Getting to Ukraine

When Randi Thompson departed from Los Angeles, California for Ukraine on July 17, 2024, she was prepared for the long journey. An experienced businesswoman and CEO, Randi is no stranger to international travel. In fact, she hardly missed a beat when, upon landing in Krakow, Poland after over 15 hours of travel, she found out her bags did not arrive. She just made the most of it by spending the day in Krakow with volunteer, Chris Freisinger, until the bags finally arrived on a second plane.

Once Randi’s luggage was secure, she and Chris began making their way to the Ukrainian border in a cargo truck. After crossing the border, their plan was for Chris to drive Randi the rest of the way to the Miracles Center in western Ukraine, another 400 kilometers (250 miles). The journey from Krakow to the Ukrainian border at Medyka was over 300 kilometers (nearly 200 miles) and would have taken four hours for them to traverse…if the truck wheels hadn’t fallen off.

As midnight neared, the cargo truck lurched as both back wheels gave way, completely separating from the rest of the truck. As they skidded to a stop, the entire back axle collapsed, leaving Randi and Chris totally stranded on the side of a Polish highway. Two good Samaritans—one Ukrainian truck driver and one Polish truck driver—stopped to see if there was anything they could do to help. Unfortunately, the truck was far beyond roadside repair, but they did help call a cab for Randi.

“A cab took me the rest of the way to the border at Medyka, and once there, I was able to walk across the border,” said Randi. “Obviously, I was exhausted because it was after midnight, I’d been traveling for more than 24-hours at that point, but it was an emotional experience to cross the border and see that Ukrainian flag still flying.”

Once across the border, Rand waited four more hours for Pavlo Shulha who drove from the Center to pick her up at the border. The two then drove through the rest of the night to arrive at the Miracles Center early Friday morning.

At the Center

The Kidsave Miracles Center has been a work in progress since 2022 when its partner organization, Touch of the Heart, was gifted a tract of land in the Carpathian Mountains. After two years of tireless effort by countless people, the Miracles Center welcomed 29 orphans and children deprived of parental care from the Mykolaiv war zone on July 1. The kids will be staying at the Center until the end of August to enjoy the playground, soccer field, organized games, arts and crafts, some much-needed rest. They will also receive war trauma therapy with staff therapists. For the orphans in the group, they will meet potential new Ukrainian families while they are there, in a safe and relaxed environment where they can get to know each other.

During this time of crisis in Ukraine, the Miracles Center will continue to provide respite, mentoring, and trauma therapy to orphans, as well as internship opportunities and career-readiness training for older youth transitioning out of institutional care. In the long term, the Center will be a space where children can meet and connect with potential adoptive families through Kidsave’s Family Visit Model.

Randi stayed at the Center with the kids for five days. “I saw firsthand the transformative power of the Miracles Center,” she said. “When the kids arrived, they were closed off and scared. Every time there was a loud noise or a car engine backfired, they jumped and ducked. After two weeks, they were playing, hugging, giggling with abandon. They felt safe and free to be children there. What our team has created is a place of hope for a better future for these kids who have been through so much.”

Visiting Kyiv

After her time at the Miracles Center, Randi, Pavlo, and the Head of Kidsave’s Ukraine Subdivision, Nata Kravchuk, traveled to Kyiv. There were concerns about Randi traveling to Kyiv after the recent attack on a children’s hospital, but she was insistent it was a necessary risk. Randi and Nata met with several partners, both non-governmental organizations (NGOs) like New Community and government offices such as the Ministry of Social Policy and the newly formed State Services for Children’s Rights. This meeting was instrumental as government officials learned how Kidsave is working to meet the needs of Ukrainian children during this difficult time.

“I’m so glad I went to Kyiv,” said Randi. “A lot of people were nervous about me going but the federal government wasn’t aware of everything we are doing, and it was imperative for me to sit down with them in person to tell them of our innovative work and relay to them and the need for coordination on child welfare reform and continued support for community-based organizations through Ukraine.”

Back Home to Continue the Work

After a few days in London on her way home, Randi arrived safely back on U.S. soil, reenergized by all she’d witnessed in Ukraine. While others may have forgotten about Ukraine, our commitment and resolve remain. Our life-changing work wouldn’t be possible without continued support.

Learn more about our work in Ukraine and the Kidsave Miracles Center and give your support.