The war in Ukraine has affected a family in our small town.

The Schulzhenkos are longtime Pelham residents with family members who have been living in the midst of the conflict. Sophia Shulzhenko, a Pelham Memorial High School graduate and a Tulane University freshman, talked to the Pelham Examiner about how members of her extended family are helping others in need—some while staying in Ukraine.

“My dad is the only person in his family who has left Ukraine, like, ever, and all of my family lives in the capital or suburbs of the capital,” she said. When the war began, Schulzhenko said her relatives evacuated to the city of Lviv.

Family members encouraged Schulzhenko’s grandmother to leave the war-ravaged country, but she insisted on staying to help others in need. Most of those still there were able to get to western Ukraine, but they were separated from one another and don’t have the means to leave Ukraine. According to Shulzhenko, the lack of cars has left one cousin stuck in Russian-occupied territory.

Members of the family in Ukraine are supporting the cause by helping distribute supplies and doing whatever is needed for those also in the country.

When asked how Pelhamites can assist, Schulzhenko expressed feelings of helplessness. 

“One of the things my family and I have been dealing with is feeling, like, so completely useless,” she said. “I feel like right now the only thing you can do is raise money.” She said “trying to get our government to take more action about the problem” is another way people can get involved. 

Schulzhenko tries to speak with her grandmother every week and has remained in contact with her other relatives in the country.