Often, when a person does humanitarian work, they are called to a specific cause. They may have a personal connection to a specific organization or to a certain cause or a need. But in rare cases, a person just wants to do good. They don’t know how or what their cause is going to be, they just want to put good out in the world. That’s the space Jake McCamic found himself in.
A heavy equipment and truck operator, Jake had finished a contract working in Antartica and had the chance to take some time off. While others would have taken a vacation, he thought what better way to spend his time than doing humanitarian work. He didn’t have a specific organization in mind or even a certain cause, really; he just knew he wanted to do something good.
After doing a little bit of research, he stumbled across an interview with Chris Freisinger, an American volunteering with Kidsave in Ukraine. Chris was talking about all the work Kidsave was doing providing humanitarian aid to those in need, supporting orphans and children across Ukraine, and helping evacuate families to safety. It seemed like work Jake could get behind, so he reached out and spoke with a member of Kidsave’s team.
After working out the logistics, Jake headed to western Ukraine to help at the construction site of the Kidsave Miracles Center. Jake joined the team from mid-June to mid-July, helping with the final push of preparation on the Center before the kids arrived for the summer. It was a crucial time when they needed as much help as possible, and Jake’s previous construction experience was invaluable.
Jake, too, gained something from the experience. From the moment he arrived in Ukraine, he was welcomed by the team with open arms, literally.
“I loved it,” said Jake. “They were instantly friends with me which doesn’t happen in America. I’m still friends with them today. I message them on Instagram every day.”
Jake connected with the team at the Center, especially the Supermentors, who are young adults who have graduated from Kidsave’s Corporate Mentoring program and now serve as mentors to the youth currently participating in the program. Although Jake doesn’t speak Ukrainian, the group managed because a few members of the team are learning English, and they used a translation app when necessary. Jake even picked up a little Ukrainian along the way.
Jake was impressed by the team’s overwhelming kindness and optimism.
“They have all these problems that they have to deal with every day, but they still care about me. It’s so amazing,” said Jake. “They thrive, even with everything terrible that’s going on around them. It’s almost like it isn’t happening. That’s the craziest thing. I saw so many funerals. Every time I went anywhere, it was a funeral, and they were all losing people close to them. [But] they have family and friends and neighbors to support them through everything. It’s just beautiful.”
While Jake’s time in Ukraine was coming to an end and the team was finishing the construction on the Miracles Center, the first group of kids began to arrive for the summer. Thirty kids stayed at the Center for the summer to receive respite care and trauma therapy and to participate in activities coordinated by Kidsave’s team. Jake and the others who worked at the Center had the opportunity to meet the kids and play with them on the playground they helped assemble.
“I wasn’t a big kids guy before, but I loved these kids,” said Jake. “These kids were the most loving kids ever. These kids are just happy to be hugged. They will just come up to you and hug you or rest their head against you. They’re in constant need of affection. I definitely connected with them.”
Kidsave’s life-changing work in Ukraine wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of volunteers like Jake and our countless supporters. Learn more about Kidsave’s ongoing work in Ukraine and the Miracles Center.
