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!
Helping animals: an example that breaks stereotypes
“I imagine people in my village think of me as the man who keeps 27 cats!” laughs Mr. Yevhen. “Maybe they see me as a bit of an oddball, but they also see how I take care of them, how I love and worry about them, and that makes a difference for the better, even in themselves: people become kinder, more sensitive. For instance, my neighbor took in a few kittens and said, ‘If you can manage three dozen, I can take three.’ I want my example to break stereotypes, to inspire and encourage. Because when we save an animal, we are also saving humanity within ourselves!
“In the village of Kuchynivka, in the Korukivskyi district of Chernihiv Oblast, Ukraine, animal volunteer Yevheniy Herasymenko runs a shelter for animals rescued from the streets. 27 happy tails at the ‘Cat Happiness’ shelter, because every life matters!”
Helping animals is our way of remaining human!
“Wondering how I became a ‘cat man’?” smiles Mr. Yevhen. “Despite always caring about animals, I remember the turning point, the moment it all started. It was in 2010 when I was in Kyiv, Ukraine, working, and I saw a beautiful black cat sitting alone in the middle of the street. I was struck by how similar the fate of homeless people and cats was. The cat was very frightened, meowing as if to say, ‘Take me, or I’ll be lost.’ So, I picked up the cat and took her to my rented apartment in Kyiv. When I returned to Chernihiv, Ukraine, I brought her with me. I named her Raquel after the heroine of a popular TV show. I already had a cat named Luis Alberto so that Raquel wouldn’t be alone with an exotic name,” he laughs.
How I got into zoo volunteering – you can either talk about it for hours, or, on the contrary, say it very briefly and concisely,” says Mr. Yevhen. “When you don’t think about others, you think everything is normal and no one around you is suffering. But by helping one, two, three, you become more sensitive to other people’s troubles, including stray animals. And then you start to SEE them. It turns out they are everywhere – cuddled up, hiding on the streets, in various corners – sitting and waiting for someone to take them and save them. And you understand that this “someone” is you, and helping stray animals is your responsibility. That’s how I started to pick up stray cats from the streets one by one, treat and feed them. Keeping such a large “furry family” in a city apartment was very difficult… And then in 2017, circumstances came together so that I switched to remote work, and my grandmother’s house became available in Kachanivka village, 70 kilometers from Chernihiv, so we moved closer to nature with the “fluffy ones”. It was like a “calling” for me!
My “spoiled” cats have not just a room, but a whole house!
The thing is, the neighboring house stood empty, people had moved out long ago and sold it for next to nothing, so I thought – why not make a full-fledged cat shelter there to help animals? Said and done: now they have various shelves, their own beds, true “Cat happiness” – in fact, that’s what I called the newly created shelter. In winter, I heat it with a stove – yes, I have to stock up on twice as much firewood, but I can’t let the “little tails” freeze!
Now I have 27 cats in the shelter, and we also have a dog named Jack – he’s friends with the “little tails” and protects them from local stray dogs… Sometimes I go into the room and it’s hard to get inside: the entire threshold is shaking with cats, and it’s such a touching sight that warms my heart and makes me purr…
We rescue animals to remain human
Kuchynivka village, Ukraine, is located 70 kilometers away from Chernihiv, in Koryukivka district. It’s actually a hamlet, quite lonely – I only have one close neighbor, and it’s also far from the road, but it’s good for me and all my wards… The only catch is that it’s not easy when I need to take my furry friends to the vet (as I treat and sterilize cats), but I find a way out of the situation. It was also not easy last spring when our village was occupied – despite the fact that the worst events bypassed us, it was difficult to feed the cats, and it was impossible to buy food. I went to local people, borrowed milk, and cooked porridge for them… That’s how we spent this difficult time together… I didn’t think about evacuating, because I knew I wouldn’t leave my “tails” alone, as helping animals during the war is extremely necessary.”
“You know what gives me the inner strength to continue doing what I do – although, to be honest, it’s not always easy? Our amazing animal welfare volunteers – those who dedicate their entire lives to volunteering and helping animals! I am truly impressed by your people! When I fell ill and was hospitalized, our animal welfare volunteers helped me with my treatment. I felt incredible support and how serving a common cause brings people together. Sometimes people say, ‘You should help people instead of animals.’ But those who help animals will always help people, because they know what compassion and empathy are! ‘We save animals to remain Human’ – that’s how you can describe our entire animal welfare volunteer community!”
