MPA Alum Aids Refugees
By: Aleksandra Shogan
Fear and chaos spread rapidly on February 24, 2022, when Russian troops crossed the border with rage and rockets into Ukraine; a once peaceful and democratic society now shattered as thousands of troops invaded. Ukrainian men and boys were instantly conscripted, while their wives and children fled to nearby Poland.
This plot has been brewing since 1991, when Ukraine earned their independence from the former Soviet Union, and with great effort began to persuade their way into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). NATO is an establishment of countries who have agreed to provide protection for each other when a member-nation is threatened. Ukrainian leaders have attempted to merge with NATO since 2008, which has left Russian government officials - such as the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin - angry.
Russia has been slowly targeting Ukraine as a way to show their emotional response to the country's actions; their belief is that Ukraine belongs to them, and they find betrayal in the Ukrainian government's gravitation toward western alliance. However, Ukraine has not met many conditions to join NATO, causing the current situation in Eurasia. In January of 2022, Russian officials had informed the United States that they had no plans of invading Ukraine, but within the next month had launched an assault into Ukrainian territory targeting important cities such as Kyiv and Kharkiv. For the past few months, the President of Ukraine --- Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stayed loyal to his people and has kept his best foot forward as he strategizes a way to come out victorious from this skirmish.
With this confusion between right and wrong the Cymbal has reached out to various students to ask them their viewpoints on this brewing event. Junior --- Casey Hirak answers “I believe that a better course of action would have just been to leave each other alone and have not bothered each other at all.” While sophomore Gregory Shaulis says “I do not think Ukraine could have really done anything better because they didn’t do anything wrongful to Russia, but I think Russia should have listened to everyone when we tried to tell them not to invade.”
Mount Pleasant students are not the only voices the Cymbal hears, Frances Tish who volunteers with the World Central Kitchen has spoken to us about her first-hand experience at the Polish border. To help further summarize her occupational role Tish says “I work in international development in Washington, DC supporting youth exchange and education programs around the world. I used my vacation time from work to go to Poland to volunteer with World Central Kitchen where I helped to prepare and distribute warm meals to Ukrainians fleeing Russian aggression in their home cities and towns. I speak Ukrainian and Russian so I was able to provide translation assistance to those in need as well.”
“I was born in Ukraine and my grandparents are still there, so this war hits very close to home. However, I cannot say I have first hand experience of what is happening in Ukraine. The women and children I was helping in Poland were able to escape to safety even though that oftentimes meant leaving their husbands, brothers, and sons behind. My experience as a volunteer in a safe location cannot be compared to those who are experiencing this war firsthand.” Tish explains. Resonating with the interview, this escalating violence of war has hit close to home as my remaining family from my Mother’s side remains in the broken system, but the Ukraine citizens have proved to be strong when battling these hardships.
I would say before Covid-19, most could not imagine being in a position where they are right in front of history being created, but Frances Tish is one of many volunteers that challenges themselves to bring good in this world with such conditions happening and with only a border as protection. “Everything was challenging, however, I was glad to be in a position where I could provide much needed support.” she says.
Before closing the interview I asked Tish the remaining question: ‘What is something you think people should know that could help benefit the Ukrainian civilians as well as those in the United States that are watching from afar’ and her answer is something I ask all students, teachers/staff, parents, and members of the Mount Pleasant community to remember; “Writing to elected officials asking them to support Ukraine, raising funds to support trusted causes, and not being silent are steps any American can do to help. This is also an opportunity to reassess our individual relationship with accredited journalists or those who find themselves as primary sources during tragic times. We must continue to ask ourselves: where are we getting our news from? Has it been verified? Before sharing inflammatory headlines, it is critical to pause, check the sources, and process your emotions. Calling statements you disagree with or that weaken your viewpoint "fake" may intentionally or unintentionally be harmful to others. Right now, atrocities committed in Ukraine are being dubbed as "fake" or "staged" by Russian media, and as we have seen time and time again, this type of rhetoric and gaslighting is counterproductive to reaching any sort of agreement.”
As of February 2022, Ukraine has been at a loss of tranquility because of the Russian government. The numerous attacks have played a part in many lives and these conditions have left families broken, scared, and fighting to get a sense of stability back. Talking with Frances Tish we here at the Cymbal had been able to get a closer idea of the Poland border as well as further information to help from our own homes.