On February 24th, 2022, millions of people around the world watched their local news in shock as Russia invaded Ukraine as most had little to no knowledge of the tensions between the two nations. In fact, even today with the war raging on, a large majority of the population has no knowledge of the rich history of Ukraine and its people, but I intend to change that…one Ukrainian Box at a time.

Ukraine is historically and culturally very rich with numerous monuments, ancient fortresses, museums, and more dotting the countryside. Furthermore, its rich artistic history dates back centuries with traditions such as the pysanka (Ukrainian Easter Egg) being passed on through the generations and are still practiced and respected today.

Using those traditions, the women of Ukraine craft outstandingly beautiful works of art from paintings and needlework to embroidery and woodworking to supply their small businesses with a sustainable income.

More than 40%ofsmall businesses in Ukraine are women-owned and are currently the sole income for their families due to numerous men’s responsibility to join the fight against Russia. As wives kissed their husbands goodbye as they headed to the frontline and children cried as they watched their cities and homes devastated by the turmoil of war, the strong women of the nation continue to work diligently to create beautiful products to support their small businesses and now you can help support them while obtaining a piece of their rich history delivered right to your door!

The Ukrainian Box Independence Edition is dedicated to Ukrainian Independence Day and contains an assortment of products, some of which are handcrafted, all sourced directly from Ukrainian small business owners.

Each box is filled with culturally rich items. Your box may include the following items:

• Hand-"written" Pysanka (Ukrainian Easter Egg)
• Ukrainian Woven Towel (Rushnyk) with traditional embroidery
• Ukrainian Honey in A Natural Beeswax Jar
• Handcrafted Pin with the Statue of Ukrainian Motherland 
• Two Postcards with a unique design by a Ukrainian artist
• Tabloid with a detailed background and meaning behind each item in the box

Each product within is crafted with passion and love through the traditions passed down to the amazing women of Ukraine through generations. Intricate patterns, textures, and designs are all handcrafted with a skill unlike any other while the included flyer brings the richness of the Ukrainian culture into your home detailing each piece and its cultural background.

To help celebrate Ukrainian Independence Day while supporting small business owners in Ukraine during these very difficult times, we are seeking funding to ensure the success of the first edition of our Ukrainian Box.

100% of your generous donations will go directly towards the following:

• Purchasing inventory for the Ukrainian Boxes from artisans and crafters located in Ukraine
• Design and printing costs for packaging
• Shipping fees and expenses
• Creation and launch of the Ukrainian Box website where people can subscribe to get a cultural gift box quarterly

The Ukrainian Box Independence Edition is the first box in what will be a quarterly box subscription service. Each subsequent box will continue to support the people of Ukraine while providing the general public with access to its rich culture through Christmas Boxes, Easter Boxes, etc. that include items perfect for decorating their homes and/or office with a unique collection, showcasing their pride for Ukraine, or giving as a unique gift for a friend or family member.

My name is Olena, and I was born and raised in the south region of Ukraine called Crimea. 6 years ago, I came to the US to study business and when Russia invaded Ukraine this year, it was to my surprise how many people were hearing about Ukraine for the first time.

I intend to change that by telling our story and familiarizing the general public with our rich historical culture. I will be sourcing products directly from Ukrainian entrepreneurs which is a win-win for the nation of Ukraine and the people who receive access to our culture through the boxes.

Ukrainian entrepreneurs earn revenue, they buy materials from Ukrainian vendors, pay salaries to Ukrainian workers, who then spend money on groceries and other necessities in Ukraine, pay taxes and overall help keep the economy running. The better the economy the faster the Ukrainian people will restore peace to their nation and recover from the hardships of war.

This campaign and Ukrainian Box business mean the world to me as a Ukrainian and as a woman and mother because it allows me to be a strong role model to my son as a financially independent woman while giving back to the wonderful people of Ukraine.

I personally curate each box to represent the past and the present of Ukrainian culture and I am proud to offer each supporter the opportunity to touch a piece of Ukraine, its culture, and its rich history so that they too can proudly stand with the people of Ukraine.

Risks & Challenges

Due to the continued war in Ukraine, some shipping delays may occur. However, as of right now the average shipping time from Ukraine to the US is 10 days. To minimize the international shipping costs, each individual box is going to be shipped from a redistribution center outside of Ukraine.

Due to the nature of time needed for handcrafted items, we have implemented a preorder system, so it doesn’t affect the actual time of each Ukrainian Box being delivered to a supporter on time.

I thank you for your support and ask that you please share this campaign with your friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors to help spread the word and bring more support to the amazing people of Ukraine.