The project «Multisectoral Humanitarian Assistance with Disability for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Returnees, Veterans and Host Communities in Ukraine» aims to provide assistance to the most vulnerable categories of the Ukrainian population.
Thanks to the efforts of regional coordinators, the project is taking on real life in the pilot communities. These are personal stories of people who work every day to support those who need help the most.
Iryna Tverdokhlib is a coordinator in the Poltava region.
Iryna sees her work in the project not only as a professional duty, but also as therapy that makes her feel needed.
«The opportunity to feel needed in solving problems that people have is something that gives strength. And this gives everyone only positive emotions, which are so necessary for all of us in such a difficult time for the country.».
She emphasizes that the project creates a bridge between the government and the community, focusing on supporting each individual person who needs it. Her experience shows that positive emotions and real changes in people's lives are the highest reward for her work.
Natalia Pruhlo is the coordinator of the Opishnya community in Poltava Oblast.
Natalia admits that working in the Assembly team has become a new stage in her life.
«I have had a disability for over ten years, but I had never heard of the National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine before. I became a coordinator in the community by accident, but I really like this work and it is very exciting, especially when you see the happy eyes of people! Although I am a newcomer, I have been well received at the Assembly, the whole team I work with are very professional and responsive people.
The project gave me the opportunity to meet a lot of interesting and nice people. Some of them impressed me with their willpower, perseverance, and zeal to get down to business. Thanks to the project, I am able to help people in our community in such a difficult time who really need it. The project also reminded the local authorities that there are people who need support and they also have the right to be heard, not forgotten, in their homes. The project has provided a lot of help to our residents, which has never happened before.».
Yelyzaveta Olyvianna is the coordinator of the Karlivka community in Poltava Oblast.
Yelyzaveta says that she is very quiet because she works in a project team.
«Helping people is very rewarding, although there are sometimes issues that require more effort to resolve, but I can do it. I was calm when the fuel boiler in our house leaked in the freezing winter, because thanks to the project, I was able to take a new one on credit. I also allowed myself (perhaps this is not clear to you) to buy fresh vegetables and fruits at least once a week, which I could not do before. I also have a grandson who is three years old and I am happy that I can buy him the toys he asks for.
Yelyzaveta says that thanks to her work in the Assembly, she has now been able to get an active seat through the Social Security Department.
«Many things will change for the better for me.».
Nina Pakhomiuk is a coordinator in the Volyn region.
Nina, who has extensive experience working with people with disabilities, emphasizes the importance of the project for communities. She sees changes for the better after just a few months of work, when people with disabilities began to be «seen.» The project helps not only financially but also helps to unite communities by creating new opportunities for learning and development.
«For more than twenty years of work, I have come to the conclusion that in any difficult situation, one should look for a way out and not be afraid to ask for help. But, observing the life of society, I made another difficult conclusion - the hardest thing today is not even to live, but to survive for people with disabilities, people of respectable age.
I have personally learned a lot in terms of communicating with the elderly and people with disabilities, the ability to protect myself and the people I work and communicate with, the ability to work psychologically and support these people. My self-esteem grew and my professional level increased. I have studied the Ukrainian legislation on human rights protection and child protection.».
Svetlana Polishchuk is the coordinator of the Rozhyshche community in the Volyn region.
«I've been working on the project for a relatively short period of time, only four months, but I can say with confidence that it's an incredible experience.».
Svitlana shares that, like anywhere else, there are difficulties, because working with people is not easy, but it teaches me and the team not to give up and to respond quickly to challenges that arise in the process. It's about discipline, self-organization, and adaptability. All these skills are definitely useful for my personal development.
As for what motivates Svitlana, it is the incredible people she is able to help.
«They are like rays of sunshine, charging you with their energy and always giving you a smile and support when you need it. In these moments, I feel that I am a part of something great that will make this world, Ukraine and our community better.».
Maria Hlod is the coordinator of the Torchyn community in Volyn Oblast.
Maria, who is an internally displaced person herself, notes how important it is to feel that you are part of a team that helps others.
