KUALA LUMPUR – When 20-year-old Malaysian student Duane Muruga Raj Junior does his volunteer rounds at the refugee centre in Warsaw, his heart bleeds every time.
He has been an active member of Team Ukraine Love in Warsaw, Poland, where he is studying medicine, since the eastern European nation set up a refugee centre at its central station for Ukrainians displaced by the invasion by Russia.
“The refugee centre here in Warsaw Central Station is still very much crowded and packed with displaced Ukrainians. The saddest part about the whole thing is the children, because they have no idea what is going on,” Duane told The Vibes.
“Whenever we hand out food to the children especially, the joy on their faces is heartbreaking.”
Duane’s group, a collaboration between digital media brand Yes Theory and Canadian non-governmental organisation Adventures 4 Change, has so far raised €650,000 (RM2.9 million) in aid and are planning to organise an online rally today to show solidarity with and raise more funds for Ukraine.
Some big names have weighed in to support the rally, including British pop legend Elton John, talk show mogul Ellen DeGeneres and American pop rock outfit One Republic.
The rally will culminate with a pledging event featuring European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau the next day in Warsaw.
Those interested in donating to Team Ukraine Love can do so here, while those who wish to take the pledge as well can find out more here. – The Vibes, April 8, 2022
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