7/1 to 7/31 Recap
7/1 to 7/31 Recap
7/1 to 7/31 ART PROGRAM UPDATE
Juliia, Art Program Manager, hosts an arts and crafts workshop, typically each Monday, for children at Domivka. Domivka was on a break this month and no workshops were conducted. Workshops will resume in August. VM4U donations cover the costs of art supplies.
7/1 to /31 MUSIC PROGRAM UPDATE
Nadiia, Music Program Manager and Instructor, is working to return refugee children to their music training. The program has 5 instructors for 10 children: Joel (Saxophone), Emin (Piano), Mariam (Piano), Nadiia (Violin), Svetlana (Guitar). Many thanks to Colleen for viola donation! The program needs an alto sax, keyboard, and guitar teacher. The music program is a partnership with Kimu Wien (@kimu_wien), Liberty Education, and Domivka. VM4U donations are used for instrument maintenance, instrument rental, and instruction materials.
7/1 to 7/31 FURNISHINGS PROGRAM UPDATE
Nathan, Furnishings Program Manager, continues to work with Olga, The Feel Good Store, to transfer furniture and appliances directly from donors to refugees on nearly a daily basis using the VM4U van and Nathan’s van. The furnishings team includes Pasha, Artem, Oleksandr, Arkady, Jake, Michael, Anatolii, David, Adam, Lauren, Israel, and others. VM4U donations are used for van fuel. The furnishings program was at low intensity this month because the VM4U van was working in Ukraine.
7/1 to 7/31 ORPHANAGE SUPPORT PROGRAM UPDATE
Svetlana, Orphanage Support Program Manager, continues to monitor the needs of the orphanages in the VM4U network. Two deliveries from Vienna to Ukraine in the VM4U van occurred in July. On 7/2, 2 boxes of toys from Kleine Herzen and 5 computers from PCs Fur Alle were delivered to the displaced Orphanage in Zhuravno. On 7/26, a full van of surplus supplies from the Kleine Herzen, baby food, toys, clothes, low chairs, high chairs, baths, toilets, and 2.5 pallets of diapers were delivered to Save Ukraine organization in Kyiv. The Kogl Orphanage continues to need fresh fruits and vegetables and activities for the children. The Zhuravno Orphanage continues to need an industrial washing machine. The Burgenland Orphanage needs a caretaker for mentally disabled children who can also provide physical education. No needs reported for the Murek Orphanage. VM4U donations were used for van fuel.
7/1 to 7/31 VAN PROGRAM – SUPPLY IN JULY PROJECT
During July, VM4U drivers, Sasha, Andy, Vanessa, Michael, and Adam, drove 13,593 km in the course of completing 8 supply deliveries in Ukraine in support of VM4U partner organizations UAID-Direct, Kleine Herzen, Net of Hope, Hahó Volunteers, PC’s fur Alle, Oleg “Mr. Insulin”, and YOUkraine. This included supplies for orphanages, aid-collection and distribution centers, and hospitals. The total operations expense of 2,871.40 EUR included diesel, shipping, repairs, driver lodging, vignettes was covered by VM4U donations. Operations support is provided by Nathan, Van Program Manager; Pasha, Director of Operations; and Oleg with further support from Konrad, Lauren, Katia, and Mike from the UAID-Direct Team.
7/3 MEETING WITH HOPE FOUNDATION
Adam, VM4U Executive Director, met with Jay, Hope Foundation, at the Hope Foundation’s refugee shelter in Przemysl Poland (next to the now closed Przemysl Refugee Center, aka. TESCO). The shelter provides beds, showers, 24 hr kitchen and dining area, children’s play area, positive environment, community, and staff – it is very dignified, positive, safe, hygienic, and comfortable place for adults, children, and pets. Jay mentioned 3 other refugee centers in operations in Przemysl – some government sponsored and some private, operated by Ukraine House, Russians for Ukraine, and Red Cross. The Hope Foundation refugee center sees up to 75 people per night, with an average of about 20 people per night, and a maximum capacity of 110 people per night. Adam spent 3 nights at the shelter in July and was joined by elderly, mothers with small children, and disabled refugees. Each refugee has a maximum stay of 3 nights. The International staff are all volunteer and receive no compensation (other than food and board); all donations are crowd sourced. The operating costs of the shelter are ~8k EUR per month including rent, food, and utilities.
