Support Ukraine - Home for Displaced Families

Our friend and colleague Ivan Semak fled his home in Kiev on February 25th and found refuge in his grandfather’s home near Lviv, close to the Polish border.

 

Their four-person family slept on the kitchen floor as there was no heat other than the stove. Now, one month later, there are 11 people living with them. The home needs several basic upgrades to be habitable.

 

Their goal is to make a home for other (IDPs).  With some utility and structural upgrades to their home (and barn) they will host up to 20 people, providing a safe shelter to both people in transit leaving the country and those who wish to remain.

 

Please watch the video to hear their story. They have the know-how and planning support to make this happen, but they desperately need the funds to execute the project.

 

Ivan’s father, who is 66 and remained in Kiev to fight, is an engineer and has helped Ivan plan the upgrades.
Your donation will help fund repairs and installation of windows, insulation, heat, plumbing and wiring.

Ivan discusses the needed repairs and upgrades in the video. 

 

My good friend Amy Marino will provide architectural advice - drawings and other documentation, regarding structural integrity, construction assemblies, sequencing and the creation of healthy living spaces. She has experience in emergency and semi-temporary construction from rebuilding projects in Haiti in 2010.

 

We will keep everyone apprised of the progress by having a website that will document their progress. Link to website:

https://vanhoh.notion.site/Making-7a39bf61fdf24f5f9404cbfac5bf9775. You can also keep up with our GoFundMe website as well.

 

Even if the war ends tomorrow there needs to be safe places in Ukraine, for those who couldn't leave, and for those who will return. 

 

This project is supported by OpenSolar. The company has already provided financial assistance to the family to get them started with their project and help them provide shelter for others.

Please distribute this GoFundMe to your friends and networks. Thank you in advance for any support or visibility you can provide us.

If you would like to join our fundraising team, we can invite you to be a team member, this will allow you to  share, thank donors, and post updates. 

If you have any questions or want to learn more about this brave family, please contact me or any of the Team members.

 

Long Live Ukraine!

Garage as it is today.

Garage after it is renovated!      (all sketches created by Olya Semak, Ivan's sister)