We want this service to meet people’s needs and solve their most urgent problems because it’s real life. We are people just like everyone else.
Life Before the Conflict
Anastasia, 39, was born and raised in Mykolaiv, Ukraine. She lives with her husband, who is also in a wheelchair. Before the war, she worked at a ship-repair plant and ran her own NGO advocating for the rights of people with disabilities. She and her husband had fully adapted their home for accessibility, and their life was stable and fulfilling.
The Conflict Begins
The war caught Anastasia and her husband completely off guard. One morning, they woke to the sound of explosions. Bomb shelters were unavailable nearby, and the two-wall protection in their home felt insufficient. Initially, they decided to stay, thinking, “We have a roof over our heads. Life goes on.”
The first six months were the most difficult. The plant closed, they lost their jobs, and essential supplies were scarce. Slowly, pharmacies and shops reopened, allowing life in Mykolaiv to stabilise.
Finding Support
Anastasia had known about the Shchedryk organisation through her NGO work. The organisation had previously provided food kits and distributed technical rehabilitation aids, including wheelchairs and walkers. When Shchedryk announced a project supporting small businesses, Anastasia and her business partner Ivan applied.
Creating the Invataxi Service
Anastasia and Ivan are launching Invataxi, a specialised transport service for people with disabilities. Existing services in Mykolaiv are limited, only two vehicles operate during working hours and have strict restrictions on who can use them and where they can go. Many people cannot attend social events, go shopping, or reach medical appointments, particularly in bad weather.
Regular taxis are often inaccessible for people with certain disabilities. Some require lifts or special mounts for wheelchairs, while others cannot be moved without risk of injury. Invataxi is designed to address these gaps, providing safe, accessible, and reliable transport for children, teenagers, and adults with disabilities.
Partnership and Progress
Ivan, Anastasia’s long-time business partner, is preparing the vehicles with special mounts and upholstery. They recently received DEC-funded grants to purchase necessary equipment, including laptops, smartphones for dispatchers and drivers, and stretchers for bedridden patients.
Partnership and Progress
Ivan, Anastasia’s long-time business partner, is preparing the vehicles with special mounts and upholstery. They recently received DEC-funded grants to purchase necessary equipment, including laptops, smartphones for dispatchers and drivers, and stretchers for bedridden patients.
The project is structured as a social enterprise, not just a business. Anastasia plans to employ people with disabilities, giving them opportunities to develop their potential while providing a vital service to the community.
Looking Ahead
Shchedryk’s support has been crucial. Without the grant, purchasing the equipment and launching the project would have been nearly impossible. Once operational, Invataxi will expand into a professional rehabilitation centre and continue to create social impact in Mykolaiv.
