Two years ago, after Russia invaded Ukraine, Westporters opened their hearts — and wallets — to help our new sister city of Lyman.
We raised over $250,000, in less than a month. Thanks to Ukraine Aid International — the boots-on-the-ground, get-stuff-done non-profit created by Westporters Brian and Marshall Mayer — our friends in the war-torn nation received (literally) tons of desperately needed goods.
UAI delivered communication equipment, police and trash vehicles, bulletproof vests for utility workers, and portable heaters. Funds from “06880” readers also paid for repairs to hundreds of apartments, plus meals, children’s gifts and more.
Christmas in Lyman 2022, with a bit of help from Westport.
Last year, Westport raised over $60,000, for 2 wood pellet machines. Each provided heat, all winter long, to 1,000 Lyman residents.
As our sister city prepares for a third winter of war, it’s time once again for Westporters to help.
This year, it’s all about the kids.
Hundreds of Lyman youngsters have been evacuated from the eastern town, which endures regular shelling from Russian forces.
Those children’s lives — uprooted, uncertain, perilous — are unimaginable to us.
But there is one bright spot: a camp called Karabin.
Photos for this story show children from Siversk, Ukraine at the Karabin camp. It’s Weston’s sister city — and our neighbors have already sponsorsed 4 camps for Siversk’s kids.
Located in the western Carpathian Mountains, it’s a place where Lyman’s children — now spread all across the country — can reunite with their friends and teachers.
For 10 days at a time, in winter and summer, they hike, play sports, do crafts and art therapy, enjoy music, watch movies, and have game nights.
Play time at Karabin …
They also take classes, and study. Through Starlink, they can talk to their parents online.
… and study time …
Two chefs prepare breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a tea time and nightly snack.
… and meal time.
It’s a tiny bit of normalcy, for boys and girls whose lives have been brutally upended.
It costs about $280 to send one child to Karabin, for 10 days.
How about it, Westport? Can we raise $56,000, to ensure that 200 kids in our sister city enjoy a respite from the terrors of the past nearly 3 years?
Just click here. Under “Designation,” choose “Westport-Lyman sister city” from the dropdown menu. You can also choose a monthly or one-time donation. If you use the mail or Venmo option, please make a note: “For Westport-Lyman.”
1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker knows the importance of this fund drive.
She says, “Our sister city relationship with Lyman is 2 years old, and the conflict is nearing 3 years.
“Investing in infrastructure has been our focus, as the leaders of Lyman (the mayor and police chief, who we communicate with regularly) have identified that as the priority.
“However, I now feel it is time to pivot and focus on the kids. The stark reality of war has altered life for everyone, and especially for the children of Lyman.”
Though Westport and Lyman have been sister cities for less than 3 years, our town’s tradition of helping war-ravaged children at holiday time dates back nearly 8 decades.
For many years after World War II, we sent Christmas gifts to youngsters in our first sister city, Marigny-le-Lozon.
Those children are now in their 80s. They’ve never forgotten our town’s generosity. Now, Marigny is helping Lyman too. This year and last, they’ve sent hundreds of gifts to our shared sister city.
Our $56,000 goal should be easily reachable. It’s about $2 for every Westport resident.
Let’s all get involved. Talk to your kids. Ask them if they’re willing to forgo one gift this season, and donate the money to someone their age in Lyman.
It takes a village to help a village. Thank you, Westport, for making this a memorable winter for the boys and girls who have fled the only village they knew. They now have a chance to get together, see their friends, and — for the first time in a long while — smile.
Please click here. Under “Designation,” choose “Westport-Lyman sister city” from the dropdown menu. If you use the mail or Venmo option, please note that it is for “Westport-Lyman.”
Relaxing in Karabin’s hot tub. A bit of normalcy, in a war-torn land.
Camp??
“Normalcy” might be a better word. These kids have had everything taken from them…their homes, schools, friends and for some, their family. This is a chance for them to leave behind their PTSD for a bit and be a child, like Westport kids get to do every day. For decades, Westport’s own Paul Newman Foundation has provided “a global community of 30 camps and programs delivering life-changing camp and recreational experiences to children with serious illnesses and their families, always free of charge.” If not Paul Newman as an example, then who? Please do not belittle this opportunity for the children of our Ukranian sister city, Lyman.