On February 24, 2022, Ukraine woke up from deafening explosions that marked the start of Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war that plunged millions of Ukrainians into a year-long nightmare. With the aggressor’s atrocious advance to occupy Ukraine, the strategic port city of Kherson was among the first captured by Russia`s forces. Life under the enemy’s occupation left Kherson residents isolated from the rest of the country and struggling for survival without access to essential medicines or communication services.
Despite the dire circumstances, Larysa Polska, leader of the USAID/ENGAGE-supported Community Foundation of Kherson “Zakhyst” and her team refused to give up.
“Our organization dedicated almost 20 years to serving the Kherson community by addressing its needs and challenges. When the full-scale war began, we knew we could not remain on the sidelines. Together with our fellow community, we were determined to fight against new threats”, reflects Larysa, speaking of Zakhyst`s unwavering commitment to the people of Kherson.
When the full-scale invasion began and the city was under siege, Larysa and her team launched a fundraising campaign to support Kherson hospitals which have been struggling with a critical shortage of medical supplies. Larysa`s determination to help her community has yielded remarkable results. In the first two months of the war, Zakhyst raised nearly UAH 1 million to procure essential medicines and medical supplies for six Kherson hospitals and donated nearly UAH 400,000 worth of medical supplies to the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration, ultimately saving countless lives.
Following the blockade of humanitarian aid to the Kherson region by Russia’s troops and their takeover of healthcare facilities, Larysa and her team refocused towards providing direct financial aid to the most vulnerable community members – large families, families with disabled children and newborns, and those living in extreme conditions.
To organize effective remote work, Zakhyst integrated Google Workspace for Nonprofits and Microsoft 365 tools, enabling them to launch large-scale fundraising campaigns that engaged local businesses, donors, and ordinary citizens.
”Zakhyst has never ceased its work, even despite the challenges of working in occupied territories and remote locations. Thanks to the tools and technologies we mastered with the support of ENGAGE, our organizational capacity has grown stronger than before, allowing us to serve our community more effectively”, says Larysa.
Since the war began, the organization delivered over UAH 5 million in aid to nearly 2,000 families, including 752 large families, 475 families raising children with disabilities, and 759 families living in extreme conditions.
Zakhyst often receives heartwarming feedback from the people they serve, who – often feeling lost and forgotten – regain the sense of belonging to the large and caring Ukrainian family that will persevere together to win and build a better future.
Devoted to helping those in most need, Larysa calls upon others to join her efforts, recognizing that even the smallest contribution can make a significant impact. ”Never underestimate the power of a small donation,” she urges, “if we all contribute the cost of a cup of coffee, more families in need will receive the help they require at this crucial moment.“
