Cover In rehabilitation camps for Ukrainian children, they participate in sports programs, integrated art therapy sessions and therapy sessions with psychologists to help them recover from the effects of war
In rehabilitation camps for Ukrainian children, they participate in sports programs, integrated art therapy sessions and therapy sessions with psychologists to help them recover from the effects of war
1 / 1
Charity funds like Children of Heroes hope for a better future for the kids who lost so much because of war: “We help them have a foundation, a backbone, and somebody to lean on.”
Most people’s first encounter with war is in the classroom. History informs us of the tragedies brought about by the Iran–Iraq War, the First and Second World Wars, and even the Napoleonic Wars. Complex numbers come to mind: deaths, bodies, and casualties—consequences of said horrid affairs. But we often forget that behind these statistics are people. They are human beings with families who have lost so much because of politics. And they—we—continue to suffer in the present time.
In case you missed it: Rising from the ashes: the ongoing rehabilitation of Marawi City
Armed conflicts aren’t a thing of the past. The Marawi siege in the Philippines in 2017 sent the Mindanao region and its residents into despair. International news is proof of the ongoing tension between China and Southeast Asian countries because of territorial and maritime disputes. And the most scarring one to date, the strife between Russia and Ukraine, is killing thousands of people involved in the case.
February 24th, 2022, marks the day every Ukrainian’s (and millions of people worldwide) lives changed drastically. It was when the full-scale invasion of Russian troops began, crossing Ukraine’s border, attacking and further attempting to undermine its sovereignty.
Above A man walks amid debris in front of a residential apartment complex that was heavily damaged by a Russian attack on March 18, 2022 in Kyiv, Ukraine. Russian forces remain on the outskirts of the Ukrainian capital, but their advance has stalled in recent days, even while Russian strikes, and pieces of intercepted missiles, have hit residential areas in the north of Kyiv
A man walks amid debris in front of a residential apartment complex that was heavily damaged by a Russian attack on March 18, 2022 in Kyiv, Ukraine. Russian forces remain on the outskirts of the Ukrainian capital, but their advance has stalled in recent days, even while Russian strikes, and pieces of intercepted missiles, have hit residential areas in the north of Kyiv
1 / 1
As of August 2023, the total number of military from both countries killed or wounded since the war began boils down to around 500,000. Omitted from these numbers are the civilians who lost so much, however. It’s time they become included in the narrative.
The Children of Heroes
February 24, 2022, wasn’t just the day the Russian-Ukraine war started, it was also the day the Children of Heroes (COH) Charity Fund was born.
Co-founder Dan Pasko lost his father when he was just a child, so he understands the safety and security crisis that results from a tragedy. It’s in this opportunity that he encourages friends and the community to step in, stabilise, and not only make an immediate emotional difference but a lifelong one in all ways that can manifest a child’s full potential.
Above Rehabilitation camps for Ukrainian children
Rehabilitation camps for Ukrainian children
1 / 1
Above Children participate in a Wonder Camp held on February 2023
Above Ulyana and Varvara open the box of supplies from Children of Heroes they received in July 2023. They are using these in their classes this September
Children participate in a Wonder Camp held on February 2023
1 / 2
The team at the Fund generated significant initial success in Ukraine and is now working to find international donors to meet the increasing needs of the child survivors. Now in its second year of operation, it will live on for as long as there is a need to provide youth with the means to rebuild their lives and have the best possible future ahead of them.
“There is one story of a kid who at the onset of the war lost his dad,” starts Brice Espino, the global CEO of the international charity fund. Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon thing in wartime. “We were able to secure a scholarship for him in the US for around US$ 200,000 at a military academy.”
Related: Meet the 2023 Ramon Magsaysay awardees who are celebrating peace, participation, and inclusivity
Above Brice Espino, Global CEO for Children of Heroes speak with members of the Philippine media about the work their assistance programs for Ukrainian children who lost one or both parents because of the Russian war against Ukraine
Brice Espino, Global CEO for Children of Heroes speak with members of the Philippine media about the work their assistance programs for Ukrainian children who lost one or both parents because of the Russian war against Ukraine
1 / 1
Securing the scholarship was no easy task. The organisation had to step in and talk to several senators and politicians. “The process took months and months and months.” Nothing was happening at one point.
