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From the start of the full-scale invasion (February 2022) to early 2026 more than 63,000 energy facilities were damaged, and about 2.9 thousand missiles and 12.7 thousand attack UAVs. Tens of millions of Ukrainians regularly lived without electricity. Among them are children with disabilities who depend on electricity to maintain their health and life. In Dnipro, together with the Center for Psychosocial Support of the Population "Dotyk" and the "POMAGAYEM" Foundation, the NGO MARTIN-club supports families raising children with disabilities, providing them with alternative sources of nutrition. This allows you to stay connected, maintain your daily life, and most importantly, ensure continuous care for your children even during power outages. The project provides families with alternative power sources: 35 portable EcoFlow stations, as well as expanding support through the transfer of 250 high-power power banks and providing assistance to 200 families in the form of vouchers (cash certificates) to cover basic needs. In times of war, power outages have become a part of daily life. But for families raising children with disabilities, the lack of light means much more: the inability to prepare meals, provide care, or support a child's education. There are children who cannot feed themselves, and then a blender becomes a necessity. There are families where care is completely dependent on electrical appliances. And in these moments, light is not about comfort, but about basic stability and safety. For over 26 years, the MARTIN-club NGO has been working with children and families who find themselves in difficult life circumstances. The project is implemented by the NGO MARTIN-club and funded by ERIKS Development Partner, Eastern Europe Office and Radio Aid ERIKS and Radio Aid do not necessarily share the views and interpretations expressed. Responsibility for the content lies entirely with the author.

In Dnipro, a long-term torture of six children in a family-type orphanage (DBST) has been exposed. According to the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Prosecutor's Office and police , the children lived for years in an atmosphere of fear, physical pain, and systemic humiliation. The facts, published in the materials of " Ukrainska Pravda " , are shocking: this was not a single outburst of anger, but a pattern of violence built up over years. However, it is important to understand the context: despite this terrible incident, family-type orphanages remain a worthy and necessary alternative to boarding schools. All over the world, boarding schools are officially recognized as places of deprivation of freedom, where torture and degradation of the personality are often part of the system itself, and not the crime of individual people. In boarding schools, the child is deprived of individuality, and violence often becomes a tool for “management” of a large group. DBST, even in crisis situations, provides for a family model, which, provided that proper control is provided, is the only chance for the child for a normal future. But the most painful question in the Dnipro case is another: How could it have lasted five years? During this time, a group of people were with the children to ensure their safety: Children's Services. They are required to conduct regular inspections and monitor living conditions. School. Teachers saw the children every day, their psychological state, and their physical appearance. Doctors: Routine examinations and treatments should reveal traces of physical impact. Social workers. Those who should provide support to the family. This case does not indicate the shortcomings of the idea of family upbringing itself, but the critical failure of control mechanisms. When inspections become a formality, and state bodies turn a blind eye to "inconvenient" signals, the system becomes an accomplice in the crime. The tragedy in Dnipro is a call for an immediate revision of how the state supervises the safety of children in all forms of upbringing. Why do children stay silent? We often assume that a child will tell us if they are in pain. But abuse is not just about hitting. It is about a complete loss of control over one's life and sense of security. A child is silent when: does not trust adults; she had already tried to speak and was not heard; afraid that it will get worse; convinced that she is to blame; lives in an environment where violence is called "upbringing." In this case, the signal appeared only when the eldest child left the system and was able to seek help. Before that, she turned to various institutions, trying to get support, but was actually not heard. Only after contacting public organizations and providing legal support by MARTIN Club, the case received procedural movement and an investigation began. This is a very revealing moment. A safe environment for a complaint arose not inside the system, but outside it. This means that the problem is not just the cruelty of specific people. The problem is in the defense mechanisms that have not worked. Formal control ≠ real security The presence of inspections does not guarantee their effectiveness, and control focused on papers does not provide security to the child. The child protection system often works reactively — after a complaint is made. But if a child doesn't have a real, safe channel to report abuse, a complaint won't come forward. And then silence is perceived as the absence of a problem. The head of the NGO MARTIN-club, Victoria Fedotova, describes this situation as follows: "Analysis of the current situation indicates the inexpediency of searching for individual culprits, the problem is the lack of timely detection of violations. The reasons for silence were institutional weakness and professional deformation and indifference of responsible persons to signals from children. The combination of these factors — from an inadequate level of qualification to a formal approach to performing duties — created an environment in which the child was left without proper protection." What needs to change — otherwise it will happen again This case cannot remain just another criminal proceeding. If we do not change our approaches, similar stories will be repeated — in another community, in another family, in another institution. After this case, at the system level it is necessary to: 1. Real independent monitoring. Not just official inspections, but mechanisms that do not depend on the same decision-making structures. 2. Regular individual conversations with children without the presence of guardians are mandatory. The child must have a guaranteed space to talk. 3. Effective complaint channels available to the child himself. Not formal "hotlines", but clear and safe tools. 4. Personal liability of officials in case of ignoring signals. Without this, control remains a formality. 5. Working with trust. The most important thing is that the system should not be punitive, but one that the child believes in. Because the main problem of this story is not only torture. The main problem is that for years the children did not believe that anyone would hear them. And if we don't create an environment in which a child knows they won't be betrayed, no amount of reform will be enough. MARTIN-club accompanies the affected children in this proceeding and represents their interests in the courts and law enforcement agencies. We provide not only legal, but also psychological support to minimize the risk of re-traumatization and help children go through this difficult process without additional pressure. Our task is to ensure that this case does not disappear in the system, and that the rights of children are truly protected.

