From September 2024 to April 2025, Dorcas Ukraine led the ‘Restoring Hope’ project, which aimed to improve employment opportunities for those affected by the conflict in the Zaporizhzhia and Zakarpattia regions.

Following completion, we assessed the initiative’s impact and found that 99 per cent of participants deemed their involvement as relevant. Of the participants, 65 per cent started or expanded their businesses, while 21 per cent developed existing enterprises further. Additionally, 64 per cent of households reported an increase in income. Particular attention was given to supporting women raising children alone, mothers with multiple children, internally displaced persons living in collective centres, and families caring for older relatives or people with disabilities.

Skills training and support

Each project participant acquired professional skills and received a toolkit to facilitate their work. In rural areas, the project introduced greenhouse gardening initiatives to diversify livelihoods and enhance food security. To foster resilience and sustainable growth, Dorcas supported participants in developing business plans, finding employment opportunities and accessing government assistance. We also established support groups in collaboration with a psychologist and career coach.

The most popular fields of study among participants were beauty therapy, IT and accounting. The majority of participants (81 per cent) were internally displaced persons from the Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Kharkiv regions. The appeal of these professions lay in the possibility of utilising skills regardless of location, flexible working hours, and opportunities for both self-employment from home and employment within salons or companies.

Impact and progress

Many participants recounted how they had secured employment in salons or launched home-based sewing services, thereby earning their first independent income. Additionally, course graduates confirmed that these professions were practical and in demand within the local labour market. Providing tools was essential support for entering the beauty industry, where start-up costs can be prohibitive. Participants emphasised that receiving this equipment promptly allowed them to overcome significant financial obstacles.

The Restoring Hope project has equipped residents of Zakarpattia and Zaporizhzhia with the practical skills and resources needed to secure long-term employment or set up small businesses. Networking opportunities during the courses enabled participants to find support, like-minded individuals and partners for their ventures. Through vocational training and ongoing support, those affected by the conflict have been able to integrate into economic sectors, achieving financial independence and adapting to a markedly different environment to that in which they previously lived.

Participants on the project are moving beyond survival towards genuine growth thanks to new skills and support. They are establishing sustainable livelihoods and strengthening their communities. Their progress is a testament to their resilience and determination in the face of adversity.

In early 2025, Dorcas in close partnership with our long-time partner Life Vision launched a new three-year PIP project in Upper Egypt. This innovative approach – relatively new to the Middle East – directly addresses some of the region’s most pressing environmental and social challenges, including climate change, land degradation, gender inequality and economic migration. 

The project focuses on two rural communities in Minya Governorate, one of Egypt’s lowest income regions. Here, farming families face fragmented land ownership, dated agricultural practices, and limited income opportunities – especially for women. The PIP approach aims to transform this landscape by increasing the resilience and income generation of 1,090 smallholder households, ultimately reaching over 5,000 people directly and many more indirectly. 

Women leading change 

PIP builds on the previous success of the Farmer Field and Business Schools (FFBS) model implemented by Life Vision. The project will start with 50 proactive women farmers – many of whom are FFBS graduates – acting as Innovator Farmers. These women will become role models and trainers, cascading knowledge through three generations of farmers through peer-to-peer learning. By the end of the project, more than 1,000 households will have been trained, and the ripple effect is expected to reach up to 15,000 people in surrounding communities. 

Integrated approach to farming 

The PIP methodology, developed by Wageningen University, takes a whole-household approach. It empowers families to create a shared vision for their future and develop personalised, integrated farm plans – visually represented in what’s called a ‘PIP drawing’. These plans identify goals and strategies in seven core areas: crop production, land management, livestock, income generation, household improvements, training and savings. This inclusive approach ensures that everyone in the family contributes to and benefits from the household’s progress, promoting social cohesion, gender equality and long-term economic stability. 

Beyond the households, two community-based organisations (CBOs) are also being supported to strengthen their capacity to lead development efforts and mobilise local resources. A key innovation in this project is the introduction of value chain development and improved market access, particularly in the village of El Tayeba, which is known for its higher level of entrepreneurial activity. By 2027, the project aims to have established a network of resilient, self-reliant farming families equipped with the tools, skills, and mindset to adapt, flourish, and inspire others. 

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has disrupted countless lives and displaced many families from their homes, forcing them to adapt to new and often challenging environments. For some, difficulties go beyond displacement as they navigate the complexities of caring for a relative with special needs. Raisa, a 71-year-old mother, and her husband Viktor, along with their son Vitalii, who has severe epilepsy, are facing these difficulties. Evicted from their home in Gulyaypol, the family now lives in a modest house in Zaporizhzhia and has had to adapt to a new reality. In the midst of these challenges, the support of volunteers through the Dorcas home visiting programme has been a lifeline. These volunteers provide both practical and emotional support.

At 31 years old, Vitalii is an adult, but to his mother he is still her child – and in need of her care. His epileptic seizures, which take hold of his body unexpectedly, are a constant challenge. Before the conflict, their lives in Gulyaypole were stable. Vitalii had access to the local services and support he needed, and Raisa, despite her own health issues, was able to provide him with the physical care he needed. However, the conflict forced the family to relocate. 

