What's the problem?
In villages and small towns, women with disabilities, or those caring for children with disabilities, often feel isolated. It's not just about the lack of accessible infrastructure; they also miss out on simple human connection and the reassurance that they are not alone. Many end up living in their small world, unaware of opportunities beyond their daily routines.
"There's always been a gap between cities and villages. No matter how much they try to bring us closer to urban life, the reality doesn't change — our opportunities are limited," says Alla Yarchenko, a resident of Potichok, a village in the Reshetylivka community. "We have nowhere to meet, learn, grow, or even showcase our talents. There's no place to take our children. If you don't have a car, your entire life is spent in one spot."
What's the solution?
Seeing this problem, the nonprofit organization ILLUMINE started a project called Steps to Self-Realization: Unlocking the Potential of Women with Disabilities and Mothers Raising Children with Disabilities in the Reshetylivka Community.
Over several months, Alla Yarchenko and other participants explored a world that had once seemed out of reach. They learned digital skills and communication techniques, discovered the power of art therapy, attended psychology sessions, and even took part in theater activities.
Thanks to funding from the Abilis Foundation from Finland, which supports people with disabilities in the Global South, all project activities were free.
How does it work?
The nonprofit ILLUMINE was founded in Reshetylivka just over a year ago. In that short time, it has launched several initiatives and received plenty of positive feedback from the community. The Abilis-funded project became its first long-term endeavor.
"We started to support adult and youth education in our community. So far, we're the only organization here actively working with people," says co-founder Iryna Platko.
Iryna Platko knows the challenges firsthand — she herself has a disability. She once participated in similar projects, and as a former local council member and school principal of ten years, she had experience writing grant applications. So when she learned about the opportunity to start a program for vulnerable women, she jumped at the chance.
"Our project is gentle. It's about people and for people"
Iryna Platko meets with project participants. Photo from the NGO's archive
The Steps to Self-Realization project was born out of a simple goal: to help women with disabilities improve their quality of life by giving them equal opportunities in society. The project's creator says:
"We want to give women with disabilities access to education, modern technology, and psychological support. "
The organizers wanted to:
- Help women with disabilities and mothers of children with disabilities from the Reshetylivka community learn to manage stress.
- Teach them to use computer programs and tools that make online communication and remote work more manageable.
- Create online communities where they could connect, share experiences, and support each other.
- Train participants to find jobs and speak in public.
"When a person invests in learning, discovers their talents, and finds something they love, it gives them strength, inspiration, and the will to live — even in the difficult times Ukraine faces now," says co-founder Iryna Platko. "They don't wait for better conditions, political changes, or financial stability. They live, act, and create opportunities for themselves here and now. Self-realization is about the ability to be happy today. Because happiness is knowing how to live in a way that makes every day fulfilling and joyful."
Finding beauty in themselves and the world around them
Project participants after an art therapy session. Photo from the NGO's archive
The project ran from October 2024 to early March. Forty women from the Reshetylivka community, split into two groups, participated.
As Iryna Platko admits, recruiting the first group wasn't easy. Stereotypes may have played a role — accepting one's disability and openly talking about it isn't always simple, even though the project was created specifically for these women. Reshetylivka is a small community, even though information about the initiative was widely shared. However, by the time of the second round, word-of-mouth had done its magic — women were eager to sign up, knowing the sessions were engaging and helpful.
Each group began with a session led by Yuliia Polonska, psychologist and a psychosocial support trainer at ILLUMINE. Her job was to help these diverse women bond and form a real community. Co-founder Iryna Platko believes Yuliia succeeded.
Reflection exercise using associative cards: "What wonderful thing will I discover about myself today?" Photo courtesy of Yuliia Polonska
"At first, some women kept their distance, but over time, they opened up, shared their stories, laughed, cried, and found common ground. This helped them come together and feel part of something bigger. We've never had anything like this in our community before," shares Iryna Platko.
Psychologist Yuliia Polonska says she focused on creating a space where participants felt safe, accepted, and at ease.
"I taught them how to strengthen their mental resilience and support themselves and their loved ones in difficult situations. Using associative cards, I helped them see their worlds from a different perspective. Many of them discovered beauty in themselves that they had never noticed before," Yuliia says.
For some, this was their first-ever experience with a psychologist. They were surprised to learn that therapy isn't just for extreme cases but can help with various life challenges.
Iryna Baibuza with project participants. Photo from the NGO's archive
Iryna Baibuza, a digital literacy expert, helped participants find a balance between modern technology and real life.
At her training sessions, participants:
- Learned how to organize their digital space effectively.
- Discovered ways to use technology for personal growth and time management.
