FIREWOOD PROJECT
IZIUM, KHARKIV REGION
46 households; 23 courtyards.
Today, we distributed firewood in the city of Izium and were struck by the story of one family. At the beginning of the war, their building was destroyed. The roof remains unrepaired, covered with plastic sheeting, and the windows are also covered with plastic. This family consists of a grandmother and her daughter, both of whom are disabled. They lost their documents and cannot apply for restoration aid or financial assistance. Their only income is the grandmother’s pension. They have no gas supply and rely on a wood-burning stove. They live in a single room heated by a small makeshift heater. The firewood assistance became an indispensable lifeline for them.
Among the countless stories of war, one stands out. It’s about a family with two young children living in Izium. When the war began, they held out as long as possible, staying in their home despite the escalating fighting around them. When the shelling became unbearable, they fled with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
Their journey brought them to Virnopillia. A volunteer recalls their first encounter:
“As I was driving, I saw a little girl standing with her grandmother, and the mother holding an infant. It was winter, freezing cold, and they were dressed in light jackets and slippers. They asked for soap to wash their hands. I was shaken to my core. They had nothing but what they were wearing.”
They were given temporary shelter in Virnopillia, where they stayed for about a month. But as the war advanced into the village, destroying entire streets, they had to flee again.
During their evacuation, tragedy struck. Near a cemetery, a shell exploded close to their car, and the blast wave overturned the vehicle. Miraculously, they survived and continued on foot through forests and fields until they reached Borova Barvinkove.
When their hometown was liberated, they returned, only to find their house completely looted by Russian soldiers. Not a single belonging remained. Neighbors helped as much as they could, providing clothes, food, and basic necessities.
Now, the family consists of a grandmother, mother, and two young girls. The father went to war and is missing. They receive no aid or benefits. The children need psychological support, as the trauma they endured left deep scars. Despite everything, they persevere, though how they manage is beyond comprehension.
KHERSON REGION
KHERSON: UNDER THE SIGN OF KINDNESS AND HOPE
Last week, the team of the “Step with Hope” International Charity Foundation spent their days in Kherson providing care, support, and kindness. Despite the holidays and ongoing conflict, the work never stopped.
A Celebration Amid Hardship
On New Year’s Eve, our team brought a touch of joy to Kherson residents by distributing festive treats. In these challenging times, offering people a moment of celebration, even briefly, restores faith in miracles.
But challenges don’t take holidays. Shelling continued unabated, and even on New Year’s Eve, we were boarding up shattered windows in apartments to ensure residents could greet the holiday in relative safety.
Caring for Everyone
Life during war affects not only people but also animals. Our team fed four abandoned pets whose owners couldn’t take them during evacuation. Additionally, we supported those left without electricity and heat by providing three canisters of gasoline to residents in the Eastern district and installing a dehumidifier to combat dampness.
A Mission of Hope
This week reinforced that even in the darkest times, light can shine. We strive to bring hope to those who need it most, encouraging them to keep going and believe the world can improve. Holidays are a time when faith in kindness is most needed.
Our mission is to let everyone in need know they are not alone. Even when miracles seem impossible, they happen where love and care exist.
DONETSK REGION: KONSTANTYNIVKA, DRUZHKIVKA
Despite the dire situation in Donbas, our team visited cities where help is most needed. We organized bread distribution, provided eyeglasses, held children’s workshops, and hosted a charitable lunch.
One memorable story is about Anatoliy, who struggled with severe obesity and urgently needed a walking cane. We were able to assist him, and his gratitude motivates us to keep going.
We also purchased new tires for our aid delivery vehicle, as the old ones were nearly worn down to the metal due to the harsh road conditions.
KHARKIV REGION: ZNAMYANKA
“My name is Larysa, and I’m 43 years old. When the war started, I relocated to the village of Znamyanka with my two children, where we currently live. Every Wednesday, we receive fresh bread. I’m deeply grateful to the ‘Step with Hope’ foundation for this vital support. Wishing you good health, prosperity, and God’s blessings.”
OTHER LOCATIONS
DERHACHI: Assistance was provided to pensioners, people with disabilities, the unemployed, and large families. The residents express immense gratitude for the bread that helps them survive these hard times.
CHUHUIV & KOCHETOK: Raїsa, a 1938-born pensioner from Chuhuiv, expressed heartfelt thanks for the foundation’s care during these challenging times.
MEREFA: Help was extended to needy pensioners, displaced persons, the unemployed, and people with disabilities. Everyone expressed deep gratitude to the foundation and sponsors for their support.
KRASNOHRAD: Viktor, 69, lives alone and struggles to survive on his pension after a work-related injury. He sincerely thanked the foundation for the bread that has become a lifeline for him.
PRYOMAYSKYI: Support reached pensioners, displaced individuals, people with disabilities, large families, and the unemployed. They all extended their gratitude and warm wishes to the foundation.
KHARKIV, KAMYANA YAHUGA, MALA DANYLIVKA: Last weekend, we held six sessions for children and teens. For children, we presented an engaging lecture on “Facts About Rodents,” and for teens, we held a session on “Harmful Habits.”
January 4: “New Year” Celebration for Adults
On January 4, an adult “New Year” celebration was held. Children actively participated in the program by reciting poems and singing songs. At the end, each child received a gift.
These events have become a ray of light in these challenging times when people need to feel supported and cared for.
DNIPROPETROVSK REGION: NIKOPOL
Recently, our team has been actively working in the Nikopol Assistance Center. Every day, city residents come here with various requests: food assistance, drinking water, consultations with an ophthalmologist, participation in children’s activities, and more. The most urgent need remains drinking water, which saves lives in these difficult times.
