written by: Shannon Ashton, LHI Board Member
Shannon Ashton has been on the ground in Moldova with LHI senior admin team members Hayley Smith and Jaron Malyon as they establish LHI’s immediate response to the Ukraine refugee crisis.
Shannon, a professional photographer, has photographed LHI's projects and initiatives in 5 different countries since 2015. Many of LHI's most iconic photos were taken by her.
A local volunteer serves her homemade soups and breads to Ukrainian refugees crossing from Moldova to Romania.
It takes a village, people! I’m filled with utter amazement at the endless giving and love I have been a witness to during my time on the ground here. The countless micro-offerings of love given by complete strangers.
The young adults working round the clock in a pop up refugee centre in Chisinău. The teenager serving as a translator in his spare time. The kindness and comfort given by a Russian driver facilitating relief efforts. Aid workers running buses in the middle of the night out of Odessa to get people to safety. The business partners in Iasi opening a refugee centre in shopping mall in Romania at their own expense. The young Moldovans forming a grass roots task force tackling all sorts of problems. The vested volunteer at the Ukraine border tirelessly answering questions into the night. The man passing out flowers to all the women refugees on International Women’s Day.
We got stuck in the exodus, in a near 5-hour crossing from Moldova to Romania in the middle of the night. Nearly all the vehicle plates queued with us were Ukrainian, along with many buses carrying more Ukrainians. And pictured here, the townspeople at a Moldovan border town opened a makeshift rest depot providing home cooked meals and a smile for crossing refugees stuck in long border queues. Here they offered warm shelter and delicious warm meals as if everyone entering was a welcomed guest visiting their home. They treated us the same. I shall never forget the special moments shared in this little shack. So much love.
There is such good in the world. Even in this place of darkness we find ourselves in, there is something good to find. The people helping.
Click here to learn more and support LHI’s work for Ukrainian refugees.
LHI Founder/Director Hayley Smith (L) and Shannon Ashton (R) in Moldova.