How do you sustain hope during challenging times? In Ukraine, a Peremoha Mini-Grant is fueling a remarkable effort to provide consistent nutritional aid to those most in need. See how this initiative is making a lasting impact.
RPCV: Abigail Nutsubidze, Education, 2010-2014
Ukrainian Partner: Lydia
Amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Abigail Nutsubidze (2010 to 2014) and her counterpart, Lydia, have used the Peremoha Mini-Grant funds to deliver vital humanitarian aid to some of the country’s most vulnerable populations. Their work is centered around the Children’s Social Rehabilitation Center, a facility that has long provided care for orphans and children deprived of parental support. After these children returned from an evacuation to Germany at the start of the war, the need for sustained nutritional aid became more pressing than ever, especially with the harsh winter approaching.
Understanding the challenges faced by these children and others in the community, Abigail and her partner launched a project to supply ghee—a shelf-stable, high-calorie butter product—to the Center and those in need. Ghee has a number of advantages, including a high content of vitamins, minerals, and calories. The product is completely natural and can be stored without the use of preservatives for about 12 months, making it a reliable food source during difficult times. The project, funded by grants and bolstered by a partnership with a local dairy manufacturer, allows for the purchase of ghee at a reduced price, ensuring that the Center can provide consistent nutrition throughout the winter months.
Half of the ghee purchased will be stored at the Nadia Center, ensuring that the orphaned children have a steady supply of nutritious food during the winter of 2023-2024. The remaining half will be distributed among internally displaced persons (IDPs), elderly residents, and others facing severe hardships due to the war. This initiative is more than just a temporary solution—it’s a strategic effort to provide sustainable aid that meets both immediate and long-term nutritional needs.
Abigail and her partner are also reinforcing a sense of hope and resilience within the community. By focusing on a product that can be safely stored and used over an extended period, they have created a model of humanitarian aid that offers stability in the face of uncertainty. Their work exemplifies the power of thoughtful, community-centered action in times of crisis, ensuring that those most in need receive the support necessary to endure and survive.
The Peremoha Mini-Grants program, launched in 2022, empowers Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) 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.