FreeСХІД.ua#40 “The Republic of Resettlers”, Millions in city funds wasted on a pop-concert, and movie about Ilovaisk
Read in today’s issue:
· beach vacation near exclusion zone;
· why IDP’s are losing jobs;
· how much does a bed go for at a “pension tourist hotel”;
· what it takes to learn English at frontline.
#FreeZONE
Journalists of “Hromadske” TV tell what it means to be a pensioner living under occupation:
· Living under occupation, but receiving Ukrainian state pension – it is in fact against the law. Pensioners on the opposite side of separation line have no choice, but to break the law to survive.
· Each day about 11 thousand people cross “Stanytsia Luhanska” checkpoint from the side controlled by militant “LNR”– most of them are pensioners. According to residents of uncontrolled territories, average waiting time at crossing is 2 to 5 hours. Some claim they paid UAH200 to cut the line.
· Residents of uncontrolled territories say that locals on the other side of separation are happily offer residential registration to those willing to register as IDP. It is a question of UAH 50 to 100 per month.
· Line to “Oshchadbank” ATM might get as long as 600 people. They make a list so no one skips turn.
· Weekday hours of operation of “Oshchadbank” bank outlet in Stanytsia Luhanska is 8 am to 4 pm. So, not all of the resettlers get serviced during a single day. In this instance locals offer them a place to spend the night – at UAH100 per bed.
“The Republic of Ressettlers” that’s how they call former vacation-home settlement in Stanychno-Luhansk district – Olhovski dachas. Over 500 Luhansk residents fled here from war and militant “LNR” regime. In the first months they lived with no water or power, hid form artillery fire in basements, and, sometimes, buried their dead right in their backyards.
Today life in dacha-settlement is getting better: three stores have been open here, and they even have a school bus.
But still, why is it called “The Republic of Resettlers”? The residents of frontline residential district are still unable to get their settlement proper official status. Settlement status is needed to get the right for mail delivery, first-aid post and a local police officer. Moreover, the resettlers want to become eligible for the state utility subsidy. Despite the fact that all of the 560 people are internally displaced persons, only few of them receive state assistance, or so called housing compensation. In fact, they are living as if they were a separate state.
#FreeNUMBER
According to the record of International Organization for Migration (IOM) the situation with IDP jobs in Ukraine has deteriorated. If in March, 2018, the share of employed IDPs was 48%, in June this rate dropped to 42%.
Additioanlly, at the time of the survey 11% of IDPs were actively looking for a job and were ready to start a new job within two weeks.
Those, looking for a job, told about different kind of obstacles they encountered in their search process – poor pay at available working places; absence or shortage of vacancies, that correspond their level of qualification; as well as age discrimination, and discrimination on the grounds of their IDP status.
Another issue of concern is the level of monthly income among IDPs: it is lower than for average Ukrainians — UAH3640.
#FreeINFOPRAPHICS
Elderly woman carrying heavy bags – it is a collective image of a person crossing separation line at checkpoint. Human rights defenders conducted surveys at checkpoints and arrived at conclusion that women cross separation line more often (66,8%). Male share in total flow is half of that: 33,2%.
Check this link for the latest infographics on this matter.
#FreeNEWS
New owners of free residential apartments were determined via lottery for orphaned children held in Mariupol. The apartments with total cost of UAH 7.5 mln were acquired by the City Council under the state program.
The city of Novopskov, Luhansk region, got its first mural with poetic name - “Inspiration”. Mural was painted on the wall of a four-story building in the city center.
FC Zorya Luhansk in a tie 2:2 with Portugal S.C. Braga got enough points to get into UEFA Europa League qualifiers. The first game was also a tie (1:1), but than 2 goals in return match allowed Luhansk team to move forward.
#FreePEOPLE
Terrence KERRY, volunteer from the USA
For the second year now Colorado born veteran Terrence Kerry teaches English to kids at frontline Popasna (Luhansk region) under GoCamp program.
The US guest lives in Popasna with the Khanatov family. The head of the family, Mykola Khanatov, not just provides accommodation for his volunteer guest, but also takes part in all of the camp language sessions.
