This is one of a series of six stories for International Volunteer Day (IVD) 2022. The theme for this IVD is solidarity through volunteering – Together, act now. On 5 December, throughout the world, the value of volunteers is celebrated and recognized. While the world grapples with humanitarian and development challenges – amid wars and climate change – we need volunteers. We need solidarity, and people working together for a common good.
People together in raves – not to dance only this time but to also clear debris and begin rebuilding – all to the beat of a DJ set. This is the story of youth activists and music lovers – who every weekend since summer 2022, in a group called Repair Together, head to Kiev – to clear up houses and villages damaged or destroyed. DJs accompany the effort, giving a beat to the clean-up.
Repair Together is a group of volunteers from different backgrounds – musicians, designers, DJs – who decided to give their time to help the rebuild efforts following the destruction in Ukraine. They organize parties in the affected areas to attract as many volunteers as possible.
The main idea behind "repair raves" grew from a small number of 50 volunteers in their first event in Yahidne July 2022 to hundreds of volunteers traveling from as far as the USA.
It was a good way to involve a lot of people. We really wanted volunteering to seem like a lifestyle choice. Now, after three months of work on this project, we see a lot of familiar faces. A lot of people do it on a regular basis now. -- says Marina Grebinna, the group's organizer.
Dance together to a techno beat – or clean up debris and rebuild after the destruction – it's the solidarity and working together that adds that special rhythm.
Read the volunteers' full story here.
Be inspired to #TogetherActNow and lend a helping hand to the ones in need. Together, we can all do our part.