Delivering Technology and Hope: Joe Sullivan Returns from Sixth Humanitarian Trip to Ukraine

Last week, Ukraine Friends CEO Joe Sullivan returned from his sixth humanitarian trip to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion. The visit focused on distributing one of our largest technology donations to date: more than 1,000 laptops and 300 tablets donated by TD Bank to help children and families affected by the war stay connected to education, communication, and opportunity.

Throughout his time in Ukraine, Joe met with families, children, schools, and trusted on-the-ground partners who are helping ensure these devices reach the communities where they can make the greatest impact.

Delivering Technology Where It Is Needed Most

The trip began with an important first distribution: Joe and Ukraine Friends co-founder Teddy Raskindelivered 101 laptops to Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Rabbi Moshe Reuven Azman. These devices will be distributed to families of fallen defenders and communities living closest to the frontlines, where access to technology can make an immediate difference.

The visit was a powerful reminder of what partnership makes possible: support from the United States, dedicated volunteers, humanitarian leaders, and Ukrainian communities working together to meet urgent needs with practical help.

Supporting Families of Fallen Defenders

Joe Sullivan at the laptop distribution event with the charitable foundation Mriya

Together with our key on-the-ground partners, Forces of Recovery Ukraine and the Ukraine Protection and Development Fund, Joe joined a distribution event with the National Guard of Ukraine 3041 and families of fallen defenders from the unit. Later that day, Ukraine Friends partnered with the Charity Foundation Mriya to deliver 100 laptops and 40 tablets to children of fallen defenders, an effort that received coverage in Ukrainian media.

Every gathering was deeply emotional. Many of the families Joe met are carrying fresh grief, displacement, and uncertainty, especially children who have lost a parent in defense of Ukraine. Yet again and again, they expressed resilience, dignity, and gratitude for the support they continue to receive from Ukraine Friends, our donors, and our partners.

Laptop distribution event with the National Guard of Ukraine 3041

Witnessing Grief, Resilience, and Gratitude

Joe also visited three schools near Kyiv with representatives of the Rotary Club Kyiv, delivering 10 laptops to each school. At one school, he saw damage from a rocket strike and visited the basement shelter where children continue classes during air alerts. At another, an incoming threat forced the laptop presentation to take place inside the bomb shelter while hundreds of students continued learning around them. Joe was deeply moved by how prepared the schools have become, and by the calm determination of teachers and students who have adapted to the daily reality of war without allowing it to stop education.

After seeing this resilience firsthand, Joe reflected that Russia has no chance of defeating a country whose people have adapted with such courage and have no thought of giving up.

While in Ukraine, Joe also met with Children of Heroes and their new CEO, Anna Yermolaieva. That same week, we provided Children of Heroes with a new shipment of 20 MacBooks donated through Revivn, another example of how technology can directly support children who have already sacrificed so much.

A laptop or tablet may seem simple, but for a child living through war, loss, or displacement, it can mean access to school, connection with teachers and classmates, communication with loved ones, and a path toward stability. This trip showed the heart of the Ukraine Friends mission: delivering practical, targeted support through trusted partnerships to families who need it most.

We are grateful to every donor, volunteer, and partner who makes this work possible — and we invite you to continue supporting our mission so we can reach even more children and families across Ukraine.