“Embrace a ukrainian family”

The war in Ukraine, a consequence of the Russian invasion, caused a large-scale humanitarian crisis that required an international response, affecting not only Europe but the entire global community. In this context, governments, organizations, and citizens, including Helsinki España, acted with the goal of supporting families who were forced to leave their homes, hoping to return in the future. 

In 2022, Helsinki España launched the initiative “Embrace a Ukrainian Family”, welcoming the Kishka family, composed of a mother, two daughters aged 14 and 18, and a grandmother. Thanks to financial donations, the organization was able to cover the cost of a home in Madrid and provide everything necessary to meet the family’s basic needs, ensuring their well-being in the country.

An education plan was implemented so that the girls could not only access a quality education but also learn Spanish to facilitate their integration into Spanish society. In addition, support was provided for all legal and administrative procedures, ensuring that their stay in Spain was fully legal and that they could access public services free of charge and without interruption. The family also received food, clothing, and essential items. All donations were issued with a certificate that allowed donors to claim a tax deduction.

Within the Helsinki España team, there was a staff member born in Ukraine, whose presence facilitated communication and understanding with the family, not only linguistically but also emotionally, supporting their adaptation and connection with the organization.

To ensure the family’s safety and peace of mind, the rental contract was made in the name of Helsinki España, which also published monthly reports on its website to guarantee transparency of the action.

This project was made possible thanks to the commitment of the Helsinki España team, its extensive network of contacts at both national and international levels and the collaboration of the community.