Volunteer team

Our Team

With the beginning of the war, tens of thousands of people in Ukraine partially or completely changed professions to become volunteers, enabling them to defend the country. After all, we hold the rear! Probably, like in most volunteer organizations in early March, all our work was based on shared personal contacts and was quite chaotic. We asked our team: “How did you become a volunteer?”

Команда - волонтери. Як розпочинали та чому. The team is volunteers. How did it start and why?

Denis Ostrovsky

The horror and fear of the first days passed. I cried for the first time in many years, sending my child and wife to Poland, my father and brother to the army, my best friend into unemployment, myself and two cats to an empty, long-forgotten apartment on the outskirts of Zhytomyr. Into the unknown. Everyone I know. After a good sleep and a meal, I finally received an adrenaline response from my body: I must act. I must work together with the whole country for victory. I learned to weave camouflage nets like a cunning spider, make Molotov cocktails so that they burn smoky and scorching, I know how to properly arrange fire points and checkpoints with sandbags, supplied tons of medicine, food, uniforms for our soldiers. And I continue. I, and millions like me, have traded jobs for ourselves for work for victory. I, and millions like me, hold a reliable rear. I, and millions like me, dedicate all our efforts so that those who give their lives are well-fed, provided for, know that they are awaited at home, and all their loved ones are cared for by those who care. I am a volunteer.

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Olga Ivanyuk

In general, there's not a very exciting story. At the beginning of March, I often saw posts on Telegram channels where volunteers were helping people with resettlement, distributing food, clothing, and so on. And, of course, I also had the desire to be of use to people in such a difficult time. In one of these channels for the Zhytomyr region, there was a link to a form for those willing to become volunteers to help resettlers. I really wanted to apply, but it didn't work out there. A few days later, in the evening, a classmate messaged me, asking if I was in Zhytomyr because help was needed in sorting humanitarian aid. Of course, without much thought, I agreed, invited another person, and from the next day, I joined our wonderful team to help. Student. Polissia National University.

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Yulia Shmalyuk

Before February 24th, I wasn't actively involved in volunteering. In the first fearful days of the war, as a mother of two children, my primary concern was their safety. Many acquaintances left, but I couldn't leave my close and dear people. After a while, I realized that I couldn't just sit at home; I needed to help our people in some way. I started monitoring the situation. Then I learned from colleagues that they were involved in volunteering, sorting medical drugs and supplies. At that moment, I understood that where you feel "at home," you can contribute some part of help. So, I joined the Volunteer Headquarters "Dіya, Razom," where there is an incredible atmosphere, and everyone works for victory. My family and I donated many things and toys to those who need them more than we do. We teach our children by setting an example. In general, the desire to be useful to at least one person encourages even more help in any way. Each of us contributes a small part, bringing us closer to victory. Zhytomyr Basic Pharmaceutical College.

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Anna Ryaboy

Personally, I joined the volunteer headquarters in the second month of the war. There are many stereotypes about volunteering in Ukraine, but when I met Margarita, I had no doubt that this was the place that united conscious and initiative people. Since then, I started consulting and registering people for financial assistance from UNICEF 24/7. For me, it's a unique opportunity to feel a sense of belonging to creating change in my society, and I give my most precious - my time - to this cause.

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Halyna Kostrykina

I joined the volunteer movement from the first day of the war. We cleared debris, made Molotov cocktails, distributed, delivered, bought, and sent... Once I saw a message in one of the volunteer chats: people are needed to help sort out medicines. I had a few free hours, so I immediately went. And stayed for a month or so because there were not just a few boxes of medicines, but many-many pallets. Later, students, pharmacists, and other caring people joined the help, so I could switch to other directions. I remember working in the headquarters with warmth and positivity. Such an atmosphere of acceptance, mutual help, and openness is rare to find (Margo, you have a great merit in that, you're awesome!). And the brightest memory - loud alarm sirens in complete darkness, and the three of us in the hospital yard 10 minutes before curfew).

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Natalia Liuta

Starting from February 24, 2022, as a conscious Ukrainian, I could not stay away from the events unfolding on my native land. At first, my husband and I bought bread, tea, coffee, cookies, and medicines for those at the checkpoints. Then, with my daughter, we made masks, sorted humanitarian aid, delivered medicines to hospitals. But all the time, I felt that it was not enough, that I did not use all the opportunities. So, by joining volunteer groups on Telegram, I joined the volunteer team "DІYA. Razom" - whose main goal was: "If you have the desire, you can do everything." "Together" we really "DІYAli," supported each other and those we helped. "DІYA. Razom" - we are strength.

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Our Team

Denis Ostrovsky

Natalia Kurko

Olga Ivanyuk

Levon

Yulia Shmalyuk

Anna Ryaboy

Maxim Zaverukha

Aliona Balabukha

Marina Kovalchuk

Tetiana Zubrytska

Halyna Kostrykina

Oleg Chovnyuk

Natalia Liuta

Vita Klymentieva