KHERSON
The week went by quickly: we fed a dog, refueled generators to connect dehumidifiers, carried out pest control (extermination of rats) in eight rooms, disinfected (treated for mold) five large basements, provided one person with poisons to carry out pest control on his own. We also replaced some plumbing, helped people with moving, and delivered medicines and food to a person with a disability.
The week was all about “diving” into basements. We conducted many disinfecting procedures for the basements flooded in 2023 and carried out pest control multiple times. Due to the apartments abandoned with food in them, we have major problems with rodents, so when people return, it is not always possible to get rid of all the pests the first time. Often, not even the second time because of their large number. However, the team of the EO “IBF “Step with Hope” and our partners from Ukraine TrustChain are always there for Kherson residents in their needs.
This week we helped get rid of mice people who had been evacuated from the Zaporizhzhia region and moved to Naftogavan, which was completely flooded later on in 2023, so they had to move again, to the Ostrov neighborhood. And there, on the 9th floor, Ms. Nadiia faced a new challenge: rats. But after the visit of our team of volunteers from the EO “IBF “Step with Hope”, there will be no more mice in Ms. Nadiia’s apartment.
DONETSK REGION
Kostiantynivka, Druzhkivka
This week, with the support of our partners Ukraine TrustChain, 100 loaves of bread and diapers for adults and babies were delivered and distributed in Kostiantynivka. And then we faced the problem of a tree broken by strong winds, blocking the yard of a pensioner. We were happy to help put her yard in order.
“Dear eleemosynary organization “IBF “Step with Hope”!
My name is Larisa, I am a resident of Kostiantynivka. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you for your help in cutting down the tree. Thanks to your prompt assistance, we were able to solve the problem that threatened our safety and living conditions.”
In Druzhkivka, we also distributed 100 loaves of bread and heard incredible words of gratitude from Halyna, who is taking care of her sick, elderly mother.
“My name is Halyna, I live in Druzhkivka. I thank the foundation from the bottom of my heart! Thank you for your kind hearts! We are wishing you further success in your noble mission. May your foundation prosper and continue bringing joy and relief to those in need.”
Toretsk
When a team of volunteers from one of the villages in the Toretsk district asked us for help, we made a decision to help them restore the operation of the Invincibility Center, where they used to cook and feed 70 people twice a week before it was completely destroyed by shelling.
We promptly purchased the necessary items, including gas stoves for cooking, a barrel for drinking water, utensils, portable gas stoves, groceries, and more. And thanks to our partners at Ukraine TrustChain, we immediately sent our aid to the point of destination.
Due to the escalating situation, we unloaded the aid at the transshipment warehouse in Kostiantynivka, from where it is now being delivered in several parts directly to the settlement they were meant for.
The villagers did not expect to receive the necessary help so quickly. They did not even hope for it, so they were thankful to the point of tears. By the way, that village is home to about 300 people.
Kramatorsk, Sloviansk
On June 21-23, 2024, trips were made to the city of Kramatorsk to bring humanitarian aid. This was done with the support of Samaritan’s Purse Ukraine. The humanitarian aid consisted of 150 loaves of bread and household chemicals, part of which was delivered to Druzhkivka later on.
The situation in the city remains alarming and tense, as no one knows what to expect. But the people are waiting. There are also those returning. They are returning to Kramatorsk because they have not found themselves or have not found a place for themselves to keep living their lives where they had gone to. Some of them spent two years living in a foreign country. One person came back from America, another one returned from the western part of Ukraine. They moved back in because they had not felt at home there. They felt like strangers and decided to come back to Ukraine.
KHARKIV REGION
Znamianka
In Znamianka, we help many people who no longer receive assistance. These are the segments of the population like pensioners, the disabled, and the poor.
“I am Oksana Kharchenko, 59 years old. I live alone. I do not receive any payments. Thank you for the bread. I thank the organizers, I thank everyone. I wish you all health!”
Zmiiv
In this village, we help with food packages and bread from our partners Ukraine TrustChain. We regularly receive gratitude from there:
“I am Larisa Bilova, a 3rd group disabled person.
Thank you very much to such an incredible organization that helps people, God bless you! All the best and a peaceful sky above your heads.”
“Boris Anatoliiovych, born in 1939, a pensioner and a resident of the city of Zmiyiv. Many thanks to the organization that helps us! And thank you for the bread! And thank you for your assistance.”
“Mykhailo Petrovych, a local resident, born in 1942. I am very grateful for the help!”
Chuhuiv and Kochetok
Internally displaced people, large families, pensioners, the disabled, the low-income and the temporarily unemployed received assistance last week.