There came a time, however, when those in position just gave up. “[Eventually], they were able to get the boy a visa. But after taking so long, it kind of disheartened him and he didn’t want to go to the US anymore. Fortunately, one of the founders of the organisation was able to talk to him. ‘What would your dad want you to do?’ he asked. And the kid said, ‘My dad would want me to go’,” shares Espino. And that encouraged him.
Apart from offering schooling, the fund also offers camps that bring out the creativity and social skills of the children. “We have these camps not as a distraction, but as a way of healing,” Espino says.
Above Children of Heroes Team during their weekly call, celebrating Vyshyvanka Day (National Embroidery Day) in Ukraine
Above The Charity Fund started by Ukrainian entrepreneur Dan Pasko has grown its efforts through the hard work of Ukrainians, and the support of a global team led by Brice Espino
Children of Heroes Team during their weekly call, celebrating Vyshyvanka Day (National Embroidery Day) in Ukraine
1 / 2
One thing we discover ourselves in our youth is our identity and individuality. These gatherings—where they dabble in art activities and socialisation at summer camps, among others—allow them that. “It allows them to find reasons why they should continue. It allows them to find why the war shouldn’t be the defining factor of their life; rather just one part of their story,” says Espino.
Why do we need to lend a hand?
All of these stories resonate well because it can be any of us. In an era of technology, we’re all able to see everything that happens in the world. And yet we kind of forget—or ignore.
“We can see the faces of these kids of war or anybody, and yet, it doesn’t seem like it’s real. Because, for example, I can grab a Starbucks, I can grab McDonald’s on my phone, but in one part of the world there’s an open war that’s happening,” says Espino.
One alarm in their country means that they have to go underground. One explosion means they can lose something they worked hard for. One gunshot would mean losing their lives. “And it brings me to the reality that we need to have an interactive society where we have open understanding and open feelings of what’s happening around the world,” Espino says.
Above Pilip, 9, from Mariupol, Ukraine received a tablet and supplies that he uses for school this September
Pilip, 9, from Mariupol, Ukraine received a tablet and supplies that he uses for school this September
1 / 1
Above Angelina and Valeria are grateful to Children of Heroes and their partner organizations for art supplies they received
Above Volodymyr, 12, and Natalia, 8 from Stovpin, Rivne region consider this box of supplies as a valuable addition to their school days
Angelina and Valeria are grateful to Children of Heroes and their partner organizations for art supplies they received
1 / 2
We have the problems that we tackle. But at the same time, we have to be aware of what’s happening in other places. “We live in a global society right now,” Espino confidently says. “Knowing how the world markets go, knowing how globalisation has impacted everything—the price of food, the price of gasoline increased dramatically when this war started, [it’s all because we all live in] an interconnected society.” The world does not work in isolation. As the saying goes, ‘No man is an island.’ It is the reason why we need to help.
And if something similar happens to us, we want to make sure that we’ve already put in the effort to help out because who will help us when the time comes? “We need alliances as people need to find good people, and we need to show the world that we’re good people too,” he explains.
It’s not about politics, nor it’s about anything cultural. It’s about being human.
Make a difference in the lives of children by donating to the Children of Heroes Charity Fund via childrenheroes.org/.
NOW READ
Joey Concepcion on how MSMEs can optimise their full potential
Meet the 2023 Ramon Magsaysay awardees who are celebrating peace, participation, and inclusivity
The harrowing fate of the Central Post Office building and how it is rising from the ashes
Credits
Images: Children of Heroes
Angela Nicole Regis Guiral is the assistant digital editor of Tatler Philippines. She studied journalism and has since written features that look closely at how culture, lifestyle and social impact converge, while occasionally wandering into the worlds of style and travel.
