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Meet Ivanka, a Canadian-Ukrainian painting flowers over bullet holes

Meet Ivanka, a Canadian-Ukrainian painting flowers over bullet holes

In the wake of the outbreak of hostilities in Eastern Ukraine, many buildings in the region were left pockmarked with bullet holes. For Ivanka, a Canadian-based Ukrainian woman, this was a painful reminder of the violence that had torn her homeland apart. So she decided to take action. Using a paintbrush and some bright acrylic paint, Ivanka began covering up the bullet holes with colorful flowers. It was a simple act, but it sent a powerful message of hope and resilience. By transforming something that was once a symbol of destruction into something beautiful, Ivanka is helping to bring some measure of healing to her war-torn homeland.

The project began a few weeks ago. I only painted 5 fences, but my hope is that the people of Bucha and other formerly occupied cities in Ukraine will continue this project further.

Someone commented on one of the posts “the paintings aren’t even good.” Believe me, I’m aware. But the point of this wasn’t to create masterpieces – it was to bring joy back into a city filled with darkness after the Russian occupation. It was a fun project, but a tricky one, as I had limited supplies (you know, due to war and all). I only had 5 small colours/jars of paint and 2 brushes – one of which broke half way through. The warm weather and direct sunlight made the fences incredibly hot, which made them difficult to paint; and the groves were a challenge all on their own.

I invited another volunteer to paint with me, but on day one, after seeing the conditions, she said “I can’t work like this! I don’t want my name attached to such poor quality” and left me to do the project alone. No problemo!

None of this is a complaint. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I’m merely explaining what went on behind the scenes, and why these paintings aren’t masterpieces. I did the best I could with what I had, but most importantly I achieved my goal making Bucha’s citizens smile. The kind words and hugs I received each day from passers-by are ones I will carry with me until the day I die.

Creative ways to celebrate World Bee Day

Creative ways to celebrate World Bee Day

Bees and other pollinators, such as butterflies, bats and hummingbirds, are increasingly under threat from human activities. Pollination is, however, a fundamental process for the survival of our ecosystems. Nearly 90% of the world’s wild flowering plant species depend, entirely, or at least in part, on animal pollination, along with more than 75% of the world’s food crops and 35% of global agricultural land. Not only do pollinators contribute directly to food security, but they are key to conserving biodiversity.

To raise awareness of the importance of pollinators, the threats they face and their contribution to sustainable development, the UN designated 20 May as World Bee Day. The goal is to strengthen measures aimed at protecting bees and other pollinators, which would significantly contribute to solving problems related to the global food supply and eliminate hunger in developing countries. We all depend on pollinators and it is, therefore, crucial to monitor their decline and halt the loss of biodiversity.

To help you learn more about bees, think critically about bees and biodiversity, and catalyse change, here are 3 creative ways you could celebrate bees this World Bee Day (or any day).

Create a ‘pot of joy’ for your neighbourhood or garden

Pots of Joy is a craftivism project that you can complete over several weeks. Just like social change doesn’t happen overnight, neither will this project. There are several overlapping stages to this craftivism project; painting your pot of joy, planting the seeds, nourishing your seedlings, transplanting your plant to your pot, and displaying it. By choosing to plant native flowers in your pot of joy, you’ll attract bees and other pollinators to your garden or community!

Instructions

Spend some time doing a conscious colouring page

Coloring has the ability to relax the fear center of your brain, the amygdala, and it can induce the same state as meditating by reducing the thoughts of a restless mind. Spend some time relaxing and contemplating your role as a changemaker, and what you can do to help bees while doing out Save The Bees colouring in (you can download it below).

Download now

Spread some seed bombs

Seed bombs or seed balls are lumps of mud packed with wildflower seeds, clay and a little bit of compost and water. You can throw the bombs around gardens in your community, or your own yard, and they will bloom into native plants, attracting bees and other pollinators!

Instructions
Patches

Spruce up your wardrobe with patches

Spruce up your wardrobe and turn your existing clothes into statement pieces with our iron on patches for Changemakers like you đźŚŽ

We recommend sewing your patches onto garments or accessories to ensure longevity and wear-and-tear. However, ironing your patches is a great way to keep them in place and ensure precision, especially if you aren’t much of a sewer! 

What You Need To Iron On A Patch

  • Iron
  • Ironing Board
  • Your iron-on patch
  • Clean Washcloth or Tea towel

How To Iron On Patches

Step 1: Make sure that the clothing that you are applying the patch to is washed, cleaned and dry. Make sure the clothing is wrinkle-free. The clothing must be smooth because the patch may not adhere properly or might gather the clothing when the patch is applied.

Step 2: Make sure your iron is on and set to the correct settings to match the type of material of your clothing. If your clothing is a cotton material make sure the iron is set to cotton because you don’t want to burn or damage your clothing.

Step 3: Iron the area where you want your embroidered patch to be for about 10 seconds.

Step 4: Place the custom patch on the heated area and then you will cover the patch with a washcloth or a tea towel. Move the Iron over the washcloth or tea towel in a slow circular motion for about 90 seconds.

Step 5: Lift the washcloth or tea towel to make sure that the patch is being applied correctly, if the patch is applying correctly you can proceed to Step 6, if the patch is not adhering to the material you will need to start over again with a new patch.

Step 6: Turn the clothing inside out, then iron the emblem again for about 30 seconds. Make sure to move the iron in a slow circular motion.

Step 7: Remove washcloth or tea towel and let the article of clothing cool. Give your clothing and your new patch the “movement test” and make sure your patch can withstand your regular body movements.

Step 8: Enjoy your new (old) statement clothing!

Care Instructions:

We recommend gently hand washing your garments once a patch is applied. However, once the patches are applied properly they can be put in the washing machine, just remember to turn your garment inside out. A gentle wash cycle with cold water is recommended.

Iron-on patches are a great alternative to sewn-on patches, as they are much faster and easier to adhere to the material. In the event that you make a mistake adhering your patch onto your clothing, the patches can still be sewn on. Sewing the patches will stay on your clothing for a long period of time, just like ironing on the patches would.

Tag us and win: tag us in your new (old) clothing on Instagram and go in the draw to win monthly prizes