Caritas Ivano-Frankivsk UGCC helps to realize business dreams of IDPs from east

Caritas Ivano-Frankivsk has officially handed over the equipment to 16 participants in the project “Integration and stabilization support by providing livelihood to IDPs and the population affected by the conflict in Ukraine”, which is implemented in the Ivano-Frankivsk region by the Charitable Foundation "Caritas Ivano-Frankivsk UGCC.”

After the training, these participants successfully defended their business plans for self-employment. Among them were 9 internally displaced persons and 7 members of the local community. During March, 8 more beneficiaries will also receive assistance in the form of equipment needed for business.

The cost of equipment for everyone who has received it and will receive it is 625 pounds. It was purchased by the International Organization for Migration in Ukraine with the financial support of the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

“The Church always tries to help people, showing his mother's face. And we are looking for different ways to help those people who are in difficult situations. Since the beginning of the annexation of the Crimea and the developments  in eastern Ukraine, we have been urged to  do this,” said the Director of the Foundation "Caritas Ivano-Frankivsk UGCC," Fr Volodymyr Chornyy. - And now we have found the possibility in cooperation with the International Organization for Migration and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to help people who find themselves in difficult situations, give them the opportunity to earn for themselves. This is the first such project, but we will try in the future and to help people in this way.”

Those who received good assistance to conduct their own business are immensely grateful to Caritas, as they would have no chance to buy the necessary equipment to start their own business.

“I am going to involve in the restoration of old furniture and manufacturing souvenirs of the recycled materials,” said Tamila Vozlyublena, an IDP from Luhansk. “For this purpose, I received the so-much-needed equipment from Caritas - grinding machines, drills, jig saws, etc. Such assistance is very important for me, because I was not able to buy it on my own. I am infinitely grateful to Caritas. So, I have made a start and now my hobby is going to be my job.”

Bogdan Protsiv from Donetsk, who also got a good start in business, shared his impressions: "The project, under which I received an unusually large and significant support, is very good. I can keep on working in the construction industry, as I did at home in Yenakiyevo, Donetsk region. I would be able to buy the toolkit that I received from Caritas only in two or three years.”

Not only the IDPs but also the local community representatives received equipment for their own business. “I got the equipment of which I long dreamed - knitting machine to work on my own and to involve disabled people who also want to work,” said Nadiya Stefurak of Bohorodchany. “I learned that Caritas is running such a good project and, of course, I wished to take part in it. I am very grateful for having had the opportunity to win and to realize my dreams in life.”