In a small Ukrainian community, a sewing machine is more than just a tool—it’s a symbol of hope and resilience. Learn how a Peremoha Mini-Grant helped create jobs, provide warm clothing, and uplift a community in need.
RPCV: Natasha Wanchek, Community Development, 1999-2001
Ukrainian Partner: Svitlana Kravchenko, Director of Bakhmut Oberih Creative Workshop and Volunteer at Bakhmut Ukrainian NGO.
Region: Dnipropetrovsk Oblast
Natasha, a Community Development Volunteer (1999-2001), has spent the past two years working with Svitlana Kravchenko, the director of Bakhmut Oberih Creative Workshop and Volunteer at Bakhmut Ukrainian NGO, a community organization that launched in Bakhmut in 2014 after the war started.
Bakhmut Ukrainian collects and distributes humanitarian aid to the frontline and to hospitals, and Oberih focuses on the promotion of Ukrainian culture and crafts. While working on various projects, internally displaced people create traditional crafts, which are sold in Ukraine and internationally. In addition, by sewing adaptive clothing, women who are looking to help the frontline find a way to be involved, while also receiving psychosocial support and training.
Through this project, internally displaced women from Bakhmut, Lysyschansk, Sieverodonetsk, and Mariupol, now residing in the Dnipro region, had the resources to participate in group sewing classes to sew adaptive clothing and improve their skills. In addition, through multiple sewing sessions, the women found camaraderie and new friendships–even meeting on Ukrainian Independence Day to work on the project and sew.
In this supportive setting, Svitlana and fifteen volunteers produced around 120 sets of clothes (shirts and pants) over approximately 17 sewing sessions, which will be delivered to hospitals in upcoming weeks and months. Volunteers were also given the opportunity to sew bed linens for their own families. “This project promotes the cohesion of displaced women, helping them adapt to a new city and acquire sewing skills, which could become a new profession for them in their new environment,” says Svitlana. Bakhmut Ukrainian and Oberih provided office space and essential tools, including sewing machines, irons, scissors, and a cutting table, while the Peremoha mini-grant paid for fabric and supplies like Velcro.
As of December 2023, over 10% of Ukraine’s population is internally displaced. Although many people are fleeing the conflict, they continue to serve the resistance by learning new skills and creating new communities to continue to assist the frontlines. Svitlana continues to work hard with Bakhmut Ukrainian activists, artisans, Àaand volunteers to serve those who are fighting for Ukraine. “We, Ukrainians, cannot be defeated, we are not tired, everyone does what they can for our victory, and we are helped by friends from all over the world.”