7/3, 7/10, 7/17, 7/24, 7/31 FOOTBALL PROGRAM TRAINING
Coach Oleksandr, Football Program Manager, and Coach Sergii continue to host football training for children ages 6-11 on Monday nights from 17:30-19:00 at the outdoor fields at Sport Center Donau City in cooperation with Domivka. Roxy, Psychological Support Program Manager, continues to bring snacks to the kids after each session which has become tradition. Field costs of €50/session were sponsored by Yvonne and John.
7/6 VLADIMIR SUPPORT CASE
Alsu, Translator and Advocate, accompanied Vladimir to a pre-heart surgery doctor’s appointment. However, Vladimir was turned away due to a problem with his social heath insurance. Irina, Case Manager, is working to resolve the issue and a follow up appointment is scheduled for July 21.
7/6 SERGII SUPPORT CASE
Adam, Driver, used the VM4U van to transport Sergii’s 100 kg motorized wheel chair from Przemysl Train Station to the Hope Foundation Refugee Center also in Przemysl, Poland.
7/6, 7/10 NATALIIA SUPPORT CASE
Natalia has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy with serious complications from multiple surgeries. Nataliia, mother, 60s, and Oksana, daughter, 40s, moved in with Robert, VM4U host family, following the closure of the Haidehof Dormitory on April 15. This was supposes to be a temporary arrangement to give Fonds Socialez Wien (FSW) more time to find the family a government sponsored accommodation, however, FSW has yet to come through. Maximilian, private philanthropist, is providing a very low rent apartment, which the family can afford with their benefits and which is in proximity of the hospitals Nataliia frequents. On 7/6, David, translator, accompanied the family to sign the apartment contact. In the days to follow, Nathan, VM4U Furnishings Program Manager, sourced and delivered all the family’s furniture the family needs. Private donors have stepped forward to safeguard the family’s finances. Now Nataliia can focus on her recovery. VM4U donations covered van fuel.
7/10 NADIIA SUPPORT CASE
Nadiia found her situation at a government sponsored dormitory (operated by Zeit!Raum) untenable. Nathan, using the VM4U van, relocated Nadiia and her personal belongings to Haus Hutteldorf (the new Vienna Arrival Center or refugee center operated by Volkshilfe). Unfortunately Nadiia’s personal belonging exceeded what the refugee center could store and had to be placed in commercial storage at Nadiia’s expense. VM4U donations covered van fuel.
7/12 SVETLANA SUPPORT CASE UPDATE
Svetlana is in Vienna with her daughter, elderly mother, elderly father, and elderly aunt. Svetlana’s elderly mother is in a wheel chair and has dementia. Svetlana has her hands full supporting these 4 people while working full time. Irina, VM4U Case Manager, has been supporting Svetlana since 4/3 by organizing transportation and translators for administrative and medical appointments. Currently, VM4U has been working with this family to assist them to obtain disability benefits for Svetlana’s mother. Oleg facilitated the translation of Svetlana’s mother’s medical documents into German. Gebhard helped the family complete their government benefits applications paperwork. Gebhard is working to guide the family through the remainder of the disability benefits process. VM4U donations covered the cost of the medical translation.
7/13 Nataliia Support Case Update
On 7/13, Nathan, Furnishings Program Manager, and the Furnishings Team, Artem and Arkady, working with the Olga, Feel Good Store, were able to completely furnish Nataliia and Oksana’s new apartment using donated furniture with the exception of a washing machine (which was delivered on 8/2). This very low rent apartment is provided by Maximillian. This is the last step in transitioning Nataliia and Oksana (and their dog) from the street to a sustainable accommodation so that Svetlana can focus her energy on beating cancer. VM4U donations covered van fuel. VM4U donations are not used to cover personal costs; private donors are encouraged to reach out and provide extra financial support.
