I am the author of the Goodacity blog, a journalist, and a translator. For 16 years, I have worked in professional journalism, contributing to regional and national publications, both in print and online media. I have written reports, conducted interviews, reviews, articles on cultural, social, and charitable topics, as well as materials in the style of "solution journalism" and communication materials.
My focus is on creating interesting and exclusive content. Journalism, to me, is primarily about human stories, to which I always find the key, empathize with the people I write about, and love all my heroes. Journalism, to me, means telling people about what truly matters to them, informing and inspiring them. It is not just a job, but a way of life, just like for all those who dream, create, and are inspired by it.
So, if you are looking for stories that inspire and motivate, that instill faith and help find meaning while believing in goodness, read my stories on the Goodacity website.
I am a manager of cultural affairs and a project manager with over 14 years of experience at United Thinkers. I have participated in the organization of numerous successful social and charitable projects and have implemented informational campaigns and communication cases.
As a marketing manager, I have been involved in organizing marketing and sociological research, working with media and partners, developing advertising and marketing strategies, as well as planning and implementing advertising campaigns.
I believe in the power of goodness and I am happy that as part of the Goodacity project, I can contribute to its expansion. I believe in the power of words and in the fact that communication can help make the world a better place. I know how, where and when to speak in order to be heard. And when you are heard, you can change the world!
A volunteer is a contribution to Victory!
When a volunteer is becomes every other resident of Ripky. The inhabitants of the small village in Chernihiv region have taken up the task of helping the Ukrainian army, which has seen many of their fellow villagers join its ranks. Over the course of a year, they have learned to sew camouflage uniforms, make dry soups for the soldiers, and fulfill the high-cost needs of their warriors, such as drones, thermal imagers, and vehicles – everything that their fellow villagers on the front line have requested.
“Volunteerism is about the personal contribution of everyone who, through their daily work, brings us closer to victory. It’s also about community, mutual support, and the indomitable spirit of the volunteer front,” says Tetiana Kovalenko, a volunteer from Ripky.
“Organizing and cooperating are crucial for our volunteers now because if the rear is not organized, the front line suffers. We all started volunteering on our own, from scratch. No one asked us, no one taught us. It comes from the heart because we cannot sit idle!”
Our People Are Heroes: They Drove Enemy Vehicles Away from Our Village
“When the full-scale Russian invasion began, I was at home in Ripky,” says Mrs. Tetiana. “They say that in dark times, bright people shine through, and our people turned out to be not only bright but also incredibly brave! When the occupiers entered our Ripky, all the residents of the village gathered for a resistance rally. At the first encounter, after their demand for us to leave the village, everyone who had gathered sang the national anthem… And, imagine, the occupiers, armed with rifles, looked at us and… left Ripky, setting up a checkpoint at the exit.
The occupiers made demands to negotiate with a group of five or six people, and the community chose me to be part of that group, so that the village could function. The group went for negotiations every day – we attached yellow and blue ribbons to our hearts and walked with them, never taking them off… There were moments when we stood at the checkpoint, counting the gun barrels aimed at us – seven barrels for each of us…
We tried not to think about fear but to focus on what we had to do because people relied on us. We couldn’t let our fellow villagers down.”
“Our People Are Heroes: all those who greeted the enemy with yellow and blue flags and, despite fear, never took them down from their homes throughout the entire period of occupation; all those who drove enemy vehicles away from our village, who helped and supported all the community residents. And this spirit of unity and mutual support continued to sustain and inspire us even when the occupiers withdrew from Chernihiv Oblast. Many people needed assistance – the stores, pharmacies, and hospitals were practically empty, and the boys who went to the front also needed essential supplies.
While temporarily staying in Western Ukraine, I met a fellow villager there, and we decided to help our hometown. We approached local volunteer organizations, where every day we gathered and packed necessary items that were then sent to Chernihiv Oblast. And every day we cried – because the emotions from human kindness, sincerity, and compassion overwhelmed us… We collected packages and wept… And when I returned to Ripky, I started looking for like-minded people and opportunities to be helpful to those affected by the war, both civilians and the military. A volunteer is a person who always seeks opportunities to help. We met with compassionate like-minded individuals, discussed everything, and as a result, our organization “Real Cooperation” (abbreviated as “ReSpi”) is now operational.”
A volunteer is an ordinary person who does extraordinary things!
We have been supporting our army since 2014, but now the volunteer movement has not just multiplied several times – everyone is involved because only #RealCooperation brings good results! You know what touches me – seeing how everyone wants to be helpful! Volunteers are ordinary people who do extraordinary things!
Our most powerful weapon is humanity and kindness. In great deeds, in small actions, in good intentions. The stories of assistance from Ripky residents inspire and give strength. I really want to tell you about my student Dasha Volobuyeva, who constantly helps us with fundraising for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. She makes motanka dolls, brooches, toys, and sells them, donating the proceeds to our fundraising or using them to buy necessary items for the soldiers.
Dasha and a few of her classmates also constantly make souvenirs for our defenders, which we send to them in packages. Stories of volunteering are stories of light, stories of warmth: we have a grandmother and granddaughter here in Ripky who constantly help in any way they can. Mrs. Larysa bakes incredible croissants, and Veronichka prepares cookies for the front line while also crafting souvenirs for the soldiers. “We are not tired,” they say, “because we are helping our boys – you see, they are ours!” I tell this, and I can barely hold back the tears – because all the servicemen we help, even those we have never seen, are like family to us. They are all ours!”
“Our story is a drop in the ocean of unity and mutual assistance that Ukraine is currently embracing, but the ocean would be incomplete without this drop! I am very grateful to everyone who helps us – our dedicated enthusiasts from Ripky, as well as volunteers from Lyubech, Rohatyn, Dnipro, Kyiv… We are invincible as long as we are united, and this compassion and ability to come together in difficult times helps Ukraine to prevail!
Each of us is a puzzle piece without which Victory cannot be achieved!
“What is volunteering? It’s helping those who fight for our country. Now we have started to bring one of our ideas to life – to create the ‘Puzzle’ Veterans Community Center,” says Mrs. Tetiana. “It will be a center for physical and psychological support for veterans and their families. They are out there on the frontlines, fighting for all of us, and we must also take care of them right now. Currently, we are looking for opportunities to repair and equip the premises where the center will operate. We have found professionals who will provide their services free of charge to our veterans and their families for the center’s operations.”
Our good comrade, volunteer Natalia Meshcheninets from Lyubech, will be the project’s psychologist: Mrs. Natalia herself is the wife of a military serviceman, so her experience is extremely valuable. We understand how important it is for our defenders to feel care and support when they return home from war. They are currently protecting each and every one of us, so our main task is to help them find their place in peaceful civilian life.
“The ‘Puzzle’ project is about all of us,” emphasizes Tetiana Volodymyrivna. “Because each of us is a puzzle piece in the overall fabric of our struggle, and Victory cannot be achieved without every piece. In order for the picture to come together, each puzzle piece must be in its place, so everyone should do their part. And when you see the result of your work – when the guys call and thank you – it’s priceless! It’s most gratifying when the military expresses their gratitude. Despite the difficult conditions, they always find the resources to support us. The military and volunteers are one united front in defense of Ukraine, and together we make our country stronger!”
