The Power of Partnership in Action: A Story of a Wounded Soldier’s Recovery in Cherkasy Region
A serviceman of the 66th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Prince Mstyslav the Brave, Yurii Yastremskyi, sustained a shrapnel wound to the head. After surgery, he faced a long and difficult rehabilitation. Thanks to the systematic support of the “MHP–Hromadi” Charitable Foundation, the volunteer space Makitra provided the defender with special adaptive clothing designed for wounded soldiers.
Yurii Yastremskyi, a resident of Chyzhivka village in the Cherkasy region, was mobilized in the first year of the Russian-Ukrainian war. Shortly afterward, he was injured during a drone attack in the Donetsk region. Medical assistance was delayed — his comrades had to transfer him from one location to another for several days.
“I was wearing a helmet, but the shrapnel got underneath it. I didn’t receive proper help immediately. I kept losing consciousness and, according to the documents, was transported as ‘killed in action.’ The next thing I remember is the hospital and the shock that I survived. For a long time, I couldn’t recognize my parents — only my brother,” Yurii recalls.
The soldier went through a challenging rehabilitation process. His mother knew volunteers from the Makitra community space, who sew adaptive clothing for wounded servicemen.
The volunteers of Makitra won the “Time to Act, Ukraine!” social initiatives’ competition of the “MHP–Hromadi” Charitable Foundation twice. Before 2022, the space served as the only leisure center in Chyzhivka. After the full-scale invasion, the grant funding allowed it to be transformed into a sewing workshop. New equipment enabled the volunteers to respond quickly to urgent requests.
“I had access to loose, easy-to-wear clothing. That is rare, because hospitals receive adaptive clothing only occasionally,” the veteran says. “I still wear thermal underwear made by Makitra — it is very comfortable.”
The head of the community space, Vita Ocheretiana, recalls how Yurii’s mother and the village elder approached them for help.
“We responded immediately. All three Yastremskyi brothers served in the military. Yurii suffered serious injuries and concussions. One brother was also badly wounded, and another was killed. Their mother went through a tragedy. Support in such situations is essential,” she says.
While in the hospital, Yurii wanted to return to his unit. However, after the injury, he was assessed as 80% incapacitated. The support of his family and community helped him return to civilian life. Today, he takes care of his parents, manages a household, and cherishes every moment with his daughter.
The Makitra community space supports wounded servicemen during one of the most difficult stages — rehabilitation. For almost four years, volunteers have been sewing adaptive and regular clothing every day.
“We make unique items, such as covers for Ilizarov frames, to keep injured limbs warm,” a volunteer explains. “Our adaptive T-shirts and shorts open on both sides. Injuries can affect the left, right, or both limbs, so this design is convenient even for bedridden patients.”
Previously, volunteers brought irons from home, and old sewing machines were donated to them. Over three years, they have produced more than 15,000 items of clothing, including over 6,000 this year alone. Thanks to new sewing machines, industrial overlockers, and ironing equipment, production has nearly doubled.
“Makitra now supports servicemen from all regions of Ukraine. At first, they sewed for local defenders; today, hospitals and military units contact them directly,” notes Ruslan Kaiuk, Head of the Vodianytsia Village Council. “We are grateful to the “MHP–Hromadi” Charitable Foundation for believing in our volunteers’ initiatives for the second time.”
The Makitra example shows how a grassroots initiative can grow into systematic, sustainable support.
“When people like our Yurii return from the war, it is vital for them to feel that their community stands with them,” the volunteers say. Stories like this highlight the value of their work and give them strength to continue.
“For us, it is important that support for servicemen continues beyond medical treatment. Rehabilitation and reintegration into community life require systemic solutions and partnerships. We invest in local initiatives that help others,” says Oleksandr Pakholiuk, Director of the “MHP–Hromadi” Charitable Foundation.
The nationwide “Time to Act, Ukraine!” social initiatives’ competition helps address pressing community challenges. It provides financial support to local initiatives across 13 regions of Ukraine. This year alone, 700 applications were submitted to the competition, 105 of which have already won and are being implemented.