Flat Sasha Raises Awareness about Ukraine

Flat Sasha Raises Awareness about Ukraine

By Terra Hernandez

Since the invasion of Ukraine, Kidsave has worked to evacuate orphans, children and families, and the elderly from war-torn areas into safety and deliver life-saving humanitarian aid to those in need. Over the last year, Kidsave’s Angels of Hope have evacuated over 30,000 people to safety and delivered over 1,000 tons of humanitarian aid.

To help raise awareness of the ongoing plight of children and families in Ukraine and raise much-needed funds, Kidsave launched the Flat Sasha project on February 13. Inspired by the Flat Stanley project, Flat Sasha serves to represent orphans that were displaced by the war in Ukraine. Participants are encouraged to print, pledge, and post. They can print out their own Flat Sasha, color and decorate it, and display it or bring it along with them on their next adventure. Participants photograph their Flat Sasha in front of their destination and post their photos to social media using the #FlatSasha hashtag. Participants then pledge their support Ukraine by making a donation to Kidsave’s life-saving work in Ukraine. So far, participants have donated over $1,200 to support Kidsave’s work through the Flat Sasha project.

Donations from the Flat Sasha project support Kidsave’s work in Ukraine for rescue and evacuation, humanitarian aid delivery, constructing the Kidsave Miracles Center in western Ukraine, and continuing Kidsave’s Corporate Mentoring program in Ukraine. The Corporate Mentoring program, called Pathways to Success, helps teens and older children living in orphanages with financial planning assistance, job training, internships, and educational opportunities to help them accomplish their goals in life.

Don Ruschman, consultant at the International Economic Development Council, said that he is proud to support the Flat Sasha project and the Corporate Mentoring work that Kidsave does in Ukraine.

“This is great for the country and it’s a game-changer for the young people,” said Don. “I’ve watched Kidsave grow this program over the years, and in Ukraine it has broadened greatly, as evidenced by the hundreds of young people it has helped. It has even kept going through the war. Not surprisingly, some real leaders are emerging through this program.”

Kidsave held the Flat Sasha project launch event on February 8 at the Ukraine House in Washington, D.C. to announce the campaign. And Flat Sasha is already making his way around the globe! Flat Sasha has been spotted in Ukraine, Brazil, Jamaica, Anguilla, and across the United States. Flat Sasha also attended the Superbowl, and has met some amazing people along the way, like the Ukrainian ambassador to the United States.

The Flat Sasha project is modeled after the Flat Stanley project, in which school children print, design, and mail a paper Flat Stanley to facilitate cultural exchange. The Flat Stanley project is based off of the book of the same name by Jeff Brown.

You can learn more about the Flat Sasha project and donate to our life-changing work here.