KHERSON REGION
KHERSON
Two powerful explosions completely changed our assistance schedule. We had two more deratizations of private homes ahead, but what happened could not go unnoticed. It was clear that it occurred nearby, as the sound and vibrations that shook the building we were in were very strong. We quickly scanned all the nearby houses—everything was intact. As we moved further down the street, we realized it seemed to have hit a school. On the way, neighbors confirmed that it indeed struck the school. We arrived together with the patrol police, everything coordinated, even though it was our first time meeting them. A mother and her child ran out of the school, terrified, and a wounded woman was being escorted out. We evacuated everyone from the building. There were no more people inside, but the school’s workshop room was on fire. Before the emergency services arrived, we managed to extinguish the flames. Looking around, we saw that all the houses in the neighborhood were left without windows. We tried to calm the people down. We offered psychological support and helped with cleanup. We covered the windows with plastic and repaired doors where we could. We cleared the apartments of glass. Only one thought was in our minds: it was a miracle that everyone in the school and the house across the street survived…
DONETSK REGION
KOSTYANTYNIVKA, DRUZHKIVKA
The situation in Kostyantynivka is worsening. From Friday to Saturday, shelling caused part of the ceiling in the assistance center to collapse. Everyone helped clean up. Aid was provided in the form of 100 loaves of bread, distributed to people with disabilities, internally displaced persons (IDPs), the unemployed, and large families. Twenty people received consultations from an ophthalmologist and glasses, thanks to our partners at Restoring Vision.
We heard many touching stories. People leave their homes with just a couple of bags, leaving behind everything they’ve worked for. One woman had her windows blown out by earlier shelling—we repaired them. But now, the situation is such that we need to save not the windows or houses but the people themselves.
DRUZHKIVKA
One hundred loaves of bread were distributed to people with disabilities, IDPs, the unemployed, and large families. We also provided psychological support to those in need.
KHARKIV REGION
Last week, our team delivered food packages to towns in the Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, and Kherson regions.
We were able to help people from various categories, including IDPs, low-income families, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
The situation over the week has not improved, and many are still in need of food. IDPs from conflict zones continue to require support, and we are doing our best to meet people’s needs.
Oleksiy Anatoliyovych, 70 years old, living with his wife in Kharkiv. He has had two strokes and struggles to walk. For them, this aid is a true gift, as their pensions are small, and these food packages are a tremendous help. “Thank you so much.”
ZNAMYANKA
Over the past week, the situation in our region hasn’t significantly changed. Shelling can still be heard in the distance. IDPs who previously moved to our village remain here and are not returning home. Those who receive loaves of bread express their heartfelt gratitude for the support and help!
“My name is Oksana, I’m 34 years old. I have two minor children to care for. When the war started, we were forced to move from Kharkiv to the village of Znamyanka. We rented a house and have been living here with the kids. We don’t pay rent, but we do cover utility bills and buy firewood. I am so thankful for the bread I receive every week. Thank you to the Step With Hope Foundation! I wish you growth, good health, and peace as soon as possible.”
“My name is Tetyana Vasylivna, I am 83 years old. We moved from Kharkiv back in April of last year. We came to the village of Znamyanka because our house was bombed, and we had nowhere to live. I live with my sister and my niece, who has been disabled since childhood. My son has been defending Ukraine since the first days of the war. We were so surprised when we were told that free food would be distributed in the village. What a relief for us, especially when we have so little money. I am sincerely grateful to everyone helping and providing such support. May God protect you, and thank you from the bottom of my heart on behalf of my whole family!”
CHUGUIV AND THE KOCHEVOK SETTLEMENT
In these locations, we provided aid to IDPs, people with disabilities, large families, pensioners, the poor, and temporarily unemployed individuals.
The situation has deteriorated significantly—there have been more frequent shelling of not only infrastructure but also residential buildings and power substations. There is a lack of housing for IDPs, and funds for roof repairs are insufficient. There is an urgent need for portable diesel generators, firewood for heating, tree pruners, roof coverings, and concrete rings for public wells.
This week, we conducted a follow-up survey of the area to assess the situation. People are deeply concerned about the frequent shelling and power outages, but they have nowhere to go, nor do they have the money to leave. About 70% of those we surveyed expressed these concerns.
“I am Nataliya Volodymyrivna, a single mother living in the city of Chuhuiv. I am raising four children. These are very difficult times for us, so thank you for your help.”
MEREFA
This week in Merefa, we distributed 300 loaves of bread to low-income individuals, people with disabilities, pensioners, IDPs, the temporarily unemployed, and those without means of livelihood. Everyone is deeply grateful to the Step With Hope Foundation and sponsors for their support and assistance.
BALAKLEYA
Balakliya: 200 loaves were distributed to pensioners, people with disabilities, the unemployed, internally displaced persons, and the poor.
People are asking for hygiene products and adult diapers. People are very grateful for the free bread and thank everyone who is supporting those in need during these difficult times. We thank you for your help.
KRASNOGRAD
The situation has not improved over the past week; many people are still in need of food. Displaced persons from the conflict zone continue to require support. There is a shortage of hygiene products and food other than bread. Nevertheless, we do our best to help people with what we have.
PERVOMAISKYI
We distributed 140 loaves of white bread to pensioners, people with disabilities, the unemployed, refugees, and the poor. Over the past week, there were no significant changes in the area. Those receiving aid are very grateful to the ‘Step With Hope’ Foundation, sincerely wishing for its prosperity and well-being. They thank the leadership for organizing the smooth delivery of bread and hope to continue receiving this assistance in the future.
