December 5 marks International Volunteer Day
03/12/25, 03:00
For Ukraine, this is not just a date — it is a reminder of the people who support the country every day through real, practical action.
Volunteering has become a part of our resilience and responsibility. Its strength lies in consistent work that saves lives and creates visible change.
Across many cities, volunteer communities assemble medical kits, repair vehicles, collect warm clothing, and prepare technical equipment for those serving on the front line. These efforts may not always be visible, but each of them produces a real result and supports those who protect the country.
Volunteers come from different professions, often far from logistics or medicine. One well-known example is a musician who began installing Starlink systems for the military after receiving the first kit from friends. What started as a small initiative grew into a team that provides communication in difficult regions. Another example is a group of technicians in Kharkiv who restore damaged drones. Thanks to their attention to detail, hundreds of devices have returned to service.
Children and young adults also take part. School students organize small actions near their schools and donate what they collect to military units. University students create online groups where they offer free tutoring to younger children. This is how a culture of mutual support begins — already from childhood.
Volunteer work is also growing strongly in Japan.
Ukrainians and Japanese jointly organize charity events, auctions, and gatherings in cultural centers. In Tokyo, Kanagawa, Osaka, and other cities, volunteer groups collect and send medicine, flashlights, power banks, warm clothing, and field equipment to Ukraine. Japanese citizens support rallies, share informational materials, and speak about Ukraine within their communities. This creates a space of solidarity where actions unite people across distances.
International Volunteer Day is a moment to thank everyone who continues working even when it is difficult.
Because of volunteers, we see that resilience and mutual support remain our strength, and dignity remains the foundation of Ukraine’s future.