YEVHEN PANCHENKO

“I’m not fighting at the front, so I’m making my contribution to rebuilding the country,” says Dobrobat volunteer Yevhen Panchenko

Volunteer Yevhen has traveled to the frontline with Dobrobat more than fifty times. The man is from Kyiv. Before Russia’s full-scale invasion, he was a design engineer for a ventilation and air conditioning system. When the country started the defense, Yevhen sought volunteer organizations and found information about Dobrobat. His first trip, he recalls, was to Yahidne in Chernihiv region. He saw burnt vehicles, tanks, armored personnel carriers, mines, traces, and ruins from explosions. It was then that he realized that we needed a huge number of people ready to help restore everything that had been destroyed.

“I feel I have to do something for the country if I am not at the frontline. At Dobrobat, people are eager to help. Many people are re-engaging in the reconstruction. Many people are ready to travel in any weather, to any site, if they have time.”

Zhenya is an example of dedication to the country and a common goal. In addition to Yahidne, the volunteer has visited Demydiv, Kozarovychi, Irpin, and Makariv. There are more than twenty settlements where Yevhen has visited and helped. Before volunteering at Dobrobat, the man had no experience in construction. But in the course of his work, he learned new skills. He repaired roofs with other volunteers: and installed slate, metal tiles, and metal profiles. He says that when he builds his own house, this construction experience will come in handy.

Each Dobrobat volunteer is unique. With such people, there is no doubt we will win! And we will rebuild the country together!