KHARKIV, KAMIANA YARUHA, MALA DANYLIVKA
This week, the situation has stabilized. There were no heavy shellings. Mostly, the surrounding areas suffered, and in the city, the explosions were heard from afar.
While working with children, our team noticed frequent arguments within the group, likely caused by stress, as people react differently to each other’s words and actions under pressure. So, we held a meeting on “Understanding in the Team”. Afterward, we celebrated the birthday of a girl named Masha, who turned 10. We also organized a few more events for children and teenagers. For the children, we had a session on “Everyone Needs Care”, and for the teenagers, a session on “Respect and Love for Parents”. Additionally, children helped clean the grounds of the prayer house.
This week, our team also organized a trip for children and teenagers to the zoo. They had a great time and were very thankful for this opportunity to relax and unwind from various types of stress.
The number of displaced persons continues to grow as the cold weather sets in. People are coming because there is no electricity or gas, and pharmacies and shops are closing.
People express their gratitude to the foundation and sponsors with tears in their eyes for the constant support and assistance during such a difficult time for them. Thank you so much for your work and care.
DNIPROPETROVSK REGION
NIKOPOL
We continue moving forward as planned, doing everything possible to support the people of Nikopol and the surrounding area. We are still providing as much help as we can with the resources available to us, supporting people who have lost faith and expect nothing anymore.
As previously announced, we began providing aid in Marganets, where we were eagerly awaited. The reception went smoothly, and people were delighted.
The day before, we visited Loshkarivka. It was a very difficult trip. We arrived home around 10 PM due to the rough roads. The next day, we were already in Marganets.
We continue working at our Nikopol assistance center, distributing water and food. In addition to drinking water, we distributed food packages.
Nina Olegivna is a seriously ill pensioner. In her 70s, she is raising her orphaned grandson. His parents took their own lives, leaving the boy alone in the world. Nikita is very shy and avoids people. The trauma he experienced in early childhood still hurts him today. Nina thanked us with tears in her eyes. In a personal conversation, she said: “My only dream is to live long enough to see my grandson reach adulthood and place him in reliable hands.”
Heorhiy is a talented carpenter and handyman. He has no stable income and relies on temporary jobs. He is raising his son, Yegor, alone. We have been helping this family for two years.
PAVLOHRAD
Evacuations continue, and more people with IDP status arrive in Pavlohrad. This week, we had a woman named Larisa from Selydove. She was very grateful for the assistance she received through the psycho-social support program and humanitarian aid. We were pleasantly surprised when she told us that she had previously visited the “Step With Hope” foundation center in her hometown.
Halyna came from a place with a famous name — New York, but this one is in Donetsk region. Like all settlements in Donetsk, the full-scale conflict brought bombings and shellings. Halyna’s 80-year-old mother left back in 2014. Part of the family left New York in 2022, but the other part remains in Donetsk, where it’s almost impossible and very expensive to leave. The family is torn apart, which has greatly impacted the psychological state of the entire family. She is very grateful for the assistance provided.
KRYVYI RIH
This week, we distributed humanitarian aid in the form of clothing, bread, and food packages. The total weight of the goods distributed was around 2,500 kg.
Aliona, her husband, and their two minor children arrived in Kryvyi Rih from Beryslav, Kherson region. They lost their home there. They have been living in a foreign city for over a year and are in great need of assistance. The bread and humanitarian aid they receive are very important to their family. She is deeply grateful to our foundation for this help!
We also didn’t overlook the children who attend the “Step With Hope” foundation. With the younger group, we learned how to use a ruler, and with the teenagers, we explored doodling and Zentangle drawing techniques.
KAMIANSKE
In Kamianske, things are buzzing. Humanitarian aid distribution, massages, and psycho-social programs are organized. The women’s club “Berehynia” and the children’s center “Smile” operated, and laundry services were in high demand.
The situation in the city is relatively calm, but every day more and more people from Donetsk arrive, most of whom have very few belongings with them.
“My name is Liubov, I am 37 years old and from the city of Kurakhove. I arrived with my daughter in April 2023. Sadly, the war in my city began in 2014, and my husband went to defend our land. He is now considered missing. I rent an apartment. My home in my native city was destroyed by a shell. I want to express my deep gratitude to the sponsors who help and care for us.”
“My name is Larysa, I am 74 years old, from Pokrovsk. On September 1, 2024, my neighbor evacuated me from my hometown to Kamianske. It was terrifying to stay there, with the sound of gunfire coming closer. I now live in a dormitory. I thank God that I have met such people who help displaced persons. Today I received free bread for the first time and thank the sponsors for their care.”
We also worked well with the children, and our sessions were dedicated to the topic “The Seven Wonders of Ukraine”. The teenagers explored the difference between proactive and reactive behavior.
DNIPRO
In Dnipro’s territorial assistance centers, we not only distributed food and provided massages, but we also worked on restoring people’s psycho-emotional well-being.
We held an acting workshop for teenagers on the topic “Roles in Our Lives” and art therapy sessions with schoolchildren.
SAMAR (ex.NOVOMOSKOVSK)
This week in Samar, we had a fun and interesting time. We worked with children on the theme of kindness with “The Story of the Little Camel”. Then, we made ribbon bracelets. We also held an art therapy session called “The Magic of Autumn”.
