"I drink coffee in my own little corner": The Rinat Akhmetov Foundation supports social housing for Mariupol residents in Kyiv

Since the start of the full-scale invasion, the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation has been providing extensive support to the people of Mariupol. One of the key initiatives is the “I am Mariupol. Housing” project, where the Foundation serves as the main Ukrainian donor. Just before the New Year, 21 families from Mariupol received the keys to their new homes in a renovated dormitory in Kyiv.

In total, 76 families from Mariupol will live in this building, with renovations on two floors still in progress. The Rinat Akhmetov Foundation has equipped the common areas, including kitchens, coworking spaces, laundry rooms, hallways, and a children’s playroom.

The families are overwhelmed with emotion, as this new home brings them a sense of stability.

"My mother and I are really happy to have found a place we can finally call our own. It’s inspiring. Since we left Mariupol, we’ve lost that sense of home. The children’s playroom is a great feature – children really need that support," says 19-year-old Iryna.

"For the first time, I’m drinking coffee in my own little corner. Of course, my dream is still to go back home. But the fact that everything here is new and clean is incredible. We really feel the care from both the "I am Mariupol" project and the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation. It feels like we’re at home, in a family," says 75-year-old Valentina.

"The coworking spaces are equipped with modern laptops, tables, and chairs. There’s also a well-equipped children’s room with lots of toys and activities. There’s so much more. This support for displaced people is invaluable, and we are deeply grateful to the Foundation for its ongoing help, especially over the last three years," says Tetiana Zhytkova, the dormitory manager.

The first dormitories for displaced persons under the "I am Mariupol. Housing" initiative were opened in Dnipro. The social housing in Kyiv is the result of cooperation between the Mariupol City Council and the Kyiv City State Administration.

The "I am Mariupol. Housing" project began in 2023, supported by the French Government, the International Organisation for Migration, and various Ukrainian state institutions. The Rinat Akhmetov Foundation is a key partner in this initiative.

In addition to housing, the Foundation has been providing Mariupol residents with food and hygiene product kits, offering psychological support, and organising events for children.

Since 2014, the Foundation, along with SCM businesses and Shakhtar Football Club, has assisted more than 18 million people. Follow the latest news here: https://akhmetovfoundation.org/news