Kryvyi Rih.
The Story of Oleksiy Kalinichenk
Kryvyi Rih., a peaceful place in the heart of Ukraine

Oleksiy was a bicycle mechanic, he loves travelling and his plans were to buy a new car and redecorate his apartment. In his city, people enjoyed spending time in shopping malls and walking in the parks.

“When you do deliveries, you meet people from all walks of life, but it is sometimes hard to see women who have been left alone. When we help them with the deliveries, they are very happy and grateful”.

Keeping a cool head

When talking to him about the war, he confesses that from the very beginning his task was to keep peace and calm in the family and properly prepare for any scenario. Along with his family, they decided to stay in the city and all of them live in the same flat they used to live in. During the air raid alarms, they go to the shelter close to their place. “I’m worried for sure, but I will continue to keep strong for my family”.

The conveyor of news and donations

For him, being a courier means helping the city. In the same way, he feels he is a conveyor of news, although he admits that he prefers sharing the good ones, to not add to people’s sadness.

“When you do deliveries, you meet people from all walks of life, but it is sometimes hard to see women who have been left alone. When we help them with the deliveries, they are very happy and grateful”.

Oleksiy also tells us a special story, that of one of the partners he works with: “in one of the business premises they have set up a volunteer station that helps refugees from all over the country. Now, when people want to help by donating clothes but don't have the means to bring them to the station, I deliver them”. Oleksiy also confesses that he helps raise funds through social media as well as actively helping Ukraine's Armed Forces and Territorial Defense.

Thanks to all couriers in Ukraine

Yurii, Sergey, Serhij, Bogdan & Oleksiy are five out of many couriers in Ukraine who, on a daily basis, bring hope to those who open the doors of their homes or wait for them in metro stations to get their medicines. Today we get to know them a little closer, in their most personal side, like the city eyes that never stop looking.

person braking the bike