Social Impact Series: CARE
This post is part of SproutHR’s Social Impact Series, highlighting the organizations we support through our charitable giving program, Grow + Give. Every quarter we donate a portion of our total sales to an organization that is doing important work around issues that matter to us.
If you’re like us, you’ve been heartbroken watching the conflict unfold in Ukraine over the past couple of months – and equally in awe of the strength and bravery of the people who call this beautiful country home.
I immediately felt a desire to help and that’s when I knew that this quarter’s Grow + Give donation would be directed toward helping the people of Ukraine.
It’s easy to watch the news and think about nothing but the destruction and devastation that’s happening in Ukraine right now. And yet, what I’ve witnessed by the people of Ukraine is how they have stood with great strength, fought bravely, focused on hope, and honored their beloved country every step of the way. So I wanted this post to be a reflection of that and a way to honor Ukraine and her great people.
Ukraine
One of the things Ukraine is most recognized for is its amazing architecture. Golden domes fill the skyline of Kyiv, adding wonder and awe to its rich history.
Golden domes of Kyiv | Photo by GetByBus
Ukraine also has a vast thousand-year history and is a crossroads where various cultures converge. So, it’s no wonder this country is home to an impressive seven UNESCO world heritage sites.
Finally, while many of us now know that the sunflower is the national flower of Ukraine, they’ve been growing this flower in the country since the mid-1700s. Sunflower oil rose to popularity in the country because the Orthodox Church didn’t restrict its use during Lent. And now, Ukraine is one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of both sunflower oil and sunflower seeds.
Sunflower in field | Photo by KZoltan via Pexels
I know this doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of this magnificent country, with its vast beauty, rich culture, and long history. But I hope it does help us remember what the people of Ukraine are fighting for, so that it doesn’t become “just another news story.”
CARE
After careful research, we chose to support CARE with our Quarter 1 donation. This organization has led the way to a better life for the world’s most vulnerable people for 75 years. In 2020, CARE worked in over 100 countries, reaching more than 90 million people through 1,300 projects. (source: care.org)
What we love about CARE’s mission is their emphasis on supporting women and girls. In a statement on their about page, they state: “[W]e cannot overcome poverty until all people have equal rights and opportunities.” They further state on their Instagram page that:
“CARE works to save lives, defeat poverty, and achieve social justice by putting women and girls in the center.”
This is a mission we wholeheartedly believe in and we’re proud to support the important work that this wonderful organization is doing in Ukraine and around the world.
In an Instagram post shared this week, CARE wrote:
“As with all conflicts, the crisis in Ukraine is disproportionately impacting women and girls, both within the country and those fleeing across the border, including exploitation, abuse, and hunger.”
You can read the entire post here: 5 Ways Women and Girls Are Being Impacted by the Ukraine Conflict.
If you’d like to join us in supporting CARE’s efforts in the Ukraine Crisis, you can donate here.
Donations made to this special fund go directly toward helping 4 million Ukrainian people receive immediate aid and recovery, food, water, hygiene kits, psychological support, and cash assistance, with priority given to women and girls, families, and the elderly.
Learn more about CARE below:
Website: www.care.org