Meet Cara and Dave
In February of 2022, as russian tanks rolled towards Kyiv, I happened upon a live stream on Twitter that was covering the unprovoked invasion from the front lines. The few dedicated people involved were doing reports 24/7, talking to whatever Ukrainians and others they could find on the streets. Nobody expected Ukraine to survive 2 weeks. I was blown away by the resilience of the Ukrainians, and how they resisted with whatever they had. Taking out drones with pickle jars. Stealing tanks with tractors. Women giving Russian soldiers sunflower seeds to put in their pockets so they will be planted where they die. I joined the Twitter team and have been supporting Ukraine ever since @Volya4UA.
3 1/2 years later, Russia’s “3 day special military operation” continues to kill Ukrainians and devastate their cities. Millions have been displaced and hundreds of thousands injured and killed. It has become clear that Russia is continuing its centuries long goal of erasing Ukrainians from the earth. When someone specifically targets civilians- children’s hospitals, schools, apartments, markets- and kidnaps almost a million children (Russia’s own estimate) to be “russified”, It’s a genocide.
I happen to believe that “Never Again” means exactly that. When faced with a genocide, will we step up and do what we can to stop it? Its an overwhelming task, but we can learn a lesson from that boy on the beach. We may not be able to make a difference for everyone, but for that one person, we can.
-Dave
Meet The Twins
Daryna and Kristina are 16-year-old twin sisters from the small village of Bezruky in the Kharkiv region, just 20 kilometers from the border. Growing up side by side, they’ve always shared more than just a birthday — they’ve shared dreams, challenges, and a deep sisterly bond. When the war began, their lives were upended, forcing them to leave behind the quiet rhythm of village life and seek safety in Poland with their mother. There, they navigated new languages, new schools, and the uncertainty of displacement — always leaning on each other for strength. Despite the chaos around them, they never stopped dreaming. Now back in Ukraine, they continue to support one another through each challenge, whether it’s Kristina’s desire to make a difference through education and connection or Daryna’s passion for graphic and web design. Their journey is one of resilience, unity, and hope — a powerful reminder that even in the darkest times, family and determination can light the way forward.
