Why the Ukrainian children orphaned by war need our support now more than ever
Charity funds like Children of Heroes hope for a better future for the kids who lost so much because of war: “We help them have a foundation, a backbone, and somebody to lean on.”
Most people’s first encounter with war is in the classroom. History informs us of the tragedies brought about by the Iran–Iraq War, the First and Second World Wars, and even the Napoleonic Wars. Complex numbers come to mind: deaths, bodies, and casualties—consequences of said horrid affairs. But we often forget that behind these statistics are people. They are human beings with families who have lost so much because of politics. And they—we—continue to suffer in the present time.
Armed conflicts aren’t a thing of the past. The Marawi siege in the Philippines in 2017 sent the Mindanao region and its residents into despair. International news is proof of the ongoing tension between China and Southeast Asian countries because of territorial and maritime disputes. And the most scarring one to date, the strife between Russia and Ukraine, is killing thousands of people involved in the case.
February 24th, 2022, marks the day every Ukrainian’s (and millions of people worldwide) lives changed drastically. It was when the full-scale invasion of Russian troops began, crossing Ukraine’s border, attacking and further attempting to undermine its sovereignty.
As of August 2023, the total number of military from both countries killed or wounded since the war began boils down to around 500,000. Omitted from these numbers are the civilians who lost so much, however. It’s time they become included in the narrative.
The Children of Heroes
February 24, 2022, wasn’t just the day the Russian-Ukraine war started, it was also the day the Children of Heroes (COH) Charity Fund was born.
Co-founder Dan Pasko lost his father when he was just a child, so he understands the safety and security crisis that results from a tragedy. It’s in this opportunity that he encourages friends and the community to step in, stabilise, and not only make an immediate emotional difference but a lifelong one in all ways that can manifest a child’s full potential.