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14 WWW.UNWLA.ORG “НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, БЕРЕЗЕНЬ 2016 Catholic University (UCU) with its future director, the conversation turned to the hidden struggle of soldiers returning from the front with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). This is the un- seen effect of the ongoing war. On the positive side, it was clear that UCU is currently assessing ways and means to heal the physically and spirit- ually wounded. The UNWLA is already gratified to be a partner in one collaborative program with UCU (the Women’s Studies Lectureship), and we plan to research potential future cooperative pro- jects. While participating in the annual National Board meeting of Soyuz Ukrainok Ukrainy, we noted that the focus of this organization reflects the mood and focus of the entire country—that is, a commitment to provide aid to the military and to the victims of the war in ATO. Alt- hough the situation Ukrainians are now coping with is extremely precari- ous and uncertain, it has brought the women of this organization closer to- gether and has simultaneously brought the UNWLA closer to Soyuz Ukrainok Ukrainy. While the hryvnia to American dollar exchange rate has plummeted (approximately 26 hryvni to $1 US), making the average Ukrainian pen- sioner feel the pinch (see article in February on the “Babusi” initiative), we could not help notice that a new shopping mall on the outskirts of Lviv (Sokilnyky) was teeming with shop- pers. It is difficult to understand or explain this anomaly. While discussing the new in- flux of refugees from eastern Ukraine, we heard two distinct viewpoints: Some believe that the arrival of the refugees has caused confusion, diluted the strong patriotism previously felt in the western part of the country, even increased the crime rate; the other, more positive, view is that the refu- gees should be warmly welcomed and allowed to learn the meaning of com- munity, the healthy side of patriotism. While the Ukrainian govern- ment claims to be making headway with reforming the justice and busi- ness systems, the International Mone- tary Fund has very recently threatened to withhold support if reforms against corruption are not vigorously implemented. There is no positive slant to this problem. The underlying theme here is that we all felt a change in the people we encountered during this trip. Since my last visit two years ago, the av- erage Ukrainian has lived through high hope and deep despair in the pursuit of a democratic and prosperous Ukraine. These life experiences have made Ukrainian men and women stoic in the face of uncertainty; the future remains a question. What has not changed is that this average Ukrain- ian needs our support, both spiritual and materi- al. And we must and do remain committed to this!
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