Veterans fishing in Cherkasy: defenders reintegrating into civilian life
22 veterans came to the village of Vodianyky, Cherkasy oblast, to fish and relax with their relatives and friends, contributing to their physical and mental recovery.
“We are holding an amateur tournament for veterans to get to know each other and communicate. I believe we have achieved a certain level of success here – we’ve created a sort of veterans’ fishing community,” says Serhiy Khalupinsky, veteran and coordinator of the Centre for Interaction with Military Personnel and Veterans, MHP.
A veteran Mykhailo Ishchenko took first place in the tournament and also won the “Big Fish” nomination. He says, he returned from the front-line almost a year ago. He came fishing from the MHP Peremoha-Nova Poultry Farm where he works as a production site operator.
“Even though this was my first time participating in a sports fishing event, I won the first prize. All participants started under the same conditions as we were all provided with the same fishing rod, gear, bait, lure, and even a net. Fishing went well for me, I haven’t had such a rest in quite some time,” says Mykhailo Ishchenko, veteran.
The second place was taken by veteran Ivan Krokhmal – a tractor driver from Myronivsky Plant for Manufacturing Groats and Feeds, MHP, and the third – veteran Volodymyr Sirenko, a mechanical engineer from the Myronivska Poultry Farm, MHP.
The fishing was organized within the “MHP Poruch” veterans’ reintegration program, implemented by the MHP company in cooperation with the MHP-Gromadi Charitable Foundation. In particular, within the program, veterans can undergo health check-ups, treatment, and rehabilitation, as well as get legal, psychological, and social support.
“We create conditions and opportunities for veterans through the “MHP Poruch” reintegration program so that they can get back to civilian life and feel supported. That’s why we organized veterans’ fishing—an event for defenders to be with their families, admire nature, and immerse in their thoughts and dreams,” noted Tetiana Volochai, Director of the “MHP-Gromadi” Charitable Foundation.
Veteran Yury Hrytsai, chef of the MHP Culinary Center, held a master class on cooking Cossack broth for the participants.
The tournament was conducted in accordance with the regulations and charter of the fishing sport of Ukraine. The organizers say that this initiative will expand to include other villages and cities across the country in the future.