Volunteer with the emergency response team of the Ukrainian Red Cross in the Zhytomyr region

Alona is a student at Zhytomyr Polytechnic, where she is studying Clinical and Rehabilitation Psychology. She began volunteering in her first year at university and has now been part of the Ukrainian Red Cross team for more than two and a half years, including two years with the emergency response team.

She first learned about the organisation at university during an information session.

“I was interested in the psychosocial support programme because it is closely related to my field of study. I saw volunteering as an opportunity to develop myself and gain valuable experience.”

Later, Alona joined the emergency response team — a decision she made consciously.

“It is the kind of work where you immediately see the impact of what you do. You feel that you can genuinely help people and contribute to your community.”

She finds motivation to continue volunteering in both the people she helps and the team she works with.

“What motivates me is people’s gratitude and the opportunity to share my experience with new volunteers. In these circumstances, it is difficult to stand aside — you want to take action.”

One of the experiences that left the strongest impression on her was responding to a large-scale attack in the Zhytomyr region.

“That night, more than 100 residential buildings were damaged. At the same time, I saw how united people can be. So many people came to help — both us and the emergency services. It once again showed how strong and compassionate our nation is.”

She admits that working in emergency situations always involves responsibility and risks.

“There is always fear — especially when it comes to the safety of your team. The most difficult moments are when there is a risk of repeated strikes during rescue operations.”

For those considering volunteering, Alona encourages them not to hesitate.

“Don’t be afraid to give it a try. Volunteering is an opportunity to find like-minded people and gain knowledge and skills that will be useful in any area of life.”