As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, the country of Moldova continues to take in refugees looking for shelter. Moldova is a small country located between Romania and Ukraine.
During a Weatherford Rotary Club meeting Wednesday, Kelsey Walters spoke about the impact of the Russian invasion.
Walters is an Oklahoma native who graduated from Canute High School. She later moved to Moldova and began working for the Peace Corps. Walters brought her two daughters back to Oklahoma with her, but her husband stayed in Moldova.
“I’m an agricultural economist working for the United States Agency for International Development, and I am horrified to see what’s happening in Ukraine. I was in Moldova for 10 years and I have something to go back to. Coming back to Oklahoma wasn’t necessarily in our plans, but we are very happy to be here,” Walters said.
Walters said she lost her job during her move back to the United States.
“Unfortunately when I left, I lost my job, but it was the sacrifice I had to make to get my daughters and I out of that environment,” Walters said.
At the beginning of the invasion Walters heard a noise she will never forget.
“On February 24, we woke up at 6 a.m. and I heard something. I hopped out of bed and learned it was an explosion. That is when I found out the invasion started,” Walters said.
Walters expressed her strong admiration for Rotary International. “When I was with the peace core, Rotary Elk City helped fund a water well for more than 3,000 people in Moldova. Rotary is very special to me. I would go to Rotary Club meetings in Elk City when I was in high school. It’s one of those elements which teaches us to band together and represents change in our community,” Walters said.