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Kids Giving Hope to the World is an idea that started while visiting Ukraine in Sept. 2022.
It involved an 8 year old boy from Pakistan; some wounded Ukrainian soldiers, and the massive flooding which had just occurred in Pakistan.
After seeing the Newsweek cover of 7-15-22. I knew in my heart I had to go to Ukraine on this trip.
In seeing the overwhelming love and compassion from all the drawings, I realized that these children's drawings and posters not only could encourage and uplift Ukrainian children;
but basically anybody that is being affected by war, terrorism, or natural disasters.
This could give kids an opportunity to reach out to others around the world that are suffering. |  | Before visiting a school in Pakistan, the teacher told her students to make drawings for Ukrainian kids, and that "an American lady would be coming in a couple days to collect the drawings and bring them to Ukraine."
One of her students, an 8 year old boy, said, "Aren't the Ukrainian kids hungry? Shouldn't we be sending them food?" The teacher answered, "I don't think there's enough room in her suitcase to bring food over there to Ukraine. That's why we're doing drawings instead."
|  | The day I came to their school, the little boy gave me two drawings he'd made - both taped with candy bars he'd bought.
He told me to "Give these to Ukrainian kids who are hungry."
I brought the drawings to Ukraine.
When we arrived at the school, my guide told me that the Ukrainian kids aren't hungry, and I got the impression he didn't think this would be a good idea to give these drawings here in front of the class.
So, the next day I asked if we could visit a Ukrainian Military Hospital. We were not allowed inside; but the volunteers were constantly in/out from there.
|  | I spoke with the volunteers and told them the story of this little boys drawings with the candy bars "for hungry Ukrainian kids". But maybe this would mean more, to some wounded Ukrainian soldiers instead.
The volunteers had tears in their eyes as they realized what this little Pakistani boy had done, and what a beautiful act of love that was.
The volunteers not only said it was a good idea; but it was good timing too as the previous day there had been several newly wounded soldiers brought in.
I asked them if they could pick two soldiers that looked especially sad - really needing a hug - and at the very least, a smile - and to give these two drawings to them.
They said they would.
We also gave them more drawings and even posters drawn by the Pakistani kids, that will be placed on display for the other soldiers to see inside the hospital.
Hopefully this will bring some smiles to some wounded soldiers hearts.
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