RALEIGH, N.C. — It's now been over a year since the start of the war in Ukraine.

In the Triangle, countless refugees have since made Raleigh and other towns their temporary homes.

But, some are still eyeing a return home to Ukraine while doing what they can to give back to the soldiers protecting their land.

What You Need To Know

  • Natalia Bondarenko, a Ukrainian soroban teacher, is using proceeds from her classes to help soldiers in Ukraine

  • Bondarenko's schools were destroyed in Mariupol

  • It's been one year since the war started in Ukraine 

Natalia Bondarenko came to the Triangle from Mariupol after Russian forces destroyed both her schools there.

Now, she's teaching soroban in Raleigh, which is a type of math, and she says she's using proceeds from her lessons to buy supplies for Ukrainian soldiers.

"A lot of friends from military in Ukraine stay in touch. I know all the needs they have this winter, focus on warmer and cold weather gear, thermal underwear," said Bondarenko.

All of the proceeds from her Ukraine classes and 50% of proceeds from American classes go back to soldiers fighting for their freedom in Ukraine. 

You can sign your children up for a soroban class with Bondarenko by clicking here.