Fuel Pellets for the "Carpathian Meadows" Shelter

The shelter for internally displaced persons (IDPs), established in the administrative building of the "Carpathian Meadows" dairy complex in Truskavets during the first months of the full-scale invasion, currently houses 20 people.  These are primarily vulnerable groups: the elderly, pensioners, and people with disabilities. Most young people have found housing and work or have left the country.  In total, 

"This place became a second home for over two hundred IDPs for a time," recalls Olena Merkulova, the owner of the "Carpathian Meadows" dairy. "We had infants, children in wheelchairs, pregnant women, and the elderly."

It's noteworthy that the number of IDPs Truskavets has taken in since the full-scale invasion significantly exceeds its local population.  This meant considerable work for the owners of "Carpathian Meadows," Olena, Kateryna, and Bohdan Merkulovy. They understood that everyone who lost their home needed shelter, and the state lacked the capacity to immediately provide housing for everyone.  Therefore, they rallied to support those in need.

The city quickly approved the offer to establish a shelter at "Carpathian Meadows," as many people were forced to stay in unsuitable conditions in school gyms.  The four-story administrative building was transformed into a temporary shelter, providing residents with essentials: food, medicine, hygiene products, clothing, and other necessities. The owners set up a kitchen, a children's room, and a bomb shelter. 

 "In those first weeks, I was struck by the organization and solidarity of our people.  The kindness and selflessness shown during such difficult times were incredible," shares Olena Merkulova.

The collaborative efforts of government agencies, international organizations, and local communities yielded significant results. However, while charitable aid was substantial in the early years of the war, IDPs, especially vulnerable groups, now face numerous challenges, including a lack of funding for basic needs.  At the "Carpathian Meadows" shelter, the challenge is ensuring heating during the winter and spring. Olena Merkulova describes the difficult situation in December when their firewood supply ran out, and finding a charitable supplier proved challenging despite numerous appeals: 

"Collecting twigs for elderly people was a disaster. We started clearing our land of overgrowth and using that for heating." Shelter residents had to collect brushwood from the forest or from utility workers who collected wood waste.

Therefore, the assistance provided by NGO ForestCom in resolving the issue of supplying heating materials in the form of wood pellets to the shelter, thanks to the financial support of Taiwanese friends, was extremely timely, necessary, and vital.  

"We couldn't have even hoped that, thanks to people on the other side of the planet, we would receive warmth during such a difficult time for us. We sincerely thank the Taiwanese people for their support, solidarity, and assistance. Thanks to such benefactors, we are fulfilling our humanitarian mission with honor," says Olena.

The war is not eternal, and the displaced persons sincerely believe they will be able to return to their homes. However, today, the need for shelters for long-term, not temporary, stays is only increasing.  People who seemingly stopped temporarily are living in shelters for years.  Those who have never lived in a shelter might think it's just about a place to sleep and food for a certain period. In reality, it's also about values, rules of amicable cohabitation, fostering community, and collaboration.  And the Merkulov family has managed to create such a space.

The shelter has a workspace for teachers from eastern Ukraine who work online, keeping together children scattered by fate across various Ukrainian cities and countries.  They have established a collaborative volunteering effort: weaving nets for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.  The residents have produced over a hundred nets.  Thanks to Ms. Olena's initiative, a small farm operates on the premises: elderly residents care for chickens, and with the start of the gardening season, they will have their own small garden.

 Ms. Olena shares a special story about the appearance of a conscientious guard dog – Croissant.

Because organizing the shelter is a way to provide stability, sensitivity, leisure, rest, self-development, and communication for those who need help and for those who provide it. A shelter is a temporary home, and home is more than just a place to sleep and eat.

When asked about her dreams and plans, Ms. Olena, despite one huge wish for everyone – Victory! – states:  

"To restore the dairy's operations.  To involve those returning from the front in work, to help them reintegrate into society, to give them support and occupation.  The material base is there; we just need working capital for a restart."  

Incidentally, before the Russo-Ukrainian war, Olena Merkulova managed another confectionery business in the Dnipropetrovsk region, which was subject to a raider seizure.  For 11 years now, the owners have been waging an endless legal battle for their business, where 700 people lost their jobs.  

"We fight because that's our nature," says Olena Merkulova. "We're like those frogs, we'll keep jumping in the milk until it turns into butter.  Our plans are to reclaim and restart, even if it's extremely difficult. Unity and mutual support will help us through this difficult path. To victory!"

____

During the war, one of NGO "LIS"'s priority activities is initiating, coordinating, and implementing humanitarian projects. We are glad to be a part of the huge aid mechanism for Ukraine, uniting dozens of countries, hundreds of donors, and thousands of people involved in the process.  For the sake of rescue, care, protection. For the sake of victory. Today, we express our deep gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan 外交部 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ROC（Taiwan).