America House Community Stories: Liza and Artem
Ukrainians are unstoppable. Our leadership program alumni Liza Pidopryhora and Artem Mamadzhanov, who was also our team member, prove that. They told us about their initiatives they have created since Russia invaded Ukraine. Liza has opened a coworking “Pidopryhora.coworking” in Kyiv and Artem organized a movie club in Kaniv. They gave us an interview to tell more about their projects.
Guys, could you please tell what happened to you after the full-scale invasion and how did you come to the idea of creating these initiatives?
Artem: My story is pretty short. It started on February 24th when the full-scale invasion happened. My friend called me at 5 am and said, "Sorry for waking you up, but I need to tell you that the war has started." Then I saw the news about the explosions on the Left bank. I thought about what I was supposed to do and decided to move to Kaniv. I went there by bus and have remained here until now.
It started to get boring for me here. I was thinking about what I should do during wartime. At first, I decided to join the territorial defence, but my parents were strongly against it. Later I thought I didn't care what they thought and went there. When I dressed up and went outside, the air raid alert began, so I ran to the bomb shelter. In the end, there was a line to sign for the territorial defence of about 2000 people. So, it didn't work for me. Then I decided I could be helpful on the informational front. Since then, I have been helping my friends. For example, my first Erasmus+ exchange experience was in Spain. The organizers of the club there had their own NGO. They sent a few trucks with humanitarian help to Ukraine. I was helping them with the information, telling them which border and organization it should go to. I know that they delivered it successfully.
The first movie night that I hosted was in the beginning of May. A week before, I created a poll in a local Facebook group. A lot of people reacted. I was asking if they'd like this format of the event. The event's primary goal is to help youth improve their speaking English. That is why my target audience's age was 16-15 years old. But I also mentioned that older people with a level of English B2 and higher can join as volunteers. They would help during the event as mentors. When I was looking for a location, two libraries said they would agree to share their space. But I also knew there was a beauty salon in the town with a basement. In the end I met with its owner, and we agreed I would use this space for movie nights. During the next event plan to show "Mister Jones." It's partly about Ukraine and Holodomor. It’s a great movie about the horrible part of our history. I highly recommend it.
After, I got a projector and planned to go to Kyiv to watch Eurovision with friends. Then I remembered that Liza has opened a coworking space and runs events there. I thought why not write to her. She could be interested in organizing a movie night there. Luckily, she agreed. At first, I thought about choosing a foreign movie, but Liza wanted a Ukrainian film or English language documentary. Then I remembered scrolling my Instagram feed and seeing Lyubomyr Levytskii's post about his film "The Shadows of Unforgotten Ancestors." He opened access to this film for everyone because of an unfortunate event. One of the actors, Pavlo Lee, was killed during the war. So Lyubomyr made it to honor him. I told Liza about that and checked if the access was free indeed. I also wanted to ask Lyubomyr to share our event through his Instagram stories. I started to write a draft text. I introduced myself as a participant at America House leadership program, where he gave us training. Then I thought, "Come on, he won't even read it." I decided to ask America House's director to help me. I told her I'd like to have his contact, and I thought she would give me his email. But instead, she organized a chat with him and me. And he wrote, "I will help you as much as I can." He also added his wife to the chat, who was a co-producer of this film. And she was interested in helping as well. Then Liza was added, we talked and agreed to have a discussion after the film.
Liza: I had the idea of creating a coworking space even before the full-scale invasion, but I didn't know how to make it real. I knew for sure that it would be a social enterprise. But those were only thoughts. Besides, the apartment wasn't ready yet.
My friends from different organizations and I united and created a humanitarian center to help the Armed Forces of Ukraine. We knew people from there because many of them are from the organization "Ukrainian Students for Freedom." They asked for help. After we collected 1 million hryvnias and bought stuff for them, we started to receive requests from other battalions. They were asking us to help them. In this chaos, we began to develop. We were helping not only the army but also hospitals. One day people sent us a truck full of medicine and said, "You should know who needs this." We sorted it and sent it to some hospitals and soldiers all over Ukraine. It felt good to share things that people needed. But later they were asking for some expensive stuff, and we needed to find the money for that. For example, a sight costs 500 thousand hryvnias. We didn't want to ask people for money. Then I remembered I had this empty apartment. Why not use it to earn money that I would give to "Kyiv Humanitarian Center."
