Meet the EMPOWER Super Team: People Who Are There Every Day
In February 2026, the EAST SOS team launched “From Rescue to Recovery,” a project providing comprehensive support for older people, people with disabilities, and staff of residential care homes.
Every day, our specialists provide consultations to people, visit hromadas (communities), coordinate support, and work hand-in-hand with those who need it most. This work is not just about tasks and projects – it is about people, their experience, and their motivation to help others. For some, the opportunity to support people in difficult life situations is truly inspiring. Having experienced the loss of their homes firsthand, others know exactly how vital it is to feel supported during such times. Yet for others, the greatest reward is witnessing how even the smallest acts of support can change a life for the better.
Thanks to their commitment, the EAST SOS team is there every day for those in need.
Today, we share the stories of five of our team members and what motivates them to help others.
Valerii Valiukh, 65, Driver
Originally from Siverskodonetsk, Valerii now lives and works in Dnipro
“The war has changed many lives, including my own. That’s why it’s so important to me to be part of work that makes a difference in people’s lives. Each morning, I drive the team to the transit center, and in the evening, I take evacuees to the train station or to family members waiting for them in Dnipro. My motivation is simple: to do my job honestly and be of help. For as long as I’m breathing, I’ll keep helping.”
Iryna Shymkova, 34, social worker.
Originally from Mykolaiv.
“Behind every request there’s a story, often a difficult one. When I’m able to find a solution, offer support, or simply explain something complex, I realize that it truly makes a difference. I’m also a huge cat lover! For me, helping at the transit center comes with a wonderful bonus: the chance to feed, pet, and look after as many furry friends as possible. After all, it’s not just people who need care, but our furry companions need it just as much.”
Vladyslav Arsenii, 55, Evacuation Specialist
Originally from Donetsk, Vladyslav now lives and works in Dnipro
“My motivation comes from the lives we save. Every word of thanks brings the strength and inspiration to carry on saving lives. My deepest dream is for Ukrainians to finally return to their families and homes. That is why my team and I travel to frontline areas, evacuating under fire those who are unable to escape danger on their own.”
Yevheniia Pinchuk, 34, Lawyer.
Originally from Pokrovsk, Yevheniia now lives and works in Dnipro.
“I have always felt my calling is to protect people and help them stand up for their rights. Ever since I was young, I’ve dreamed of becoming a lawyer, inspired by the very idea of justice. Every day at the transit center, I hear the stories of people who have lived through incredibly difficult times, losing not only property but their personal documents too. I help them solve legal issues and restore their faith in justice.”
Anzhelika Hlamazdenko, 28, Monitoring Specialist.
Originally from Siverskodonetsk, Anzhelika now lives and works in Kharkiv.
“I know all too well what it means to live with the pain of loss. Because of the war, I lost my home, I worry about my loved ones, and I often feel uncertain about the future. That is why it is so important for me to be there for people going through similar hardships. I want them to feel support and humanity, and to know that even in the hardest times, we can help each other and give hope.”
This project is being implemented by EAST SOS as part of the project EMPOWER, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) together with the European Union and carried out by GIZ Ukraine.
Recently, EAST SOS launched a new project with the support of the German Government and the EU.
