Music played by a DJ gives young Ukrainians the courage to clear out after bombings. Charity organization Repair together is rebuilding Ukraine to the tune of music.
– This is an example of how young people can benefit, while at the same time not giving up things we want to do, such as listening to music. Instead of going to the gym, we clean up the aftermath of the Russian occupation, says Dmytro Trofymenko, DJ.
Clearing up bombed-out places to music played by a DJ makes young Ukrainians cope more easily with the everyday life of war and at the same time feel that they are contributing to all the work that needs to be done in the country.
– Sometimes you want to help people with your hands. In addition, it is good for society. They don’t need to hire anyone. They can get active young people who do it for free and like it, says volunteer Yaryna Kvasnij.
Young people belonging to a charity organization called Repair together travel around the country and clear up bombed sites.
Among other things, the organization has cleared bricks and other rubble from bombed-out houses in Chernihiv in northern Ukraine.
– Everything is so difficult, because a lot of negative feelings are growing inside. Because you wake up in the morning, read the news and you just want to tear your hair out because of everything that’s going on. This negativity has to go somewhere, be spit out. And this is the most constructive way, saysAnna Pendyukh, volunteer.
Will take several generations
The reconstruction of Ukraine is expected to be a gigantic project, and several countries are already participating in the preparations for the work.
The former foreign minister, Margot Wallström, will lead the work together with President Volodymyr Zelenkyj’s chief of staff. She will work to collect support and funding that will secure food supply, environmental and climate work and make infrastructure work.
– It feels honorable and like one of the most meaningful tasks you can get, she says.
But it is a task that is expected to take a long time. In addition to looking at the environmental effects, the working group must also find out who bears the responsibility, what the claim of responsibility looks like and how to rebuild an entire country in ruins.
– It is a reconstruction work that will take generations. You probably can’t get some back, she says.