October 2026 marks VATAHA’s four year anniversary! Let’s hear from all our volunteers about when and why they first joined our organization, what they’ve achieved in their tenure as a volunteer and which other volunnteers inspire them most.
Oksana Savchuk
Seeing Ukrainians arrive in the Netherlands in February 2022 broke my heart. I wanted to create a place where they could step out from the victim role and proudly be Ukrainians, celebrating who they are. We met with incredible creatives & professionals, and after the first Run for heroes and “Where are you” magazine it was time to build our initiative into an organization which can grow and develop.
VATAHA started from me as a happy place, but soon it grew into a place of professional growth, building an organisation from the ground up, networking, setting a strategy, doing way too many projects, reviewing the strategy, making even more projects, learning to say “no” and setting boundaries, getting and managing grants, growing team from just a few people to a structure with multiple subteams…
Uliana Bun
On the very first day of the full-scale invasion I went to the Russian Embassy in The Hague to protest, and at some point a megaphone somehow ended up in my hand — and everything started from there. But I soon realised I was missing a team and people who shared the same energy. Finding them became the beginning of VATAHA.
With our team I’ve learned that you can create something truly meaningful when you do it together. I’m most proud of the community we’ve built and everything we’ve created from scratch. And honestly, every VATAHA volunteer inspires me. We all have different talents and personalities, but we try, make mistakes, celebrate and grow together. That’s what I value most.
Nathalie van den Heuvel
I joined VATAHA in 2025. I am half Ukrainian (my mother is from Odesa), and I still have family in Odesa and Kyiv. After the start of the full-scale invasion, I felt a strong need to do something. At first, I tried to find ways to contribute through my work, but I kept running into walls. It was frustrating to feel so connected to what was happening, but not know how to turn that into something useful. Around that time, I met Oksana, who asked if I wanted to help VATAHA with things like writing grant applications. It felt like a meaningful way to use my skills to support Ukrainians in the Netherlands and Ukrainian makers, while also introducing more people to Ukrainian culture, and to learn about it more myself.
What I love most about VATAHA is the community: colourful, creative and inspiring people who somehow manage to make a lot out of very little. One of my favourite projects is Run for Ukraine. I love sports myself, but I especially love how the event brings people together. For me, it captures what VATAHA is about: creativity, warmth, community and turning ideas into something meaningful. VATAHA gave me the way to contribute that I had been looking for, and a community I genuinely love being part of.
Olena Didkivska
I joined VATAHA in 2024, looking for a way to support Ukraine not only financially, but also culturally. VATAHA gave me that chance and taught me that every contribution, big or small, matters. I’m especially proud of coordinating events like Run for Ukraine and Vyshyvanka Day. Seeing all the puzzle pieces come together and overcoming unexpected challenges is what makes it so fulfilling.
Every volunteer inspires me, but especially Uliana and Oksana. They put their hearts and souls into VATAHA and make it feel like a family. For them, nothing is impossible, and they always encourage others to bring their ideas to life.
Anni Schleicher
I became VATAHA’s first non-Ukrainian volunteer in the summer of 2023. I knew nothing about Ukrainian culture and wanted to help a local organization any way I could, so becoming VATAHA’s first reporter put me on the fast track of doing so.
I am proud of the fact that I managed to grow from a single writer to leading a team of four to five reporters with weekly deadlines and monthly newsletters. In my three years of being part of the team, I am also immensely proud of my editorial team (Dasha, Olena, Anna, Isola and Eugenia) who keep VATAHA in the limelight with meticulously researched articles, provoking opinion pieces and meaningful interview questions.
Nadiia Davydenko
I joined VATAHA in 2024. Oksana invited me to become part of VATAHA, and I came for the events I could help organise but stayed for the community. I’ve learned that with a good idea and the right team, you can achieve almost anything. I’m most proud of having learned how to keep my cool when things get challenging during events, hehe. And Nastia Khomenko inspires me the most! I find it truly inspiring how she dedicates herself to different projects and becomes an expert on every topic she chooses to study and teach.
Nadiia has organized stand-up comedy shows that have raised millions in donations for Ukrainian aid.
Anastasiia Khomenko
When I arrived to the Netherlands in 2022, I had a strong feeling that I have to scream about Ukraine everywhere. I came to a demonstration organised by Uliana and never left since then. I am a member of Vataha since Vataha wasn’t “Vataha” yet (haha). I am proud to be here and every project I participated.
