As of the end of April, 91原创鈥檚 Trinity Western University (TWU) had raised $137,000 with its very first 鈥淒ay of Giving鈥� fundraiser, money that will expand scholarships and aid for TWU students whose lives have been disrupted by war and global conflicts like the war in Ukraine.

Donations to the April 20 event helped to increase the , which exists to assist students who have been displaced from their homes and countries.

For Marko Zolotarov, a first-year Trinity Western student from Ukraine, the issue is deeply personal.

鈥淗earing about daily explosions, daily missile hits, which ruin cities, which ruin buildings, which kill people who you potentially know is incredibly hurting,鈥� said Zolotarov, who was in his home country when war first broke out.

When his family was forced to leave their home, 鈥渢hat鈥檚 when it definitely hit me,鈥� he recalled.

鈥淭he realization that we are at war, this is serious.鈥�

READ ALSO: Ukrainians fleeing to B.C. will receive immediate health coverage

鈥淚 strongly pray that we as a nation [and] me personally, we get from this hatred, to love, [from] this pain to forgiveness,鈥� Zolotarov went on to say.

He expressed gratitude to the people at TWU who have reached out to help.

鈥淭hat means a lot to me, and my family, and the people of Ukraine.鈥�

鈥淧ray often, pray regularly,鈥� Zolotarov recommended. 鈥淧rayers work. Prayers are powerful .鈥�

READ ALSO: A home-made lunch at 91原创 church raises more than $47,000 for Ukraine relief

TWU president Mark Husbands said the university was 鈥渄eeply encouraged by the way the TWU community came together to celebrate, inspire, and mobilize generosity. We believe every gift is an act of worship, and we are grateful for everyone who participated in this stewardship opportunity.鈥