A Milwaukee photographer has turned her apartment in Romania into a safe haven for Ukrainian refugees
Olga Thomas' apartment in Romania typically serves as her photography studio and an Airbnb. But for now, it's serving as a safe haven for refugee Ukrainian women and children.
"When the conflict started and the Ukrainians started to flee into Romania, I asked myself how I can participate and help," said Thomas, a Milwaukee resident. "The answer presented itself."
A longtime photographer, Thomas owns a photography business in both Milwaukee and Romania, where she was born and raised. Romania borders Ukraine to the southwest.
The day after Russia began its invasion of Ukraine, Thomas listed her two-bedroom apartment in downtown Bucharest on several social media groups that connect refugees with free temporary housing.
"It's not just me," she said. "Hundreds of thousands of people who own Airbnbs and people who are able to host refugees are opening their homes to the Ukrainians right now."
According to a USA Today report, Airbnb and an affiliate nonprofit are offering free, short-term housing to up to 100,000 refugees from Ukraine.
One of the refugees who got connected with Thomas is Anna Starenkova, who's from Odesa, Ukraine.
"We leave Ukraine because of war, because our life was in (a) dangerous situation," Starenkova said. "I listened to my heart and my mind and decided I must go to Bucharest."
When Starenkova asked if a couple of her friends could stay at the apartment too, Thomas replied: "Bring in as many people as you feel comfortable living with."
And shelter isn't the only thing Thomas is providing. Her friends in Romania drop off food, clothing, diapers and supplies for the people staying at her place.
"What food do you eat? What things do you need?" Starenkova said Thomas asked her. "In one moment, she organized all of the things that I need."
Starenkova said Thomas checks in daily and even planned a Romanian dinner that was cooked for her and her friends.
"We talk and we smile and we were really very happy in that moment," Starenkova said.
Thomas said she's been moved by how Starenkova has helped out her fellow refugees. Starenkova, who has a car, picks up mothers and their children from the border and transports them to Romania's capital.
While the number is constantly changing, Thomas said, her apartment is currently hosting about six women and four children.
"Olga (has) the most kindness and most nicest people of what I've met in my life, really" Starenkova said. "It's (a) woman with the biggest heart in America. It's true."
"Kindness is my biggest core value," said Thomas, a former photojournalist. "It's important for me to help others in need."
To see more than a dozen ways to help Ukrainian people in need, visit bit.ly/WIHelpUkraine.
Contact Hannah Kirby at hannah.kirby@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HannahHopeKirby.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee woman letting Ukrainian refugees stay at her Romania Airbnb
