Carrying Their Voices: The Journey of Writing Humanitarian Stories
Dear Readers,
I want to begin by expressing my heartfelt gratitude for your continued support and encouragement of my writing. Your willingness to join me on this journey means the world to me, and it’s a gift I treasure deeply. Today, I’m coming to you with an open heart and a humble request for space and grace as I navigate one of the most challenging and deeply personal writing projects I’ve ever undertaken.
Over the past two years, I’ve been pouring my heart into capturing and sharing the stories of Ukrainian refugees and victims of war, whom I call "PALs." These are stories of the displaced, the suffering, and the resilient; stories of triumphs against unimaginable odds; and stories of individuals and families who continue to fight for freedom, dignity, and hope. My work in this realm is not merely writing—it is an emotional journey, a way to honor these lives, and a commitment to preserving their voices.
Writing about such raw and painful realities is daunting. These stories are not just words on a page; they are experiences that echo with the weight of history, heartbreak, and humanity. My volunteer work as a humanitarian has given me a front-row seat to the realities faced by so many, and with that comes a profound sense of responsibility. Bearing witness to their struggles is fulfilling in a way that’s hard to describe, but it is also deeply humbling. I feel an unwavering call to ensure these voices are heard and remembered, but finding the right words often feels like trying to capture a storm in a bottle.
The process of writing these stories is as much about my own emotional journey as it is about documenting facts. It’s not always easy to revisit moments of profound sorrow or unimaginable courage. Some days, the weight of it feels too heavy to carry, while on others, the strength and hope I’ve witnessed inspire me to push forward. These stories demand to be told, but they also demand to be told with care, accuracy, and the dignity they deserve.
This work is still so new to me, and I am learning as I go. Two years may seem like a long time, but in the grand tapestry of storytelling, it is only the beginning. The stories of PALs are complex and multifaceted, and giving them the justice they deserve requires patience, research, and a great deal of introspection. As I write, I often find myself editing and re-editing, questioning whether I’ve done enough to honor the subjects of my stories. It’s a process that challenges me not only as a writer but also as a human being.
So, I ask for your patience as I continue to navigate this delicate path. Please give me the space to process, to reflect, and to find the words that feel right. Writing about such raw topics is not an endeavor that can be rushed. It requires time to sit with the emotions, to absorb the weight of the stories, and to craft them in a way that does justice to the individuals whose lives they represent.
I also ask for your grace. Grace when my words fall short, grace when my writing takes longer than anticipated, and grace as I continue to grow through this process. This journey is as much about understanding myself and my role in this world as it is about sharing the lives of others. I’m learning to balance the weight of these stories with the hope they bring, and I’m learning to embrace the imperfections of this journey.
Thank you for walking this path with me. Thank you for listening, for caring, and for giving me the courage to continue this important work. Together, we can honor the voices of those who have suffered, those who have triumphed, and those who continue to fight for freedom.
With gratitude and hope,
Leigh William