Hard at Work Repairing Windows and a Way of Life

In the grand scheme of humanitarian work, repairing windows might seem to fall somewhere far down the hierarchy of needs, but that’s far from the case. Few things in life are more important than safe and comfortable shelter. This is especially true for those living in Ukraine when temperatures plunge dangerously low.

Since the very first weeks of the war, CORE has worked to address the evolving humanitarian concerns facing Ukrainians. These efforts have evolved throughout our response and have included distributing food kits, repairing water systems, and providing housing for hundreds of individuals.

As the war progresses through its third year, in preparation for autumn and winter, CORE’s latest operations include vital window repairs for Ukrainians in Mykolaiv.

A man measures on opening in a wall to repair windows.

A man places a new window frame in a home un Ukraine.

At the onset of the war, millions fled their homes to escape the danger and headed west to Lviv or to neighboring countries, Poland and Romania. However, after years away from home, many want to return and find a sense of normalcy, even if that takes them close to the front line.

After all, this is the place where they’ve gone to school, grown up, married, had a family, and watched the years go by.

Unfortunately, when many arrive home, they find houses and entire communities destroyed or damaged after being caught in the crossfire. There are blown-out windows, caved-in roofs, and destroyed infrastructure, which leaves many without running water, working stoves, and inadequate living conditions.

CORE is working hard to return these front-line communities to functionality and livability by helping restore vital power and water systems to entire villages. Beyond those critical projects, CORE works with local partners to help restore front-line homes.

Finding A Way to Return to Normal Amongst War

No one knows the dangers of living along the front line more than 75-year-old Yevheniia Trishkina and her family who live in Oleksandrivka, a village only 10 km from the front. In 2023, they saw their quality of life improve back to what should be a baseline. Gas supply returned to their home after extensive repairs, and CORE supplied them with the necessary construction materials to repair damage caused by air strikes.

Things were looking up, but as with many moments in this war, the situation was unpredictable. In May, three shells rained down, hitting the family’s property. The shelling damaged the home, front gate, and yard. Even worse, Yevhennia’s husband sustained severe injuries in the attack.

After the damage to Yevheniia’s home, CORE reconnected with them to pitch in and repair three windows the shelling had damaged.

For another woman, Kateryna Honchar, a single mother of two, who had five windows replaced in her home after shelling in 2022 damaged them, the repairs are appreciated; she said, “I am grateful that your organization is working. Thank you for helping people, and thank you for being there.”

Across the region, CORE has repaired 750 windows in 250 households, with the aim of fixing 750 homes in total.

Each of these repairs is a lifeline for families who might have to face the elements when winter arrives if they didn’t receive assistance. These repairs are vital and necessary to help Ukrainians return to their homes and a normal way of life, in stark resistance to Russian aggression.

If you’d like to learn more about CORE’s work in Ukraine, please visit our response page.