ArmInfo.The "Forum of Ukraine" charitable non-governmental organization supporting refugees from Ukraine was opened in Yerevan. The initiator and founder of the Organization was a native of Odessa, Elena Shevchuk, who has been living in Armenia for about 10 years and is one of the active members of the Ukrainian community in Armenia.
For the last 2 years Elena has been teaching Ukrainian at a Sunday school affiliated with the Federation of Ukrainians in Armenia. From the beginning of hostilities in Ukraine, Shevchuk, in cooperation with Ukrainians living in the Republic of Armenia, initiated peaceful actions in support of their historical homeland.
In a conversation with an ArmInfo correspondent, she said that in addition to providing humanitarian assistance to those in need, the Organization's activities include through partner organizations and private initiatives to provide psychological assistance, assist in settling, medical care, and ensure the educational process for children' It is also planned to organize various social and educational projects, which have already been actively implemented since the very first day of the Organization's establishment. Shevchuk herself calls the created organization a space of love and freedom. When asked what kind of help Ukrainian refugees need most of all, how caring citizens of Armenia can help them, Shevchuk noted that compassion is the most sought-after asset. <The main thing they need, is not rice, ut just accept, listen, sympathize. Understanding, in the current situation for refugees from Ukraine, is like a breath of fresh air. And this Organization was created in many ways so that all these people understand that they are not alone here>, she said.
Shevchuk said that she managed to rent premises for the Organization largely thanks to the funds of private individuals - citizens of Armenia, and her personal financial resources. The premises were equipped by the forces of both the citizens of Armenia and representatives of the Ukrainian Diaspora. "Perhaps I am the initiator of all these processes, but I would not have succeeded without the support of caring people," the head of the Organization emphasized. Today, Shevchuk's team consists of about 30 people who are involved in all processes to provide assistance to Ukrainian refugees. It is noteworthy that the volunteer headquarters of the "Ukrainian Forum" included not only local Armenians and Ukrainians, but also Russians who oppose the war in Ukraine. Today, mostly refugees from Kharkov, Kyiv, Mariupol, both Armenians and Ukrainians, turn to the newly created organization for help. <So far they are not numerous, but everyone who came to us did not leave empty-handed>, Shevchuk said. In the future, according to her, it is planned to open an account in one of the Armenian banks, where it will be possible to transfer funds from all over the world to assist refugees. In subsequent years, if necessary, the Organization is ready to assist the refugees from Artsakh. Sharing her personal story, Elena Shevchuk said that her parents and brother live in her native Odessa, which has recently been increasingly subjected to rocket attacks. "My life has changed dramatically since the beginning of the war. And everything I do today is my way of resisting the horror that is happening>, Shevchuk shares. It should be noted that The "Forum of Ukraine" charitable non-governmental organization cooperates with the "We" Foundation (Menq enq), "Syunik-Development" NGO, as well as with the Migration Service of Armenia.
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