Today, "ElitExpert", as part of the project «The best humanitarian organizations and volunteers of Odesa region«, tells about GO "Dream of Free People", which was formed after the start of the war in the Suvoriv district of Odessa. Our interlocutor is Maryna Trofimova, one of the founders of the organization.
— In the first days of the war, when everyone was in confusion and uncertainty, the residents of Suvorivskyi and nearby districts voluntarily gathered on the territory of the "City-Center" shopping center and quickly began preparations for the defense of Odessa. With sticks, knives and even forks, we made "bandero-smoothies" around the clock. They were ready to charge their own car with the mixture and crush the convoy of the occupiers' vehicles. Every day, our team grew and we began to work on the security of our district.
We formed patrols, fought against looting, removed tags — stood guard side by side with law enforcement agencies.
People began to bring humanitarian aid to us, we sorted it and sent it to our fighters at the front line and checkpoints. Also, they adjusted the supply of ready-made food and medicines.
But there were also troubles - in the first weeks of the war, fraudsters also acted under the guise of volunteering. On February 28, our organization was allowed to work in the premises of the House of Children's Creativity, but later "good people" came to us in the guise of volunteers, who drove us out with weapons, tried to take property and occupied the premises. "Brave" boys even allowed themselves to hit girls with weapons. Over time, everything fell into place, as it should have been, the "good guys" got what they deserved and left our organization because they couldn't make a living. Only principled and loyal people remained.
Despite all the intimidation, the loss of the place of deployment and the things collected and made by volunteers, we reorganized. Our center nevertheless found its shelter and since then we as a whole team, like one big family, have been helping all the victims and our military.
Today we are one of the largest volunteer organizations in Odessa - "Dream of Free People".
Who is your team?
We came up with the name of our organization collectively. At first we were called "Free People" when we were still working in the City Center. And then, when the Russians destroyed our "Mriya" - the largest Ukrainian plane, we decided to immortalize it in our name, as a symbol of our indomitability. This is how "Dream of Free People" was born.
Our team includes about 130 volunteers. Before the war, we were all in different professions: teachers, philologists, artists, psychologists, accountants, entrepreneurs, builders, drivers, cinematographers... Today we are united by a common goal, we all do one thing - bring our Ukraine closer to Victory every day.
What does your organization do today?
Today we work in many directions:
The very first is the coordination of internally displaced persons. We receive data about people who need help. We evacuate and/or coordinate people moving from places where hostilities are taking place. We feed, give the necessary clothes, and provide psychological support to people who plan to be in Odesa as a transit. We help with the transfer to the border.
Second - food The kitchen where we receive, sort and issue humanitarian aid — every day we feed about 150 families with hot lunches and give out up to 20 food kits to displaced people.
Also, we feed four-legged friends who faced the consequences of the war and were left without owners. We support local animal shelters.
The third direction — the medical department, where medicines are received, sorted, entered into databases and given to the needy. We receive medicines from Ukrainian volunteers and from abroad.
The fourth — department of receiving, sorting and issuing things to immigrants. Thanks to caring people, we have the opportunity to provide essential things to entire families who have been forced to leave their homes.
Fifth — courses in tactical medicine and classes on providing first aid to victims of military operations, methods of protection against chemical threats and the basics of behavior during evacuation from hot spots.
The sixth direction — the department of psychological assistance, where a staff of psychologists is being formed to work offline with children and adults, displaced persons who have suffered from military actions. We try to provide psychological support to everyone who needs it.
Assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine
We have created a division of weaving camouflage nets for our defenders. 28,5 tons of products were collected and sent to the front line. We also help with protective ammunition, binoculars, drones, tactical uniforms and footwear. Our soldiers need help every day and it is our priority to do everything to ensure that they have everything they need.
Problems of volunteering
Perhaps the most important problem is the relaxation of society. Especially in cities where there are no active hostilities and constant rocket attacks. People begin to forget a little about the war in the country or simply do not want to notice it. Because of this, there are much fewer donations and help. But everyone can be understood. People just get tired, even if it seems like they are doing nothing. Living in a country at war is difficult no matter where you are.
Another problem, probably the biggest of all, is people. People who think volunteers owe everyone something. People who instead of "please" will say "it's your duty". Instead of "thank you for your help" - "some things are not very good with you, is it possible to have something else?", "why did you put salt on him, and I didn't?", "what do you have lying there?", "and the pillows and Do you have second-hand things!?". Therefore, sometimes it is easier for someone to accuse volunteers of fraud, which is baseless. This is another, not very pleasant, topic.
But in general, there are not many such people, but they are enough to sometimes spoil the mood of a volunteer, who still has a whole day to work for the same people as him, for free.
Interaction with other organizations
We cooperate with world-class companies such as: World Central Kitchen and Malta Service. Activists from Lithuania also helped us.
Since the beginning of the war, we have already cooperated with three Odessa cafes, which prepare food for the displaced people.
Of course, we do not forget about four-legged friends! Caring Odessa residents sponsor the purchase of fodder. Special thanks to Olena, Denis, Ola, Andriy and the shelter "Loving Hearts" for this.
Some people and companies, who don't always want to be talked about, help us raise funds for the purchase of protective ammunition and materials for the manufacture of camouflage nets.
We are also supported in the information space. The content produced by our organization was on Bratchuk's channel, and the TV channels "Inter", "Suspilne", "Channel 5" and others filmed stories about our activities. We are also referred to by the German "DW"!
Where do you get the means to help?
We have no funding. All assistance is the initiative of caring Ukrainians, as well as cooperation with other organizations.
We organize charity concerts and art exhibitions to raise funds. We also donate replicas of paintings of the Kravchenko creative family, sent to Boris Johnson together with our public organization, for a donation of more than 500 hryvnias. We open meeting in our social networks and on our website. We are planning to hold a charity fair and festival soon. Regarding provisions: our partners help us collect them.
Plans for the future
The most important direction for us is helping the military, so we plan to raise more funds for the purchase of ammunition. To date, we have already started the project "Turning trash into help", as part of which we collect waste paper, plastic, polyethylene, steel bottles and send them for recycling. All proceeds will be used for the purchase of necessary weapons for the frontline and for the purchase of the most necessary for the displaced.
We want to restore our traditional procession with the flag of Ukraine in Odesa, we plan to do it on Flag Day, August 23.
Another project together with the "My Odesa" platform is fundraising for a loom for making a base for weaving camouflage nets.
And finally. Ukrainians are incredible people that the whole world admires and marvels at. We want to support everyone who resists the Russian invasion, we are proud to live in the same country as the heroes. Glory to Ukraine, Glory to the Heroes, we will definitely win!
Contacts: viber, telegram, whatsapp +38 (096) 529 32 47
"Dream of Free People" in social networks: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, telegram, telegram chat of Suvorivskyi district
