Mother-and-daughter Team Bring Aid and Hope to Ukraine
In mid-June, Dr. Monika Cox and her daughter Lisa traveled to Poland and Ukraine to deliver supplies, meet with HUP partners, and see the impact of the war firsthand. Monika is a family physician at Swedish Physicians West Seattle Clinic. She grew up in Germany and now lives in Burien, WA with her husband and three kids. Her daughter Lisa is a rising sophomore at Holy Names Academy.
We recently spoke with Monika and Lisa about their experience and what they're planning to do next. Comments below are from both mother and daughter unless otherwise noted.
How did you connect with HUP?
Monika: As a doctor, I wanted to help with medical needs of refugees. I had planned to go to the Ukraine border and the connect with other doctors. I also wanted to take Lisa with me because I thought it would be an amazing experience for her. So I mapped out a trip but I didn't really have a plan.
A colleague of my husband introduced us to Anna Gowans and HUP. The HUP team was great and figured out concrete ways we could help during our trip. We raised money and asked for donations that helped fill 20 suitcases of humanitarian aid. The suitcases included ibuprofen, Tylenol, and medicines for kids; camouflage clothing; hygiene items like toothpaste and toothbrushes; and non-perishable food items like protein bars and jerky. I applied to MRSO Providence, a medical supply recovery organization, for assistance and they provided 100 lbs of medical equipment like tourniquets, gastric tubes, and wound care and first aid kits. Finally, our family held a yard sale to raise funds so we could buy additional supplies and aid. We received so much support from friends, family, and co-workers—it has been amazing!
I was really excited to connect with HUP. They matched what I was looking for in a partner because they're small, impactful, and they can take help directly to people in need.
Tell us about your experience getting to the Ukraine.
Both: We flew into Warsaw and landed late at night. One of the IMES volunteers met us and drove us over the border into Kyiv. It took all day because there were many check points and we got stopped often. There’s also a curfew at night so driving hours are limited. During curfew, all the lights are out—it’s an interesting experience. We left Kyiv early the next morning and took the train to Kharkiv because it’s safer and quicker than driving.
A bomb shelter in the northeast city of Kharkiv, one of the most heavily bombed areas in Ukraine.
What did you do in Kharkiv?
Both: We met up with Marina, who's the mom of one of the IMES founders. She lives in Kharkiv and does extensive volunteer work helping people who've been displaced by the war. We made sure that she received 10 of our suitcases of aid. She has a well-organized system to sort suitcases and then people come and get supplies from her. Marina showed us an extensive aid operation in town including a secret food bank, volunteer kitchen, and bomb shelter. She also drove us around town and we could see the destruction everywhere; 30% of buildings in Kharkiv have been damaged by the war.
Lisa: In Kharkiv, you can feel the presence of the war. You hear the bombs in the background all the time.
Both: After observing this impressive aid operation, we returned to the train station for a long and grueling trip back to Kyiv. The trip normally takes six hours but it was much longer because the train needed to stop every time a bombing siren goes off—and there were many. It was nerve wracking.
One of many heavily destroyed or damaged buildings Monika and Lisa saw in the city of Kharkiv.
What did you do in Kyiv and Poland?
Both: The next day we worked with another IMES volunteer to distribute survival packs with hygiene items and baby formula. He drove us through suburbs of now-liberated towns near Kyiv and we delivered the rest of the suitcases—bound for the southeast Donbas region—to an area south of the city. We saw a lot of destruction with damaged buildings and bullet holes. But it’s really impressive that the Ukrainians are already rebuilding and people are moving back. Then we drove to Poland, which took all day and we spent some time in Przesmyl on the Ukrainian-Polish border.
Monika: I had originally planned to do medical work with refugees at the border, but there aren’t many refugees coming these days. Aid operations at the boarder are largely being closed because people have either left Ukraine or they are staying for the duration. The next day, we met up with IMES volunteers, bought more aid items to donate, and then flew back home to Seattle.
What did you learn?
Both: We're very glad that we took the trip—we feel very privileged. We were able to see where the aid is going and the impact it's having. Now we're part of the HUP family! We also have a personal connection to the war and people there. Their sense of sticking together and helping each other is amazing. The Ukrainians have a great sense of community and partnership—it's very impressive. Also their focus on rebuilding is amazing.
What's next?
Both: The trip motivated us to do more and have great impact. That starts by helping HUP spread the word and building support for their efforts to help people most in need.
Are you inspired by Monika and Lisa's story? DONATE NOW to support HUP's humanitarian aid efforts.
All photo credits: Monika Cox