When opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko was officially declared Ukraine's president Monday, Ball State graduate student Svitlana Kominko couldn't put into words how proud she felt to know she helped make a difference while on the Ball State campus.
"It was a small contribution but it helped protect the democracy of Ukraine," she said.
Kominko, who is from Ternopil in Western Ukraine, helped run a booth in the Atrium in December to collect donations to send overseas. The money provided food, medicine and clothing to protesters who were protesting the country's recent presidential election.
On New Year's Eve, Kominko stood for five hours with her mother and daughter on the main road in Kiev where much of the protest took place in November and December, she said. Fellow Yushchenko supporters watched fireworks, sang and danced to celebrate the preliminary election results that marked his victory, she said.
"I was very excited. It was a huge celebration." Kominko said.
She said while it will probably take two to three years for significant changes to take place in the Ukraine, protesters are proud the country has taken its first step.
"Everybody felt they contributed something to the victory, and people are ready to be patient and devote time and effort for the country's democratic development," she said. "I just want to thank everyone at Ball State. Through their help and support, democracy in the Ukraine has prevailed."
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