"ElitExpert" continues the series of publications about humanitarian and volunteer organizations of Odesa region. Today we are talking to one of the founders of the Volunteer Center "Odesa as it is" Maxim Dibrov, Odessa IT specialist, photographer and administrator of the popular Telegram channel "Odesa as it is".
Volunteer headquarters "Odesa as it is" is a relatively young organization that began its work on the second day after the full-scale military invasion of Ukraine by Russia. The head of the staff Maksym Dibrov says that it all started after messages in the popular Telegram channel "Odesa as it is", which has more than three hundred thousand subscribers.
"At first, there were messages in our Telegram channel from people who needed help and from those who could provide this help. Then we realized that this is exactly what Odessans lack now. Within 5-6 hours I was contacted by the Navy of Ukraine and asked to collect drinking water for the victims in the military port," said the head of the volunteer organization.
Maksym Dibrov notes that on the first day alone, the Headquarters managed to collect 8 tons of water, and on the second day, in addition to water, they already collected hygiene products and products.
"On the third day, we simply ran out of space - so many people brought help. Then we agreed that one of the schools would provide us with a room, and then everything was like a blur," Maxim laughs.
Currently, the volunteers of "Odesa as it is" help displaced people and refugees. The Headquarters says: they chose this direction because during the war it was possible to establish a good supply of food, clothing, medicine, hot meals, etc.
"We are known and recommended at TsNAP, at the railway station, in the Beit Grand center. In general, many other reputable organizations give our contacts to displaced people, because they know that we will help," added Maksym Dibrov.
Currently, more than 120 volunteers work at the Headquarters. Every day, 200 to 300 immigrants contact "Odesa as it is". Volunteers provide them with food, clothes, hygiene supplies, household chemicals, carts, dishes, bed linen and even mattresses.
"Volunteering for many, including me, is a way to take an active part in the approach of Victory, without picking up a weapon," Maxim shares.
However, the most difficult thing, the head of the Staff notes, is not to fall into a routine. According to him, volunteering is hard unpaid work, so you have to find motivation for work every day.
"Sometimes we invite musicians who are well-known in the city to the headquarters, but the fighting spirit of volunteers is always a task for the manager"
But there are also problems - even in times of war, when it is important to be united, there is competition among volunteer organizations.
"The fact that other funds complain about us to all authorities - we are hindering them. According to the documents, a lot of cargo is coming to many, but not a lot to us. And in fact, people say that we provide 2-3 times more help than any other volunteer centers in the city. That's when they "knock" on the white crow. We don't pay attention, we never do, we have a lot of work," explained Dibrov.
According to him, it is very easy to check the transparency of the work of the humanitarian headquarters. To do this, you only need to come to a volunteer organization and observe its activities.
"When a person comes to us and says, ``good afternoon, I am a donor to your foundation, I want to meet you and see your work,'' all doors are open to that person. Here's a coffee, here's a pass — go for a walk and shoot as much as possible, we're always happy for media materials posted on the Internet about us," added the head of the volunteer organization.
Currently, the volunteer headquarters "Odesa as it is" closely cooperates only with World central kitchen.
"I would like to say to every donor that what they donate to us will definitely be returned to them twice. We appreciate any kind of support, even 10 hryvnias is already half a kilo of carrots for a family of immigrants," concluded Maksym Dibrov.
The volunteer headquarters "Odesa as it is" is open every day from 10.00:3 a.m. at XNUMX Gagarin Avenue.
You can contribute to the activities of volunteers "Odesa as it is" and bring our common Victory closer by going to here