Ukraine is on the threshold of historic changes. The issue of joining the EU is not only about customs or borders. It is, first of all, about how the state treats the most vulnerable - children. Today, the deinstitutionalization (DI) reform has become one of the key conditions for European integration. Tough EU conditionality: Ukraine Facility and the Child Rights Strategy The European Union has clearly articulated its position in the Strategy for the Rights of the Child (2021–2024): no child should be deprived of family care. For Ukraine, this means a complete rethinking of the social system. Financial aspect: There is a direct prohibition under the Ukraine Facility assistance program. Reconstruction funds cannot be used for major repairs or expansion of residential institutions. The money is allocated exclusively for: Development of inclusive services in communities. Construction of small group homes (SGB). Support for foster families and DBST (family-type children's homes). Economic absurdity: Why are boarding schools expensive? There is a myth that maintaining one large institution is cheaper than developing a network of services. Statistics and audits say the opposite. Cost analysis: 80-85% of the boarding school's budget is spent on "walls and staff": heating huge half-empty buildings, salaries of administrative staff, security, and household needs. Only 15-20% of the funds go directly to the child's needs (food, clothing, development). Cost of maintenance: According to various estimates, maintaining one child in a boarding school costs the state from 15,000 to 30,000 UAH per month, but at the end we get a graduate who is often not adapted to independent life. Instead, funding community services (day care, early intervention, social support) allows the child to remain in the biological family, which is many times cheaper for the budget and more effective for the child's future. Sabotage on the ground: Why is the system resisting? The main obstacle to reform is not a lack of funds, but a reluctance to change. Many officials and heads of institutions view boarding schools as a "city-forming enterprise" where the child is just a tool for obtaining budget allocations. "We're used to it," "where will we put the staff?", "it's better for the children there" — these are typical arguments of those who do not want to learn to work according to European standards. Experts are increasingly calling Soviet-style boarding schools "concentration camps for children" because of the systemic degradation of personality, lack of privacy, and breakdown of social ties. Continuing discussions about their "improvement" is deliberately harming children. Time to get modern There will be money. And there will be enough of it. But it will only come to those communities that: They will find the courage to admit: the old system is dead. They will involve professionals: people who want to learn to be competent managers of social services, not "supervisors." They will create conditions for inclusion: so that parents of children with disabilities do not send them to institutions out of desperation, but receive assistance close to home. European integration is a test of humanity. And we will be able to pass it only when the interests of the child become more precious than the comfort of an official who does not want to retrain. How can a community obtain funding from the EU? European donors and the Ukraine Facility are ready to invest billions in recovery, but they will not finance the “past.” To receive funds for social development, the community must demonstrate a willingness to make real changes. Step 1. Conduct a thorough audit and needs assessment It is impossible to build something new without understanding the scale of the problem. The community must clearly know: How many children from the community are in boarding schools (24/7). What are the reasons for children being placed in institutions (poverty, disability, lack of kindergarten or school). What services are families lacking in the area? Step 2. Transforming budget thinking The money should “follow the child.” Instead of maintaining huge, half-empty spaces, the community should redirect funds to: Children's services and social workers (there should be enough of them and they should be mobile). Creation of a Center for Social Services with a wide range of assistance (day care, psychologist, speech therapist). Step 3. Training and retraining of personnel This is the most difficult stage — overcoming the resistance of officials. The community must find people who want to work differently: Train boarding school teachers to work as teaching assistants in inclusive classrooms. Prepare social workers for case management (supporting a specific family in crisis). Stop discussing the "advisability" of boarding schools and start studying the European experience of family upbringing. Step 4. Development of family forms of upbringing and inclusion EU funding is prioritized for: Construction of small group homes (houses for 6-8 children, where conditions are as close as possible to family ones). Support and creation of new Family-type Children's Homes (FCH). Creating inclusive resource centers so that a child with a disability can live at home and receive assistance in the community. Step 5. Developing a strategic plan and submitting an application Donors (UNICEF, EU, World Bank) demand a clear strategy. The community must show a plan: how it plans to return children from orphanages in 2-3 years and what services it will create for this. It is important to remember: Money will come where there is a will for change. If the community holds on to an outdated boarding school to save the jobs of three administrators, it loses. If the community chooses a child, it receives European investments and a future.

