In the Shostky community of the Sumy region, the implementation of the project to support households of internally displaced persons and local residents who suffered as a result of the war is being completed. The project is implemented by the public organization "Association for Democratic Development" in partnership with the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in Ukraine and provides for the provision of targeted assistance for the purchase of livelihoods.

One of the participants of the project was Gennady, who moved from the city of Yampil to the village of Klyshki. The support received made it possible to purchase equipment for the care of the land plot and facilitate farming in new living conditions. Read more about Mr. Gennadiy's participation in the project.

I am — IDPs, moved from Yampol. As they started bombing there — seriously, scary — thought that the city would be demolished. Planes came in, CABs flew, everything was buzzing. I have been living here in Klyshki for a year. It was registered as an IDP not immediately — first left even further, but returned here. It's been here for half a year.

I am not a very modern person. My phone is buttoned, my eyesight is bad. I was told that there is such a program. They helped to go to the registration form, figure it out, fill out everything.

Then they called from the Association of Democratic Development, came to see in what conditions I live. They say — can be supported. We concluded a contract, everything is as it should be. He came to Yampil for signing. He called several times and asked: "Is it definitely possible to buy such a thing?" Because for a long time I wanted a shredder and an electric sprayer to take care of the trees.

I bought this shredder not for earning, for myself. To mulch weeds, so that they do not grow, do not suffocate the garden and yard. That's how: I chopped the green mass — and it's no longer garbage, but fertilizer. It rotted — and the earth thanks. Mulcha — is a big deal. Everything you cut does not need to be taken out or taken somewhere. Made — and order. Something will rot, something will burn, and there will still be benefit.

He himself is generally retired. He worked in the forest, was a foreman. I have had a disability of the second group for 5 years, my heart hurts. COVID-19 has caused complications. I don't work with a shredder myself — guys help. I can only start the device, show where what needs to be done. No one will hire me. They don't take it to war either. So the garden — is my space, my business. I don't keep animals. But I cultivate the land.

The village of Klyshki is located in the border part of the Sumy region, where the security situation remains unstable. The community records shelling, guided aerial bomb strikes and the constant presence of reconnaissance drones. This affects the daily lives of residents and limits opportunities to work in open areas.

In such conditions, the support of international donors allows people to focus on basic needs and support their own households. For Gennady, the assistance received became a practical tool for work on the site and contributed to adaptation to life in the host community.