Oleksiy PYVOVAROV, Donetsk – Toretsk
Resettler for Donetsk Oleksiy Pyvovarov turned exercise from part of a daily routine into his lifework. He opened the first gym for power lifters «STIMUL» in Toretsk. The first units of his professional exercise equipment was purchased with employment service one time assistance money.
According to Oleksiy, to become a success, first and foremost you need to believe in yourself and be ready to act. Second, you need a good support system and confidence of your family and close ones. Third, you should never be afraid to stand for yourself, but, at the same time, be sympathetic and tolerant of the interests of others. And the most important, successful entrepreneur should keep on learning, since ignorant businessman is bad for business - for both his clients and himself.
Ihor and Liubov SEVRIUKOV, Luhansk region – Zhytomyr
Archive photo – Sevriukov’s house in Luhansk region
Long ago the Sevriukov’s family created family-type children’s home that is now raising 10 kids. With the start of military actions Sevriukov’s moved to Zhytomyr region. But after two years, kids wanted to go back home – to Luhansk region. And the family moved back. At that time the family added another four children to it. Soon, the family decided to move back to Zhytomyr region for the second time.
Mother of the large family says they have a big house with a garden, a backyard, and a playground. The hardest part of living in a new place is absence of friends kids used to play with.
Valentyna ZHOSAU and Olena USIKOVA, the city of Kirovske – Poltava region
Valentyna and her daughter Olena moved from the city of Kirovske (now Krestovka), Donetsk region, to Poltava region, where they started peanut butter production. They were inspired by movies where characters enjoyed peanut butter sandwiches. Launch of full scale operation needed a business plan and UAH 130 thousand worth of equipment. They also invested in chocolatier training, where they learned to make candies and work with chocolate.
Today family offers five types of butter: classic peanut, sesame with white chocolate, with dark chocolate, cinnamon, raisins and figs. A jar of classic peanut butter goes for UAH. Sesame butter is the most expensive one – 200 grams cost UAH80! The resettlers plan on making chocolate and other sweet treats with no artificial additives.
#FreeBUDGET
City of Pokrovsk authorities spent UAH3.3 mln of the city budget on Ukrainian and international pop-stars for upcoming Pokrovsk-city Day celebration concert.
So, who does mayor’s office value so much that it is ready to pay all that money to?
· Musical group “Vremia i Steklo” will receive UAH 915 000 from the city budget for their performance.
· Another UAH 720 000 will be spent on Moldova group Zdob si Zdub.
· Performance of the People’s Artist of Ukraine Iryna Bilyk will cost city UAH 700 000.
· The smallest amount - UAH368 000 - is paid to SunStroke Projekt from Moldova – this group represented Moldova at Eurovision in 2010 and 2017.
· And last, but not least – UAH 620 000 of budget money will go to local businessman Ihor Kondratiuk for organizing public karaoke in Pokrovsk city square.
#FreeMOVIE
Shooting of a film tentatively called “The Ilovaisk story” started near Kyiv. The movie is a based on a story of “Donbas” battalion volunteer-veterans, who took part in battles for Ilovaisk. Film shooting is planned to be finished by the end of October. And the movie production is expected to be completed next summer. Premier date is August 29, 2019 – anniversary of Ilovaisk tragedy.
Movie action is set at Ilovaisk in 2014. In the course of street fights commander of “Donbas” battalion assault team - call sign “Bishut” - suffers injury. According to eyewitnesses, together with his injured brethren in arms he stayed behind surrounded by enemy in the very center of the city. They remained in hideout for almost a month. Local residents helped them to survive.
#FreeLEASURE
Bilosaraiska kosa natural reserve is one of the favorite places for spending holidays among residents of Donetsk region. In the first two years of the war it was deserted and depressing.
Today, in 2018, people are back at Bilosaraiska kosa: lots of tourists returned to visit their favorite place, business is good, and locals hope to make good money by the end of the season. Still the war set its own new rules for the tourists – there are some danger areas one needs to stay away.