10 cursed freezing days with the houses almost entirely without light and water. During this time, the cold and Russian terror have already turned the cozy apartments of these families and many other Kyiv residents into frozen concrete boxes.
That is why we are here to help them. A project we created many years ago to help the military feel a bit cozier and more comfortable in extreme conditions is now also helping civilians. I never thought it would come to this. But we must respond.
Now, our mobile laundry-shower complexes are operating not only on the entire front line but also in Kyiv. People can wash and immediately dry their clothes for the first time in 10 days, charge gadgets and flashlights, warm up themselves and their children with tea, coffee, and cookies. For the first time in days, they can unzip their jackets and smile. Take a breather and feel that they are not forgotten and that we are together. They say they hold on because they understand it’s even harder for the guys and girls on the front lines. I would like to look into the eyes of those who mocked that we are creating these complexes.
Soon Ukraine will again be hit by a big cold snap. In some places, they promise up to -20 degrees frost. We are preparing to respond promptly and be where people need us the most. It’s very hard, very cold, very tired. But we must hold on together.
Today, together with the team, we worked in one of the neighborhoods of the Holosiivsky district—the very one that suffered perhaps the most from the recent combined enemy attacks.
The residents tell simple yet very painful things: water appears only occasionally, and so does heat. There has been no electricity in the houses for more than 8 days now.
That is why, together with the teams of the Poroshenko Foundation, the Sprava Hromad NGO, and European Solidarity-Kyiv, we came here to support people not with words but with actions.
We set up mobile solidarity points. In one of them, residents of Holosiiv can wash and dry their clothes. In another, they can drink hot tea, connect to the internet, and charge their electronic devices.
In such conditions, even basic things become vital. And our task is to be there when it is hardest.
We hold on. We help. Together we will overcome all challenges.
