01/07/2025
CONSTRUCTION OF A SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS
The NGO “House of Mercy Kyiv” (HOM) began construction in the suburbs of the capital.
BACKGROUND
In 2022, 13 HOM wards were occupied in Andriivka, Makariv district by russian agressors. Soon after, their shelter was destroyed by rocket fire. A wonderful place where dozens of homeless people found refuge disappeared. After the occupation of the Kyiv region, some of them were placed in a state boarding house, while others live in premises rented by us.
Upon hearing about the tragedy, several church organizations contacted us, including Diakonie ČCE, Středisko humanitární a rozvojové spolupráce, and St. Peter's Lutheran Church (Pennsylvania, USA). A decision was made to temporarily rent housing for the victims and to purchase a new plot of land. We managed to purchase it in Pohreby, Brovarsky district. We planned to build quickly. At that time, this did not happen due to the rejection of the main sponsor.
RECENT HISTORY
In early 2025, other friends from the Ukraine for Christ mission suggested building a house from a shipping container. We gladly agreed. The German GAIN organization delivered a 45-foot high cube to the site. We organized a fundraising campaign and started work in the spring. Now, this building is almost ready for its first residents.
At the same time, an opportunity arose to build something bigger. The Dutch organization Cristian Refugee Relief (CRR) approached Ukraine for Christ with an offer to donate a large used frame building.
The director of UDC suggested installing it on our site. The building consists of three identical parts and can be used both for housing people and for social services.
CRR representatives came to Kyiv for negotiations. After reviewing HOM's activities, they said “yes.” They are already transporting the building to Ukraine and will assemble it on the site. An important condition is the availability of a foundation and utilities.
By June 2025, all preparatory work had been completed. Special thanks to the military team who helped us with this.
Since a significant portion of HOM's wards are Lutheran Christians, one of the rooms will be a church chapel.
On June 30, a thanksgiving service was held on the site with a blessing for the construction.
Donors, HOM and UDH employees, and volunteers gathered together to thank God for His many blessings and to remember the journey they had taken.
There is still a lot of work and challenges ahead, but with God's help, everything will be fine. The official opening of the shelter is scheduled for the fall.
, #ДімМилосердяКиїв, .
You can support the work of House of Mercy Kyiv:
Privatbank card
5169 3351 0466 1869 (Igor Shemigon)