«I am glad to have this opportunity, because it is not for nothing that they say it is much better to help than to ask for help. I want the social situation of vulnerable people to improve, for the community to be accessible to people with disabilities, and for medical facilities to provide quality services that are accessible to all. In the future, together with the NAIU, we will work on this!».
Valentyna Dobrydina is a coordinator in the Chernivtsi region.
Valentyna notes the importance of her work in coordinating activities in the communities of Chernivtsi region.
«The project is important and interesting. Thanks to its implementation, people receive real help in communities, in remote villages. For me, participation in the project is a new experience of working in a team; new approaches to analyzing the situation in communities; new knowledge on disability issues.».
Valentyna emphasizes that there is a lot of work to be done: establishing clear teamwork with community coordinators, communication with representatives of the regional authorities, community heads, starostas, clerks, social inspectors, social workers, and the target audience. This is a large number of people involved in the project to make it successful.
«In addition, these are visits to people's homes, phone conversations with women and men with disabilities, parents raising children with disabilities, and the elderly.».
Working in the project «Multisectoral Humanitarian Assistance with Disabilities» is not just a professional task, but also an opportunity for coordinators to benefit their communities, support the most vulnerable people and create real change for the better. Their stories show how the project helps not only those who receive assistance, but also the workers themselves, who feel part of a big and meaningful cause.
Liudmyla Krestianikova is a coordinator of the Mamayivska community in Chernivtsi region.
Liudmyla notes that her work in the project has helped her to better understand the needs of different people. For her, it is important to be part of a team that provides access to humanitarian aid, rehabilitation equipment, and medical services for people in the community.
«In my opinion, this is a necessary project for our target group, because since the beginning of the war, most of them have not received any help. I am pleased to realize that I am an important «cog» that ensures the operation of a large «help and support machine».
Vladyslav Dobrydin is a project coordinator in the Storozhynets community, Chernivtsi region.
«I am glad that I was personally given this opportunity to help the people of my community in this difficult time. There are different moments during the work, sometimes everything goes easily and according to plan, sometimes non-standard situations occur. But it always warms and supports the idea that there are no unsolvable problems and you are helping people with your work.».
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The project's value comes from the people who work on it
The multisectoral humanitarian aid project «Multisectoral humanitarian aid considering disabilities for internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, veterans and host communities in Ukraine” aims to provide assistance to the most vulnerable categories of the population of Ukraine.
Through the efforts of the regional coordinators, the project is beginning to take shape in the pilot communities. These are personal stories of people who work every day to support those who need it most.
Iryna Tverdokhlib is the coordinator in the Poltava region.
Iryna regards her involvement in the project not solely as a professional obligation, but also as a form of therapy that provides her with a sense of being needed.
«It is important to feel needed when trying to solve problems that people have. And from this, everyone has only positive emotions, which are so necessary for us all in such a difficult time for the country,» she said.
She emphasizes that the project creates a bridge between the government and the community, with a focus on supporting each specific person who needs it. Her experience shows that positive emotions and genuine changes in people's lives are the highest reward for work.
Nataliya Pruglo is the coordinator of Opishnya community, Poltava region.
Natalia admits that working in the Assembly team has become a new phase in her life.
«I have been disabled for more than 10 years, but I have never heard of the “National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine” before. I acquiesced to the role of community coordinator by chance, however, I genuinely enjoy my work and find it fascinating, especially when I witness the joy of individuals’ eyes. Although I am new, I was well received by the Assembly, and the entire team I work with is very professional and sensitive.
The project provided me with the opportunity to interact with a multitude of intriguing and hospitable individuals. Several people really impressed me with the strength of will, perseverance, and zeal with which they take on business. Thanks to the project, I am able to provide assistance to the individuals of our community during a challenging time, who genuinely require it. The project also reminded the local authorities that individuals require assistance and have the right to be heard and not be forgotten within their homes. The project provided great help to our residents, something that had never happened before.».
Elizaveta Otlyvanna is the coordinator of Karliv community, Poltava region.
Elizaveta confirms her silence as a result of her involvement in the project team. «Providing assistance to individuals is a pleasant experience, although there may be situations that require more effort to resolve. I was calm when the fuel boiler at our house leaked in the middle of the winter, because thanks to the project, I was able to borrow a new one. And I allowed myself to buy fresh vegetables and fruits at least once a week, which I was unable to do. I also have a grandson who is three years old, and I am happy that I can buy him the toys he asks for.
