Volunteers Maria Taraban and Alina Datsievich: a quick interview with the founders of the Charity Fund VYDNOKOLO
In the world of RBTNK, there are 6 characters who together fight for victory: Defender, Medic, Rescuer (front), and Volunteer, Journalist, Worker (rear). These superheroes are among us: with their backgrounds, skills, and superpowers — different, but united by a common goal. We want the RBTNK community to know more about them. So in the Superheroes section, we talk to our heroes about important things: why they chose this role, what their mission is, their dreams, and the artifacts that help them hold on.
In Sloviansk, we met with Maria Taraban and Alina Datsievich — volunteers who have been developing a charity fund since 2023. “Vydnokolo”.
Marichka, Alina, hello! Tell us about your work.
M: I am the founder of the "Vydnokolo" fund.
A: I am the operations director.
M: The two of us manage all operational processes: from organizing collections and communicating with units and brigades to logistics and reporting.
A: And we also have a team that handles design, texts, and external communications.
What is your mission?
M: To be close to the soldiers. To do everything in my power to meet their needs.
A: I think our mission is to simplify the lives of soldiers by at least 1%. So they don’t have to worry about where to get a vehicle or drones. To respond quickly and be a support as much as possible.
Why did you choose this role in the war?
M: In the first days of the full-scale war, I started a fundraiser for a thermal imager for my dad's friends. When it was completed, I felt that it gave my existence meaning in turbulent times. Everything around is falling apart, and you feel needed. It gives you the strength to move forward. I cannot live life on the sidelines. Being involved in the struggle is not a choice, but a duty.
A: On February 26, 2022, I was driving my dad to the military enlistment office, even though he was not of conscription age. At that time, he said, “I’m going so that you and your brother don’t have to go. So that you don’t see this.” And I felt that I couldn’t do nothing if my dad went to fight for me, even though he could have stayed home. I was in the Kyiv region then, and after that, I returned to Kyiv and joined the fund.
“Everything around is falling apart, and you feel needed. It gives you the strength to move forward.”
And who are you in civilian life?
M: I was recently a project manager, managing establishments. Now I have quit and am developing my jam brand. HEARTMELT.
A: I am the current manager of a café.
How do you think we can build a bridge between the rear and the front?
M: The rear must realize how quickly the front is moving and thanks to whom we live our lives. Everyone should be involved — even a little. And from the military side, events organized by the brigades work great: lectures, first aid training, film screenings for civilians. This is done by Troika, Charter, Da Vinci Wolves (including their medical service ULF), and others. Probably, it is at such events that many civilians think about service.
A: I think it’s the work of both sides. Although I am a rather aggressive person, I still believe that aggression should not be directed at each other. The rear must engage as much as possible: if you can’t donate — open a jar, if you can’t open a jar — make a repost. That’s the basics. If everyone gets involved — it will be a little easier.
“If everyone gets involved — it will be a little easier.”
Share your favorite story about volunteering.
M: Every time we head towards the front, we receive a bunch of invitations to visit. For example, there was Engineer's Day — we were invited to dinner with a fabulous "picnic." There was a cauldron of pilaf :)
A: There was even a vegetarian "menu"! They set such a table for me without meat — I was thrilled.
M: Next time we go — they invite us for a barbecue. Every time there are these warm receptions with delicious food. We joke that it’s the "cashback of volunteering" — and that’s the most valuable part. In general, all the favorite moments are memories from the east. Because most of our surroundings and friends are here — you transform from a gloomy gray person into a lively one.
A: Yes, you sit in a room surrounded by people you knew in Kyiv from completely different walks of life, and you are amazed by these feelings.
M: We try to hand everything over personally. And the joy of the adult guys… Those smiles, those eyes. No matter what you bring — they are happy. It’s amazing. We call them "guys" because they are adult uncles of my father's age who greet us like their own children.
A: And I want to add that it is important to support fundraising not only for media teams. We see this difference in dynamics when we launch fundraising for both well-known and unknown individuals. But it is often the non-media military — the infantry — that allows us to sit here and drink coffee. These are the same simple "guys." Please do not ignore fundraising for them.
“All favorite moments are memories from the East. You transform here from a gloomy gray person into a living one”
What are you dreaming about right now?
M: To plan a free future with a loved one. To be together and build plans. To have two children. To buy a house. And a goat. A Cameroonian goat :)
A: You have me. I will live with you *laughs* I don't even know. I dream of everyone being returned from captivity.
What gives you faith and stubbornness to continue the fight?
M: The dream of a happy future with family, with children in Ukraine adds stubbornness. I won't say faith — but definitely stubbornness, even when your hands are completely down.
A: Stubbornness comes from the environment — friends, military, volunteers. They hold on very strongly. Sometimes you think you can't cope, but you look at your surroundings — how can I let them down? Everyone is struggling. You can take a break. But they don't let me down — and I can't let them down.
M: And we give each other faith and stubbornness :)
“Sometimes you think you can't cope, but you look at your surroundings — how can I let them down?”
What artifacts are always with you and help you hold on?
M: These are our dogs — Vasilina (mine) and Lilu (Alina's). Our friends who are always by our side, in all trips. Even on the worst days, you get out of bed because you need to take them for a walk. They bring life. Once we brought a cart here, and returned back on Intercity. Vasilina politely traveled with us :)
A: Mine has only been with me for 3 months, but Lilu has already been everywhere. Wherever we go — she goes too.
What do your tokens say?
M: 061 — the code of my native Zaporizhzhia, the code of my identity.
A: “Every night ends with morning” — this belief sits somewhere deep inside. Everything bad will end with something good. Also, this is a phrase from the book "The Gethsemane Garden" by Ivan Bahriany, which everyone should read.
And the last thing: if you could become any game character — who would you choose?
A: Sometimes I feel like we are in some kind of game. But I didn't play them as a child because my older brother always occupied the computer :)
M: I would choose Katniss Everdeen, the main character from "The Hunger Games." She shoots a bow really well and takes down the bad guys :)
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