The Situation
My name is Olga Buchonina, and I am a long-time friend of the residents at the Urlivska 11/44 complex in Kyiv, Ukraine. I currently live in San Jose, California. Right now, my friends and their neighbors are facing a life-threatening winter. Their building—which houses 450 apartments—has no electricity and no gas. Outside, the temperature has dropped to -25°C (-13°F).
Everyday Heroes
I have known Oleg and his community for over 10 years. Despite the darkness and the biting cold, they are showing incredible resilience. I have received videos of them gathered in small tents, powered by noisy generators, just to charge their phones and share food. The residents have formed a joint association, Urlivska 11/44 OSBB, to manage their survival efforts, but they need our help to keep the lights on and the heaters running.
How Your Donation Helps
Donations will go toward purchasing:
Industrial-grade Generators & Fuel: To provide communal heating and charging stations.
Portable Power Stations: For families with children and the elderly.
Emergency Supplies: Thermal blankets and warm meals for the 450-apartment complex.
Financial Transparency & Plan
Because GoFundMe does not transfer directly to Ukrainian bank accounts, I am taking personal responsibility for the movement of these funds:
I will withdraw the donations to my verified personal bank account in the USA.
I will immediately transfer 100% of the funds to the Urlivska 11/44 OSBB (Association of Co-Owners) bank account in Kyiv.
I will use the JP Morgan Chase correspondent banking route to ensure a secure international SWIFT transfer.
I am committed to posting screenshots of transfer confirmations (with sensitive info blurred) in the 'Updates' section of this page so all donors can track their impact.