In Indiana, high school senior Krish Gajaria recently contacted CWS Indianapolis Office Director Terri Morris Downs about donating books to the unaccompanied children in our care through a nonprofit he founded, Pages for Progress, whose mission is to increase book accessibility for refugee children within underserved communities. Krish donated more than 200 books to unaccompanied to help them learn English …
Stories of Impact: Trump Refugee Ban and Funding Halt
September 11, 2025
The Trump administration’s indefinite refugee ban and funding halt have had a devastating impact on the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, communities welcoming refugees across the country and tens of thousands of vulnerable refugee families stranded overseas and who have recently arrived in the United States. Below are some of the refugees and communities who have been impacted by recent Executive …
Situation Report: Afghanistan Earthquake
September 4, 2025
Situation: Between August 31-September 4, 2025, a series of earthquakes and aftershocks struck four provinces in Afghanistan. On Sunday, August 31, a powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake hit Afghanistan’s eastern Kunar Province near the Pakistan border. Despite being moderate in magnitude, the earthquake caused extensive destruction. In total, the quakes have claimed over 2,200 lives, injured more than 3,000 and damaged over …
Legal Team for Stranded Refugees Urge Court to Resume Resettlement as Thousands Remain in Limbo
September 3, 2025
Advocates held press conference following Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals oral arguments in class action lawsuit challenging refugee ban (Pasadena, CA)—A panel of three judges from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments Wednesday that the court should swiftly restore injunctions put in place by a district court in Seattle to process and admit certain refugees who were …
Launch of Ecumenical Statement on Hunger Justice is Unifying Commitment by Congregations, Leading National Faith Groups, and People of Faith
September 2, 2025
New initiative will strengthen social safety nets through practicing the teachings of Jesus Christ—through education, local and national advocacy, and volunteering Washington, D.C.—Today, in a bold move to protect and strengthen social safety nets by joining faith with action, Church World Service (CWS) issued the 2025 Ecumenical Statement on Hunger Justice. The Statement, which is a clarion call for people …
New DHS Rule Could Leave Survivors behind in the Wake of Disaster
August 29, 2025
Rule would prevent disaster response organizations from serving some survivors at the expense of all Washington, D.C.—Church World Service today denounced a new rule from the Department of Homeland Security that would harm survivors of disaster. Released just ahead of hurricane season, the rule would prevent disaster response organizations from accessing Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds if they are …
The Rise of Global Hunger: From Scarcity to Solutions
The world is currently experiencing a food crisis of unprecedented proportions. Conflict, climate extremes and poverty are among the primary drivers that have caused up to 319 million people across 67 countries to face chronic hunger. What causes global hunger? The world produces enough food to feed everyone on the planet. The issue isn’t supply—many of our global neighbors are …
Growing Hope in Timor-Leste: Santina’s Journey to a Healthier, Stronger Future
August 19, 2025
The below testimonial is written by Santina, a participant of the Growing Hope Project*, supported by CWS. Improving Food Security and Income My name is Santina*, and I live in Lisadila village [in Timor-Leste] with my husband and our four children. We have always relied on farming and raising livestock to support ourselves. However, with an income of about $50 …
Stories of Change
Top and Bottom: Ekaterina receives services and support through CWS local partner Culture of Democracy
Through War and Time: The Enduring Spirits of Ekaterina and Sofia
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, CWS has expanded its support to reach some of the country’s most vulnerable populations. Through the Caring Hearts project, we’re partnering with local organizations to provide essential aid and emotional support to older adults living in remote villages of Odesa Oblast.
In the quiet corners of Ukraine’s Odesa Oblast region live two extraordinary women—Ekaterina Borisovna Zheltova and Sofia Fedorovna Kiseolar—each over 100 years old, and each a living testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Both have endured famine, war, occupation and loss, yet continue to face life with strength and dignity.
A Century of Strength: Ekaterina’s Story
When she was only eight years old, Ekaterina survived the Holodomor, a man-made famine engineered by the Soviet government of Joseph Stalin, during 1932-1933. Unfortunately, she faced more hard years ahead when she was only 18 years old and the start of World War II broke out. Ekaterina was forced to grow up too quickly, helping her parents from an early age survive.
