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WarTime Siblings' Staff
Get to know our staff a little better and check out their profiles below.
James Pawlak
Project Consultant at the Meng Foundation, USA
UA Mission Consultant at Dutch Civilian Action, NL
Independent expert for UA organizations
The family is the most important unit of society for every Ukrainian. It’s why today Ukrainians do not fight for the freedom of their country but for the safety of their households. I have been working in the Soviet Union since the republics turned away from Russia in 1992. I worked in many countries of conflict , like Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Ukraine. I wrote a book on the biggest terrorist attack in Russia on Beslan School in 2004, which was evident crime of Putin. Since Russia invaded Ukraine, I have been helping families flee the war, bringing humanitarian aid to the front line, delivering warm clothes and nutrition to internal refugees, and tracking stories of UA kids kidnapped by the Kremlin. Ben Meng invited me to develop a platform for bringing hope and better education to the children of Ukrainian heroes who laid down their lives not only for the freedom of their country but mainly for the safety of their families. The task is huge, and the stories are terrifying, but we agreed firmly at the MENG Foundation to lift these innocent lives one by one.
UA Mission Consultant at Dutch Civilian Action, NL
Independent expert for UA organizations
The family is the most important unit of society for every Ukrainian. It’s why today Ukrainians do not fight for the freedom of their country but for the safety of their households. I have been working in the Soviet Union since the republics turned away from Russia in 1992. I worked in many countries of conflict , like Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Ukraine. I wrote a book on the biggest terrorist attack in Russia on Beslan School in 2004, which was evident crime of Putin. Since Russia invaded Ukraine, I have been helping families flee the war, bringing humanitarian aid to the front line, delivering warm clothes and nutrition to internal refugees, and tracking stories of UA kids kidnapped by the Kremlin. Ben Meng invited me to develop a platform for bringing hope and better education to the children of Ukrainian heroes who laid down their lives not only for the freedom of their country but mainly for the safety of their families. The task is huge, and the stories are terrifying, but we agreed firmly at the MENG Foundation to lift these innocent lives one by one.
Yulia Nahal
Mother of two boys in Rivne, Ukraine
Families Coordinator at the MENG Foundation
I graduated from Rivne State University of the Humanities in 2012 with a degree in management and tourism. I believed that the world is a good place to live, and the differences make it even more interesting. I am the mother of two boys, Daniel 7 and Matthew 2. The war caught us in our hometown when my youngest son was just 1 month old. We did not leave Rivne, even during the hardest times. In the last 2 years, we have gone through the enormous challenges of war, with constant air raids, blackouts, fear, and tears. The biggest challenge is, of course, the loss of our loved ones. All of us are mourning the loss of members of our families due to the war. Many times I felt powerless for all the children who may never experience what it is like to feel protected and supported by the big arms of their father. The MENG Foundation gave me an opportunity to practically serve those children and their mothers. We care for their families, help with education, support therapies, and, most importantly, stand together with them. I still believe the world is a good place for all of us, and together with the MENG Foundation, we give hope for a better future to Ukrainian children.
Families Coordinator at the MENG Foundation
I graduated from Rivne State University of the Humanities in 2012 with a degree in management and tourism. I believed that the world is a good place to live, and the differences make it even more interesting. I am the mother of two boys, Daniel 7 and Matthew 2. The war caught us in our hometown when my youngest son was just 1 month old. We did not leave Rivne, even during the hardest times. In the last 2 years, we have gone through the enormous challenges of war, with constant air raids, blackouts, fear, and tears. The biggest challenge is, of course, the loss of our loved ones. All of us are mourning the loss of members of our families due to the war. Many times I felt powerless for all the children who may never experience what it is like to feel protected and supported by the big arms of their father. The MENG Foundation gave me an opportunity to practically serve those children and their mothers. We care for their families, help with education, support therapies, and, most importantly, stand together with them. I still believe the world is a good place for all of us, and together with the MENG Foundation, we give hope for a better future to Ukrainian children.
Karina Viieru
Families Coordinator at the MENG Foundation in Rivne, Ukraine
Since 2014, Russia has occupied my hometown in Eastern Ukraine. At that time, I was a student majoring in "Computer Science" with dreams of teaching in local schools and working with children. However, I had to flee my town and became a refugee in the western part of my country. Life took an unexpected turn, and instead of becoming a teacher, I graduated with a diploma in software engineering.
