Help keep the Ukrainian refugee center safe.

Sincere greetings from Peace Winds Korea. We deeply appreciate your continued support and interest in our work.

This year marks three years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Over this time, relentless attacks have continued, offering the people of Ukraine no relief—physically or emotionally.

Peace Winds' ongoing support for those affected has been made possible through the unwavering commitment of our local Ukrainian staff.

The war’s impact is ever-present in our daily operations. In previous years, male staff members from partner organizations have been called into military service, and tragically, some have lost their lives in airstrikes.

Last autumn, the husband of one of our team members was drafted into the military. The news was met with a profound sense of shared pain across the entire Peace Winds Ukraine team.

Today, we would like to share the honest reflections of one Ukrainian staff member living through the war, as well as an overview of her dedicated work with Peace Winds—told through her own words in a personal interview.

 Interview with Olena: Living Through War, Supporting Others

We spoke with our colleague Olena to gain deeper insight into what it means to have a loved one serving in the military during wartime in Ukraine, and to learn more about her critical role in Peace Winds' humanitarian work.

— How has your life changed since your partner, formerly a businessman, joined the military last year?

Olena:
My husband is a construction engineer, and he felt he could contribute to the country by using his skills in service. He volunteered to join the military. We had many conversations about it, and I believed I was mentally prepared. But when I saw him packing for deployment, it became overwhelmingly painful.

Fortunately, after a few months, I learned that he was assigned to work as an engineer away from the front lines. We’re able to speak on the phone at night, and that regular contact has helped bring me some emotional stability.

— What are your conversations like when you talk?

Olena:
He’s involved in constructing fortifications and often sounds tired due to the heavy workload. Still, he’s applying his expertise and natural leadership abilities, and it seems he's doing well under the circumstances.

— When do you feel his absence the most?

Olena:
I miss the small, everyday things—dropping by a café after work to chat, going to the movies. It’s those ordinary, quiet moments I find myself longing for the most.

— You’re originally from eastern Ukraine, near the front lines. Are your parents still living there?

Olena:
Yes. I’ve tried to bring them to Kyiv for safety, but they refuse to leave their hometown. Early in the war, my father volunteered to go to the front and returned with a serious leg injury. Many of the people he served with didn’t survive—he narrowly escaped death.

They now live in an area frequently targeted by attacks, so I live in constant worry for their safety.

— What kind of work are you currently doing with Peace Winds?

Olena:
After completing several major projects, I’m now involved in a mental health support program for children in Chernihiv Oblast, in northern Ukraine. I also handle administrative tasks such as preparing contracts and organizing upcoming projects.

— Of all the projects you’ve been part of, which one had the greatest impact on you?

Olena:
All the projects have been meaningful, but one that deeply moved me was a mobile medical outreach program for women in rural villages with limited access to healthcare.

Some women hadn’t had a health checkup in years since giving birth. In one case, a woman was diagnosed with cancer during a screening and was able to receive immediate treatment. Others spoke with a mental health professional for the first time in their lives and were able to unburden themselves emotionally. It was a project that truly saved lives.

In every village we visited, we saw long lines of bicycles parked outside—women who had traveled just for the chance to be examined. Word of mouth spread quickly among those who received care, and many would say, “Please come again.” The need was clear, and the gratitude was deeply felt.

— What does humanitarian work mean to you personally?

Olena:
What I do may be just a small part of a much larger effort—like a drop in the ocean. But even so, it gives me strength to know that I’m doing something instead of simply grieving over the constant stream of sad news.

Knowing that I am contributing, however modestly, to something meaningful—and that I am helping people in my country—gives me purpose.

I’m deeply thankful to everyone who continues to support us. Watching donations come in, especially through crowdfunding, gives us hope. It reminds us that we are not forgotten.

Peace Winds will keep committed to supporting the people of Ukraine who are facing challenges. We kindly ask for your continued attention and support.

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