6-10-2023 4:24am

Ukrainian Sister City, Bohodukhiv, Update

Lesley Misko Editor

Linda Weinberger, retired Boyertown Area School District educator who has spearheaded the local effort to aid Bohodukhiv, provides an end-of-school-year update.

Hello, friends of Bohodukhiv, UKR. Finally, finally, it's the end of a long and very difficult school year in Bohodukhiv, UKR. Our friend, Vita, is hoping for some rest and respite from the daily situation of teaching online amidst on-going air raid sirens. When the siren sounds, classes stop and children are instructed to take shelter in their homes. The town has been shelled twice, causing massive damage but no lives were lost and no citizens harmed.

The 800 letters, cards, and drawings were received in mid-April. Vita tried her best to distribute the childrens' drawings, but it was difficult because school is not in person. However, on one day, May 18, students were invited to come to school for a special celebration, the Day of Ukrainian Vyshyvanky (embroidery). The first grade teacher was able to distribute some of the Ukrainian Easter Eggs, created by the students of Jennifer Thrasher in Christiana, Delaware. They made 300 of these sweet greetings!

For many of these students it was the first time they had actually been in school because there has only been online school for 1.5 years. They're dressed up, including the white hair bows which are usually reserved for the first day of school each year.

We sent 200 of the eggs to Bohodukhiv and 100 to our friend Svieta in Lviv. Her daughter, Dasha, took them to her high school, read the note to her classmates and distributed to them and to the younger children (along with chocolate treats!!). We also sent about 100 of your notes and letters which Dasha and Svieta distributed to friends and neighbors. They let me know that many cried when they read the notes of caring and connection.

Vita in Bohodukhiv has distributed your notes and letters, and I hope to have more info and photos from her now that school is over. She just sent a few pics of her students who are practicing their English reading letters!! Jim Tribbett's daughter in California sent crocheted items which a few students modeled.

Vita is second from the left.

So. . .I know you all join me in continuing to keep Bohodukhiv and all of Ukraine in our hearts as they continue along this difficult, unwelcome, and unintended path. Today we sent funds which will Vita will give to a group of women who have been making food for soldiers to express their gratitude, to give them something homemade, and to keep them fortified.

It's not a sprint; it's a marathon.

Happy Summer to All. . .and to the person who sent this message of "Keep Going". . .yes, we will. We all will!!
With love and caring, Linda and friends