Ukraine Friends CEO Joe Sullivan Visits Ukraine on a Humanitarian Mission Ahead of the Third Anniversary of the Full-Scale Invasion

This month, just ahead of the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Joe Sullivan, CEO of Ukraine Friends, traveled to Kyiv on a humanitarian mission to deliver laptops to children affected by the war—many of whom have lost one or both parents and are struggling with remote learning.

Getting from the West Coast to Ukraine required a long two-day journey each way, involving multiple flights, trains, and car rides. During his stay in Kyiv, Joe experienced the reality of war firsthand, hearing the sounds of drone attacks every night. He was fortunate to leave the city the morning before a massive missile strike. Despite the ongoing threats, he was deeply moved to see Kyiv full of life, resilience, and optimism.

The main goal of the trip was to distribute laptops to children in need and meet with local organizations working on the ground. Over three days, Joe engaged with community leaders to better understand the evolving challenges and explore ways Ukraine Friends can expand its impact.

Bringing Laptops to Schools in War-Affected Areas

On the first day, Joe visited a school in Makariv, a town in Kyiv region, together with members of Rotary Club Kyiv-City. There, he personally delivered laptops to students and teachers. Even though Makariv is not far from Kyiv, its schools suffered severe damage during the early days of the invasion, forcing hundreds of students into remote learning. While reconstruction is underway, many children cannot afford personal devices, making these donated laptops essential for their education. The students and teachers expressed deep gratitude for the support.

Joe Sullivan delivering laptops to the children and teachers of a school in Makariv, Kyiv region, that was damaged by Russia.

Supporting Children and Families Affected by War

Limited access to education is just one of the many hardships Ukrainian children face due to the war. Many have lost parents, been forced to flee their homes, or endured occupation, captivity, or even deportation to Russia. During his visit, Joe met with Oksana Lebedeva, Founder & CEO of GenUkrainian, an organization dedicated to helping war-affected children heal from trauma. Since children who have survived such extreme experiences are at risk of social isolation, GenUkrainian carefully regulates their use of technology to ensure it supports, rather than hinders, their recovery.

Joe also met with ONI Group, an organization supporting widows of fallen Ukrainian soldiers. Many of these women are young and now find themselves rebuilding their lives by themselves or while caring for children. Ukraine Friends provided them with laptops to help them pursue education and job opportunities, empowering them to regain stability and independence.

Joe Sullivan delivering laptops to widows who lost their husbands in the war

Another organization Joe had the opportunity to meet with was Children of Heroes, a foundation dedicated to supporting children who have lost one or both parents due to Russia’s war against Ukraine. Tetiana Novytska, the organization’s CEO, welcomed Joe to their office and provided insight into their mission and operations. She shared how the foundation helps war-affected children by providing mental health support, essential supplies, and access to education, ensuring they have the resources to rebuild their futures despite unimaginable loss.

Advancing the Mission of Ukraine Friends

Ukraine Friends remains committed to providing children and families affected by the war with the resources they need to continue their education and rebuild their lives. This visit reinforced both the resilience of Ukrainians and the urgent need for continued support.

As we mark another year of Ukraine’s fight for freedom, Ukraine Friends will continue expanding its efforts to ensure more children have the tools they need to learn, connect, and build a brighter future. With an increasing number of companies in the U.S. and Europe joining our mission to donate laptops to children affected by the war, we encourage everyone to take part—whether by donating funds to support logistics or by helping their companies partner with us to collect and contribute more devices.