How Ukrainians find vital resources to fight and help others after two years of full-scale aggression

Emotional burnout, constant fatigue - what most of us feel after two years since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the russian aggressor. Ukrainians experienced many events during this time and did not give up and continue to work and fight.

We understand very well that we cannot stop now, that we need to do, if not more, then definitely not less than we are doing now - everyone in their place. And Ukrainians once again prove that they are the strongest, because many of them have the strength to volunteer and help others even in such conditions.

Andrii, who supervises the large-scale project "++ for the Armed Forces", which unites all areas of assistance to the defenders, admits: since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, he has been depressed by the realization that no matter where you are or what you do, you are always in danger:

"You have to constantly work with this, first of all, to stabilize your emotional state. Because when you witness the consequences of military actions, your thoughts simply devastate and actually deprive you of strength. And for me, the main challenge for two years is to constantly update this resource in order to continue volunteering. After all, our direction in the Foundation is very important, we purchase and hand over everything necessary to the soldiers at their request. These are seasonal ammunition, and optical devices, and unmanned aerial vehicles, and anti-drone systems. We are looking for and purchasing Throughout Europe, and bringing armored cars and SUVs to the needs of the front. All of this is needed here and now, and we cannot afford to stop and relax. But this is also what constantly motivates us - daily involvement in helping our defenders".

The curator of the Foundation's grant program Yulia was truly inspired by a new, very promising direction that unites charitable organizations throughout Ukraine and allows to help much more.

"We have already conducted two projects, UAH 1 million was distributed among the winners of the competition during each of it - organizations engaged in physical rehabilitation and psychological recovery of military and civilians. I get a great influx of energy from constant communication with partners, from their tenacity and fire in their eyes. From understanding that we are doing a great and very necessary thing together. These emotions charge like a power bank and are my main motivator", Yulia emphasizes.

She also gives another piece of advice: it is very important today to check the incoming information in order not to succumb to panic. Because the russian PSYOP is very widespread now, the Internet, Telegram channels are full of them, even some opinion leaders are recruited. So, it is important to consume news only from verified sources. This approach helps to filter out hostile propaganda and panicky moods, to keep oneself in one's hands.

Lawyer Kristina notes that it was the united work at the Foundation that gave her strength to go further at the beginning of the invasion:

"Today, the biggest challenge for me is learning, developing, working between shelling and news from the front. I have a clear understanding that very simple things fill me up after these two years: taking care of myself, my physical and mental state, healthy sleep, walks in nature, time with family and friends and sometimes just being alone with a book or watching a movie. And what motivates me is the understanding that you are part of the Foundation's large and multifaceted assistance to people - it gives me strength to continue working. As a lawyer, I am also responsible for the project "Legal Advice", which provides consultations to certain categories of citizens. It is very difficult for a person who is not involved in legal activities to understand the legislation, especially now, when it is not static and constantly changes, as it concerns the mechanisms of various social payments and compensations. During the time that the project has been in existence, we have managed to process a large number of requests and help those who contacted us to understand difficult points.

Curator of the "Recover" project Lera remembers well the first days of the large-scale invasion and her confusion. On the one hand, she could not believe in the possibility of war in Europe in the 21st century. On the other hand, she realized that she should do everything possible for the country in this situation.

"In the end, I decided for myself that I don't want to run away from my country, because this is my land, this is my home, my native grandmother, where I was born, where I gave birth to my children. My thoughts came into order after this decision immediately, and I realized that I should get involved in helping others. It also helped to distract from fearful thoughts and still maintains mental balance. And even if today there are really few reasons for positive emotions, I still find them in communication with other volunteers, with participants of our projects and "Recover" in particular. Mothers with children who lost their husbands in the war or were left without a home get a second breath on it, the strength to move on. We have already helped 1500 families and their sincere emotions and gratitude are truly inspiring. This project was nurtured with great love, a part of me is in it. And we will conduct it as long as it is necessary. For the sake of our women, our children, for the sake of the future of Ukraine", the volunteer says.

The book "Stories of the Strong" is another project in which Lera took part and which deeply influenced her:

"These are real stories of Ukrainians who survived the hell of occupation, through whose homes the front actually passed. We collected and published them as evidence of russia's crimes and what Ukrainians have to go through. I personally communicated with people, felt this pain, fear, hate for the occupiers. Each of these stories passed through me and left a scar on my heart. But I am supported by the fact that I am aware of the importance of this case, because such stories should be known by politicians and ordinary people all over the world."

It should be added that already during the war, Lyra became a mother for the third time, twins were born to her. Despite everything, life goes on and wins!

Photographer Roman says that he started at The Vadym Stolar Foundation as a volunteer. Having sent his wife and daughter abroad at the beginning of the invasion, he felt devastated, but found solace in helping others.

"We bought products and medicines in the beginning. It was endless loading and unloading, packing and trips. At first, we delivered aid in Kyiv, then the borders of the trips spread to the region, so I visited Bucha, Irpin, Katiuzhanka, Andriivka, Peremoga, some villages of the Ivankiv district. We started traveling outside the Kyiv region from April 2022. We still deliver food kits and other assistance today. I always take a camera with me when traveling to document the horrors of war and the heroic resilience of our people. In addition to trips to the regions, I am also involved in other projects of the Foundation, among which the most favorite and most important for me is "Recover". My task in this project is to leave pleasant memories for the families of the participants with the help of photography. And the fact that I manage to lift the mood with my photos and cause a smile is the most important motivator for me", Roman says.

Psychologist Alla shares that working at the Foundation and volunteering actually saved her from confusion at the start of a full-scale war. Because the team worked for a common goal from the first days, and everyone did everything they could to help others.

"This remains the same even now, but for me personally, a lot has changed in these two years, because with the opening of the psychological support department, I was entrusted to lead it. I acquired many new competencies for myself, including communication and management skills, because I had to negotiate a lot for cooperation with other psychologists, volunteers and organize various therapeutic groups. Currently, we are implementing the "Resistance" project, we provide support, in particular, to those who are waiting for soldiers who are currently in the ranks of the Armed Forces and protect our state. I make sure every day that our projects are useful for people, this is what supports them and, perhaps, saves them. This gives me resources and strength to work further", Alla says.

According to Nataliia Prykhodko, a volunteer of the Foundation: "Today is difficult for everyone, but the Foundation team understands that many people who need help depend on us. We realize how important it is right now to keep all our projects and even expand. Because both the front, where the situation is very difficult, and the rear, where people are losing strength and faith, demand more and more of our attention and efforts. We constantly encourage each other, talk, share what hurts. And it also helps to get together and continue to work hard for the good of the people and the country."

We also contacted Vadym Stolar to find out how the Foundation survived these two years, how his work has changed and what he plans to do next.

"The Fund's activities began to have a truly systemic nature during these two years. We have established processes, interaction and focused on two main directions - comprehensive provision of our defenders and psychological support of Ukrainians affected by the war. This made it possible not only to increase the effectiveness of our assistance, but also, which is no less important, to preserve and strengthen the energy, resources and motivation of the Foundation's team, to provide psycho-emotional recharging of its representatives", Vadym Stolar emphasized.

Sociologists confirm the relevance of psycho-emotional recharging not only for volunteers, but also for all Ukrainians. Thus, fear, fatigue, insecurity and other negative emotions have increased among Ukrainians according to the February research of the Rating group. And an important challenge for civil society is to reverse this situation and restore people's mental strength. There is potential here, because according to the same survey, despite everything, 85% of Ukrainians continue to believe in our victory.