Ukraine
Emmaus in Ukraine
Emmaus has had a presence in Ukraine since 2001 thanks to the creation of an Emmaus communities in Lviv. The group takes an active role in the fight against homelessness in the local area and welcome in companions to live and work within the community.Origins
The Oselya community was set up in 2001 in Lviv, in the west of Ukraine, to help the homeless as no-one else was doing so. They distribute food, work in the streets, set up tents in the winter, edit a street newspaper and defend the interests of the homeless amongst the local authorities. Inspired by the Emmaus model the companions then developed income-generating activities: organising collections, repairing furniture and setting up a second-hand shop. The Oselya group became a member of Emmaus International in 2010 and is supporting the creation of new groups in Ukraine.Main Activities
- Welcome, providing accommodation, reintegration
- Collecting, reusing, recycling and selling on objects
- Political campaigning and awareness raising
- Local, european and international solidarity initiatives
Secondary Activities
- Repairing furniture
- Social hotel for former companions
- Daytime welcome centre
- “Doing the rounds”
- Publishing a street newspaper
Key numbers
1 member group
28 companions
33 volunteers
90 people involved in Emmaus
Overview
Grigory Semenchuk
National delegate for Ukraine
The Challenges in Ukraine
“NGOs in Ukraine were not allowed to run economic activities so we have had to come up with solutions to get around this. Our stores accept “voluntary contributions” for the second hand items we have on offer but we are not allowed to sell these items. We cannot sell goods donated from abroad either – this is why we do not accept transports of material from other European Emmaus groups as some communities do.”
With pictures
© Emmaus Oselya
© Emmaus Oselya
Find out more
Ukraine
Emmaus Oselya: two years of war, two years of resistance!
Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine began on 24th February 2022. For the last two years the Emmaus Oselya group has been putting up daily resistance in Lviv with its own weapons: solidarity, mutual support, and unconditional welcome of vulnerable people; along with ideas and initiatives to keep helping those who suffer most.
Tackling Poverty / Solidarity
Ukraine
Despite the war the Oselya group is continuing its fight against poverty
Emmaus Oselya is continuing with its work to support vulnerable people whilst also continuing to lead its income-generating activities. This group fights to offer dignified living conditions to the thousands of vulnerable people who are living in the Lviv region as well as to the victims of the ongoing conflict.
Defending human rights / Migration
Ukraine
Solidarity with Ukraine: A new social center to escape war and poverty
On 6 January, companions, friends, and partners of Emaus Oselya gathered for the inauguration of the new support centre “Olesya Sanotska” in Vynykky, Lviv, Ukraine.
Tackling Poverty / Solidarity
Ukraine
Emmaus Oselya’s daily life has been turned upside down
The group has been supporting people fleeing the fighting right from the start of the conflict. Emmaus Oselya has provided support, handed out food, offered accommodation, counselling, and so on. Natalia, leader of Emmaus Oselya in Ukraine, tells us about the community’s daily life, which has been turned upside down since February.