Vataha taught me a lot of things. I am learning to lead the project, do public speaking, be flexible, involved and value my time. I saw what real teamwork is when everybody knows their role and help each other. I am impressed how hard should volunteers work to bring each project to life. My favorite projects are Vyshyvanka day and “What Ukraine wears” as I became very interested in Ukrainian attire and how complex and complicated it is. I am truly proud of each volunteer. Only being in the organisation gives realisation that people do impossible things to make Ukraine recognisable far beyond topic of war.
Alina Kharyk
I officially joined the team in March 2026. Before that, I took part in aHOUSEforHOME, but my first time volunteering was at Run for Ukraine 2025. That’s when I saw how smoothly the team works and what great people are involved. Afterward, I became a sort of “on-call” assistant 🤣😂🙃—helping out with workshops at fairs, that sort of thing.
During this time, I’ve gained a lot of experience running workshops for all kinds of audiences. I also got a look behind the scenes of event planning and took an active part in it. I love that atmosphere—when things go a bit off-track, but you just know everything will turn out fine in the end 🙂
As for my biggest achievement… hmm. Probably the realization that I’m capable of more than I ever expected of myself. Plus, I’ve developed the skill of looking like an expert while talking about something I only learned five minutes ago! 😅🤗
Ulyana was my biggest inspiration—it was actually through her that I found out about Vataha. I still have no idea how she manages to get everything done…
[translated from Ukrainian]
Andrii Kompaniiets
I joined in January 2024—initially just for a university internship—but after a few events, I became the go-to person for setting up great lighting (something I’d never done before!) and handling the sound. And just to be clear: I’m definitely not being held hostage as a sound engineer! 🫣
As for achievements, I’m really proud that we’ve reached a level where every artist who visits us walks away with a fantastic impression of how the event was organized. 🙂 This applies not only to concerts but to all the major events we host. Even though things don’t always go exactly according to plan, the organization remains top-notch. 💖
[translated from Ukrainian]
Eugenia Bocancia
I joined VATAHA in July 2025 as a reporter on the web team. I had always wanted to explore creative writing while finding a way to volunteer and support Ukraine, thus this opportunity at VATAHA felt like the perfect match! I am grateful I got to interview fascinating people and share inspiring stories that promote Ukrainian culture abroad. I am also particularly proud of what our web team achieved in 2025, consistently bringing inspiring stories to our audience.
Being part of VATAHA has helped me build a stronger connection with my Ukrainian heritage and become more confident in advocating for Ukrainian culture and cultural rights. In May 2026, I also took on a new role as HR Processes Coordinator, and the new HR team was established within VATAHA! I love the fact that we can help to make our growing team feel more engaged and supported.
What inspires me most is the people behind VATAHA. Every volunteer brings something unique, and we wouldn’t be where we are today without everyone’s dedication. I have a special place in my heart for the web team, who first believed in me and gave me the opportunity to grow. I am happy to continue contributing to a mission that means so much to me, now in a different capacity.
Ramon Houben
Doing the Run for Ukraine in 2024 made me think more about how I could contribute to make people aware of the message and mission of your country and culture. I was touched before by the people I met and still meet today.
After the run in 2025 I found out about volunteering positions and was happy to join in after talking to Uliana and Oksana. It felt like family right from the start!
I am learning a lot since joining the Financial team and I am sure there is still more to learn and to share, grow and make possible in the future. I am most proud to see this team of wonderful people still growing and sharing a lot of positive energy by doing what each one does best.
Special inspiration to me are Uliana with all of her energy and passion with everything she does and Oksana to always keep the targets and mission clear, communication is always on point. Both of you make us feel good and motivated! And for what it’s worth, all of you inspire me because each one of us has their own story and so many to share with one another. Here’s to a bright future and many more years to come ✨ Happy fourth anniversary 💙💛
Daria Engin
As a Ukrainian living among international communities, I joined VATAHA to reconnect with my roots and make a meaningful impact, especially in the context of the war and my own journey to the Netherlands. My journey as VATAHA’s volunteer began with My Own Vyshyvanka 1.0 project, where I met Anni Schleicher, who helped me become a volunteer at Oekrains Huis in Rotterdam. A year later, I joined VATAHA’s HR team.
Being HR in VATAHA has taught me that people are the heart of everything. It’s about listening, appreciating, connecting, and creating a space where everyone feels they belong. It has been a truly beautiful journey so far. I’ve found my soulmates, a sense of belonging, and a community full of warmth, support, and shared values. Once you feel the VATAHA’s spirit, it’s hard to imagine leaving.
Milena Kompaniiets
I’ve been following VATAHA since the very beginning, but I officially joined as a volunteer over a year ago. I wanted to become part of a community of people who share my values and turn ideas into action. I’ve learned that the impossible becomes possible when you’re surrounded by the right people. And I’m most proud of earning the trust of my fellow VATAHA volunteers. It means a lot to me.
