By Shannon Ashton, LHI Board Member
Shannon Ashton recently visited Ukraine with Hayley, LHI’s Founder/CEO, and Mary, LHI’s Board Chair, to witness the impact of our programs firsthand.
In Lviv, women and children fleeing devastation in eastern Ukraine find refuge in our shelter and strength at our Center for Women’s Development—safe spaces where they can begin to heal from the ongoing trauma of war. Over shared meals and afternoon tea, our team listened as women shared their stories of immense loss, resilience, and hope.
A professional photographer, Shannon has documented LHI’s work since 2015. On this journey, she captured powerful moments of grief and strength, preserving the stories of those rebuilding their lives under the threat of Russian occupation.
Day 1: January 17, 2025
To enter Ukraine from the west we have to fly into Krakow, drive to the Ukraine border, and then walk across to where our partners meet us. It’s a bit of a roll of the dice as to how long it can all take but Krakow has become an important outpost on these journeys.
Today we visited a military cemetery that is unfortunately growing by the day, and was one of the most heartbreaking experiences of the journey. I had visited this cemetery less than 12 months ago when it was much, much smaller and I was taken aback by how it has swelled in the time since. As we silently walked through the rows of fallen soldiers, we looked up to see a caravan approach and realised we had become the unintentional guests of a newly fallen soldier’s funeral ceremony.
We watched as their fellow comrades in arms, family members, and friends gathered in song and salute to honour this brave patriot. We paid our respects by kneeling in the snow as the coffin was carried up to the top of the cemetery hill to reach its resting place. I wept tears of grief that took me off guard. I, a mere visitor, had no right to these tears, but I was overcome with sadness at this loss and the many others before me. To my Ukrainian friends, I offer you my heartfelt compassion and love as you continue to suffer the hardship and losses of this war.
Day 2: January 18, 2025
We spent an incredibly moving afternoon attending the Center for Women’s Development in Lviv. We met women who’ve become widows or otherwise suffered great personal losses in this war, who are struggling to find a way forward from the traumas they’ve experienced. Their stories are heartbreaking. This incredible women’s center offers highly trained psychological support that helps these women heal, and provides a safe space for meaningful connection and community. Ultimately this gives them hope and support through the darkness of war.
The impact of a casual afternoon tea social like the one pictured above is immense and far reaching. The tragedies of this war are legion but centers like this are providing tools and opportunity for hope—and hope is everything. I cannot say enough about the women running this operation. They are highly qualified professionals with hearts of gold.
Day 3: January 19, 2025
Today I met 87 year old Raïsa and her daughter. They’re so sweet! They recently fled the east of Ukraine and arrived at the LHI Women’s Shelter in Lviv. I’m so struck by their soft spoken nature. They are so lovely! They have endured so much trauma and they arrive here with heavy hearts. Raïsa survived the bombing of World War II, and never thought she would have to go through it again for a second time.
Staying in a humble shelter with wooden bunks is no one’s idea of a happy way to spend your later years. Raïsa and her daughter should be enjoying a peaceful life in their hometown, but this war continues to rage on. Our shelter is providing a lifeline for many women like Raïsa. I hope for peace in Ukraine so that all can return to their rightful homes. I stand by Ukraine in sharing these stories.
The above photo shows many other residents of the shelter with our wonderful partners who lovingly run this facility.
Day 4: January 20, 2025
I’m now back from Ukraine. The war rages on. Bombs are still dropping. People are still hungry and cold, in dire need of aid and evacuation. The oppression of war looms overhead, bringing destruction and threatening to rob people of peace and freedom.
Amidst all of this, many good hands are working to help those most severely affected by the trauma of this war. People are bringing medical supplies to the front lines, offering shelter to the displaced, providing psychological support to the emotionally scarred and so, so many other good things. The work being done by our teams on the ground is truly heroic. Meeting with them and seeing first hand the efforts they are engaged in is like standing among the greatest of humanitarian giants.