Hi, we’re Shane and Agnes Burrell.
In August 2022, we had the chance to visit Ukraine and help document volunteers from Australia helping build essential accommodations for locals in the Kyiv area who lost their homes and livelihoods. We’ve been to Ukraine several times since then, delivering aid and continuing to document stories.
For the past three years, we’ve come to know and care deeply about a young Ukrainian girl named Polina Zaikova and her family. They’re some of the most resilient, kind-hearted people we’ve met and right now, they’re facing another heartbreak.
We first met Polina in 2022, not long after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began and she was 11. Her family had fled their home near the frontlines with little more than what they could carry.
After months of uncertainty and moving between temporary shelters, they returned back to where their home was and build a small shelter on a patch of land next to the remnant of the house. It wasn’t much but they made it beautiful in their own way and made it feel like home. They made space for Polina to feel safe, to study and play.
They’ve been living there for the past three years. The landowner is now reclaiming the property, their shelter is being dismantled and Polina’s family is once again being forced to start over.
How can you help?
We are raising funds to help Polina and her family:
- Secure safe and stable housing
- Cover basic living essentials (food, heating, transport)
- Support Polina’s continued education
- Provide access to medical and trauma support
Every donation, no matter how big or small will go directly to Polina’s family to help them rebuild once more. We are in close contact with them and will ensure the funds are used transparently and responsibly.
Why this matters?
Polina is just one child among millions who have been affected by the war in Ukraine but she is also a daughter, a sister, a friend. Her story reminds us that behind every news headline is a real family trying to survive.
By supporting this fundraiser, you’re not just helping Polina and her family find shelter, you’re helping them find stability, dignity, and a sense of peace after years of uncertainty. Please consider donating, sharing this page, and spreading the word. Together, we can make sure they are not left behind.
Thank you for reading, and thank you for standing with them.
