“Seeing our work and the families we have been able to support has helped us to remain optimistic during this difficult time”, reported Alesia Azarova of the Ukrainian 280 Days Foundation. The foundation supports pregnant women, newborns and premature babies by educating them about physical and mental health during pregnancy and procuring equipment for prenatal diagnosis and care of premature babies.
In line with the International Day of Premature Babies on 17 November, the women of the Alliance 90/The Greens had invited the Ukrainian woman to a meeting. Azarova reported how she founded the foundation in 2020 before the start of the coronavirus pandemic, after her own son was born too early the year before. Initially, the goal was to ensure education and education of expectant parents and doctors, as well as good care for premature babies. The original concept of the foundation had to be quickly adapted to the conditions of the pandemic. Among other things, an online radio was launched, with which families could be provided with information.
Two years later, the war began and the Foundation's work changed again. The provision of devices for diagnostic purposes is still part of the work. Equipment destroyed during bombing must be replaced. However, the war and the associated difficult financial situation of families has led the Foundation's employees to launch another program: They send parcels to expectant mothers with the necessary initial equipment – diapers, blankets, food, etc.
The work is financed by grants from various national and international sponsors and the foundation is in close contact with UN organizations in order to identify and specifically support the need for materials and equipment in Ukraine. Nevertheless, the foundation is happy about every donation, whether financial or material. "It is important for us to be as transparent as possible about where our donations go," said Azarova. “We therefore ask mothers who receive support to send pictures of themselves and their children when they receive a package. This not only contributes to transparency, but also to the joy that we and our donors have when we see the fruits of our work.”
The Foundation accepts donations via its homepage: https://280days-en.org/
Among other things, she informs about her work Facebook and Instagram.
English (UK)