DHM Trustees Helen and Melanie and Helen’s daughter Hannah recently spent 10 days in western Ukraine, in the city of Uzhhorod. Situated close to the border of Slovakia and near to the Hungarian border this is one of the safest areas in Ukraine and many people fled there when the war began. Internally displaced people are still arriving, and more are expected as the conflict continues. Ukraine has recently issued further mandatory evacuation orders for children and their parents/legal guardians living in areas that are in range of enemy fire.
The Equilibrium Project is led by Margarita (in pink to the right of the photo) who arrived here two years ago as a refugee herself from Zaporizhzhia Region, aged just 25. Russia seized most of the Zaporizhzhia region soon after President Vladimir Putin ordered the full-scale invasion in February 2022. However, the regional capital, the city of Zaporizhzhia, is controlled by Ukraine and some land was retaken in the Ukrainian counter offensive of 2023. The families we met had been forced to evacuate from Donetsk, Kharkiv, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia regions – all of which have seen heavy fighting and continue to be in the front lines with frequent attacks from missiles, bombs and drones. Some hope and believe that they will still return to their homes but many no longer have homes to return to.
Margarita has long held a dream of helping children and a love of animals. At the age of nine she wanted to build a centre with dolphins, horses and rescue dogs. She predicted that her sister would be rich, while Margarita would work looking after poor people: ‘You will be able to support me as I will be looking after poor people.’ Inspiring words from a nine year old!
Margarita started Equilibrium Project in Uzhhorod with her own money – renting horses from a stable. She wanted to help internally displaced children (some with special needs and disabilities) who have been traumatised by the war. Two years later almost 400 children have benefitted from the programme which offers equine therapy, massage, craft, singing, movement, therapeutic play, music therapy and more. Two horses have been donated so are now owned by the project. Margarita has received funding from three sponsors including DHM, but future funding is uncertain and DHM is working with Margarita to secure longer-term funding.
DHM believes that Equilibrium is a model for a rehabilitation project, building resilience in both the children and their families. It is innovative and demand is high. Margarita hopes and prays that this is just the beginning. She would love to be able to help more families; to buy land and build a customised facility; to offer rehabilitation to ex-military personnel and learn how best to support them.
Everyone we met spoke highly of Margarita and it was evident that the project is having a significant impact on everyone who joins it:
‘She is special’
‘She is a light that shines.’
‘The project is super.’
‘I didn’t know that people like this existed.’
‘Margarita helps with food and many other things.’
‘The mothers are so happy.’
‘I have met wonderful people who help and care.’
Of course, it is not just Margarita who is special but the team of amazing volunteers like Ira and Lena (the massage therapists); the teenagers who help and who are excellent role models for younger children; others such are Margarita’s mother, Natalia, who is cook, driver and much more… and the fathers too who look after the babies and younger children so their wives are free to become involved.
This blog was written by Melanie Gray, DHM trustee who was in Ukraine visiting Margarita and the Equilibrium Project from July 26th – August 5th 2024. More blogs will follow over the next few days.
If you would like to support DHM partners who are working round the clock to provide humanitarian relief to front line communities, please donate either through Stewardship or through a standing order or one-off payment to the DHM account:
Sort Code: 30-90-91 / Account Number: 68149860
Account Name: Dnipro Hope Mission; Bank Name: Lloyds Bank
