A year of giving direct aid to people in crisis

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead

The UAF volunteers who come together in the spirit of anthropologist Margaret Mead have indeed changed the world this year. Here are a few examples.

Jaime, Becky and their children

Florida: led by board member Cenovio Villa, a team of UAF volunteers began 2023 by helping families rebuild homes destroyed by Hurricane Ian in the Fort Meyers area, and ended the year by transforming an unfunctional kitchen and living space into a beautiful home for a family in Dade County battling serious health issues. Becky and Jaime have both experienced health problems, including cancer, multiple surgeries and now chronic kidney disease. They have struggled not only to prepare a special diet needed, but to keep their spirits up during difficult days. “There are no words that exist to express our gratitude,” said Becky. “I wish you all could feel what my heart feels right now.”

Kenya delivering aid to Maui wildfire survivors

Hawaii: When wild fires tore through Maui in August, UAF immediately found a way to help. One of our newest volunteers, Kenya Sherman is a Maui native and a second-year medical student at Kansas City University who immediately connected with health care organizations on the island. United Aid Foundation volunteers provided medicines, solar charging panels, baby formula and feminine hygiene supplies. Kenya flew them to the impacted areas personally.

Children from Ukraine give UAF board member Elizabeth Alex a traditioal Ukranian welcome in Romania.

Ukraine: United Aid Foundation continues to support refugees- mostly the elderly, mothers and children who have located to Botosani, Romania after fleeing the Russia-Ukraine war. The families desperately want to return to their homes, jobs, husbands and lives in Ukraine, but cannot as they never know when and where a Russian bomb might fall. UAF provides a home for refugees who need a place to stay, a gathering place for mothers to connect, monthly food distributions for 100 families in the area, and in partnership with our friends at One Global village, an important space for a school dedicated to Ukrainian children. In this school children receive not only education, but meals, mental health services, art therapy and a place to escape the worries of war and just play. “We plan about our future lives in peace,” said Yulia, who leads the school. “We discuss that war is bad but the children talk about peace. They dream and continue to have hope for the future.”

Doa’a in Gaza

Gaza: Long before the tragic events of the terror attack in Israel October 7 and the subsequent war in Gaza, UAF has supported a young Palestinian woman named Doa’a. UAF volunteers helped her obtain medical care in the United States when she was a baby, and our organization has been supporting her dream of becoming a graphic artist by sponsoring her university tuition. Since the war began and displaced her family, we have provided funds for a tent, hygiene supplies and food. We hope the conflict will soon be over so that families like Doa’a’s and those in Israel can live in peace.

Additionally, UAF has supported humanitarian efforts in Guatemala and India and supported nonprofit school supply drives and a homeless shelter during a severe summer heatwave. We are living our mission of delivering direct aid to people in crisis.

Together, with your help, we will do even more in 2024. Please donate.