- Understood how to protect their personal data and avoid digital overload.
- Found inspiration for creating a safe and comfortable environment both online and offline.
Meanwhile, trainer Rita Domashenko led a "Discovering a World of Color" session, during which the women immersed themselves in creativity and self-expression.
- They painted their emotions using natural dyes — coffee, turmeric, hibiscus, and beet juice.
- They crafted delicate paper flowers, symbols of their strength, beauty, and resilience.
- They discussed how creativity plays a crucial role in self-realization and found new sources of inspiration.
Many participants said this workshop helped them realize that creativity isn't just about making art — it's a form of healing and self-discovery.
Project participants at the museum. Photo from the NGO's archive
The emotional highlight of the project was a trip to Poltava, which combined education, discovery, and cultural experiences.
Participants visited the Poltava Battle Museum, discovered the city's cuisine, and attended a theater performance. For many, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, watching a live play for the first time.
Waiting for the show to begin. Photo from the NGO's archive
Did it really work?
Women hugging after a training session. Photo from the NGO's archive
"I've lived my whole life in a village 15 kilometers from Reshetylivka, so I know firsthand what these women experience every day," says Iryna Platko. "Their biggest need is social connection. And we truly motivated them, just as they motivated us. They wrote poems, sent us letters. It was incredible."
Iryna is convinced: this project was a complete success.
"I've participated in many projects and training programs, so I know what gratitude feels like and why such initiatives matter. But this was different. By the end, the women felt like a real family. At the final event, everyone was in tears. They couldn't imagine life without this experience," she shares.
The organization's leader adds that many women found their voices. They learned to express themselves and stand up for their opinions. Some felt, for the first time, that they were part of something bigger, a team that truly supports one another. Others became inspired to continue learning and searching for new opportunities.
Alla Yarchenko with her participation certificate. Photo courtesy of Alla Yarchenko
Alla Yarchenko, a resident of the village of Potichok, had her doubts at first. After 33 years as a primary school teacher, she retired due to a vision disability. She admits she deeply missed social interaction. The project gave her a chance to meet new people and, beyond that, gain new skills, especially in digital literacy, and renewed energy and inspiration.
"Everyone who attended the training was happy with it. Some people might think, 'Was this really worth the time and money?' But trust me — it absolutely was. Mental health is just as important as physical health. These days, finding positive emotions to keep going is difficult. But here, people could relax, connect, enjoy beautiful things, and, at least for a while, forget about the challenges they face," says Alla.
Olha Antonets is painting the project emblem. Photo courtesy of Olha Antonets
Another participant, Olha Antonets from the village of Lyman Pershyi, says the project helped her discover hidden abilities. The sessions were engaging and deeply meaningful.
"We did a lot of different psychological exercises — learning to appreciate ourselves, to love who we are, to support each other, and to let go of stress," Olha shares.
She especially enjoyed the career guidance workshop "What I Want, What I Can, What I Need," which encouraged participants to find new ways of earning an income outside their usual work.
"But above all, this project taught me to embrace change, to keep moving forward, and to keep discovering new things. I received an incredible boost of kindness and support — it gave me confidence and strength. I'll always carry these warm memories in my heart," Olha says.
Women keep the community alive
A training session with psychologist Yuliya Polonska. Photo from the NGO's archive
Project psychologist Yuliia Polonska says one of the most valuable outcomes of the project is that women started building connections on their own. They now discuss ways to meet up again and stay engaged with the community. The project became a bridge between them and an active social life.
"You know, this project was special for me, too. Seeing a woman who once hesitated to speak in a group suddenly open up and share her dreams — it's incredibly moving," says Yuliia. "Their strength of spirit inspires me. Despite all the hardships they've faced, they find the energy to keep going, support others, dream, and take small but meaningful steps toward their goals."
She believes that so-called "gentle" projects like this create powerful change. When a woman with a disability feels valued, discovers her talents, and becomes an active member of her community, it transforms not only her life but also society's attitude toward disability.
Even more helpful solutions!
The NGO ILLUMINE has no intention of leaving the women behind. "We're not going to disappear on them," they say. They also plan to expand their work to support other vulnerable groups.
Their next big goal is to create a dedicated learning and community space in Reshetylivka, a place for training sessions, workshops, and gatherings for people of all ages and backgrounds. And they've already taken the first steps.
"For now, we've been holding project meetings in the local library, but we're renting another space, and at the moment, it's empty. We've already raised money for chairs through the crowdfunding platform Moie Misto. This space won't just be for women. It will be a place where the whole community can come together, from young people to seniors," says Iryna Platko.
This isn't just about self-realization. It's about building a truly inclusive community — one step at a time.
