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!
Blooming good deed
We all want a flourishing country, don’t we? And what if each of us planted at least one flower for that? Yes, it may seem like a small, insignificant gesture, but at the same time, it is a good thing that holds deep symbolism. When we plant tulips or daffodils, we are not just growing flowers; we are nurturing humanity, beauty, and goodness.
When I mentioned that I wanted to create a flower field together with our students, some people initially reacted skeptically, thinking that life is too difficult right now to focus on flowers. Flowers and war, some may say, are incompatible things. However, I have noticed that during times of war, people started to notice the beauty around them more, they started to cherish nature and appreciate each and every flower. They marvel at their beauty and exclaim, “What a sight!”
After all, flowers, in all their colors, varieties, and names, are one of the most obvious stress relievers. They are remedies for fatigue and depression, symbols of new life, of beautiful triumphing over the ugly, and, in general, an eternal symbol of Victory!”
Good things of children are always sincere and heartfelt!
“A person needs sunshine, freedom, and a little flower for life,” once said the famous storyteller Hans Christian Andersen. Our current heroine, Irina Stetsuk, a regular teacher from Lviv region, echoes these words. Well, not just a regular teacher! She is one of those who are not afraid to dream and make even the most incredible dreams come true in life!
“Dream, even if your dreams seem crazy to others,” says Mrs. Irina. “In my native village of Pidhirtsi, there is a mountain called Menych. Once, when I was there, an idea came to me to plant a valley of daffodils together with my students. Of course, the children supported me, and the villagers helped gather bulbs for planting, and we did it… Good things bear fruit, or rather, flowers – the next year delicate narcissus blossoms delighted the eye! It was so pleasant and inspiring. And how the sincere smiles and emotions of our students inspired us! They would come to the field and, in disbelief, ask, ‘Did we plant something so beautiful?’ They say beauty will save the world. And beauty, above all, resides in kindness…
And you know what I noticed? Children, the little ones, are always eager to respond to any volunteer initiative because doing good and helping others comes naturally to them.
Good things of children are always sincere and heartfelt! When we organize clean-up events, they are the first ones there, cleaning up and arranging things. When we weave camouflage nets at school, there are so many of them that we can barely find space! ‘We also drew pictures for the soldiers,’ they would come running to me, one after another, saying, ‘Please put them in the package too…’ We have such a potential for kindness when we are young! I hope it never fades away as we grow older… Last year, together with my students, we renovated, whitewashed, and painted the bus stop in our village – to make this toughest spring a little easier and brighter for all of us. It may seem strange to some, but we do it for everyone! We want to inspire, to bring a little warmth. Because life will always triumph over evil, no matter what!”
We plant flowers, so everything will be fine!
“When we plant flowers, clean up litter, or clear plantings and forests, we work for the future,” says Mrs. Iryna. “And this is the most important element of psychological support for people. By doing good things, helping others, and working for the common good, we are helping ourselves. Each time, we remind ourselves that our blooming future exists! We plant flowers, so everything will be fine!
This year, we decided to expand our ‘flower territories,’ and we came up with a new idea to plant a valley of tulips! Goodacity responded to help us fulfill our dream, along with #GenerousTuesday.” When the packages with tulip bulbs arrived, the children were so happy! They eagerly rushed to plant them! The children experienced moments of joy, and in their hearts, another dream awakened – to behold the colorful variety of tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths in the coming spring. And it’s wonderful!
And if these beautiful plants are grown with their own hands, together with classmates and friends, it brings pride, satisfaction from accomplishing a good thing, wonderful results of their work, as well as knowledge, practical skills, and life experience.
Years will pass, and the graduates who come back to the school will joyfully admire the wonder they have created! People today need positive emotions, and if they find them in flowers, it means we have done everything right. It gives strength and inspiration to engage in what we love.
Our school is conveniently located at the foot of Mount Menich, and when the flowers bloom, the children can see them from the window – they grow while observing how what they planted flourishes, and the good things of the children grow as well. And those seeds of kindness that we sow in children’s hearts will also sprout and bloom! I believe that our entire country will definitely prosper!