7/14 FIRST AID FIRST HAND (FAFH) AMBULANCE PROJECT – FUNDRAISER EVENT
Lauren, FAFH Ambulance Project Manager, organized a fundraiser at The Tube Station pub in Vienna to raise money to procure medical equipment for the FAFH Ambulance before the ambulance is transferred to international volunteer medics serving on the front lines in Ukraine. The fundraiser included an open mic night and 1 EUR per drink went to the project. A total of 540 EUR was raised.
7/19 TATJANA SUPPORT CASE
Nathan, driver, relocated Tatjana and her personal belongings from Hostel Hutteldorf (dormitory and refugee center operated by Volkshilfe) to Hotel de France (dormitory operated by Samariterbund). Tatjana just had surgery and a taxi between the two locations just would not have been adequate. 7/19 Yana Support Case Yana is a 71 year old women residing at Hotel du France (dormitory operated by Samariterbund). Tanja Meier reported to VM4U that Yana was in need of a wheel chair. Vira, YOUkraine, was able to raise a wheel chair. Nathan, driver, was able to deliver the wheel chair to Yana.
7/2, 7/20 HAHO VOLUNTEERS SUPPORT PROJECT
On 5/20, VM4U was contacted by Marton, HAHO Volunteers from Budopest, requesting VM4U logistical support. Haho Volunteers had sourced nearly 2 tons of industrial shelving in Vienna which was needed to outfit an aid collection and distribution center in Vynohradiv, Ukraine (near the Hungarian border). Last month, VM4U van teams, Nathan, Arkady, Adam, and others, picked up the shelving in Vienna. On 7/2 and 7/20, the shelving was delivered by VM4U van teams, Sasha, Andy, and Adam. On July 21-23, volunteers from Haho Volunteers and Net of Hope, also from Budopest, constructed the shelving and effectively converted the center from a warehouse of boxes to kitchen pantry. The aid-collection and distribution center, operated by volunteers led by Lydmyla, serves ~300 displaced people per day. VM4U donations covered the cost of van fuel and vignettes.
Links:
https://www.netofhope.com/post/vynohradiv-refugee-center-makeover
7/25-7/27 DIMA SUPPORT CASE UPDATE
On July 25-27, David and Oleg, Co-Case Managers, transported, translated, and advocated for Dima during his pre-transplant checkup in Innsbruck, Austria. The next step is for David to receive a phone call when kidneys+pancreas become available. Then David and/or Oleg will travel with Dima by ambulance from Vienna to Innsbruck where Dima will receive his transplant.
7/26 ALINA SUPPORT CASE
Alina is a refugee in Vienna who works with Artem, VM4U Volunteer. Alina’s family has been living in occupied territory in Malokakhovka. On July 26, Alina’s mother, father, brother, and dog arrived in Austria. Julia from Baden organised an accomodation for Alina’s family in Hirm, 50 minutes south of Vienna. Nathan transported the family and got them registered with the police, got their meldezettel and got them settled. And thanks to David for connecting Julia from Baden to the VM4U network long ago.
7/29 ANATOLII SUPPORT CASE UPDATE
VM4U facilitated Anatolii and his family to rent their own apartment. Anatolii volunteers with Nathan on the Furniture Team. Anatolii had been living at the former Vienna Arrival Center and was separated from his wife and daughter who were placed in a women’s only dormitory. VM4U facilitated Anatolii obtaining is blue card. Then Anatolii got a job, then a temporary apartment for him and his family. Now with their own apartment, Anatolii and his family are back on their feet and self-sufficient.
7/31 FIRST AID FIRST HAND AMBULANCE PROJECT UPDATE
First Aid First Hand , VM4U, YOUkraine, and Team Fynn are working to provide a fully supplied ambulance which will be operated in Ukraine by TacMed Ukraine. The TacMed Ukraine organization are international, volunteer medics performing emergency rescue near the front lines. FAFH has purchased the ambulance. Lauren, VM4U Project Manager, has raised the funds for the needed medical equipment and supplies for the ambulance. Solomiia, YOUkraine, is in the process of procuring the medical equipment and supplies. Donations were raised from the aforementioned fundraiser on 7/14 and project specific donations from the Vienna Community Church. The ambulance is planned to be transferred to TacMed Ukraine in mid-August. VM4U is communicating with a news crew to document the project.
