A Charity Initiative United Dubno Residents and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)
“Share Your Bread”—this was the name of the event that took place today, August 11, at the Caritas-Dubno Foundation. Internally displaced persons currently residing in Dubno worked together with residents, baked pizza, and socialized. This integration event is the result of a signed memorandum between the Dubno Community Foundation “Dobrobut,” the Princes-Philanthropists Ostrozky Foundation, the Caritas-Dubno Foundation, and the Rotary Club “Dubno.” The initiative was preceded by a project of the Dubno Community Foundation “Dobrobut,” implemented with grant funding from the Global Fund for Community Foundations.
The head of the Caritas-Dubno Foundation, Father Andrii Koval, shared:
“It is wonderful that people could come, communicate, and even meet new acquaintances. Perhaps our platform will give them a fresh start, inspire them to take action and help them perceive our mutual relationships differently. If such events take place more often, Dubno will also benefit, as people’s hidden talents will be revealed.”
Cheese and sausage for the pizza were provided by local enterprises “KOMO” and “Myrohoshchanski Kovbasy.” The head of the Dubno District State Administration, Vsevolod Pekarskyi, and the deputy head of the Dubno City Council, Maryana Mudryk, gladly responded to Father Andrii’s invitation.
“I decided to take part in today’s event to show that together we can achieve much more. And the impressions are extremely positive. Everything here is very sincere, and it doesn’t matter which region you are from, where you live, or your social status—everyone is equal. Moreover, I have been working with Father Andrii for a long time, so I had no doubts. I understand that we must stand together now,” shared Vsevolod Pekarskyi.
Maryana Mudryk had a similar impression:
“A wonderful event,” noted the official. “Our social services center selected families that are most in need of assistance. And it is very gratifying that it is the internally displaced persons who are baking pizza for children from large local families. This fosters close communication between them.”.
The idea for this gathering came from Ruslan Kraplych, a member of the Board of Directors of the Princes-Philanthropists Ostrozky Foundation. He both moderated the event and participated in baking. “We have gathered here today for a very simple purpose—to share bread. But first, this bread needs to be made. That’s why both residents and those who have arrived come together, share their stories, get acquainted, bake bread together, and give it to those in need. Both newcomers and locals benefit. A portion of the baked goods will be distributed to other people living in Dubno,” noted Ruslan Kraplych.
The process was overseen by Larisa Ziziaieva, a displaced person and former bakery owner from eastern Ukraine. She seemed to have returned to her element. “This is great,” laughs Ms. Larisa, speaking about the event. “I love baking, I missed it, and here it feels like coming home.”
Event participants concluded that the gathering brought them closer together, and allowed them to share their stories, discuss pressing issues, and do something meaningful—a portion of the baked goods would be given to several large families in Dubno.
“Today’s event is the first practical step in implementing the signed memorandum between several organizations that, as resources allow, provide assistance to internally displaced persons,” summarized Mykola Mandziuk, head of the Dubno Community Foundation “Dobrobut.” “And the idea itself arose based on the challenges identified during a study of displaced persons’ needs in Dubno.”
