They call them “heroes” in Brovary, a town near Kyiev. They are Arend and Andriy Vasylenko, she Dutch, he Ukrainian. Four children, one of them suffering from Down syndrome. Committed to others even before the war, in the management of a bakery that he used through the association Perspective 21.3 boys with mental disorders and favored their growth and also their insertion; and now from the Russian invasion in the forefront body and soul with ‘bake for Ukraine’. “We are not heroes”, say the Vasylenkos, who bake and bake bread and prepare soups day and night for the citizens of Brovary and distribute “them for free to everyone, in hospitals, for the army, for the homeless, for the most vulnerable. and who lost everything in the bombings “, says Arend who, contacted by Adnkronos, says:” it’s a movement we call ‘bake for Ukraine “.
“This bakery is not just a bakery, it is a place where we give refreshment, encouragement, protection. And whoever does not believe in God asks us to pray for him”. “It is interesting – comments the woman – We show the Bible, which is peace and trust. We ask them to pray even if they are not believers and they ask us to pray for them”. Do you also have volunteer psychologists? “The psychologist does not give peace”, she replies. With a staff of about 60 people, the Vasylenkos manage the kitchen and distribution. They use a large network for the supply of raw materials: “flour, sugar also arrive from the company my husband works for, but they are starting to run out – warns the woman – We are also taking action to collect other humanitarian aid such as medicines, blankets, electric generators, lanterns, food … But resources are needed to pay for the work of volunteers or those who have finished the training. We need help “.
(Roberta Lanzara)
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