Elizaveta asserts that thanks to her work in the Assembly, she has been able to obtain an active seat through the Social Security Administration. «Many things in my life are going to change for the better,» she said.
Nina Pakhomyuk is the coordinator in the Volyn region.
Nina, who has extensive experience working with people with disabilities, emphasizes the importance of the project to communities. After only a a few months of work, she observes positive developments as individuals with disabilities are increasingly recognized. «The project not only helps financially, but also contributes to community cohesion by creating new opportunities for learning and development.
Over the past twenty years, I've learned that in any tough spot, one should always look for a way out and not be afraid to ask for help. But when I looked at the life of society, I made one more difficult conclusion: the hardest thing today is not even to live, it's to survive.
I personally learned a lot about communicating with the elderly and people with disabilities, how to protect myself and the people with whom I work and communicate, and how to work psychologically and support these people. My self-esteem and professional level have improved. I studied the legislation of Ukraine regarding the protection of people's rights and the protection of children's rights.».
Svitlana Polishchuk is the coordinator of Rozhyshchensk community, Volyn region.
«I have only been involved in the project for a short duration, namely the fourth month, yet I can confidently affirm that it has been an exceptional experience.».
Svitlana shares that, like everywhere, difficulties arise because working with people is not easy, but it teaches me and the team not to give up and to quickly respond to challenges that arise in the process. It emphasizes discipline, self-organization, and adaptability. All of these skills are extremely useful for my personal development.
If we talk about what motivates Svetlana, then these are incredible people who are able to help. «They charge like the sun's rays and always smile and help when they need it. I feel that in these moments, I am touching something big that will make this world, Ukraine, and our community better.».
Maria Glod is the coordinator of Torchyn community, Volyn region.
Maria, who is a woman who has been internally displaced, elucidates the significance of being a member of a team that assists others.
«I am pleased that I have been given this opportunity, as it is not without reason that it is advisable to offer assistance rather than solicit it. I hope that the social situation of vulnerable areas of the population will improve, that the community will be accessible to people with disabilities, and that medical facilities will provide quality services to all. In the future, we will work together with NAPD to address this issue.».
Valentina Dobridina is the coordinator in Chernivtsi region.
Valentina notes the importance of her work in coordinating activities in communities of the Chernivtsi region.
«The project is of great importance and interest. Thanks to its implementation, people are receiving real help in communities and remote villages. For me, participating in the project is a new experience of working in a team, new ways to look at the situation in communities, and new knowledge about disability.».
Valentina emphasizes that there is a lot of work to be done: establishing clear teamwork with coordinators in communities, communicating with representatives of regional authorities, heads of communities, elders, clerks, social inspectors, social workers, and the target audience. «This is a large number of people involved in the project in order to ensure its success. Furthermore, these include visits to people's homes, communication over the phone with women and men with disabilities, parents who raise children with disabilities, and elderly people.».
«Working on the project «Multisectoral humanitarian aid considering disabilities» isn't just a job for coordinators, it's a chance to help their communities, help the weakest, and make real change. Their stories demonstrate how the project not only helps those who receive help, but also the workers themselves, who feel part of a big and meaningful cause.».
Krestyanikova Lyudmila is the coordinator of Mamaiv community, Chernivtsi region.
Lyudmila acknowledges that participating in the project has helped her in understanding the requirements of diverse individuals. It is important for her to be part of a team that provides access to humanitarian aid, technical means of rehabilitation, and medical services to people in the community.
«I believe that this is a necessary project for our target group, since since the beginning of the war, most of them have not received any help. I am pleased to realize that I am an important component of the big aid and support machine.».
Vladyslav Dobridin is the coordinator in Storozhynetsk community, Chernivtsi region.
«I am grateful that I personally had the opportunity to help the people of my community during this difficult time. During work, there are different moments when everything goes smoothly and according to plan, and other times when non-standard situations occur. But it always warms and supports the idea that there are no unsolvable problems and that you help people with their work.».
