“You can hear the explosions on the outskirts of the city.” Natalia Onipko she lives in Ukraine, in Kiev, with her husband and their two children and is the president of the local Zaporuka association. With Soleterre Foundation welcomes children in need of cancer treatment in the home: Dacha del Sorriso. Just exchange a few words to understand that Natalia Onipko would never want to have started this conversation. Because talking about war is scary at every latitude but leaves you speechless if it is inside your home.
“I keep hoping that the world will do something to stop Putin, that this is not really happening.” Then a sigh. Natalia looks almost incredulous. She says that there is still no panic on the streets of Kiev even if the queues at the ATMs and at the entrances of the shelters begin. The sirens announcing the bombing have sounded. “We are ready to defend ourselves but we need the support of the world because we can’t do it alone.” The invasion has begun.
Natalia Onipko, president of the Zaporuka association in Kiev
“Everyone in town has maps of the shelters”continues Natalia. “We are tired. We have prepared documents and medicines. My family and I will only leave Kiev if the situation gets out of control. We will go to Lviv, the city of our parents but the last thing we want to do is leave our patients and guests in the shelter. They are like children. We would never want to have to leave Kiev. ‘
Soleterre’s intervention in Ukraine is part of the International Program for Pediatric Oncology (PIOP)part of the global project Great Against Cancer active in six countries: Italy, Ukraine, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Uganda and Burkina Faso. The recent history of the country has meant that the living conditions of citizens have drastically worsened. Infant mortality rates from cancer are above the European averages with a cure rate of children only 55.5% against a European average of 75-80% of children. In addition, the medical expenses are the sole responsibility of the families.
What is the situation in Kiev?
“There is too much tension, too much worry. We went to sleep and woke up in the war. We are ready to defend Ukraine but it hurts me a lot to think about what might happen. Also because many children live along the borders that we are taking care of and assisting. They are our children, our families ».
What does it mean for you to work in this context?
“This is the most difficult aspect, besides the concern for our loved ones. In this climate of tension, in which I am responsible, as well as my family, for another six housed in our Dacha and another 50 hospitalized at the Kiev Cancer Institute, it is really difficult to work, plan for the future, be concentrated ».
Source: Vanity Fair
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