My name is Lesia Didkovska. I'm a Ukrainian business women and CEO of an engineering company Raiden (raiden.com.ua), which specializes in lightning and grounding protection.
I had to leave my home Ukraine because of the ongoing war there. Now, I live with my family in Poprad, Slovakia. Here I'm trying to do what I can to help other Ukrainian refugees.
Who are we helping?
One of the things that's important to me is education, especially for children. That's why I've started a project to buy books for Ukrainian kids to be placed in the local library Podtatranska knyznica. It's so crucial for them to have access to literature in their own language, so they don't lose touch with their culture and roots.
What are we going to use the finances on?
Now in the local library Podtatranska knyznica only 26 Ukrainian books.
For refugees, books can be a source of comfort and familiarity in a new and strange place. They provide a way to stay connected to one's identity and a sense of continuity. By contributing to the local library in Poprad, I'm hoping to create a space where Ukrainian refugees can come together, share their experiences and stories, and feel a sense of community.
I know that being a refugee can be tough, but I believe that together we can make a difference. And even small acts of kindness, like providing books for children, can have a big impact.
I want to buy each month Ukrainian books for kids from Ukrainian printing house and put them to the local library Podtatranska knyznica.
Eric Wiltscher, director of Radio Tatras International, launching the campaign via www.rti.fm, said: “Children need books, and when these children have been kicked out of their homes, it's even more important that they keep a piece of home. We ask everyone to share this and it has our 100% support.”