Peremoha is the Ukrainian word for Victory.
The Peremoha Mini-Grants program was launched in the summer of 2022 in response to the Russian military invasion of Ukraine. Returned Peace Corps Volunteers can apply together with a Ukrainian partner they worked with in some way during their service. Funding priorities for the program include humanitarian aid to Ukrainian communities, and projects in alignment with sectors previously implemented by Peace Corps Ukraine: community development, youth development, education, and HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. We are proud to share with you the stories of the Alliance's Peremoha grantees.
RPCV: Ashley Wichman, Community Development, 2013-2014
Ukrainian Partner: Nina, Nonprofit Director
Region: Sumy Oblast
Ashley had the joy of serving in Sumy and helping out with several types of projects during her (too short!) service.
Her primary hosting partner was Nina (first name only to protect our Ukrainian colleagues), the Director of a local NGO focused on protecting the rights of children and families. Ashley helped support fundraising and grant writing before she was emergency evacuated with all Peace Corps Volunteers who served in 2014. Even though Ashley was unable to serve the full term, she was able to return to Sumy and visit Nina in 2017.
Nina has stayed in Sumy region during the invasion, continuing her tireless work to support the most vulnerable in the community and to promote community development projects.
Nina is now the Director of another NGO, which used the Peremoha Mini Grant funds to provide both near-term and long-term support to the Sumy region:
Immediate humanitarian assistance
- Conducted a needs assessment in three towns: Krasnopillia, Sadivska, Okhtyrka
- Purchased and distributed 22 blankets, 44 pairs of winter socks, and 2 blanket + pillow sets to 22 vulnerable residents, all who are over age 60
Long-term civil society development
- Conducted 3 leadership and civil society trainings for youth, focused on: conflict resolution, grant writing, fundraising, communications, crisis management and strategic management skills.
One of the youth trainings conducted in Okhtyrka
As Nina wrote in the grant report, “The war caused significant damage to Ukraine - infrastructural damage, destruction, and mass evacuation of the civilian population. It became a test for local self-government, but also encouraged communities to strengthen their own potential and play an important role in ensuring the stability of the country.
Nina and the NGO look forward to continuing their work to support sustainable community engagement, both during the conflict and especially beyond.
You can follow the work of Iryna's NGO on Facebook and via their website.
The RPCV Alliance for Ukraine is able to make grants thanks to proceeds raised by sales of the Babusya's Kitchen Cookbook and your additional donations. Please give today!