UNHCR in Ukraine empowers public initiatives
The works of the Charitable Foundation “Vse mozhlyvo” (“Everything is possible”) consistently show this, as they recently opened an exclusive pastry shop where young people with intellectual disabilities can work.
The motivation behind the establishment of this social enterprise in Uzhgorod was a “Heartfelt belief and trust in the project goal, its unique social purpose and in its team, which gives the strength to move forward and win.”
The founder of the Charitable Foundation “Vse mozhlyvo”, Olena Logvinenko, is an internally displaced person from Luhansk. Her journey in going from concept to delivery, to establishment and finally launch of her own social enterprise and café called “Golden Hearts of Transcarpathia”, was one that lasted two years.
As a single mother raising a child with intellectual disabilities after moving to Uzhgorod, she was able to unite parents and young families to start this social entrepreneurship. “We are united by our common motto stating that we are strong, and we believe in the uniqueness of our children,” Olena Logvinenko said.
Olena and her team of like-minded people underwent a series of trainings and exchange visits on social entrepreneurship, implemented by UNHCR partner NGO Crimea SOS, as part of the «Strengthening IDP Communities in Central and Western Ukraine» program.
During this training sessions, Ms. Olena and her team were able to acquire skills that enabled the team to develop a social entrepreneurship project that aimed at involving young people and students with intellectual disabilities in the production of sweets and in the operation of the coffee shops. Currently, all visitors of the “Golden Hearts of Transcarpathia” enjoy quality pastries and beverages made with love. This is not where their efforts will end however, as there is a more ambitious plan in place to restore many of the unique recipes of the Luhansk oblast.
You can get inspired and learn more about young people’s progress here: https://www.facebook.com/ZolotiSertsiaZakarpattya/
The “Golden hearts of Transcarpathia” team has shown us that everything is possible and for that, we thank them and wish them continued success!
Pictures credit: “Zoloti sertsia Zakarpattia”
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