In this deeply moving episode of the Landmark Difference Makers Podcast, we sit down with Angelika Schlaub, a Landmark program leader and humanitarian working with We Are All Ukrainians, an organization committed to rescuing Ukrainian children taken during the war and supporting their return home.
Angelika’s work sits at the intersection of compassion, courage, and action—addressing one of the most heartbreaking realities of the current conflict.
A Crisis Few Fully Understand
Since the start of the war, thousands of Ukrainian children have been taken from their homes—often under the pretense of temporary relocation—and placed into camps in Russian-controlled territories. From there, many are subjected to a process of “russification,” cut off from their families, and in some cases adopted by new families, making them nearly impossible to trace.
To date, it’s estimated that over 20,000 children have been taken, with many more unaccounted for.
Rescue Missions That Change Lives
Through a coordinated effort involving the Ukrainian government, local NGOs like Safe Ukraine, and international partners, rescue missions are carried out to bring children home. These missions are complex and often dangerous.
They involve:
- Tracking children through records and communication
- Identifying family members who can legally travel
- Coordinating long, indirect journeys through multiple countries
- Navigating politically sensitive and high-risk environments
Each rescue costs approximately $3,000 per child, covering travel, logistics, and critical post-return care.
“The moment a child sees their family member and runs into their arms—no one stops them from leaving.”
Why Angelika Said Yes
For Angelika, this work is deeply personal. Born in Germany just 16 years after World War II, she grew up hearing firsthand accounts of war from her mother—a child who lived through bombings, loss, and displacement.
That legacy shaped her worldview and her sense of responsibility.
“For me, it was impossible to imagine another war… it felt like my duty to do anything I could for peace.”
When the war in Ukraine began, Angelika could no longer remain on the sidelines.
From Powerlessness to Action
Like many people, Angelika experienced a deep sense of helplessness—especially during COVID and the early days of the war. But instead of staying there, she made a different choice:
“Just get started. Every journey begins with the first step.”
That first step led her from logistical support—coordinating supplies and transport—to becoming a board member of the U.S. branch of We Are All Ukrainians, helping fund and enable rescue missions.
Beyond Politics: Seeing the Human Being
Perhaps the most profound insight Angelika shares is about how we relate to one another in times of conflict.
“We relate to ‘bad people’ as if they weren’t human… and that’s the real problem.”
Her commitment is not just to rescue children—but to shift the conversation itself. To move beyond rigid “good vs. bad” narratives and reconnect with what makes us human.
Healing Generations—Not Just Individuals
Angelika also highlights the long-term impact of war: trauma that carries across generations. One of the key elements of the work is providing psychological support to families—helping them process their experiences so that trauma doesn’t silently pass on to the future.
This is not just about bringing children home. It’s about restoring wholeness.
A Simple, Powerful Stand
When asked how she hopes to be remembered, Angelika doesn’t speak about achievements or recognition. Instead, she offers something simple and profound:
To relate to anyone as a fellow human being.
✨ Listen to the full episode to hear Angelika Schlaub share her experience, the realities of the work, and how each of us can take a stand for humanity.
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