April update from KHARPP, plus an event in London
The last few weeks have been non-stop work for our team on the ground in the Kharkiv region. As well as completing repairs on 20 of the homes damaged by the attack in Derhachi a few weeks ago, they have also completed an order of a further 20 houses in Slatyne, and done repairs on a social services centre in Derhachi, who we received a request from last month. Due to unforeseen circumstances, we are yet to have been able to go down and have a look at the successful work ourselves, however we hope to do so in the coming weeks, and then will provide a full report. For the time being, I will attach photos sent by our local team of some of the deliveries and completed work. This month we also decided to support the local arts scene in Kharkiv, following the total destruction of the electricity infrastructure in the city. Allowing residents a semblance of normality even as horror continues to be unleashed on them feels like a vital form of resistance right now. We therefore temporarily provided the Some People cultural centre in Kharkiv with a portable power station to allow them to continue with an exhibition which was due to open the day of the major energy attacks. That exhibition has now finished, and we will be relocating the power station to a border village so it can continue to support people there.
One happy note is that we have really seen the results of using high quality materials these last few weeks. After the attack in Derhachi, our contractor had several visits from previous recipients of our windows there, who told her that all their windows had broken – other than those we had provided. That’s not to say that they are explosion-proof, of course, but it does go to show that investing in the highest quality products, in line with all building regulations, can make a big difference.
Looking into the coming months, on top of our regular programme of home repairs, we are expecting to begin work assisting with the renovation of a youth club in the de-occupied village of Tsyrkuny where an amazing team of locals are coming together to provide free classes, therapy, and generally a space to exist, for teenagers who have remained in/returned to the village. The mental strain on children and young people living in areas like these is huge, and this is essential work. The local team have managed to fundraise themselves for a new roof for the damaged building, but have asked for our help regarding the windows and doors. We have also had a request to build a bomb shelter in Slatyne: notably, only two of the villages we work in have their own bomb shelters, leaving residents with only their basements to hide in in the event of attack. This was inadequate to begin with, but with Russia now using aviation bombs which can cause craters as deep as five-storey buildings, it is now completely pointless. A high-quality shelter built to approved state standards can be built for as little as £25,000, and so we hope that we will be able to achieve this goal by the end of the summer.
Finally, to any of our readers based in/around London, tomorrow (Tuesday 23rd April) a vintage sale is being hosted by Nicola Shulman and Gina Marcou, who have generously donated seven rails worth of designer women’s clothes in aid of KHARPP at 72 Glebe Place, SW3 5JB from 3PM-10PM. It will be £5 on the door. Please do come and say hello and show your support – several of our trustees will be there and we would love to meet you in person!
As always, thank you all for your continued support. Please keep giving, and so we can keep supporting communities here for as long as it takes.