May 11-18, 2024

Fastiv, 11.05.-18.05.2024

Christ is risen!

These days, we visited Donetsk region with humanitarian aid – Konstantynivka and Druzhkivka – these are the front-line cities, located 20 km from the front line near Chasiv Yar. People continue to live in their homes despite the shelling and try to live a life as “normal” as possible. When we asked the locals why they don’t leave, they answered: we live in Belgian houses, our walls are one-meter thick.”

Indeed, these houses were built by Belgians at the beginning of the 20th century and it is clearly visible that this architecture is not local. People take care of the houses and feel safe in them. The oldest resident we met, Mrs. Sonya, turned 90 years old. She was even taken out of the city twice, but she always returned. On the other hand, Druzhkivka is home to people who were evacuated from villages where active hostilities are taking place. This is not the first time we have helped this mobile shelter, people stay here before going to safer places. It is incredibly surprising that, despite the fact that people have only been here for a few weeks, they have already planted beds and are showing how their cucumbers and dill are growing.

We also visited the Kharkiv Oblast’s “Baking Kitchen”, humanitarian aid was handed over from the Xenia Foundation. We met a lot of foreign volunteers who bake bread, prepare dinners and transport people to hospitals. Observers of Kharkiv life clearly see that people here, despite the proximity to hostilities, try to live life, smile and walk around the city as families. It becomes dangerous in the evening and we have also experienced this.

Today, a regional children’s chess tournament is taking place in our shelter on Kyivska Street. We are glad that we can provide our premises free of charge to give children the opportunity to develop.

We continue to support our Defenders by answering their numerous requests! Our help this week has been delivered to the front lines.

We are grateful to the Charitable and Charitables Freta Foundations for the humanitarian aid brought to Fastiv this week.

We would like to thank our friends from the Zwolle Community of Lay Dominicans for remembering us and supporting our humanitarian missions. You are close to us regardless of the distance!

Unfortunately, the blackouts are back this week. We are starting to collect alternative means of heating and lighting. Thank you to everyone for your support, prayers, reposts and donations.

With prayers,

Fr. Mykhailo Romaniv OP