In Konotop, we witnessed how Slovak aid helped keep the hospital and kindergarten functioning
“A sincere and heartfelt thank you to the entire Slovak nation,” were the words with which the mayor of Konotop welcomed us. Although our recent trip to Ukraine ended earlier than planned, the places we managed to visit and the people we met left a profound impression on us. They are proof that it is meaningful and worthwhile to continue providing assistance and support.
The generator helped keep the hospital and kindergarten heated
When we delivered the first generators to the Sumy region in early February this year as part of the “Warmth for Ukraine” campaign, it was far from an easy mission. The roads were covered in ice, and freezing rain made the situation even more challenging. Today, however, we know that every obstacle we overcame was worth it.
During our recent visit to Konotop in May, we also met with Ihor Lemenchuk, director of the municipal utility company, and Pavlo Dudko, head of the Konotop District Military Administration. Both of them shared with us the challenges the local community faced during the massive power outages in winter, caused by Russian attacks on the energy infrastructure.
Ihor Lemenchuk explained to us that during the most difficult period, residents were without electricity for as much as 16 to 18 hours a day. Under such conditions, maintaining basic services became extremely challenging.
“Without the generator, the entire system would simply have frozen up, and we would not have survived it,” said Ihor Lemenchuk.
The generator, which the community received in early February, then provided uninterrupted power to the boiler plant heating the hospital and kindergarten for two consecutive months. Thanks to it, medical staff were able to continue their work, while patients and children remained warm and safe. According to Lemenchuk, around 2,000 residents rely on the hospital, outpatient clinic, and kindergarten.
Pavlo Dudko described the situation in similar terms. According to him, one of the biggest challenges was the shortage of high-capacity generators and fuel. Constant power outages and the need for continuous operation also led to frequent equipment failures that required repairs. “At the same time, the enemy was targeting the district’s energy infrastructure, which caused further power outages,” Dudko explained.
Although regular power outages are no longer common today, the security situation remains highly tense, as we experienced firsthand. Air raid sirens sound in the city almost every day, and the region continues to face constant attacks by drones.
“Unfortunately, the war is not coming to an end, and the enemy continues to enhance its ability to carry out attacks using various means,” adds Pavlo Dudko.
We visited the school bomb shelter in Konotop
During our visit to a local school, Principal Tetiana Kyrychenko guided us through the premises of the school’s shelter, which no longer meets current requirements. According to her, the renovation of shelters in Ukraine – especially in the Sumy region and the city of Konotop – is among the highest priorities.
She showed us the various areas in need of repair. At one of the walls, she pointed out an opening that they plan to use for the installation of a ventilation system. A functional air supply and exhaust system is one of the most important investments, as children spend virtually the entire day in the shelter.
“Classes begin at 8:00 a.m. and continue until 3:30 p.m. During that entire time, the children remain in the shelter. That is why it is essential to provide them with safe and comfortable conditions,” explains Tetiana Kyrychenko.
The principal then outlined the additional renovation work that is planned. The first priority is repairing the exterior foundation walls, as rainwater currently seeps into the shelter, causing excessive moisture. The goal of the renovation is to dry out the space and create a healthier environment for the children. The walls will then need to be repaired and repainted, the ceiling renovated, and the existing piping inspected. Any pipes that are no longer needed will be removed so that they do not interfere with classes or create additional complications. All of these improvements are intended to make the shelter a safer, more functional, and more welcoming place for the children.
The principal also expressed her gratitude, on behalf of all the students in Konotop, for the support we have provided. You, too, can become part of this effort through the Donio.sk platform. The funds raised will be used to renovate and equip air-raid shelters in three educational facilities in the Chernihiv and Sumy regions, including the shelter in Konotop. Our goal is to create safer and more dignified conditions for children during air-raid alerts while also enabling schools to operate more extensively through in-person learning.
We remain committed to helping
Despite the ongoing war and the challenges people face every day, local officials emphasize that international support enables them not only to maintain essential services but also to give children the opportunity to continue their education.
“A sincere and heartfelt thank you to the entire Slovak nation. Thank you for supporting Ukraine. You are helping our children receive an education and our people keep their homes warm. Thank you for your moral support and for standing with us, side by side, through the most difficult trials any country can face. We are deeply grateful and glad to have brothers like you,” says Artem Semenikhin, Mayor of Konotop.