At the same time, Kyiv began to come alive. I saw more and more people on the streets and in the cafes seeking conversations. Yes, it's still not safe. You're always afraid to go outside and hear sirens. But you still want to communicate and simply share your feelings. Even when we had meetings with the team, we realized that we stayed sane because of the opportunity to meet each other and talk. That's why I thought, why not open coworking right now. People will continue to return to the city, needing a place to work. A while ago, I developed analytics for a business environment for a coworking space. Everything seemed favorable. I understood I wasn't ready for that. I didn't have a good business plan. But then I thought about how unpredictable life is in Ukraine. This apartment could be destroyed at any time. Why shouldn't I get everything I can from this?
So, the launch began. I asked my friends to help me. Everything is voluntary. We're not earning money. I involved my friends, designers, copywriters, lawyers, architects; everyone who could be helpful. This is how it started. So far, we have had two events, thanks to my friend who is a philosopher. During these events, we discussed the historical, political, and philosophical differences between Ukrainians and Russians. But at the beginning of each event, we asked people to share what they felt during the first days of the war, what happened then, and how they were feeling now. I saw how happy the participants were for the opportunity to share. It was unique for them and worth continuing. So far, only one person has used this space for coworking. I haven't promoted it much yet, because I still don't have tables and chairs. All I have is a sofa, two chairs, a pouf, and one table. But thanks to IREX Ukraine and Marichka, we have applied for a grant. Soon I will receive 1940 dollars that I will spend on tables, chairs, and a projector to organize events and gather the community around.
Artem
Artem launched a movie club for local youth
It's complicated to start something if your target audience is literally everyone. I don't believe it's possible to cover everyone. You choose a segment of the audience, and you work with it.
You already had the first movie night in Kaniv. Tell us how it was?
I made a post in a local social media group to see if people were interested. There were about 200 reactions and 15-20 comments. Most people supported this idea. There were also comments about age discrimination. I invited those people to join as volunteers. It's complicated to start something if your target audience is literally everyone. I don't believe it's possible to cover everyone. You choose a segment of the audience, and you work with it.
I saw even more support, as two libraries wrote to me right after my post. Also, an owner of one basement space wrote to me. The basement actually was the best option for me. The next day after making this post, I met with the basement owner to see the space. By the way, she's a volunteer and organized Kaniv youth council. She said she wouldn’t take any money. Everything was free. We also don't ask visitors to pay. They can only donate money for tea, cookies, etc. When I visited movie nights in Kyiv, there were always drinks and sweets, which created such a great atmosphere. I'd like people to have a place to hang out. Ideally, if it's the end of the week. Last time it was Sunday, and I hope we'll stick to this schedule.
Is it always in the format of watching a film followed by a discussion?
We always have a discussion, because it's English practice. Listening is okay too. No one is forced to talk. Usually, everyone stays after the film. Maybe one person could leave for other plans. Earlier I called a lady that wanted to join as a volunteer. I talked to her and asked to hear her English. It was great. Later I found out her husband was from Pakistan. He also knew English and wanted to join. Hope he'll come next time because the last one he was in Kyiv. Also, some of my friends who knew English joined too.
The first screening of “Doish English” movie club
Did they become discussion moderators?
Yes. Before every screening, I watch the film myself and write down some tricky words and expressions. I choose both easy and advanced because visitors would have different language levels. Then I choose questions about the film for the discussion. After the movie, people would divide into groups, and volunteers would say, "Hi everyone. Would you like to introduce yourself? Who would like to read the first question?" We use these questions as a plan for discussion. But we support it if anyone has other thoughts to share. I usually book the basement for three hours. The film lasts for about two hours, then a break for tea, discussion and in the end I clean everything up.
The next event will be with Lyubomyr Levytskii. Is it going to be another format of discussion?
I guess yes. We imagine it as a Q&A session with Lyubomyr and Natalia about the film.
Liza: It sounds so cool that you can come to watch the movie and then discuss it with the director. The opportunity of this gets me so excited. When you realize that you can talk to the director, the questions will immediately appear in your mind.
