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 children with disabilities: by helping others, we help ourselves
“Interview from the trenches” is about our conversation with Mr. Serhiy. He is currently on the front line, where the fate of the country is being decided… “As long as we have a few minutes of silence, we can talk,” says the man. “Actually, we are here on the front line for the same reason we initiated the project – for the future, for the children! Helping children, especially children with disabilities, is not only about mutual support but also about how by helping others, we help ourselves.”
Meet Serhiy Horbaniyov, call sign “Azov,” a serviceman and volunteer, writer, and before the war, a clergyman. In all circumstances and situations, he is a person with a big heart!
Love that creates miracles!
Helping children with disabilities is precisely the goal initiated by Serhiy together with his fellow soldiers in the “Infantry. UA” project.
“We, along with our fellow soldiers, launched this project several years ago,” the man says. “Its main objective is the guardianship of soldiers over children with disabilities. This project is truly profound because it is not just about care and empathy, love and kindness, but also about how, by helping those in need, we help ourselves.”
He has been on the war front, with breaks, since 2014. “I started my service as a shooter, then completed paramedic courses with the ‘Hospitaliers’ and served with them for over a year. After that, I had service under contract, and now I am a shooter again,” the man shares about his military experience.
There, in the war, he often felt the saving hand of God, which rescued him and his comrades from inevitable, seemingly certain death.
“The desire to become a priest, it must have been in me even before birth,” the man shares. “My father dreamed of becoming a clergyman, but unfortunately, he passed away early when I was only 4 years old and didn’t have a chance to fulfill his dream… I remember my father’s words that my mother often repeated to me: ‘Nothing is impossible in this world; sometimes it’s just more challenging to reach the goal.’ Those were difficult times in the 90s, just me and my mother, financially it was very tough… But I wanted to do something good, something that changes the world. With God’s help, I think I succeeded…”
“Incredible things become possible thanks to people who have a big kind heart,” says Serhiy about his comrades. The same can be said about him: his caring and loving heart is enough for everything – for helping his fellow soldiers and for an incredible number of volunteer projects! Social campaigns like “Those Who Resurrected in Truth,” “Blood of the Nation,” and “Thank You” are aimed at supporting the families of soldiers; medical projects for children and adults…
All of them inspired the creation of a unique project whose essence is helping children, especially children with disabilities, by the military.
“By helping children, the military feels needed, thus overcoming post-traumatic syndrome, recharging with energy and strength, and finding the motivation to live! When they are together, it’s like a two-way rehabilitation – it’s hard to say which side of this project works better, who it brings more happiness and inspiration to – the children or the boys who take care of them. The sense of mutual helping is crucial and effective. By doing good deeds, we help ourselves and fill our souls!
One of our first initiatives was inviting several groups of children, including visually impaired children, to the Kharkiv Planetarium. We were delighted that God gave us the opportunity to organize all this right from the trenches – after all, we are all active-duty military. We were also happy to see how much joy this trip brought to the children! We asked those who were with the children at that time to open their hearts to the One in heaven and asked for help in fulfilling the children’s wishes – whatever lay on their hearts. The children made such modest, simple, somewhat naive wishes – they had heard about McDonald’s but had never been there, and they were curious to visit. For someone, it’s just a regular snack, but for them, it’s a real adventure! How thrilled we were when we found out that the children’s wish came true in just half an hour! We rejoice when we have the opportunity to be part of children’s smiles.”
This is the miracle of fulfilling a child’s wish – it fills them with happiness, inspires them, and opens up new meanings! In each trip, in each rehabilitation, the most thrilling moment is when a child starts believing in their own abilities, believing in the miracle of healing. As a medic, I understand that it’s most challenging to help when a person loses hope, lacks the desire to live. If they don’t fight – even the doctors are powerless! The same goes for rehabilitation – it’s difficult to assist until a person themselves sees the meaning and purpose of life.
Together, towards the dream, together, towards the stars!
One of the most touching stories for me is about how we arranged a trip to the petting zoo – it was our helping children with disabilities from one of the special schools in Kyiv. We booked a party bus that even had a cinema, creating an incredible, marvelous, fairy-tale atmosphere. Among the children was the son of our comrade, a Hero of Ukraine – a boy with severe cerebral palsy, and he was so moved and inspired by the spirit of the celebration that… he danced for the first time in his life! The sincere hearts allowed the child to experience those emotions, that ambiance, and that spirit – and it was so touching and inspiring for us, not to mention the boy’s father who was also there and witnessed it all. We see our future in these children. We understand that without them, there won’t be a future – that’s why we do everything within our power to support and inspire them. We even help from the frontline because it reminds us why we are here, whom we protect, and what we fight for.
Several years ago, we had the idea of a mobile planetarium that could travel to different cities in Ukraine because there are children everywhere who eagerly await the fulfillment of their dreams and a journey to the stars. A compact mobile planetarium specifically designed for children with disabilities was custom-made for us in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Kropyvnytskyi became the first city in Ukraine where it was installed and showcased – and now children can embark on a free journey through the starry sky and make their wishes! I thank the Kirovohrad Regional Center for Children with Disabilities and our friends who are helping to launch the program while we are in the East and unable to do it personally!
The planetarium offers 30 variations of the starry sky, and to get even closer to the stars, children can even see themselves dressed as astronauts in a special photo zone. Flying models and gliders will give them the opportunity to have “wings” and become pilots. And, of course, various competitions, contests, and workshops will be held for them. Our project is primarily aimed at children with disabilities, orphaned children, children of fallen soldiers, and children displaced by the conflict.
After the full-scale Russian invasion, the Pekhotа UA team – military personnel who left service due to health conditions and volunteer helping – organized events for our children who were relocated abroad, to support them and remind them that we will always be waiting for them at home, in Ukraine. Our team set a record for the number of participating children – over nine thousand!
Unfortunately, not all our comrades with whom we started the Pekhotа UA project are with us – some have joined the heavenly forces… But in the toughest moments here, in the war, we find solace in thoughts of our planetarium and the smiles of the children… We are here for them! I thank God for each new day and the opportunity to do good and bring joy to children! Together, towards the stars. Together, towards the dream. Together, towards Victory!
