This beautiful bracelet made of glass beads was made in Ukraine by displaced refugees from the war in that country. Women, who are often the only source of support left for their families, are trained to make the glass beads and bracelets by Refugee Protection International (RPI).

RPI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in Belmont that builds partnerships with community groups, hospitals, and shelters to assist conflict-affected civilians in Ukraine and Syria. Over 44,000 civilians have been assisted in Ukraine in Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Chernivtsi, and Odessa.

RPI works with Ukrainian volunteers to:

• Equip Ukrainian hospitals (children's, maternity, and regional) to assist war-affected patients


• Buy and drive medical aid, food, blankets, and evacuation buses from Romania to Ukraine


• Expand and launch community-led evacuations from the war's front lines


• Equip Ukrainian shelters for displaced civilians with generators, beds, equipment and food


• Send winter clothing, hygiene items, and medicine from US donors to Ukraine


• Provide grocery store vouchers and housing support for displaced families and orphans