Today on Vulnerable, I get to chat with Allina Robie. Allina and I connected via TikTok when her Ukrainian orphan advocacy videos started popping up on my FYP.

In this episode, Allina and I discuss how her childhood shaped her to become an orphan advocate. Last year, Allina moved to Ukraine to care for the orphaned and vulnerable children and young adults in the Zakarpattia Oblast of western Ukraine. Less than a month later, Russia invaded Ukraine. Allina details how her daily life has changed due to the war, also, how the war has exacerbated Ukraine's orphan crisis.

Allina educates me on the differences between the Eastern Europe orphan crisis vs. the US foster system and how she is maintaining joy in the midst of war.

Allina's compassion, vulnerability, and joyful demeanor are evident throughout our conversation, and I know the kiddos under her care are receiving lots of love. I appreciate her education, advocacy, and the beauty of the internet that brought us together!

Follow Allina @allinakay on Instagram and TikTok. You can support Allina and her orphan care work by donating here.

Follow me, Christy Carlson Romano on Instagram @thechristycarlsonromano and TikTok @christcarlsonromano, subscribe to my YouTube channel, and follow Brendan Rooney on  Instagram @thebrendanrooney and TikTok @brendanrooney.

Be sure to follow Vulnerable @thevulnerablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok. You can watch the video version on my YouTube channel.

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