Natalia Rybalko — participant in the 2025 regional competition “Woman of Donetsk Region,” nominated in the category “Creator of Change and Opportunities”
Natalia Rybalko is a woman who turned loss into a source of strength and support for thousands of people.
Born in the village of Ulakly in the Volnovakha district, Natalia experienced forced displacement after the start of the full-scale war. Today she lives in Berlin, but her heart is always with Ukraine.
After the evacuation, Natalia did not stop: in June 2022, she became a volunteer for the Cafe Ukraine project, created with the support of Berliner Stadtmission. This space has become a home for displaced persons — a place where Ukrainian music plays, the smell of home cooking fills the air, and words of support are always available.
Natalia later co-founded the non-profit organization GUTEmission e.V., which helps migrants integrate into their new lives through culture, education, and joint initiatives. Since its inception, the organization has held about 800 events and brought together more than 18,000 participants.
Natalia's numerous projects include the Sprachcafe language café, children's workshops, participation in Berlin events, and humanitarian support for Ukraine.
Thanks to her team, even the residents of her native village of Ulakly received assistance.
But Natalia is not stopping there. Her new dream is to create the first Ukrainian children's glossy magazine in Germany, Balam Kids (Balam means “child” in Urum). The publication will become a platform for young refugees, where they can draw, write, dream, and remain part of Ukrainian culture.
“We want every Ukrainian, even those far from home, to feel that they are not alone, but part of a large community,” says Natalia.
Her story is an example of how love for one's homeland, faith in people, and an open heart can change the world.
The detailed story of the contest participant can be found at: https://surl.li/aiiesb
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