To rebuild my life, I entered the IT field, but my love for children led me down a different path. In 2022, Russia attacked our country once again, and I knew from experience that children suffer the most in armed conflicts. A child cannot protect itself, understand their emotions, or comprehend the loss of a parent. I firmly believe that every Ukrainian is obligated to care for families who have lost loved ones in this terrible war, especially aiding the children.
The Meng Foundation provides me with an incredible opportunity to serve many families, offer encouragement to children, and assist them with education for a better future. I am proud to be one of the coordinators in the town of Rivne, where hundreds of children have already lost their fathers in the ongoing conflict. I hope many of these children will fulfill their dreams despite the difficulties and danger they face every day. I am committed to assisting them on their developmental journey as it not only transforms their lives but also fulfills my childhood dream.
Since 2014, Russia has occupied my hometown in Eastern Ukraine. At that time, I was a student majoring in "Computer Science" with dreams of teaching in local schools and working with children. However, I had to flee my town and became a refugee in the western part of my country. Life took an unexpected turn, and instead of becoming a teacher, I graduated with a diploma in software engineering.
To rebuild my life, I entered the IT field, but my love for children led me down a different path. In 2022, Russia attacked our country once again, and I knew from experience that children suffer the most in armed conflicts. A child cannot protect itself, understand their emotions, or comprehend the loss of a parent. I firmly believe that every Ukrainian is obligated to care for families who have lost loved ones in this terrible war, especially aiding the children.
The Meng Foundation provides me with an incredible opportunity to serve many families, offer encouragement to children, and assist them with education for a better future. I am proud to be one of the coordinators in the town of Rivne, where hundreds of children have already lost their fathers in the ongoing conflict. I hope many of these children will fulfill their dreams despite the difficulties and danger they face every day. I am committed to assisting them on their developmental journey as it not only transforms their lives but also fulfills my childhood dream.
Valerii and Natalia
Founder of the WAY Volunteering Center in Rivno, Ukraine
Founded by the dedicated couple Valerii and Natalia, the "WAY" Volunteering Center in Rivno, Ukraine, has been providing support to widows of Ukrainian soldiers, volunteers and citizens who served their country since 2014.
Nobody knows how many soldiers died in Ukraine because it is a national security secret but there are tens of thousands of widows living in grief day by day. In April 2023, their efforts reached a significant milestone with the inauguration of a purpose-built facility designed to offer comprehensive help and therapy for the families of Ukrainian heroes who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of their country.
The center serves approximately 200 families daily, offering a range of services including group meetings, therapy sessions, individual assistance, hands-on activities, classes, and celebratory events. A designated coffee area provides complimentary tea, coffee, and cake, creating a space where women can come together, while additional services such as a hairdresser and massage room offer moments of relaxation and opportunities to speak with a therapist. Children, many of whom are half-orphans, participate in English classes, receive additional educational support, engage in recreational activities with their peers, and attend supportive psychological meetings.
Founded by the dedicated couple Valerii and Natalia, the "WAY" Volunteering Center in Rivno, Ukraine, has been providing support to widows of Ukrainian soldiers, volunteers and citizens who served their country since 2014.
Nobody knows how many soldiers died in Ukraine because it is a national security secret but there are tens of thousands of widows living in grief day by day. In April 2023, their efforts reached a significant milestone with the inauguration of a purpose-built facility designed to offer comprehensive help and therapy for the families of Ukrainian heroes who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of their country.
The center serves approximately 200 families daily, offering a range of services including group meetings, therapy sessions, individual assistance, hands-on activities, classes, and celebratory events. A designated coffee area provides complimentary tea, coffee, and cake, creating a space where women can come together, while additional services such as a hairdresser and massage room offer moments of relaxation and opportunities to speak with a therapist. Children, many of whom are half-orphans, participate in English classes, receive additional educational support, engage in recreational activities with their peers, and attend supportive psychological meetings.
Emotional Recovery Support
Help children with emotional recovery. Talking to children in war can help them feel safer and more secure. Teach them about the world outside their home. Guide them to re-establish a positive perspective of lives. Help them with reading and writing and maintain focus in school. Children can learn the skill of resilience - the ability to adapt well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or even significant sources of stress.
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