Donate Now
Quusa has chosen to support Help Us Help, a federally registered Canadian charitable organization, focused on humanitarian aid and educational projects in Ukraine and in Canada.
Help Us Help is urgently requesting medical supplies to volunteer medical units in Ukraine. They are working with trusted and established networks on the ground to distribute supplies to those who need them most.
To donate NOW, and to further understand exactly where your donations will go, click below to be directed to Help Us Help's donation page*.
*Tax receipt available
My Story
In 2018, I had the privilege of volunteering at just one of Help Us Help’s many initiatives, their summer camp for orphaned children. After volunteering back in Toronto with the organization, I knew I wanted to see first-hand what our efforts in Canada were doing in Ukraine. The overwhelming positive feedback from past volunteers encouraged me to pack my bags and set out for Ukraine.
Located in the heart of the Carpathian Mountains, the town of Vorokhta set the scene for the magical and life changing experience I was about to embark on. After a week of preparations, the day finally came where we all gathered at the train station platform to greet the children. Despite their long journeys, the campers’ immediate enthusiasm set the tone for the weeks to come.
Volunteering at the older camp, I worked with teenagers on their way to start their adult life. A wide range of activities were carefully selected and planned to help teach these campers about growing up, their Ukrainian heritage, and their own self-worth. I had the privilege of getting to know many of the kids. While we were told the impact we had on the children, nothing could prepare me for the impact the children had on me. I built a close relationship with my campers, building a trust that allowed them to open up to me. After hearing many of the children’s stories and past experiences, I realized the importance of the work Help Us Help does. Not only does the organization provide financial and living support, they also provide an opportunity for these kids to simply be kids. These camps allow children a place to make new friends, try new activities, and connect with people who have had similar experiences to them.
Through my experience, I witnessed the incredible efforts of Help Us Help. Now, my former campers, and fellow volunteers, are fighting on the frontlines to protect their homeland. Although Help Us Help's efforts have shifted to providing lifesaving medical supplies to the frontlines, their mission and values stay constant. The organization is committed to raising awareness through education in Canada and in supporting Ukraine’s democratic development as the country looks to rebuild a brighter future.
I hope that together with the Queen’s and Kingston community, QUUSA can further help support this goal.
- Emmy Lebed, Former QUUSA President & Senior Advisor