We also extended our help to the Nikopol district. This week, we delivered food packages to villages, including the settlement of Zakamyanka near Marhanets. Aid had not been provided there for a long time, likely due to its proximity to the front line. The village has become a hostage to circumstances, enduring artillery shelling and relentless drone attacks.
In Zakamyanka, we went beyond distributing food packages. Together with a local representative, we visited the most vulnerable and immobile residents, offering them support with all available resources.
One of the families we visited included Denys, a child with a disability, raised by a single mother. They have no home of their own and live in a relative’s house abandoned due to the war. Denys, nine years old, suffers from developmental delays, barely reaching the level of a five-year-old child. He speaks very little and only recently began managing without diapers due to his illness. His eyes radiate joy, purity, and trust. Despite their difficult circumstances, Denys remains open and smiles, eagerly interacting with others. We couldn’t hold back tears seeing him. His innocent gaze embodies a happiness we all strive to preserve in this harsh world.
We also visited Tamara, an elderly resident of Zakamyanka living alone. In a short time, she lost three close family members. Now, she’s trying to learn how to live again, but the pain of loss holds her back. Her health has deteriorated, and walking to the store has become a challenge. The walker we provided was the most valuable gift for her during this holiday season.
Another resident, Oleksandra, is battling cancer. At 70, she underwent surgery to remove her breast and part of her lymphatic system. Her face bears the marks of pain and loss. A month ago, she lost her husband of 54 years.
This summer, we saw their beautiful family filled with love and harmony. They raised two children and several grandchildren. Their home was a symbol of care and order: a well-kept yard, a cozy gazebo, and a large pool. Even in poor health, her husband continued to advise and manage the household.
Today, her eyes are filled with immense sorrow. While we did our best to support Oleksandra, the most valuable aid for her will always be human warmth and attention.
KRYVYI RIH
Our team conducted humanitarian missions along several important routes:
- Kryvyi Rih – Sofiyivska Territorial Community
- Kryvyi Rih – Beryslavska Territorial Community
- Kryvyi Rih – Kherson
We also worked in the Kryvyi Rih district, providing humanitarian aid such as firewood, food packages, and gifts for children from internally displaced families (IDPs), families in difficult life circumstances (DLS), and orphans from the families of fallen defenders.
In addition, we offered comprehensive psychosocial support to approximately 150 people. The total weight of humanitarian aid delivered amounted to about 3,200 kg.
“We are an ordinary family forced to leave our home due to the war. Before the invasion, we lived in the small village of Prosyana in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, bordering Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. Each day, it became more dangerous.
My husband, Oleksandr, joined the defense forces on the first day of the war. I eventually moved to Kryvyi Rih, where I’ve lived for two years. We share a house with the Ivashchenko family — mother Bohdana and her daughter Mariyka. They are IDPs from Polohy, Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
The Ivashchenkos had to leave their home at the beginning of the full-scale war due to constant shelling. Initially, they moved to Zaporizhzhia, where Bohdana learned a new profession. However, this city soon became unsafe due to missile strikes and drone attacks. Eventually, they relocated to Kryvyi Rih, where we met and now share a home.
We strive to help everyone in need. We believe the world cannot exist without kind people, and help always finds those who need it most. Thank you to everyone who cares for our children and supports us during these tough times.”
PAVLOHRAD
Oleksandra Mykolayivna, 78, a retiree, moved to Pavlohrad from Pokrovske District. Like many displaced people, her main challenge is the high cost of housing. She receives medication through the “Affordable Medicines” program.
Oleksandra Mykolayivna sincerely thanks us for the food assistance and participation in the psychological support program.
The situation in the city is difficult, with constant explosions and many new displaced people. Housing remains a pressing issue, forcing many to leave Pavlohrad in search of shelter elsewhere.
KAMIANSKE
Recent initiatives and humanitarian aid efforts included:
- Transportation of humanitarian aid:
- within Kamianske (left and right banks);
- delivery of bread across the city;
- aid delivery along the Kamianske – Dnipro – Kamianske route.
- Activities at the “Smile” children’s center.
- Distribution of bread and food packages.
- Organization of charitable lunches.
- Laundry services for IDPs and families in difficult life circumstances.
- Operation of a massage room.
- Distribution of clothing and eyeglasses.
- Psychosocial programs:
- “Strength in Weakness”
- “Healing Emotional Wounds”
- Charitable haircuts for IDPs and vulnerable families.
In Kamianske (left bank), a charitable tent offered:
- hot porridge, salad, tea, and cookies for IDPs and the underprivileged.
In the Chemists’ district of Kamianske:
- a charitable lunch for IDPs and the underprivileged;
- the opening of a “Wardrobe” for IDPs and people in difficult life circumstances.
Psychosocial programs such as “Healing Emotional Wounds” were also conducted.
Maria, 52, a displaced person from Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast:
“In 2022, as the occupiers approached our city and shelling intensified, my husband, son, and I left our beloved Avdiivka, which now barely exists. It is heartbreaking to realize we lost everything. I am deeply grateful to the “Step with Hope” Foundation and its sponsors for their care for displaced persons. Your help gives us the strength to move forward.”
Olha, a local resident of Kamianske:
“My mother, Valentyna Mykolayivna, 85, was evacuated by volunteers in June 2024 from Yasna Polyana, a village in Donetsk Oblast. Like many elderly people, she hesitated to leave her home to avoid being a burden. Unfortunately, the village is now occupied. On behalf of my mother, I want to thank the sponsors for the delicious bread, which is a significant support for people in challenging circumstances. May God bless you for your compassion toward displaced persons.”