Without being able to count on the power of major newspapers or television channels, but thanks to the convinced and constant action carried out through all its means of communication - from bulletins to information sites, from newsletters to magazines, from radios to word of mouth... - the Salesian Family has already been able to raise millions of euros in charity, all duly tracked and allocated for charitable projects in favor of the Ukrainian population affected by the war.

"Frankly, we are in no hurry to finish immediately or at any rate soon all the money that has been collected," says Fr. George Menamparampil, SDB, Head of the Emergency Coordination efforts in Ukraine. "Currently, indeed, there is even the risk of an expansion of needs in the weeks to come. We must therefore manage our resources carefully so that we can continue to serve those who have found refuge with us as long as they need it."

And in response to the danger of donor "fatigue," the Coordination continues to share with others what the Salesian Family is doing, along with many other organizations and entities, religious and otherwise. For example, from the perspective of financial support, the Salesian Cooperators of the Western United States delivered a new cash donation directly to Salesian Headquarters. While on the spiritual side, there are countless works and communities that continue to pray for an end to hostilities: new evidence of this commitment comes from the Diocese of Miao, India, where Salesian Bishop Msgr. George Palliparampil, has organized the one million "Hail Mary" initiative by school and parish children; or from the shrine in Vranov, Czech Republic; or from the Association of Major Superiors of Women Religious in Korea, which has proposed to all Korean women religious a regular weekly prayer for Ukraine and Myanmar.

Also, on the front of daily commitment on the ground, where Salesians care for young refugees, some testimonies from Poland and the Czech Republic stand out. In Warsaw, the Ukrainian children received in the Salesian summer camp were taken on a visit to the historical part of the city, which gave them a lot of hope: in fact, the Polish capital during World War II also had to suffer a lot. But the sight of today's reality, full of beauty and serenity, boded well for the future of their homeland, to which many of these minors will return once the war is over.

Meanwhile, through each encounter with refugee minors, Salesians and volunteers discover the complexity of the human soul in the face of pain. One example is young Dniesk, originally from Kyiv, now a guest of the Salesians in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic. The escape and relocation, for him, were "no big deal," he says. Just a change of residence for a short time. Classes, studies, friends, games-just like anywhere else. "No big deal!" And despite having virtually his entire family left in Ukraine fighting in the armed forces - with his father and an uncle already wounded in the battles - he is the one who encourages others, assuring, "Don't worry, everyone will be fine."

"We need to stop, look back, reflect, and be thankful. With God's Grace and the hard work of many of you, we have accomplished wonderful things for the children of our recipients and their mothers," Fr. Menamparampil concludes.

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