Initially, they stayed with relatives, but with eight people in a single room, they soon realised that they needed to find their own accommodation. They found an abandoned house, and although it required a lot of work, it offered the promise of more space and a sense of stability. ‘After we made it a bit more comfortable, I started to feel at home,’ Raisa recalls. 

Impact of volunteer support

In the midst of these challenges, a valuable source of support was Angela, a volunteer with the Dorcas home visiting programme, funded by the UHF. Through this initiative, Vitalii has been provided with an orthopaedic bed, which has greatly improved his comfort and quality of life. Angela also assists by delivering hygiene kits and supporting the family to connect with essential services, including legal support. Raisa and Viktor greatly appreciate this support and consider Angela a member of their family. 

One of the family’s current challenges is getting Vitalii out into the fresh air. ‘We have made progress,’ Raisa explains, ‘but we struggle to get Vitalii into the yard because of my physical condition and Viktor’s sore back. We’re hoping to find a stretcher to make it easier.’

Raisa’s greatest wish is to be able to give her son the care he needs. The support they receive from the home visiting programme gives them a sense of hope and dignity, despite the challenges.

As a result of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, most Ukrainians have experienced increased anxiety and decreased psychological well-being. Therefore, Dorcas Ukraine is focusing on initiatives to improve the mental health of people in the affected regions through mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS). 

Nadiia is one of the project participants supported by Dorcas through MHPSS. She attended a psychological support group with her neighbour. She enjoyed talking to like-minded people, but felt she needed specialist support. ‘The passing of my husband put a lot of pressure on me, and I realised that I needed to deal with my feelings. I had heard good things about counselling from psychologist Anna, so I went to see her,’ she explains.  

When her grandson went off to defend the country, Nadiia was overcome with feelings of fear and needed to deal with them. ‘With the help of exercises from my psychologist, I reduced my fear. But the conflict continues, and I still live in constant stress. In difficult moments, I remember what Anna taught me. Drawing, planting flowers in the garden and observing nature are ways to distract myself.’

With the support she received, Nadiia was able to feel the ground under her feet again. In the realities of conflict, such support is invaluable in maintaining hope and well-being.   

Written by: Agnes Kroese, CEO of Dorcas

I look back on the trips I have taken, one thing strikes me: hope is often found in the most unexpected places. At Dorcas, we work in some of the most difficult circumstances – situations that, from our Dutch frame of reference, we might describe as hopeless. Sometimes I feel that way too. When I see people living in shacks without clean water or other basic necessities. When I see small children wandering the streets alone in dirty, tattered clothes. 

But it is in the places where I least expect it that I see glimmers of hope that never cease to amaze me. Such was the case during my recent visit to our colleagues working in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, in the notorious Mokattam district. This area is also known as ‘Garbage City’. The smell of garbage was everywhere – it seeped into every fibre of my being. I saw women and children digging through the rubbish with their bare hands, looking for something useful. 

In that neighbourhood, I made my way down an alley where the garbage was piled high until I crossed the threshold of the building where we work. What I experienced inside was so different from what I saw and felt outside. The name of our project there is ‘Oasis’, and that’s what it felt like: a sanctuary of peace and safety. On the top floor I met a group of women who proudly showed me what they had made – soft toys, laptop bags and baby items such as play mats and nappy bags. Selling these items gives them much-needed extra income. 

What impresses me most about hope is that it doesn’t come from being defined by your circumstances. It comes from the strength people have to find their own way – even if that way is through the rubbish. I saw it in the eyes of these women: a sparkle of pride and determination. Despite their limited resources, they have the strength to grow, to be more than their circumstances. 

Also in Ukraine, I saw women who had lost everything in the ongoing conflict find hope and a renewed sense of purpose. They found the courage to rebuild their lives. What was most helpful to them? Knowing they weren’t alone. What I see again and again is the importance of being seen. That can be the most powerful source of hope. It seems like a small gesture, but by really seeing people, we show them that their situation is not hopeless, that they are not invisible. I also see how important this is for my colleagues, who often work in the most difficult conditions. 

Jesus is the greatest example for me in this. He turned to the weak, to those whom society considered worthless. By seeing them, He conveyed the message that they mattered. That is the essence of hope. It’s the women in Egypt, the displaced people in Ukraine and so many others I’ve met – they find hope because they are cared for. I see pride and self-worth being restored. I see people who, however hard life may be, dare to believe in the future again.  

This is what Easter always reminds us of. When all seems lost and there’s not a glimmer of hope left, it’s the power of Jesus’ resurrection that gives us the strength to get up and carry on, even in the darkest moments. 

Easter is the ultimate proof that even when life seems to be taking its last breath, there are always new possibilities. With the resurrection power of Jesus within us, there is always hope. I’m grateful to be able to offer that hope, together with my colleagues, to people in need. 

