Supporting Ukrainian Refugees: Stories of Hope, Resilience, and Rebuilding
As part of Cogitania’s ongoing efforts to support Ukrainian refugees, Joanna Cutts, Cogitania’s founder has been privileged to work alongside various individuals and organizations dedicated to providing hope and opportunity during these challenging times.
“The following stories highlight some of the impactful initiatives, personal connections, and transformative journeys that have shaped my commitment to the Ukrainian people. These accounts offer a glimpse into the lives of those I’ve encountered and the ways in which we’ve worked together to heal, rebuild, and inspire resilience amidst the war.”
My dedication to supporting Ukrainians in their fight against Russian aggression is deeply rooted in my family's history of resilience and suffering, inspiring me to advocate for justice and offer aid in their time of need.
Cogitania collaborated with Oksana Kolesnyk and KIK to support Ukrainian refugees by leading teacher workshops at SzkoUA, mentoring 11th graders through philosophical studies, and personally seeking out families and children in need to provide individualized support.
Nine-year-old Marharyta, evacuated from Ukraine while her parents fought in the war, found solace and peaceful sleep for the first time since her displacement when I used discretionary funds from American friends to gift her a keyboard, replacing the piano she had dearly missed.
While supporting Ukrainian refugees, Cogitania connected with KIK, a Warsaw-based foundation aiding Ukrainians since 2014, and helped fund their initiatives, including SzkoUA, a school for 270 displaced children, and later led a transformative seven-week "Summer in the City" workshop, using the theme "Our Planet" to inspire resilience and hope among war-affected you
An email from a friend in Berlin revealed the story of 22-year-old Eliza, a Ukrainian law graduate whose life was upended by war, leading her to flee Kharkiv and, with the help of strangers and a GoFundMe campaign, ultimately fulfill her dream of studying International Law at Leiden University in the Netherlands.
The Veselovsky family, refugees from Ukraine, found solace and support in my home during their difficult journey in Poland, where I helped them adjust to their new life by providing emotional and practical assistance, including medical support for Stepan's hearing, tutoring for Sofia, and guidance through various challenges, eventually becoming an integral part of our family’s life.
Cogitania began working with Ukrainian children in Warsaw, supported a family's healing journey, and is now focused on creating leadership and integration programs to help Ukrainian youth heal, hope, and rebuild their country after the war.