazy.  It is becoming more and more difficult to find accommodation.   The centre I wanted to use now has approx. 100 each day coming over the border, so all afternoon, I have been look at finding solutions. I received a call from my contact in Ukraine… “Pete, we have 80 arriving tonight from towns with bombing. These are mainly women and children, some with disabilities. I need to find a way to collect them tomorrow and find a place… 
The latest is I found a place for 40 and another for 60. Both similar areas approx 2-3 hours away. From one town, we could then send people on the train to Vienna where my contacts can collect and find somewhere. Tonight, I heard about two places nearby for 100 and for 50. One is through a church to help families… Later in the day, I will go to Uzhhorod to be there with vehicles to pick up refugees, if we can find vehicles. The problem, as we take 50 or 80, the next lot are waiting…………..!
The amount of funds needed to spend on fuel, paperwork, food, accommodation is so large so as you can imagine, all donations have been so valuable.  Thank you so much for all your support as we have been able to send funds in order to help Pete and his team continue their extremely important work.
12/03/2022 – Bozieni, Moldova
We have felt so blessed and humbled by the funds that are coming in from supporters.  On the appeal page it is such a lot of money.  However we are realising that it is being spent as fast as it is being raised.  We are starting to send funds to project managers two weeks after we sent the last donation to them.  Pastor Ion sums it up
“Thank you very much for the care you have for the people we serve together. At the moment, in order to be able to cope with the work with the refugees, the costs we have are under 7-8-9 pounds a day, depending on the age of the person. We also have babies, two are twin brothers of only 3 months. May God have mercy on Ukraine and bless all those who serve the refugees.  At the moment we need about £2000 pounds to be able to cope with the work for 10 days”
We have sent off the money that has been requested and we will be given feedback when it is spent. We have numerous project managers who we are supporting so you can see that every penny counts that you are generously giving to Link to Hope.  Unfortunately this is going to be a long haul and even if it ended tomorrow it would be a slow process going back to normal if that can even be achieved.
11/03/2022 – Liviv – Misha – New Life Church
With the extent of the people migrating across Ukraine, heading towards, Pastor Misha in Liviv has opened his New Life Church for all the refugees. He tells us of the ever growing number of people heading to Liviv on packed trains having to overspill and sleep in the corridor of the train. This church is a refuge for many seeking safety for the night and a warm meal. Volunteers who help Misha are always on hand to help and prepare food parcels for the refugees to take with them on their journey. We have transferred your financial support to Misha to purchase this ever escalating need for food, aid and beds.  
07/03/2022 – Bozieni, Moldova
More refugees have just arrived in Bozieni, Moldova. The original number they were asked to host was 15 but a further 30 refugees have now arrived. The community centre run by Pastor Ion has now run out of mattresses/beds for people. So we have just sent £1,600 of YOUR funds to buy more of them along with all the bedding that is needed. We have been overwhelmed by peoples generosity in giving funds so we can help the people on the ground. Thank you so, so much. Moldova is being overwhelmed by people so YOUR money is vitally important and directly contributing to ensuring the safety and support of refugees.
4/3/2022 – Stauceni, Moldova
Here are some photos received today from Stauceni where Mihail and his church are looking after a number of refugees and where we have sent funds to support their work.
04/03/2022 – Liviv – Pastor Misha
In Liviv, (Western Ukraine) Door of Hope and Link to Hope supports an amazing man called Misha who is the Pastor of New Life Church. Because of your financial support towards both charities, Misha has purchased large quantities of food and aid for refugees. With the support from volunteers they use the church to take in the elderly, children and mothers for the night so they can rest and have a hot meal. The following day they offer to take them to the Polish border. Misha tells us… Liviv has not received bombs as yet but often sirens sound in the night, when this happens they all go to the basement of the church. It is feared the threat will come from an air strike from Belarus.
Many people, Christian and Non-Christian have heard of Pastor Misha and his Church and ring to ask for help, often from the train and sometimes during the night. Pastor Misha tells us that people are very broken and scared when they arrive, especially the children. Along with his church volunteers they feed them, talk to them and pray with them if they wish to receive prayer.
28/2/2022 – Borziesi, Moldova
The request has come for us to help refugees that are coming over the border from Ukraine.  Link to Hope originally built a community centre in Borziesi for the local poor community.  Both charities are pulling together in this ever growing crisis and through your financial help this is now being used to house and feed refugees.  Here are some photos of the mattresses and bedding that your funds have bought.

Please Help us….. Help Ukraine…..

A.G –  Zhelannoye, Donbas 04/03/2022
For safety reason’s we will call our project A.G
A.G made a 5 day trip across the Ukraine heading towards the Polish border with his family. With enemies attacking from all directions their journey was long and arduous, forcing them to stay in night shelters along the way. They told us that driving at night is very dangerous and that on one particular part of their journey when they reached a checkpoint, military started firing at the Russian army, A.G and his family unfortunately got into the firing line while in their car. It was miraculous we never got hit he said; but a Russian got shot in front of their eyes, it was a very scary time and distressing time. Desperate for somewhere to stay Door of Hope and Link to Hope located a house for them in Poland 4 miles from the border. The children and families from the Angel of Light centre are currently hiding within the basement of the centre. We managed to get funds to the Angel of Light with volunteers currently feeding the children and families within the basement of the centre.
Nickolayi – Kharkiv – Ukraine 03/03/2022
We support Nickolayi who has been making the long and arduous journey from Kharkov which has been under extreme shelling to Uzhgorod on the Polish border. Nickolayi is a pastor of a large church and is very well known within his Roma community. He has been driving back and fourth across Ukraine taking people to safety, offering… food and rest along the journey to Uzhgorod and helping them on the border with their paperwork. We have sent over £1,000 to try to help them buy the items they need such as:- fuel, food and clothing. They don’t want to cross the border into another country until the rest of the church join them so it is a waiting game for the moment.