Iryna Umanets
My journey with VATAHA began sometime in 2024, although my story goes back to 2022, when I first visited the Ukrainian House. That was where I met Oksana Savchuk for the first time. I remember feeling so happy that, far away from home, from my beloved Kyiv and its very special Ukrainian House, I had found a Ukrainian home here in Rotterdam, too.
Through VATAHA, I have found wonderful people, and I think that is the greatest treasure of all. At the end of the day, we have each other — and that means so much, especially when you find yourself living in a country you never planned to move to.
I’m especially proud of our collective achievement: the My OWN Vyshyvanka project. It’s so much more than an embroidery community. It brings together history, creativity, cultural heritage, and even therapy. I’m proud to be part of something that connects people through Ukrainian traditions and gives them space to create, learn, and heal.
Honestly, I believe every VATAHA volunteer deserves to be on the list of people who inspire me. Each of them brings something unique, and I feel lucky to be surrounded by so many inspiring people. ♥️
Anna Bielchenko
I joined Vataha in 2023 hoping to contribute in any way I can to support popularisation of Ukrainian culture in the Netherlands. I was looking for an organisation that’s open to new projects and ideas and has a good mission. Vataha was exactly a place to join.
I learned a lot about what it takes to run such an organisation and to organise big projects that Vataha does every year. It takes a lot of grit and dedication to continue doing the amazing work that Vataha members do on a daily basis.
I’m proud to have taken plenty of the amazing photos for different Vataha projects. It makes me happy to see how much people like my photos, especially when they actively use them in their social media. I’m inspired by all volunteers, but I would especially like to point out Anastasiia Khomenko and Lera Manzovitova. Anastasiia is a hard working girl who juggles a full time job, studies, and simultaneously runs vital projects for Vataha. Her dedication to this work is something I respect very dearly.
Lera is my fellow photographer colleague, who, despite all the struggles of immigrant life, managed to build an amazing work ethic and does vital event support for Vataha and beyond. But to be fair, each member of Vataha is unique, special and extremely valuable. So I’d like to celebrate everyone’s effort and dedication.
Isola Chambers
I joined VATAHA in December 2025, very aware of how little I knew about Ukrainian culture, and that’s still something I’m conscious of. The past 10 months have taught me just how much more there is to learn. Every article and interview opens up another part of Ukrainian history, art, language, or cultural memory that I hadn’t encountered before.
Culture should be protected, especially culture under active threat. Continuing to learn about it, talk about it, and to help make it visible fights that. That’s why I joined VATAHA, and I’m proud to be able to contribute in my small way to that fight.
Dasha Lohvynova
I joined VATAHA in 2024, right after finishing my MA thesis. While I attended some of the Ukrainian events here and there, I was never part of something so wholesome as VATAHA, especially in relation to culture. I was seeking community and opportunity to connect with Ukraine beyond protests or other events; I was looking to contribute somehow to a bigger mission of bringing Ukraine closer to Dutch people – and this is exactly when I saw that VATAHA was looking for a writer.
Everyone in VATAHA is inspiring; people are doing incredible things all the time! Yet I am particularly inspired by the web team – shout out to Anni, Olena, Eugenia, Anna and Isola! We have been working together for a while now and I am constantly amazed at how we find new ways of talking about culture & art; how we find a way to learn new things along with each other; and how we find words to talk about things that are difficult or unknown.
I have grown immensely in the past couple of years – both personally and professionally – and VATAHA played a big part in it. I am forever grateful for all the people I met and the knowledge I gained along the way.
Olena Poburko
After moving to the Netherlands in 2024, I came across and attended the Run for Ukraine organized by VATAHA. The event made such a great impression on me that when a month later I saw that VATAHA was looking for a writer, I already knew that I wanted to be a part of VATAHA, so I instantly applied and the rest is history 🙂
Being part of VATAHA’s writing team has been an incredible personal growth experience, offering many opportunities to challenge myself and try new things from interviewing famous artists to recording a podcast to moderating a poetry reading.
Tamara van Marle-Prysykar
I joined VATAHA two months ago, in August 2026, after attending a couple of events they organized. I started following VATAHA on social media and saw their announcement looking for new people to join.
As a Ukrainian myself, I’m mostly surrounded by international people, so one of my main motivations for joining was to reconnect a little more with my roots and Ukrainian community. I also wanted to make a meaningful impact, especially considering the war and my own journey coming to the Netherlands.
Since joining, I’ve been practicing how to create more of report-style videos, which I’ve really enjoyed. I’ve also learned a lot more about Ukraine through VATAHA, and I’m excited to keep discovering, developing my skills, and meeting new people!