After World War II ended, Ekaterina married, living with her husband in Germany for several years. They eventually moved to Ukraine before finally ending up in Balta, a city in Odesa Oblast, and her family began to integrate into their new home as her husband joined the military reserve and she found work in a garment factory. Soon after, the young couple welcomed a son and daughter to the family.
“Now I dream that the war will end,” Ekaterina shared with us. From her small pension, she supports the Ukrainian military, contributing funds that go towards food supplies for those serving in the war.
Sofia’s Legacy of Endurance
Sofia, who turned 100 years old this year, is a living history. When she was only 15 years old, World War II began. Having lived through Nazi occupation and Soviet power, Sofia understands war and famine all too well. Now, she is forced to live through a new war.
Despite the many challenges she’s faced, Sofia always remained strong. She raised three sons, the youngest of whom, 70-year-old Anatoly, today takes care of his mother. Sofia worked in a hospital for many years and, after retirement, worked as a cook for another two decades.
Today, Sofia warmly received our team and admitted that she has been a little weak lately. But she does not complain about life—she only remembers what he experienced with the wisdom of a person who has seen a whole century of history.
Through the Caring Hearts project, women like Ekaterina and Sofia are receiving more than just material support—they are receiving the dignity of being seen, heard and cared for. The project provides food, hygiene supplies, medical assistance and psychosocial support to older adults in some of the most remote and underserved areas of Odesa Oblast.
These women—and many others like them—serve as living reminders of resilience in the face of hardship. Their stories inspire hope and underscore the importance of standing with those who have already sacrificed so much.
The “Caring Hearts” project is implemented by our local partner in Ukraine, Culture of Democracy, with support from Church World Service and technical assistance from the Regional Development Agency of the Odesa Region and Kuyalnytskyi Village Amalgamated Territorial Community. We are also grateful for our valued partners, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Church of the Brethren, for their support of this work. To learn more about our Ukraine response, click here.
Stories of Change
Irina shops for groceries with support from the food vouchers she received through Diaconia
Warmth, Comfort and Hope: How Winterization Support Helped Irina’s Family Through Uncertainty
When war forced Irina to flee Ukraine with her two grandchildren, she became their sole caregiver in a new country, carrying the weight of both survival and hope. Thanks to the CWS winterization project, Irina’s family found comfort, support and a reason to believe in brighter days ahead.
A Grandmother’s Brave Decision
Before war broke out in Ukraine, 58-year-old Irina enjoyed a simple but peaceful life. She worked in a small local clothing boutique and enjoyed living with her son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren, who filled her life with warm laughter and happy memories. Then, in an instant, everything changed.
After two months of bombings, fear gripped the family. Their home in Odesa no longer felt safe, and the constant uncertainty began taking a physical and emotional toll on Irina’s two grandchildren, who began having panic attacks and could no longer sleep through the night.
Irina realized she had an impossible choice to make. Heartbroken, she took her grandchildren and left for the neighboring country of Moldova, leaving behind her son and daughter-in-law who needed to stay behind for work.
Since they arrived in Moldova, Irina has been playing multiple roles as both grandparent and parent. She found an apartment to rent in Balti, and the children have started school and begun to settle into their new community. But life away from home is not easy.
Rent and medical treatments for her grandson, who lives with a disability, are expensive. Irina hopes to find work, but as the sole full-time caregiver, finding employment is difficult, and without a stable source of income, it can be difficult to make ends meet.
Winter Support and Hope for Tomorrow
The CWS winterization project, in partnership with local organization Diaconia, provided a lifeline for Irina, who received food vouchers and critical hygiene supplies. With this support, she was also able to save some extra money to afford her grandson’s medications.
“Thanks to the food we bought in December, we enjoyed the holidays to the fullest and had a diversified meal on New Year’s Eve and Christmas,” Irina shared. Though the family is now financially stable, homesickness still weighs on them every day. “We are comfortable in Moldova, but we pray that we can return home as soon as possible, without fear.”
Until the day Irina and her grandchildren can return home and reunite with the rest of their family in safety, they continue to push forward and remain hopeful for all that the future holds.
This story is possible thanks to CWS’s membership in ACT Alliance, a global coalition of churches and agencies engaged in development, humanitarian assistance and advocacy. It is also supported by the generosity of UMCOR. You can learn more and support CWS’ work with Ukrainian refugees in Moldova here.