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https://static.wixstatic.com/media/54010a_f6800f31f6ab40ed9521bf6baa1e8efa~mv2.jpg Assistance to victims of violence Donor "Ukrainian humanitarian response, recovery and development program" We are implementing a project to help victims of gender-based violence with the support of the international organization Norwegian People's AID as part of the "SGBV prevention and response in Ukraine" initiative. As part of the project, a hotline for help in cases of violence operates . You can get advice and help for victims of gender-based violence in the Dnipropetrovsk region every day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. by calling 099 632 77 01. There are crisis rooms in Kamiansk and Pavlohrad . In them, an injured person, for example, a woman or a woman with children, can receive shelter for a period of up to 10 days. SVIY PROSTIR: A safe space for women operates in Kamiansk . In it, our specialists provide legal and psychological assistance to women who need it, conduct yoga classes, needlework, lectures, etc. Within the framework of the project, a full range of services is provided to all victims of domestic and gender violence, and if necessary, we accompany the victim to other services of the "MARTIN-club" public organization, which will help her. 500 women received humanitarian aid 2000+ sports events from development 400+ psychological consultations 900 legal consultations 3600 services provided "Demand for assistance to victims of domestic and gender-based violence is increasing, including due to full-scale war. Not only local women need help, but also resettled women, as well as military personnel. We provide comprehensive professional assistance. Within the framework of this project, women can receive psychological and legal counseling, legal support. If necessary, we provide a safe place for temporary stay. In addition to this kind of response, the wonderful Svoy Prostir in Kamianskiy operates as part of the project. And, of course, his female visitors will tell about him better than us. But we are proud of the atmosphere that we managed to create and fuel with various activities. We are open, we will listen, help or redirect" Project manager "At first, women and girls liked to attend sports classes more, then we offered to meet a psychologist, attend group classes with her, but due to the stigmatization of self-care, they responded reluctantly to such activities. But over time, we managed to convey that it is not shameful, not scary, there is help here. No one judges here, everyone tries to help each other. That's why it's very comfortable and peaceful here. This is only a women's space, there are no men here" Administrator of WGSS in Kamiansk "Your space" Hotline 099 632 77 01 Action of 16 days against violence Results of work for the year Svoy Prostir News Vyedrintseva and other v. Ukraine Several years ago in Dnipro, a young woman — the mother of three children — died. The official cause of death was a heart attack. At the same time, her body showed more than 70 bruises, neighbors repeatedly called the police because of beatings, and the children were witnessing violence every day. The case was closed seven times — and each time the decisions to terminate the criminal proceedings were overturned. Thanks to the work of Yuliia Seheda, Head of the Legal Departmen Anti-violence Feb 3 2 min read Working together: Patrol police and MARTIN club are stepping up assistance to victims. The Patrol Police Department in the Dnipropetrovsk region and the NGO MARTIN-club held a working meeting dedicated to deepening cooperation in the field of preventing and combating domestic and sexual violence, as well as strengthening comprehensive assistance to victims. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the patrol police in Ukraine, the program director of the MARTIN Club, Yan Borodin, presented a letter of gratitude to Andriy Kalyuzhny, head of the Patrol Police D Anti-violence Jan 14 2 min read NGO “MARTIN-Club” and the Kamianske City Council signed a Memorandum of Cooperation: a systemic strengthening of support for women and children affected by violence Підписання Меморандуму – це не лише офіційне підтвердження нашої спільної роботи, а й крок до системного розвитку сервісів, поглиблення координації між міськими службами та МАРТІН‑клубом Anti-violence Aug 22, 2025 2 min read 1 2

Ми створили два соціальні підприємства - Кавʼярню Horizontal та пекарню МАМА 1. Humanitarian responce Work directions / Humanitarian response / Our humanitarian response aims to support the most vulnerable groups, especially women and children, who are affected by difficult life circumstances, war and violence. Our work includes both emergency assistance and long-term support programs that contribute to the restoration of psychological and social well-being. We provide humanitarian assistance, including food, clothing, medicine and essential items, and create safe spaces for women and children. Within these spaces, psychological assistance, legal advice and educational and developmental activities are provided to help victims overcome their trauma and reintegrate into society. Our programs focus on providing women and children with the necessary social competences to restore their resourcefulness and self-confidence. Through comprehensive assistance, we contribute to reducing the negative consequences of crisis situations and create conditions for positive changes in their lives and in society as a whole. Donors 3000+ Beneficiaries 100+ Renovations 20+ Trainings 2 Projects Projects Seed funding The housing and social facilities restoration project promotes the repair of homes and premises where important services for the community are provided. We help with repairs to create safe conditions. Preparation and protection in case of conflict Trainings on public awareness during emergency situations and armed conflict, prevention of danger to one's own life and health, as well as the lives of relatives and loved ones. News No posts published in this language yet Once posts are published, you’ll see them here.