HopeXborders

And more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life.

That line from America the Beautiful hit me differently today.

Not because I was thinking about America.

I was thinking about Ukraine.

A few hours after singing that hymn in church, we watched 2000 Meters to Andriivka, a film built from real footage of Ukraine’s counteroffensive to retake the small village of Andriivka.

The film doesn’t glorify war.

It shows the cost of it.

The fear. The exhaustion. The loss.

So many lives were lost during that operation. Yet again and again, soldiers spoke about volunteering for the mission because of their love for Ukraine.

Not because they wanted war.

Because they wanted their country to remain free.

As I watched, I couldn’t help but think about a friend we affectionately call our Ukrainian brother.

The photo above was taken in Poland after he and his family fled Ukraine for safety.

At the time, it was simply a photo of friends spending time together.

Today, his family is back in Ukraine, and he is serving near the front lines.

He’s not a character in a documentary or a headline in the news. He’s our friend. A father. Someone we’ve shared meals with, laughed with, and worried about.

Knowing that he is serving while his children wait for him at home makes the sacrifices described in the film feel deeply personal.

And it makes those words hit even harder:

“And more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life.”

Today we’re thinking of him, and of the countless men and women who have sacrificed so much for Ukraine’s freedom. We’re also thinking of the families who wait, hope, and carry the weight of that sacrifice every day.

Watching this film and reflecting on the people we know has renewed our commitment to the work we do through Hope Across Borders.

We cannot stop the war.

But we can stand beside the people living through it.

We can support displaced families, encourage children, help communities rebuild, and remind our Ukrainian friends that they are not forgotten.

Because behind every headline is a person.

A father.

A child.

A family.

A friend.

Their courage deserves nothing less.

After 9 trips to Ukraine, here’s one thing we’ve learned:

Resilience isn’t loud.

It’s the grandmother who keeps going.

The mother rebuilding life in a new city.

The child who still dreams about the future.

The volunteer who keeps showing up.

The teacher who continues teaching.

The family who opens their door to someone in need.

Ukraine has taught me that resilience isn’t about never struggling.

It’s about continuing forward despite the struggle.

That’s something I’ll never forget.

If your only source of information about Ukraine is the news, you might think life has stopped.

It hasn’t.

Trams still run.

People still walk to work.

Friends still meet for coffee.

Children still go to school.

Families still dream about the future.

Life continues, even during war.

And that’s one of the things we admire most about the people of Ukraine.

Fifty days ago, we started a birthday fundraiser with a simple goal: help improve bathroom facilities for families and children affected by the war in Ukraine.

Today, we simply want to say thank you!

Thank you to everyone who donated.

Thank you to everyone who shared a post, watched a story, left a comment, or cheered us on.

Every act of support mattered.

We may be a small nonprofit, but together we continue to make a real difference for families in Ukraine.

From all of us at Hope Across Borders, and from the people who will benefit from these projects, thank you.! 💙💛

TODAY IS THE DAY TO GIVE A CRAP!

Today is Win and Lena’s birthday.

Instead of gifts, they’re asking people to help fund safe, functioning bathrooms for families and children in Ukraine.

What started as a conversation about buckets being used instead of toilets turned into a much bigger reminder:

Dignity matters.

Clean, working bathrooms matter.

And children should never have to wonder if their school or shelter bathroom works.

If you’ve followed HXB, shared a post, donated, encouraged us, or simply cared about Ukraine along the way — thank you.

And if you’d like to help us “give a crap” today, we’d be incredibly grateful.

donation link:
www.hopexborders.org

Tomorrow is Lena and Win’s 50th birthday.

Same birthday. Born in different parts of the world. Connected through Ukraine and humanitarian work.

Instead of a big celebration, they chose to help fund bathroom repairs for families and children affected by war.

Over the past 50 days, so many people have shared posts, donated, encouraged us, and helped move this project forward.

Thank you for being part of it. 💙💛

War impacts more than what makes headlines.

It impacts schools.
Shelters.
Daily life.
Basic dignity.

For our 50th birthdays, we are currently helping fund bathroom repairs for displaced families and children in Ukraine.

Thank you for continuing to stand with them. 💙💛

This started as a silly thought for a birthday fundraiser idea… and somehow became one of the most meaningful projects we’ve worked on.

Through our “Birthdays, Buckets & Bathrooms” campaign, we’re raising funds to help repair bathrooms at a school in Ukraine serving children, including many internally displaced students.

It’s easy to overlook things like toilets, sinks, plumbing, and sanitation until they stop working.

But dignity matters.

And kids deserve better.

We’re a very small nonprofit, so every share, donation, and repost genuinely helps us reach more people.

Thank you for giving a crap!