How an ENGin Volunteer and a Student Created a Children's Book to Support Ukraine
- ENGin Program
- Feb 10
- 4 min read
The inspiring story of a volunteer Kelley Peel, her Ukrainian student Tetiana and the friendship that became “Seeds of the Sun”
Kelley Peel remembers the moment clearly when she was sitting at home in West Michigan, scrolling through the news and seeing another headline about Ukraine, another image of a family saying goodbye at a train station, another story of a life interrupted and a home destroyed. She couldn't look away, but she also couldn't sit still.
So she asked herself: "What can a normal person do for Ukraine?"
That search led her to ENGin, and within weeks, she was matched with Tetiana, a fellow educator and mother living in Ukraine.
"Being matched with someone who shared my background deepened my sense of solidarity," Kelley says. "But what I didn't expect was how much joy this friendship would bring."
Saturday Mornings and Small Miracles
They meet on Saturdays, when Tetiana shows up with a steady, positive spirit that never fails to inspire Kelley, despite working full weeks with her students and managing the daily demands of life in a war zone. Their conversations are wide-ranging, covering everything from education systems and cultural differences to the peculiar labels on Michigan produce.
"Delight is the word I use to describe my relationship with Tetiana," Kelley reflects. "I don't know how she maintains such grace, but she is a constant inspiration."
A Fundraiser That Changed Everything
One Saturday, the conversation took a heavier turn when Tetiana shared that her students were organizing a fundraiser, not for textbooks or field trips, but for drones to support Ukrainian soldiers, many of whom were the parents and older siblings of the very children raising the money.
"She spoke with pride about her students' determination," Kelley says. "I felt both numb and deeply humbled by their selflessness."
Kelley couldn't let the moment pass quietly, so she posted about the fundraiser on Facebook and donated herself. Friends followed, and then her parents stepped in and purchased a drone. Tetiana's courage and her students' remarkable resolve had inspired action across the ocean.
A Book Born from Friendship
As a retired school counselor, Kelley now writes children's books focused on social-emotional learning, and after months of conversations with Tetiana, the two women realized they wanted to create something together that honored the curiosity, kindness, and connection they'd found in each other.
That's how Seeds of the Sun was born — a story that follows a curious fox from West Michigan who travels to Ukraine, visiting beautiful places and discovering the warmth of cross-cultural friendship. The tale ends with the two foxes cooking Ukrainian nalysnyky together, drizzled with Michigan maple syrup, a small but powerful symbol of shared kindness.
The book includes a nalysnyky recipe, quotes from children in both Ukraine and Michigan, and vibrant illustrations celebrating Ukrainian culture.
"Because we cannot safely meet in either of our home countries, we decided that one day we will meet where Tetiana's daughter Ira is currently taking refuge in Europe," Kelley says. "I dream of bringing a suitcase filled with our book and bottles of Michigan maple syrup, and finally meeting Tetiana in person along with her brave daughter, Ira, and her granddaughter, Sophia, who inspired the name of the Ukrainian fox in the story."
“Seeds of the Sun” is available at kelleypeel.com and on Amazon. 100% of the book's proceeds are being donated to Tetiana's school community, which is currently without reliable heat or electricity.
"My hope is to help warm students physically with blankets and emotionally by letting them know they are seen and not forgotten," Kelley explains.
Connection in the Dark
Today, Tetiana is living without reliable power, and the Saturday video calls have stopped because she only has about two hours of electricity each day. Their connection now happens through brief texts and emails — small lifelines across a dark and uncertain world.
Even within these constraints, Tetiana's messages remain steady and generous as she continues to express gratitude for their friendship and shares empathy for the challenges facing people in US.
"I don't know how to fully comprehend this level of compassion when she is living through tragedy and uncertainty every single day," Kelley says. "I often think that if I could live at just ten percent of Tetiana's empathy, courage, and grace, I would be a better human."
Tetiana shows up for her students, her family, and her community in ways that feel quietly heroic — never asking for recognition, never wavering.
"Tetiana is a hero to her community," Kelley says. "And she is a hero to me."
Building Bridges, One Story at a Time
A friendship between Kelley and Tetiana continues to grow as Tetiana, Ira, and Sophia will soon be partnering on a school project that connects students in Ukraine with students in West Michigan. Through shared stories and conversations, children on both sides of the ocean will learn from one another and experience what connection can look like, even during times of uncertainty.
Kelley is also hosting Ukrainian children's events in West Michigan to introduce young people to Ukrainian culture, resilience, and community.
"Thank you to ENGin for making this relationship possible," Kelley says, "and for creating a bridge of humanity when so much of the world feels divided.
Sometimes, asking "what can I do?" and showing up with your whole heart can change everything.
