Andrii Lobanov speaks with TRU World's Baihua Chadwick about how the university can support students impacted by the war in Ukraine. (Image Credit: Kent Simmonds / CFJC Today)

By Dylana Kneeshaw

SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE

Ukrainians studying at TRU raising awareness and funds to send protective equipment to Ukraine

Mar 1, 2022 | 4:18 PM

KAMLOOPS — After a rally held in Kamloops last week, some of the Ukrainian students who helped organize the event are now pouring their energy into sending protective equipment to those defending their home country.

“Ukraine is on fire right now. We have cities being bombarded by the same sort of regime like in the 1940s. How could I just continue to live my usual life and not do anything?” says TRU student Andrii Lobanov.

Lobanov and Kostiantyn Siryi are among the Ukrainian student population at Thompson Rivers University. Both grew up in Ukraine and still have many friends and family living there.

They and others living abroad have recently connected with Kelowna’s Ukrainian community to combine their fundraising reach.

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“Specifically we are ordering and arranging supply of body armour and first aid kids for our military guys,” explains Siryi. “We have been able to collect over $2 million CDN within the last 24 hours.”

The plan is to ship equipment over to Ukraine and Lobanov says the group hopes to send at least 1,000 body armour suits within the next week.

“To ship something physical that can protect our soldiers on the front lines, it definitely makes everybody involved feel better.”

TRU meanwhile, says it is aware of how many of its students and faculty are being impacted by the war. TRU World’s VP of International, Baihua Chadwick, says the school has set up an emergency fund through the TRU Foundation to support international students who may have limited access to money for rent or food.

“We are asking them what we can do financially. And the majority of them were still able to withdraw funds, but we anticipate that will come to an end.”

To contact the TRU Foundation to ask about contributing funds specifically for this purpose, call 250-828-5264 or visit tru.ca/foundation for more information.

Chadwick says TRU is also making sure international student medical plans won’t expire and will continue to offer open houses for students to access resources.

“What’s really important at a time like this is that we stand together. We stand for democracy, and we stand for Ukraine.”

Lobanov and Siryi plan to keep up with spreading awareness with rallies in the city, all while gathering donations to send equipment to those in the war zone.

“For us, being abroad it is impossible to understand the struggle that people are going through in Ukraine,” notes Siryi. “However we are trying to do as much as we can and put 150 per cent of our effort into helping the Ukrainian military, helping Ukrainians, and helping the world get out of this situation.”

The response to the equipment fundraiser has been sizable and Siryi says the group is working on setting up a website as an easier method to accept donations. But for now, e-transfers can be sent to ukrainekelowna@gmail.com.