Vancouver mother and daughter make traditional Ukrainian dolls to help children affected by war
A mother and daughter from Vancouver have been working with friends to craft traditional Ukrainian dolls as a fundraiser to help children affected by the war.
Eva and her 11-year-old daughter Lena, who didn't want to share their last names, have been making the Motanka dolls for the last few weeks.
“Lena taught us,” Eva said. “She researched about the dolls, so we started reading into the origins and it turned out it’s pretty close to our culture as well. I’m from Poland, I grew up in Eastern Europe, and we do have them in my country as well.”
Lena said it wasn’t hard to learn, especially once they began working with the right materials.
“We wanted to raise money for families and children in Ukraine,” she said. “So we could help a little bit.”
Eva said she and her daughter make the dolls along with two friends who have ties to Ukraine. The dolls are made using a technique that does not require sewing, and each one is unique.
“No stitches, no needles. We only use scissors on the fabric that is not touching the doll,” Eva said. “We wrap fabrics around the bases of our dolls, we dress them nicely.”
Layers of colourful and printed fabric are added to the dolls’ bodies for clothing, and each one carries a small wrapped bundle. Some also have a baby with them.
“They bring gifts,” Eva said. “The dolls are very special. They’re powerful. They bring peace and joy.”
The dolls are being sold at Make Vancouver on Granville Island, with proceeds going to UNICEF.
The store’s retail manager Paul Marks said the response from customers has been great, with some requests even coming from outside of Metro Vancouver.
“Customers have been super engaged and excited about it,” he said. “Make Vancouver will be matching all the donations dollar for dollar.”
The largest dolls sell for $40, the medium-sized dolls are priced at $25, and small ones sell for $15.
Eva and Lena just dropped off their third delivery of dolls to the store on Saturday. Eva said they’ve likely exceeded the goal for the fundraiser – which Lena initially started by selling bracelets and keychains – and have raised close to $2,000 in four weeks.
“We’re still contributing and we want to keep it going,” Eva said, and added they’re also thinking of putting on workshops to teach others how to make the dolls.
“It’s bringing communities together, and people can learn something about other cultures, which is beautiful, too.”
Eva said the message they hope to share is to “take care of other people who are in need.”
“Be kind together. Support each other,” she said. “It’s so much needed these days.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.