My name is Tanya Zayka, I'm leading Toloka's Humanitarian Project.
Every Ukrainian remembers the minute when they learned about full scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine. I was vacationing with my family in Mexico. A war, a real war... On my homeland, on my country, on my people, on my family... While I was in state of shock and disbelief for many more months after that day, I had to do something to be useful and help the effort of brave men and women who were fighting for Ukraine. While still on vacation in Mexico, on the very next day after I learned the terrible news, I started activating all my network to collect donations drop off of clothes and medical supplies at my house, to ship to Ukrainians who lost their homes. When I returned home after a few days, I couldn't believe my eyes - my front door was not visible through packages of donations. My garage was full. I had to enter my house through the back yard. The outpour of help and compassion was overwhelming. Strangers and neighbors from all corners of the word came together trying to help in any way they knew how.
This very energy keeps me going today. The need to do something, and to be useful is still there. Since 2022 we created efficient and streamlined ways to help those who have suffered from the Russian invasion - from families who had to leave their homes, to wounded children, to animals who lost their humans.
We have thousands of heart-warming stories of small victories that we helped come to life. Our targeted direct help reaches families and humanitarian volunteers on the ground in Ukraine, with no overhead costs, meaning that 100% of donations goes to savings lives and giving hope. Our work is ever evolving, ranging from Children's hospital in Kyiv, to supporting internally displaced families, to saving cats, dogs and horses from the front lines, and so much more.
On this page we would like to share with you a few photos from completed projects.
Ukraine's Central Children's Hospital Okhmadyt in Kyiv sees many young patients who have suffered from the war. Wounded physically and emotionally, they oftentimes have a long stay at the hospital. By collaborating with the staff and trusted volunteers in Kyiv, we find ways to meet immediate needs of the families, as well as deliver something extra. As an example, there is a big need for comfortable clothes and pajamas for the hospital stay. Children often arrive in clothes that are torn and damaged, and parents, financially exhausted from the war, have no means to buy new ones. We are glad to take on one of their many burdens, and provide new comfortable clothes for their children. And as a little extra, we bring new toys, masterclasses in arts and crafts, and also everyone's favorite - Children's Theater! Seeing smiling faces of the youngest Ukrainians whose lives have been altered - that's our biggest reward.
As a separate channel of our support for internally displaced families, we provide clothes and basic supplies to families with children and the elderly, who found themselves in desperate situations. From school supplies and clothes, to hygiene products, to gifts for holidays - every little act of kindness and support gives hope that they are not forgotten.
In collaboration with a horse rescue near Kyiv, we work with mothers and children who lost their loved ones, or waiting for their fathers and husbands to return home from the front lines. Equestrian therapy is well known for strong emotional healing abilities, for both humans and the animals. At Social Rancho "Horse Paradise" near Kyiv, horses that have been rescued from the war help women and children rejuvenate and heal their wounds of the soul. Rancho also hosts numerous programs for wounded soldiers. Seeing their eyes light up after spending a day surrounded by nature, animals, art, and people who dedicated their lives to kindness - this is what we work for.
And last but not least, many of our supporters donate specifically to animal rescue. Thousands of animals found themselves without families, with no means of survival. Our trusted animal rescuers in Dnipro and Kyiv tirelessly save one furry live at a time. We strive to help meet some of their needs, from space heaters, to vaccines and sterilization programs, to paying for critical medical procedures.
We are proud to say that we've positively impacted thousands of lives and counting. Knowing their stores, seeing photos and personal thank you notes, makes it so much more real and special. Even though we are geographically divided by the ocean and continents, we are close in spirit and in the heart. Our fight to bring kindness and hope into the lives of people who dream of peace will not stop.
We want to say sincere thank you to everyone who donated in the past and donates still, you make all of these stories happen. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts, and from every child, mother and furry tail that you helped save.