Bringing iPads to Ukrainian kids

When Russian troops invaded Ukraine, the world was shocked. As refugees streamed into neighbouring countries, concerned people everywhere have stepped up to help in any way they can. Ulyana Viktyuk, Creative Director on Property.ca’s marketing team, is one of those people. Born and raised in Lviv, Ukraine, she has made Toronto her home for 25 years, but her ties to friends and family in Ukraine remain strong. And like many of us, she has felt helpless and angry…and compelled to do something. 

So when an old friend from Ukraine asked if she could find a few used laptops or iPads to help young refugees go to school online, Ulyana said yes – and a grassroots humanitarian initiative was born. 

Listen to Ulyana’s interview on CBC

Ulyana’s friends Todor and Natalka are real estate agents in Toronto, and when the war started, they went to Bulgaria (where Todor is from) to help refugees. They quickly realized that helping displaced kids access learning was very important, not only for their futures, but to get a sense of stability in the midst of an incredibly stressful situation. 

Ukrainian teachers – many of whom are refugees themselves – continue to hold online classes for their students. But families often only have a single phone, and they need it to arrange a new life in a foreign country, keep in touch with loved ones back in Ukraine, and navigate paperwork. That doesn’t leave much time for online classes. That’s where the laptops and iPads come in. 

“Education is so important,” says Ulyana. “If kids have tablets and computers, they can continue their schooling in the Ukrainian curriculum. So I posted a request for used electronics in a few social media groups, contacted everyone I know…and the response was incredible.”  

In a matter of days, she had 120 iPads and 40 laptops. Her next challenge? Getting them into children’s hands in Bulgaria. Ulyana quickly realized that shipping would take months and cost a small fortune – so she flew them to Bulgaria herself. 

Using a list of kids who needed iPads, Ulyana and her friends handed out electronics to some very happy children, and donated some to a Sunday school for Ukrainian refugees in Varna. In addition to electronics, the small team is helping in other ways, too. The donations from their GoFundMe campaign buy food, medicine, baby items, etc. 

“It's the most rewarding thing I've ever done,” she says. “They were so happy, some of them were in tears. These kids have witnessed the horrors of the war, they’ve lost homes and loved ones, some are orphans, and some have witnessed so much violence and death that their young minds need to re-learn how to receive kindness and become whole again. This initiative has given them something positive to focus on, something that makes them feel like things are going in a better direction – that life isn’t over.”

Watch Ulyana's video from Bulgaria

Ulyana was particularly moved when she met a boy who is the same age as her son. Gregoriy, who has MS, fled Mykolaiv with his mother when the city was being bombed. 

“His mother asked us to give him a laptop – he can't use an iPad due to his disability,” she says. “He’s very passionate about computers. He had been saving money for two years – every birthday gift, every Christmas – to get equipment to build his own computer. And two months after he finally finished it, they had to leave. So we gave him a brand new laptop donated by a Property.ca agent…when he held it, his hands shook with emotion. Having a computer is so important to him – he can't go to the playground or socialize with other kids. Being online is his life.” 

A second trip to Bulgaria

After returning to Canada, Ulyana has continued to collect electronics and raise funds. At the beginning of May, she returned to Varna once more – this time with 180 iPads and laptops. 

“People have been generous,” she says. “They are sending used electronics, buying new ones, and donating money to our GoFundMe account, which has raised over $70,000 dollars. Property.ca agents have been particularly great. We have a lot of Ukrainian agents, but they aren't the only ones donating. A lot of people have stepped up – including agents with Russian background. Everyone just keeps asking ‘how can we help?’” 

Thank you, Ulyana 

A huge thanks to Ulyana for helping make children's lives – and their futures – a little brighter. You are an inspiration! And thanks to all the agents and staff, friends and family who donated electronics and funds: your generosity is a big help to Ukrainian kids. 

Want to support Ulyana’s mission of getting iPads and laptops to Ukrainian refugees? Contact her to find out more.