With support from a Peremoha Mini-Grant, RPCV Ulat partnered with a the former president of Vinnitsa Peacekeeping Veterans Association to provide a stable power source to support communication needs during the war.
RPCV: Ulat; Teaching English as a Foreign Language; 2010-2012
Ukrainian Partner: Serhiy Pashynsky, former president / current volunteer at Vinnitsa Peacekeeping Veterans Association (UN Veterans)
Region: Vinnitsa Hutory, Vinnitsa region, Ukraine
Alvi Ulat (RPCV 2010-2012) worked with Serhiy Pashynsky, the former president and current volunteer at Vinnitsa Peacekeeping Veterans Association (UN Veterans) to provide a stable power source to support essential communication needs for a cluster of residents in Vinnitsa Hutory. Through the Peremoha Mini-Grant program, they were awarded a $1,500 grant to provide a generator, cables, and relevant accessories to ensure electricity supply for an extended period. As the rolling blackouts of the Russian Ukrainian war persist, these supplies support veterans in their day to day lives.
UN Veterans is a small, volunteer-led nonprofit that has operated since 1999. Its members are Ukrainian veterans who previously served in the United Nations and other international peacekeeping missions. Originally focused on helping veterans transition to civilian life, the group quickly shifted its mission after Russia’s full-scale invasion. Vinnitsa became a hub for locals fleeing active combat zones, many arriving with almost no resources. The association stepped in to support displaced families with basic needs while also assisting local defense units facing shortages of fuel, equipment, and supplies.
The mini-grant has had a significant impact on the community. Frequent power outages made daily life and coordination difficult for veterans and local residents. With the new generator and electrical supplies, people can charge phones, communicate with loved ones, and maintain a degree of normalcy during blackouts. The grant strengthened the community’s ability to endure ongoing disruptions and continue supporting one another under extremely challenging conditions.
The Peremoha Mini-Grants program, launched in 2022, empowers grant recipients and their Ukrainian partners to lead impactful projects supporting humanitarian aid, community development, education, and youth initiatives. These grants are made possible through charitable contributions and proceeds from the Babusya’s Kitchen cookbook.
You can help make a difference! Donate to the Peremoha fund, purchase a cookbook, or apply for your own grant to support Ukraine.