For two years now, the greenhouse that 37-year-old Kateryna Salasina from Snigurivka received from the “Shchedryk” Charitable Organization and the United Nations World Food Program (WFP UN) has served as a source of income for her — and more. For Kateryna, this is less about making money and more about fulfilling her passion.
But it wasn’t easy at first. When Snigurivka was under occupation, Kateryna was forced to leave and lived in an apartment for a while. However, the apartment never felt like home: without the ground beneath her feet, Kateryna felt as if she were in a “cage.” Her husband returned immediately after the community was liberated, and she returned shortly before New Year’s. As soon as she got back, she immediately set about restoring her plot of land. Later, she learned about the program run by the “Shchedryk” Charitable Organization and the WFP UN and received a greenhouse.
Today, Kateryna impresses with her versatility. Flowers overwinter in her greenhouse — in the spring, she propagates them and plants them throughout her garden, while selling the extra seedlings and cut flowers. In the summer, tomatoes and cucumbers grow here. She makes fruit rolls from her own harvest, takes orders for preserves — and is constantly trying something new. Her crops now include not only the usual vegetables and fruits, but also almonds, figs, grapes, berries, and various types of flowers.
Kateryna is just as active in finding sales channels: she supplies her produce to stores, sells to neighbors, and takes orders. And she does all this while raising two children.
The heat waves of recent years have added to her challenges—it’s tough on vegetables in this kind of weather. But the greenhouse saves the day: the plants are shielded from the scorching sun and hold up much better.
“The vegetables don’t get scorched. They’re protected from the sun’s rays, and they can withstand anything. If you increase the ventilation, it’s even better,” Kateryna notes.
The security situation in Snigurivka is challenging right now, and sales have dropped. But Kateryna isn’t the type to give up: she’s already planning to grow and sell berries in her community.
Because for her, the land isn’t just about the harvest. It’s about the life she’s building in spite of everything.