Photo exhibit shows horrors of Ukrainian war

BY JOHN MATHER

A unique exhibit of photographs of war torn Ukraine made its first appearance outside of Edmonton May 24 and that first appearance was at Chipman National Hall in the Heart of Ukrainian Settlement in Alberta.

Hawkins Choi, a volunteer with Firefighter Aid Ukraine was on hand to explain the exhibit.

In 2014, he said a group of Edmonton area firefighters had visited Ukraine and while there they had seen just how badly the Ukrainian Firefighting Services were.

“They realized the equipment the firefighters had over there was very old and outdated," said Choi. “It wasn’t up to standards that we have here in Edmonton and Alberta.”

He said when the firefighters returned to Edmonton they started Firefighter Aid Ukraine and since that trip they have been collecting aid in the form of firefighting tools and equipment to send to Ukraine.

“Three years ago when the war started the firefighters had an immense workload put on them and the need for that aid has increased tremendously.

“This project is called unbreakable Ukraine,” said Choi.

It features the photographs of Ukrainian journalist/photographer Vyacheslav Khabaylo who is from the city of Chernivtsi.

In a panel, which is part of the display, shows 50 photographs depicting the horrifying consequences of the Russian aggressor’s attacks on various cities since the beginning of the full scale invasion of Kyiv, Donetsk and Kharkiv regions.

Most of the photos are from 2022 and 2023.

Choi saw the display at Kingsway Mall a couple of years ago and wanted to help out so he became a volunteer.

“The Edmonton Firefighters felt the outdated equipment just wasn’t practical but they could offer assistance,” added Choi.

“They started collecting outdated boots from other fire stations, used hoses, and other equipment, sorting it, cleaning it and then sending it over to Ukraine.”

The exhibit began when the mayor of one of the cities the firefighters had helped, presented them with a photo and then the photographer presented more photos to them.

The exhibit will be shown wherever people want to see them.

The photos arrive in Canada in black and white and are printed and mounted in Ukraine and then sent to Canada. Choi said the curators of the display accept donations which are used to further purchase equipment to ship to Ukraine or to cover shipping costs.

The exhibit was first shown in February.

The website is firefighteraiidukraine.com

Gear collected by the firefighters is stored in a warehouse in Edmonton until it can be shipped to Ukraine.

Since beginning in 2014, the organization has shipped almost 400 tonnes of life rescue and health care aid to the country.

Former Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach attended the exhibit and has done a considerable amount of organizing and gathering material to assist Ukraine.

He has also been involved with Firefighter Aid Ukraine.

Stelmach said when the Russians invaded Ukraine, he knew as a charitable organization they could move much quicker to gather supplies and materials to send to Ukraine.

“We shared a large warehouse and that warehouse became absolutely full,” he said.

“There was specialized equipment on the firefighters’ side and they were even able to secure equipment that could be put inside burned or bombed out buildings to ensure they didn’t collapse while a search for survivors was carried out.”

He added they had clothing, boots and safety equipment.

“Just recently they got permission from  the federal government to send former RCMP vehicles that were declared surplus or redundant and they were now sending ten vehicles to aid in Ukraine.

“Those vehicles would have been destroyed but now they are given a second life for a very good cause.”

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BY JANA SEMENIUK

Alberta Health Services has confirmed a risk of contracting measles in Lamont.

AHS issued a notice on May 22 that someone with confirmed measles was in the LHCC emergency department on May 18 from approximately 8:26 a.m. to 12:36 a.m. May 19.

AHS warns that anyone born in or after 1970, with fewer than two documented measles-containing vaccine doses could be at risk of contracting measles. Symptoms include fever of 38.3 C or higher, cough with runny nose and/or red eyes in addi- tion to a rash that appears three to seven days after the fever starts.

AHS said the rash starts behind the ears and on the face before spreading down the body to the arms and legs. It appears red and blotchy on lighter skin, while on darker skin can appear purple or darker than the skin around it.

Measles is extremely contagious and can incur complications such as pneumonia, inflammation of the brain, premature delivery and rarely death.

Those with the greatest risk include pregnant women, people under the age of five or those with weakened immune systems.

It is spread through the air and AHS recommends the best protection is to ensure you are up to date on your immunizations.

AHS also advises that anyone experiencing continue.

He added the Firefighter Aid Ukraine was collecting supplies from across the west.

Stelmach said all the materials have to be cleaned. The containers must be treated to be free of contaminants.

“These firefighters all have full time jobs yet I know there have been thousands of hours of volunteers putting in time for these projects.”

Stelmach said even after the war ends there will be years and years of rebuilding to take place and the program will

He added dogs are being trained to sniff out landmines and they are going to be sent to Ukraine.

Lamont County Reeve David Diduck told the assembled crowd at the exhibit, he remembered when the war started.

“I was at the Legislature in a meeting with Premier Kenney and MLA Homeniuk and Orysia Boychuk of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Alberta Provincial Council.

The reason we were there was there was an anticipation that the war would start but no one expected it would start that day,” he said.

“Before I got home the war was ongoing.”

Diduck said he felt Putin thought the war would be short term but he’d been proven wrong by the valiant struggle of the Ukrainian people which has raged now for three and a half years.

“It just shows you the symptoms to stay home and call the measles hotline at 1-844-944-3434 before going to any healthcare facility or provider, including a family physician clinic or pharmacy. spirit of us Ukrainians,” he said. “We fight hard and we don’t give up. We fight for what we think is right.

According to reports, measles was declared eradicated in Canada in 1998 but made a comeback due to declining vaccination rates. The risk of exposure in the province, according to AHS, is greatest in Two Hills, Taber MD, the County of Lethbridge and the County of Forty Mile.

As of May 26, Alberta’s total confirmed measles cases are 606 according to the government’s website, with the most cases (278) occurring in those five to 17 years old and (188) in those under the age of five.

Additionally, in those older than 55, only four cases have been identified.

“Just because the war is not front and centre anymore, let’s not forget they still need our support, our aid and our prayers.”

$20/wk for the

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Join Michael and Trisha Muirhead for the Grand Opening of their Farm Store, The Country Cupboard, on Saturday, May 31 from 11 AM - 2 PM. Refreshments, farm animals, prizes, and more!! 44106 HWY 869 (just outside Sedgewick).

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If you would like to join the meeting, please message us at flagstaffbridges@gmail.com

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Rosevale Cemetery Annual Cleanup (located south of Strome)

Saturday, June 7 at 9:30 a.m. Everyone Welcome.

Please bring whatever cleaning tools you want to use.

Coffee, donuts, and visiting to follow. For more info, call 780-376-2134

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Bruce Cemetery Clean Up Day

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Bring your lawn chair and come out for a afternoon of meeting, updates, and visiting. Hot dog lunch will be served to all attending.

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Pleasington Historical Society

Annual Service and Pot Luck Meal, Sunday, June 8, 2025 at 2 p.m. Church and Cemetery Cleanup Tuesday, June 3 at 9 a.m.

Alternate Date: Friday, June 6. Everyone is Welcome! 20/21c

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Join our family to celebrate the 100th Birthday of Eunice Losness on Saturday, May 31st from 2 - 4:30 p.m. at the Lougheed Seniors' Welcome Club in Lougheed, for a come & go gathering of family & friends. Let your presence be your cherished gift. 19-20c

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BARDO CEMETERY CLEAN-UP

Saturday May 31/2025 Clean-up at 10am and annual meeting to follow. Bring your own lunch

Contact: Lawrence Rude 780-679-7315 20/21c

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