Urgent appeal on behalf of our Ukrainian partners League of Tolerance
#SameTeam
March 1, 2022
Following Russia's attack on Ukraine, our partners at the League of Tolerance (LOFT) can use your help. For the last decade, civil unrest, political controversies and an armed insurgency have tested Ukraine, but the organization has been using sport to unite through diversity with a special focus on youth.
We have been in contact with Founder, Oleksandr Fomichov (Sasha), who is asking for support to help families, especially those with children with disabilities, to relocate to safety. He and his team are working nearly 24 hours a day to help where they can with limited resources.
Right now, LOFT is supporting families with transportation, hot meals, diapers, medicine, warm clothes and physical support during border crossings and to enter special trains from Lviv to Przemysl in Poland. “These are difficult times for everybody, but your support can save lives and give hope for those who are suffering the most. War is merciless, but it is also the time when people help each other and do not stand aside. It is in our power to help people with disabilities and their families - and empower them to take life-changing steps towards safety.”
Russia's invasion has caused immense suffering, and we are rallying the Beyond Sport family to help. As Sasha shared, "Many thanks for any possible support, even moral support is very needed now." So far, LOFT has helped 93 families (350+ people) get to the West of Ukraine to a safer environment and have helped numerous families resettle outside the country. They are on a mission to reach 100 families.
Please consider making a donation to support their efforts here.
Based in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine, LOFT's main goal is to unite through diversity. They use the playground as a platform to promote Human Rights education through sport in inclusive and accessible ways. In 2020, they were shortlisted for a Beyond Sport Global Award for their cutting-edge model that creates respectful intercultural dialogue within communities and outlines practical steps to build “a capacity for tolerance.” Watch our interview with Sasha to learn more about the incredible work they were doing pre-conflict. Thank you!
