At the beginning of this summer, a team of 15 Slovak volunteers met near the eastern Ukrainian town of Sloviansk, located around 30 kilometers from the frontlines. Instead of a vacation, they spent their first summer days helping at an old and forgotten parish, where they were welcomed by the local chaplain, Father Julian. He is dedicated to the most needy in the city and nearby villages along the front lines. In just the last few months, many international volunteers, in addition to locals, have visited him at the parish, where he provides refuge and aid for many. Although he lives in a single room, which is all a dining room, a bedroom, and a chapel at the same time, he always welcomes everyone with joy.

„Father Julian taking care of his guests physically and spiritually.“
In addition to his work, Julian told us about his desire to rebuild this old parish into a humanitarian center, where anyone who needs it can come to wash clothes, eat, rest, or talk. His open heart for the service of others resonated in us so much that we decided to help him in his mission. Julian happily agreed that we partake in his vision of the humanitarian center and will help him to make it happen. During the first week of work, we managed to take the first step and we turned the rubbles into a shelter, thanks to your support in the last fundraiser.

"Building the shelter for guests and storing of humanitarian aid"
This campaign is implemented by the United for Help NGO in cooperation with TENENET NGO. Our project called United for Ukraine unites volunteers helping in Ukraine since the first day of the war. We help directly where it is most needed, thus ensuring targeted and efficient delivery of aid.
What do we want to help Father Julian with?
Most of the inhabitants of Sloviansk, which was previously occupied by the Russians in 2014, fled by today. The role of priests in eastern Ukraine changed fundamentally after the start of the war. Julian is not only a spiritual and psychological support for the locals but he also tries to create a physical space for them to relax and forget about the daily struggles of war.
There are many old, ill, and poor people left in the city and its surroundings, to whom Father Julian regularly brings hygiene, food, and light. Despite the insufficient conditions, this parish also serves as a place where imported humanitarian aid is addressly distributed, which is the key to effective and sustainable assistance. However, basic accessories, furniture, and beds have been missing here for a long time, which causes problems for Julian during his daily work.
And that's exactly what we want to help him with!
„The shelter for storing humanitarian aid during the constructions…“
We want to cover the following goals on our next trip coming up in August:
– Large-capacity washing machine, dryer, freezer, and refrigerator with accessories (approx. €3,000)
– Beds, mattresses, inflatable beds (approx. €2,000)
– Furniture including entrance doors and chairs (approx. €1,000)
– Costs associated with completing the outdoor toilet, shower, and space for sorting humanitarian aid (approx. €4,000)
– Air conditioning, vacuum cleaner, energy-saving light bulbs, drum extension cords, Wi-Fi (roughly €1,000)
– Generator with an output of 8 to 10 kW (roughly €1,000)
– Costs for the operation of the center for the next three months: washing powder, fuel for the generator, food, electricity, internet… (roughly €5,000)
– Costs associated with the transport of three vans with humanitarian aid and volunteers from Slovakia (approx. €3,000)
„Constant bombing creates a need for humanitarian action, see the rocket trails during our visit.“
Thank you for your support! We will be informing you in a few weeks in an update that will be sent to you by email.