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Transcript/ScriptUSAGM SHARE
((TITLE: TV Marina Ratina Volunteer Ukraine – Bagdasaryan
HEAD: US-Based Volunteers Establish Clinic for Ukrainian Refugees in Hungary
TEASER: Russian, two Ukrainians who made homes in Los Angeles, California, fly to Budapest to help those whom war has left homeless
DATE: 04/01/2022
PUBLISHED AT: 04/01/2022 at 9:50am
BYLINE: Angelina Bagdasaryan
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Los Angeles
VIDEOGRAPHER: Vazgen Varzhabetian
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA Original
SCRIPT EDITORS: KE(1st); Reifenrath
PLATFORMS: TV only
TRT: 3:24
VID APPROVED BY: KE
TYPE: TVPKG
UPDATE:))
Editors Note: ((The reporter used zoom on her own PC))
((INTRO))
[[Many Russians and Ukrainians who have immigrated to the US and live in Los Angeles have flown to Hungary to help Ukrainian refugees there. Marina Ratina, ex-producer of the popular cartoon series "Masha and the Bear," is among them. Angelina Bagdasaryan has the story, narrated by Anna Rice.]]
((NARRATION))
((Mandatory courtesy: Marina Ratina))
For many years, Marina Ratina was a producer of the popular kids’ cartoon series "Masha and the Bear." Today, she lives in Los Angeles, California. But after Russia invaded Ukraine in late February, Ratina headed to Hungary to help.
((End courtesy))
((Marina Ratina, Producer (IN Russian)) ((ZOOM))
“I was born and raised in Moscow. I didn’t expect the events to unfold in such an insane way; I have close friends in Chernihiv, in Kyiv.”
((NARRATION))
((Mandatory courtesy: Marina Ratina))
California cardiologist Marta Vakulenko and software expert Vadim Olshansky came to Hungary as well. They both are originally from Ukraine, and they say they simply could not have done anything differently.
((End courtesy))
((Dr. Marta Vakulenko, Cardiologist, Kaiser Permanente)) ((IN Russian)) ((ZOOM))
“Despite all our efforts to help and do anything from California, I felt I needed to do something else. I also wanted to be physically closer to the refugees.”
((NARRATION))
((Mandatory courtesy: Marina Ratina))
Together, they created a mobile clinic that offers medical help to dozens of Ukrainian refugees in Hungary. They are working with local medical professionals and business owners and just regular Hungarians.
((End courtesy))
((Marina Ratina, Producer (in Russian))) ((ZOOM))
“We brought five suitcases filled with various medical stuff with us. Marta is a doctor, I’m a medical assistant and Vadim is information support. He is checking the dosage, enters everything into the system. Any people who need prescription medications, when they come to see us, they may have only five tablets left of what they need. Many are elderly, their blood pressure is all over the place. Many left their homes so abruptly that they don’t have what they need.”
((NARRATION))
((Mandatory courtesy: Marina Ratina))
Among those who have joined their team are people who have become refugees by chance. Kyiv native Liza was in Hungary for work when Russia invaded Ukraine.
((End courtesy))
((Liza, Kyiv Native (in Russian))) ((ZOOM))
“I ended up here by accident. On February 20th I arrived here, and when I was supposed to be going back home, the war started. I found myself here and immediately started doing volunteer work.”
((NARRATION))
Besides offering medical assistance, the volunteers help refugees sort out accommodations and try to arrange some financial help. But there are things they can't help with.
((Vadim Olshansky, Software Expert (in Russian))) ((ZOOM))
“Today we talked to a woman whose son died in Ukraine. I don’t know what we can do. How to apologize and repent when someone has lost their son?”
((Dr. Marta Vakulenko, Cardiologist, Kaiser Permanente)) ((IN Russian)) ((ZOOM))
“You need to explain to a child what war is, why there is a need to move, why there is no more home, why there are men with guns in the street and why a car was just fired at.”
((NARRATION))
((Mandatory courtesy: Marina Ratina))
A Romani band was among the people the volunteers helped recently.
((End courtesy))
((Dr. Marta Vakulenko, Cardiologist, Kaiser Permanente)) ((IN Russian)) ((ZOOM))
“They are among some of the poorest and disadvantaged groups in Hungary, in Ukraine, people who more often than not don’t have access to medical care. They are very friendly people, very grateful, very united. They live in large communities, and that helps them manage stress from all the moves and changes. They seem to handle it differently.”
((NARRATION))
((Mandatory courtesy: Marina Ratina))
In social networks, Ratina and the other volunteers share information about their work
((End courtesy))
in Hungary. As a result, more of their California friends are heading to Budapest in the coming days — to do their part to help refugees.
((For Angelina Bagdasaryan in Los Angeles, California, Anna Rice, VOA News))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateApril 1, 2022 13:35 EDT
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
