The International Sauna Association (ISA), along with numerous national sauna associations, is calling on sauna lovers to support Sauna-Aid, a non-profit focused on bringing the healing power of sauna to war-torn Ukraine and its fleeing refugees.
ISA president, Risto Elomaa said: “We have a very simple message for our efforts in Ukraine: There is no war in sauna! Sauna is a social event that promotes peace and a shared sense of humanity in a healing atmosphere.”
To date, Sauna-Aid has raised approximately €20,000 thanks to generous donations from sauna lovers around the world. The organisation urgently requires an additional €15,000 to cover basic equipment costs and delivery of a container sauna generously provided by Slovakia-based Pixxla Sauna and already in use in Kharkiv. To donate, visit Sauna-Aid.com.
“Sauna bathing means different things to different cultures. In Ukraine, as with much of Eastern Europe, the sauna (aka banya or laznia) is not considered a luxury, it is an essential part of everyday life. It brings joy, healing, and a sense of belonging,” said Mikkel Aaland, Sauna Aid volunteer and author/host of the ‘Perfect Sweat’ documentary. “What other human activity combines the physical, social and spiritual under one roof?”
Sauna-Aid Background
On February 24th, Russia invaded Ukraine, and, within a week, the Sauna-Aid initiative was up and running. Inspired by the actions of the Japanese Sauna Society, an ISA member, that provided a tent sauna to victims of the Fukushima tsunami and nuclear plant disaster, Sauna-Aid founders Aaland and Elomaa mobilized volunteers and, almost immediately, had partnered with Lithuanian bathhouses to facilitate refugee bathing sessions.
A mother who had recently fled Kyiv and was able to join a Sauna-Aid session at SPA Sauleja with her son expressed her gratitude: “The very atmosphere of the bathhouse is warmth - filled with aromas of the forest and heart-to-heart conversations. After all we had been through, it provided almost mystical rehabilitation. Thank you.”
Next up was delivering moveable saunas to serve Ukrainian soldiers remaining in the country, two of which are now in situated at a Kharkiv lakefront thanks to cooperation from the local government.
2023 Sauna-Aid Goals
The organization aims to raise €100,000 in 2023 to fund continued efforts in Ukraine and to lay the foundation for global action.
“Our intention is to take Sauna-Aid global, bringing the healing power of sauna wherever manmade or natural disaster strikes,” said Aaland. “And are working to build a fleet of saunas in standardized shipping containers that can be shipped all over the world, ready to use.”
Sauna-Aid is already collaborating with local and global NGOs to expand sauna deployment in Ukraine into schools and churches. The organization is also developing standards and blueprints for home-grown tent sauna manufacturing to speed up deployment wherever Sauna-Aid is needed in the world.
In addition, it is expanding its sauna trauma training program for bath attendants and planning to create and maintain a database of volunteer bath attendants and participating bathhouses ready to support Sauna-Aid’s efforts in the Ukraine and globally.
To learn more about how to donate, help raise funds, volunteer or offer materials, please visit www.sauna-aid.com.
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