Charity Fund "From a country to Ukraine" — problems of the east can be solved only at schools and universities

Press conference with representatives of charity fund "From a country to Ukraine" took place on the 18th of December at the press-center of information agency "Interfax Ukraine". Founders of the Fund have been helping military and civil people of the eastern regions for a long time, and now start the mentoring of the young generation. The idea of creating the Fund came up during the festival of the same name "From a country to Ukraine", which was warmly accepted by people from the East. So organizers decided to create something bigger. From the subprojects of the festival emerged separate full projects soon — social, cultural, humanitarian, educational. "With the help of the group of like-minded volunteers we were able to accomplish a lot. But we realized that to be more efficient we need to spread the areas of our activity. A single organization has been created for this, which was able to accumulate social and financial resources", - tells Konstantin Stetsenko , executive-board member of the Fund "From a country to Ukraine", managing director of the financial group "ICU". Speaker also drew attention that the project is entirely social and charitable. The participants are not related to the politics in no way and do not have commercial goals. The fund's structure today includes three important directions. They are social responsible business, government institution and volunteering. "We are trying to involve government institution. We won't be able to achieve the impressive results, which are required by time, circumstances, situation in the country, without their support", - explains Denis Bloshchinskiy, executive-board member of the Fund "From a country to Ukraine", leader of the group"Nesprosta", managing director РА "42", initiator of the festival "From a country to Ukraine". Regarding the social-responsible business, the idea of the Fund is to explain to ukrainian companies that the charity activity is kind of a standard now. The positive dynamic is obvious even now. "It is estimated that over 60% of the businessmen of the country have been helping in some way at this difficult time. In my opinion, business in Ukraine significantly got more mature. We believe that the partners, colleges, clients and even the competitors will support our initiative and will become active participants of the Fund", - emphasizes Dmitriy Polkovskiy, executive-board member of the Fund "From a country to Ukraine", managing partner of financial group "Aval Brok". Volunteering is the most valuable part of the Fund's activity. Because the projects are being created, ideas are coming to life and the acts of kindness are happening exactly due to efforts of concerned Ukrainians. "Volunteering has become the standard in our country just during this year. Everyone was surprised not that long time ago when someone was committing any free service. Free help is the norm of our life today. It is difficult to find a person in Kiev who is not involved in volunteering. Helping someone who needs makes people feel participating in something important and wonderful. Our fund gives an opportunity to everyone to be involved in volunteering according to theirs possibilities. Contrary to the existing opinion, there is no need to leave the regular life and sacrifice job or family. One or two hours per-day are enough to be useful to people and the country. Everyone can find self realization in our fund", - explains Anastasia Melnichenko, volunteer work coordinator of the Fund "From a country to Ukraine", chief editor of "Zhyla" magazine, the author of the project "Ukraine's history books for children from villages". Vitaliy Kirichenko, the participant of the project "Music of Honor", leader of the band "Numer 482", participant of many social initiatives of the Fund "From a country to Ukraine", tells about his experience as a volunteer in the project. "I felt it on my own skin how important and pleasant it is not to take but to give, present people with music, support and positive emotions. We all have far from easy life today. But it is worth visiting the east at least once to understand how people live, and to be more precise, survive there. What they do, what they feel, how look their life. These kind of trips are eyes-opening, and the wish to help in all the ways wakes up. We were returning exhausted from our group trips, but unbelievably happy and encouraged. We had understanding that these days of our lives were lived not for nothing". Founders of the Fund speak openly about the precise reasons and consequences of situation in the eastern regions of Ukraine. Also they share their opinions and experience, what and how to do to avoid the repetition of the similar situations. According to the speakers, children and the young people do not know much about Ukraine. They do not understand the spiritual, natural and cultural wealth of their homeland. The love to the country should be implanted from the early years in the kindergartens and the junior school. The main rule of the Fund is the work with the root cause. This work is ongoing. Speakers tell about the unique projects, which have real results. One of them is "Music of Honor". Project has been created as a powerful instrument of resistance to Russian pop music and chanson-product, which, unfortunately, is more popular in our country than good Ukrainian music. Following Ukrainian musicians will join the project: Sky, Druha Rika, Nesprosta, Maria Burmaka, Boombox, VV, TNMK, Teleri, Numer482, Otvinta, Tartak, Pianoboy, Krykhitka, Kozak System, Yarmak, Antytila, Otorvald, Jamala, Onuka, The Maneken. Every band will perform 4 songs: • Heroism of Ukrainian rebel movements (cover versions) • Heroism of Second World War (cover versions) • Songs, associated with the Honor revolution and events which happened on Maidan and are happening on the east of he country (songs recorded in the studios – original songs) • Songs from the last year, inspired by Honor revolution and ATO, written at home with guitar (original songs) All the songs will be performed live and recorded with the modern equipment during the concert at one of the best venues – Stereoplaza in Kiev on the 2nd of April 2015. Second project — National scholar. The ongoing tendency in Ukraine is that after graduating universities people work not according to their specialty. It is not common in Europe. "We are looking for companies, which would be ready to support financially students from Donetsk and Lugansk regions first of all, and provide scholarships valued 2,5-3,5 thousand UAH. Also we are looking for organizations ready to invest into best students and organize field grants according to specialties. The most important part of the project is to educational work at schools and senior schools. The goal is to show the real value of the professions and the opportunity to fulfill them", - comments Denis Bloshchinskiy. The engine of the Fund is the project «Open Ukraine», which starts in February. During 5 month young people will have a free opportunity to give a try of 6 different directions. There would be introductory lectures at the beginning of the course, where participants will receive materials for further independent education and the access for electronic database with video-classes. The participants will present their final works in 10 cities, and the winners will go to the European art-festival. The key goal is to allow young people not only to try themselves new fields and fulfill themselves with mentoring help from masters, but also to plant the love and respect to the country where they live. "We want to fight those reasons, which lead to this situation in the country, and we create prerequisites for realization the whole variety of programs. We cannot wait until we win this was and after that start dealing with culture, spirituality, upbringing of children and shaping the national values. This should be done now", - affirms Denis Bloshchinskiy. Artem Saprykin, chairman of Fund "From a country to Ukraine", Partner of LLC Juridical company " Saprykin and Odinets" persuades that the work of all participant of the Fund is set on volunteering bases and does not imply any benefits. Means are provided for the direct expenses such as petrol, logistics and production. Social responsible contractors are involved, which provide their products or services voluntary. Representatives of the Fund are ready to answer any questions regarding means consumption based on reports and numerals. Contacts of Charity Fund "From a country to Ukraine": Website: http://krainaukraina.org [email protected] Fund's Authority: + 38067 401 84 49 Denis Bloshchinskiy Volunteering, joining: + 38066 913 44 77 Nastya Melnichenko Media cooperation: [email protected] + 38093 629 37 93 Elena Maksimenko