Winter in Ukraine · Power stations
Last winter, together with my good friend and partner Don Fredricks of Communities of Hope (California), we bought more than ten EcoFlow solar power stations. Don and his church community raised the money for this project. We gave the power stations to soldiers, chaplains, pastors and volunteers serving across Ukraine.
The project at a glance
10+
EcoFlow solar power stations
6
cities we drove them to
A friend and partner
Don has a heart for Christ and for people in need. We were together in Turkey when the earthquake struck, we have made several trips to Ukraine together, and he also helps us organise the summer camps in Svitlovodsk.
Delivered by hand
Together we drove the power stations across the country ourselves: Ternopil, Kyiv, Cherkasy, Svitlovodsk, Pavlohrad and Sloviansk. Every handover was a chance to spend time with the people receiving them, to hear their stories, pray together and remind them they are not forgotten.
Why power matters so much
Russia keeps attacking Ukraine’s energy system. Power plants, substations and the lines that bring electricity into cities are hit again and again, and every winter brings rolling blackouts. Sometimes they last a few hours. After major strikes they can last for days. Near the front line, the grid may not work at all.
When the power goes out
A portable power station keeps the essentials running:
- Communication: phones, radios and laptops stay charged, so people can reach family, coordinate help and get alerts.
- Medical needs: small medical devices can keep running, and the wounded can stay connected while they recover.
- Light and warmth: a lamp, a router or the pump on a heating system can keep a home or shelter livable through a cold, dark night.
- Ministry and service: chaplains, pastors and volunteers can keep working, keep their churches and shelters open, and keep serving their communities.
Solar panels can recharge these units without fuel and without the grid. They are quiet, safe to use indoors and easy to carry, which matters most close to the front, where a noisy generator is a problem and fuel is hard to find.
We’re doing it again
Seeing how much these power stations meant to the people who received them, we’ve decided to repeat the project this winter. The need is as great as ever, and every unit brings light, connection and hope to someone serving on the front line of this war.
If you’d like to help, you can support the project here.