“I am Viktor Serhiiovych Somov, born in 1946. At present, I live alone. My children have gone abroad. It is very difficult for me to survive solely on my pension. Thank you very much for your concern and help.”
Kharkiv, Kamiana Yaruga, Mala Danylivka
Humanitarian aid from our partners Ukraine TrustChain was also delivered to these settlements and received a lot of positive feedback.
DNIPROPETROVSK REGION
Nikopol
The week turned out to be fruitful, as we worked in different directions. The volunteers of the EO “IBF “Step with Hope” help with the distribution of aid in six settlements of the Nikopol district. This week they visited another one, the urban village of Hranitne.
Once a powerful village, Hranitne was known throughout the Soviet Union for its rich granite deposits. The main administrative building, the once huge Pidstepniansky Building Materials Plant, is now a ruin. Pillars and other stone products used to be cast here. The entire village, which amounts to about 600 people, used to be employed at the plant.
Today, the plant is artificially bankrupt and looted, and the village is in decline. Only the walls of the plant and its empty buildings remind us of its former power. Walking through the streets, you cannot help feeling the oppressive atmosphere of modern reality. After all, everything used to be so different.
It is such a sad picture of the present.
Thanks to our partners Restoring Vision and Ukraine TrustChain, an ophthalmologist’s appointments were organized in this village. About 70 people were seen by the doctor. Everyone who could move around at least somehow, came. The medical checkup took place in challenging conditions, without electricity, only with a flashlight in hands. The villages are experiencing the most severe blackouts. People were received until 9 pm. In addition to eyeglasses for the adults, we distributed sweets to the younger locals, making them happy.
In addition to the above, we were active in the Nikopol aid center, distributing water to the residents of the suffering town. Two years of living under shelling have on the “Zero line” exhausted people to the limit. We filled the water tank and distributed all the water out of it to the people who came to us in a continuous line. In addition to water, we are running a program called “Recovery after mental trauma”. We also provided targeted food delivery assistance to those who needed it.
Over a one-week period, we distributed 200 eyeglasses, 10 food packages, 1000 liters of water, 20 packages of sweets, and some diapers.
Pavlohrad
In Pavlohrad and Ternivka, we distributed humanitarian aid in the form of household chemicals and bread. Thanks to our partners Samaritan’s Purse Ukraine, Ukraine TrustChain, and MMC (Mennonite Central Committee), bread and groceries were received by everyone who needed them.
“I am Olga Petrivna. I have come from Bakhmut. I am 83 years old. Thank you for the help you give us! Thanks to it, we have the most necessary things, including the bread and the cereals.”
Spaske
This week our team went to the village of Spaske. Thanks to our partners Restoring Vision, more than 200 people received eyeglasses. Among them were IDPs, people with disabilities, and the poor. Everyone was very much obliged!
Kryvyi Rih
Volunteer trips were made to Kryvyi Rih, Sofiivka, Radushne, Novoiulivka and Mykolaivka. With the support of our partner Samaritan’s Purse Ukraine, we distributed humanitarian aid in the form of food packages. We also conducted psychological and social trainings for IDPs and victims of war losses with the support of our sponsors MMC (Mennonite Central Committee).
Kamianske
The operation of the volunteer center in Kamianske includes giving the following types of assistance:
– receiving and distributing bread in Kamianske;
– delivering bread, food, and humanitarian aid to the volunteer centers and distribution points in Kamianske (for the IDPs and the families in difficult life circumstances), as well as to the hospital and for IDP volunteers;
– transportation of humanitarian aid around the town of Kamianske (left and right banks) and from Dnipro city;
– Food packages distribution;
– Women’s club operation (“Beregynia” needlework classes);
– Organization of charity dinners.
“My name is Nadiia, I am 35 years old and I am from the city of Mariupol. On February 19, 2022, we heard the first explosions in the suburbs, and on February 24, the war began. My parents, my sister and I got into our car and drove to Zaporizhzhia, because at that time there were already battles in the village of Shyrokene, 4 km away from Mariupol.
On March 10, an aerial bomb hit our house and the building collapsed from the 9th floor to the 5th. Had we stayed in the apartment where we had lived for 8 years, we would not be alive at the moment. In October 2022, we were advised to move to Kamianske, where I now live with my parents and sister. I am very grateful to the sponsors who help and support us, it is very important to feel cared for.”
“I am Olga Anatoliivna Kozhevnikova. I am 67 years old. In April 2022 I moved to Kamianske from the city of Kramatorsk, Donetsk region, after the hostilities started. I live alone in Kamianske and rent a house. In this burdensome time, I am grateful for the help provided by the Foundation. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