Artem: This is magic. To meet and watch the film of a Ukrainian director. Plus, he's not only Ukrainian, but he also had some experience in Hollywood, which makes him a Ukrainian-Hollywood director. And his wife and colleague Natalia will join us. That's a great opportunity. Therefore, we are looking for ways to promote it as much as possible.
And the last question. How many people do you have in the team, and what's the name of your movie club?
The name is very random - Doish English. When I was thinking of the visual, I thought, okay, I'm in Kaniv. The next association was Taras Shevchenko. I should find his photo and make a nice image of it. So, he became the logo. As for the team, the amount is not fixed. That lady volunteer will definitely come again; she liked it. Maybe some of my friends will join too. I go to every event.
There was also a moment when people asked me why I made the registration form. I was thinking about people's safety. First of all, I chose the basement as a location, so it could be a bomb shelter during the air raid alerts. The registration form was made for safety reasons too. It's dangerous to make it open to everyone. So, my friend stands at the entrance and checks the documents to ensure only registered people come, just like at America House or at the airport. I send everyone the invitation with the exact time because at the beginning they only know the day and part of the day, but not the hour.
Liza
Liza opened a coworking on the Left bank of Kyiv
I'd like not only to donate to the organization that I choose but also to share this place with those who want to give free events here. You know some call them youth centers. But it's not exactly that. It's a place where you can create something meaningful and your own.
This apartment that you used for coworking belongs to your parents, what was it supposed to be before?
In 2007 they were planning to turn it into an office and lease it. But then the crisis hit, and they lost jobs and money. So, this office was waiting for better times, but that never happened. Once my mom was thinking about moving here, but there were no rooms, so it was unlikely.
Why did you decide to turn it into a coworking space and not a café or a library?
That was a coincidence. One day my friend said, "Hey, did you know there are 72 coworking spaces in Kyiv, and only 3 of them are on the Left bank?". We kept talking about that and wondered why it was so and where these places were. It turned out there were none near Osokorky, Slavutych, Pozniaky, and Kharkivska metro stations. There is an anti cafe there, but it's not the same. We thought it was an interesting niche.
Why not a café? How can I open a café if I don't drink coffee? A library sounds interesting, but it's too late now. By the way, there is a library in my space. I brought my own books there. I just thought that coworking could combine many things. I can organize events and get payback for free events in the future. For example, I can charge people for working here hourly. Then I can organize free events for self-development or education. I always wanted to have a space to gather people for discussions. Especially after America House, you feel the need to have such a place.
Plus, you can always buy a coffee machine.
Yes! I made a poll among my audience, and everyone told me that a coffee machine was the most important thing. But it is so expensive, I didn't expect that. Luckily, my neighbors lent me one. I just need to learn how to use it.
In your post, you said that coworking was an opportunity to gather people, organize events and help the humanitarian center. How do you see the development of the coworking after we win?
It will definitely continue to be a coworking space and social enterprise. But I'd like not only to donate to the organization that I choose but also to share this place with those who want to give free events here. You know some call them youth centers. But it's not exactly that. It's a place where you can create something meaningful and your own. As for me, I always knew that I could come to America House and say, "Hey, I want to organize this and that. Is that possible?" and people would always support me. I want more places like this, so that people could come and say they want to make an event about rehabilitation after the war or any psychological training. Anything helpful. I want to give people opportunities and resources to make their ideas come true. I also want to promote design thinking. That's an interesting question. I haven't thought about that since the full-scale invasion.
Could you also tell us more about your communications? Do you need help? You have already created social media pages and branding.
I am just lucky to have my people around. When I was the president of Erasmus Student Network Ukraine, I also had girls in the team with various roles such as vice-president, events manager, and communications manager. I called them and said I had this crazy idea to open a coworking space in one week and that I needed a logo and other stuff. They agreed. I warned them that this was volunteering and was not paid, but they agreed anyway. This is how we created all the communications components. I don't ask them to do everything for me. I manage social media pages on my own. Girls help me with visuals and texts. Also, one friend helps me with the events. They all work online, as they are not in Kyiv now. But thank you for offering to help. I think I will need it soon.
AH Community Stories is a series of interviews where we tell about our friends and their stories of bravery and resilience.