First, the good news. I have a good idea. I understand there is a direct link between civil society’s interest in helping and donating, and the sharing of the personal stories of some of those in need. I don’t make videos or photos on purpose. I like to leave people their privacy. But I will happily share the stories of those who want to open up about what they have been through.
So I am beginning with this and have two interviews scheduled for later today.
I’ll be totally honest, fundraising is super hard right now.
If in the past I could focus on the work and not so much on finding the money, now finding the money is all that I think about. I don’t know how (yet, I’m researching) to tap into larger organizations who might share funds, but surely have their own criteria for doing so, and I have never asked the supermarkets directly because I am 99% sure for a myriad of reasons what their answers would be.
Grassroots is best because it is fastest, people to people, but is also has real limitations when money is tight, as it definitely is now for so many hardworking people. I don’t mention the wealthy because they as a rule usually don’t donate much. That was one of the biggest shocks to me this year. When I mention my volunteer work with Ukrainian refugees in social conversation with wealthy people who could give €500 or €1000 and not feel it at all, and thereby help 10 or 20 families, and the conversation is usually immediately changed to their upcoming or most recent holiday. As one does.
I wrote this here yesterday to try and illustrate what it feels like at the moment. The Twitter algorithm is messed up. You don’t get the views like before. I try to post on Instagram too and that brought in a few donations, but what goes to the website goes directly to our very long website waiting list, which Mario and team are working on step by step.
My daily work is a little different, as Ukrainians contact me directly over Telegram, and I always have a smaller waiting list of new arrivals and requests made to me directly. Basically, €1,500 would solve my stress, for now. 30+ empty envelopes. The best way to help is to donate the €50 cards themselves, any supermarket chain. I can even give you addresses if you prefer to send them directly. Or you can meet me in Vienna or send me cards by post. Or PayPal if you aren’t in Austria.
I don’t know why I feel so personally responsible, like I have promised them something and am worried I won’t be able to deliver, ever. Someone with more of a rational brain surely would have thrown in the towel by now. I think it is because Mario and I have given our time and huge effort for the better part of a year on a 100% voluntary basis. My husband last night was like, ok, take €100 from me, and I was like, I cannot. We are already donating so much of my time, my effort, my gas money or subway ticket, the emotional investment of listening to a lot of pain and questions and sometimes joy too, when I meet people. We can’t be buying the cards on top.
Some recommended reading, in no particular order.
The Economist on PTSD treatment programs for veterans in Ukraine:
Haunting photography and story by Reuters of two brothers and their wives all in their eight decade trying to survive against a backdrop of challenges most of us cannot imagine. Now imagine this a million times over across Ukraine.
On Russia’s systemic stealing of Ukraine’s children: NPR on Yale report. Austrian TV apparently did a segment yesterday trying to “two side” this and present the Kremlin’s perspective too (luckily I did not watch).
Finally, a cover story some of us have waited years for. Falter published a big look into Raiffeisen in Russia and Austrian business entanglements and one might ay very cosy relationship still with Russia. Here is the story (paywall). The cover is brilliant:
Also, for context:
I have my own related confession to make. I learned an important lesson about personal integrity this month (because nothing in Austria is fast except the issuance of parking tickets and getting you to pay your bill when the waiter’s shift is about to end). So basically, I applied for an office job. Not because I want an office job (honestly I don’t), but because I need money (three teenagers). I got through the first interview and then a second interview, and in the interim, I discovered a major client (services industry) was Raiffeisen. So what did I do? I went back and deleted all those tweets where I called the bank out on doing business in Russia AND Belarus (do not forget Lukashenko-land, they are entrenched there too). And reader, I did not get the job (which honestly, is for sure for the best both for them and for me), and I cannot get my tweets back, because, I deleted them. Which was stupid.
Let’s be honest, if anyone is going to search my tweets, I am pretty much fucked from the start. Better to keep my reputation and my integrity as an honest thinking person whose moral compass is not messed up. Lesson learned. Thank you for reading my confessional!
Off now to an afternoon of appointments including two interviews with Ukrainians. Hope to bring you those first stories tomorrow.
Thank you for reading and for your continued support.
Saw this photo this morning it made me smile:
Oh! And this TikTok is so fabulous.
Hang in there Tanja. Come on @MriyaReport and tell the stories. People there listen and are all (nearly) action-orientated. Much love and respect from NYC.