What does non-repayable financial assistance change, even if the amount is small? A lot! Because it’s not just about the money – it’s about encouragement, motivation, and empowerment. The team of the Podilska Hromada Community Foundation saw this once again during their visits to participants of the second round of the “Harvest Path” project. They went to see firsthand how financial support transforms family farms. And now, we offer you three stories:
- Svitlana Petrova and her husband bought an old house in a village where there is no work, and their only income comes from farming. Thanks to the grant they received, they bought a motor-cultivator and a greenhouse. Now, her husband, who has a heart condition, no longer has to till the land by hand, and the plants can thrive even in unpredictable weather. All of this is to grow more healthy vegetables and herbs for themselves and their daughter — and maybe even have enough to sell at the market for a little extra income.
- Olena Pasikova, working with just 4 ares (0.04 hectares), grows various vegetables, berries, and herbs. But the short season limited her ability to harvest fully. Thanks to the project’s support, she installed a greenhouse to extend the growing season from spring to autumn. She also purchased new tools that make her work much easier.
- Olena Kushnir has nine children and is currently expecting her tenth. For her, every garden bed counts. She manages her household almost heroically — a large orchard, a small garden, all grown organically. Thanks to the grant, she is building raised beds, installing drip irrigation, and preparing to set up a greenhouse. Now, her children will have even more fresh fruits and vegetables, grown with love and care for their health.
All three stories are about the perseverance of women who don’t wait for “better times” — they create them themselves, for their families.
The “Harvest Path” project is implemented by the Podilska Hromada Community Foundation with the support of the National Network for Local Philanthropy Development “Philanthropists” and Fondation de France.
