Life changed for millions of people on February 24 when Russia attacked Ukraine. As droves of scared, hurting people fled into the neighboring nation of Moldova, Roads of Hope was there to help. Because of the many years we have worked tirelessly in Eastern Europe as a result of your generosity, and because of the hundreds of relationships that we had already built, Roads of Hope has been in a unique position to help thousands of hurting people. Below are just a few highlights of how we have been able to help in the first days of war.
February 24
Russia Attacks Ukraine
Russian missiles fire into Kiev, Ukraine. Roads of Hope children’s homes in Moldova can hear explosions.
February 24
Prepare Orphans to Flee
Roads of Hope immediately begins the work to secure the safety of 325 children living in 47 children’s homes in Moldova, purchases vans and sends aid to prepare to flee if necessary.
February 26
Feed and Transport Fleeing Refugees
Roads of Hope begins to transport and feed hundreds of refugees entering into Moldova.
February 26
Open Refugee Centers
Within 72 hours, Roads of Hope provides $20,000 cash assistance to our church partners to buy bed linens, food, water, toiletries, and other emergency needs for the largest refugee center in Moldova.
March 1
Rescue Refugees Out of Ukraine
RoH volunteer J.D. Drinkard helps navigate 100+ orphans through a war zone on a wild midnight train ride to Poland.
RoH has assisted more than 250 Ukrainians out of dangerous war zones and into safe places.
March 2
Intercept Human Traffickers
Sex traffickers approach orphans and young women at various border crossings. RoH prevents the trafficking of the 100+ orphans rescued from Ukraine.
Our wisdom and experience in counteracting human traffickers since 2014 have been invaluable in keeping people safe.
March 5
House Ukrainian Orphans
As millions flee, Roads of Hope begins to house and care for fleeing orphan groups and mothers with babies in our children’s homes. These homes are a tremendous asset considering our house parents are already trained and vetted.
Roads of Hope and our church partners quickly become the largest orphan care program in Europe.
March 8
Raise Awareness and Funds
Knowing more and more funds will be needed to support the increasing refugee work, Joe Savage travels thousands of miles raising support and speaking in Alabama, Georgia, Ohio, South Carolina, and North Carolina. The refugee work of Roads of Hope is featured in news outlets from California to Ohio to New York with lots of coverage from our media friends in Mobile, Alabama.
March 12
Launch the Lime-Aid Express
A church in East Ukraine begins delivering life essentials to the most vulnerable people in the worst war zones. Roads of Hope purchases a lime-green van along with food and supplies for them. The van is known as the “Lime-Aid Express” and is saving the lives of those who are not physically able to escape out of the war-torn areas. On Sundays, the “Lime-Aid Express” picks up widows to take them to church.
April 18
Travel to Eastern Europe
Joe Savage travels to Eastern Europe to meet with leadership, assist the refugees, visit our children’s homes, and extract the young women living at Emmanuel House into Romania after military intel suggests they flee immediately.
May 14
Raise Awareness and Funds
Volunteers help create awareness and raise vitally-needed financial support. From church yard sales to fundraising events at local restaurants, generous people continue to help and give.
As the war continues, volunteers continue to create awareness and raise vitally-needed financial support. From church yard sales to fundraising events at local restaurants, generous people continue to help and give.
Joe, your love for these Widow’s and children is the epitome of what the Bible says to do, and you are truly loving like Jesus. You put your own life in danger, and my admiration for you is out of this world. If your wife is here in Fairhope, I would love to talk to her. Her sacrifice of “you” during this time is equally admirable. God bless you both. Hope to see you at FBC Fairhope soon. My prayers always, Diana B.