In South Sudan, the political, economic, security and humanitarian situation has recently further deteriorated, with security reaching its lowest point since 2018. Renewed clashes between government and opposition forces have escalated violence, putting countless lives at risk. The country has already endured decades of famine, conflict and flooding, and ZOA Dorcas, along with local partners, continues to provide critical support to communities in need in the face of these ongoing challenges. 

Additional pressing issues in South Sudan include: 

Our work in South Sudan 

Dorcas has been present in South Sudan since 2008 and since 2022, we work in partnership with ZOA, forming the ZOA Dorcas South Sudan consortium. ZOA Dorcas supports communities affected by conflict and natural disasters, focusing on sustainable livelihoods for marginalised groups in hard-to-reach areas. Our aim is to reduce the risks associated with conflict, lack of resources and extreme climatic events. 

With a long-term presence and strong local partnerships, we’re well positioned to support those in need. Recent impactful projects include a dyke project to prevent flooding, reclaim farmland, and resettle displaced families, and the installation of tubewells in areas affected by drought to improve access to water. 

Find out more about our work in South Sudan.

Ahmed, a 20-year-old young man from Abosto Kebele in Shashamene Town, Ethiopia, faced significant challenges early in life. He dropped out of school due to financial difficulties and moved to Addis Ababa in search of work. He found a job as a waiter in a café, where he worked for five months. Despite his efforts, his meagre income was not enough to cover basic living expenses such as rent, food and clothing. Struggling to make ends meet, he returned to his family in Shashamene.

Discovering the SHINES project

Fortunately, while in Shashamene, Ahmed came across information about Dorcas Ethiopia’s SHINES project, which offered vocational training to unemployed youth. Ahmed was selected as one of 670 participants for a five-day training session. The training, facilitated by experts from DOT Ethiopia, covered key areas such as business development skills, life skills and entrepreneurship.

Reflecting on his experience, Ahmed said: ‘The five-day training helped me understand my potential, set clear goals and develop a vision for my future. I gained essential skills in business planning, teamwork and the positive attitude needed to succeed in the business world. I can now map my business assets, communicate effectively, manage stress and make informed decisions to succeed in life and business.’

Growing the business and providing employment

Inspired by the training, Ahmed decided to use his five months’ experience in Addis Ababa to start a breakfast and snack service business. Although he struggled to secure start-up capital from credit service providers due to a lack of collateral, he turned to his family, relatives and friends for support. With their support, he raised enough money to start the business. Ahmed’s business began to flourish. He employed three local youths, saved some money and earned his own income.

Expressing his satisfaction with his progress, Ahmed said: ‘I am happy to provide employment for the young people who work with me. I have become a reason for them to lead a productive life without having to migrate. I have bought a modern machine to make chips from local potatoes. I now have substantial savings in my bank account and continue to save. In the near future, I plan to expand my fast-food business into a café near the main road.’

Ahmed is not only transforming his own life, he is also contributing to the success and progress of his employees. He is optimistic about his future and the impact he can continue to have on his community.

Find out more about Dorcas’ work in Ethiopia.

Dorcas took part in the Netherlands Trade Mission to Kenya from 17–20 March 2025. Focusing on sustainable agriculture and water, the mission provided a valuable platform for engagement, collaboration and visibility. The event was led by the Dutch Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Reinette Klever, and timed to coincide with the State Visit of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima. It brought together key stakeholders from government, the private sector, development organisations, and research institutions.

Highlighting the Siaya Water and Sanitation Project 
One of the key moments for Dorcas was our presentation on the Siaya Water and Sanitation Project. Edwin, Country Director of Dorcas Kenya, and Daniella, Thematic Expert, shared insights on our partnership with Maji Milele, Siaya County Government, North Gem CDP and Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). The Public Ownership-Private Management model used in this initiative received significant interest, with several organisations expressing a desire to replicate and scale up the approach in other regions. This underlines the growing demand for sustainable water solutions in Kenya.

So far, the project has had a substantial impact, providing access to safe water for more than 115,000 people and improved sanitation for more than 97,000 people.

Learn more about the impact by watching the video below:

Building partnerships and looking ahead 

Dorcas participated in a series of high-level meetings, networking events and site visits. These engagements enabled us to connect with new partners who share our vision for sustainable development. We explored opportunities to collaborate with various organisations interested in sustainable agriculture and water solutions. 

Participation in this mission has considerably boosted Dorcas’ visibility among key stakeholders in both Kenya and the Netherlands. The interest in the Siaya model, coupled with promising new contacts, offers exciting opportunities for future collaboration.

This mission reaffirmed our commitment to impactful and sustainable solutions in water and agriculture. We look forward to furthering our work for communities in Kenya and beyond.  

Learn more about Dorcas Kenya.

Today marks three years since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. Over this time, many have endured immense suffering and loss. Yet despite these challenges, Dorcas Ukraine has seen the extraordinary resilience of our project participants, who continue to show unwavering strength.

Meet Tetiana (60)

Tetiana and her husband Serhii lived in Pologi, a town occupied in 2022. After the occupation, they were evacuated to Zaporizhzhia. Tetiana recounts: ‘There was constant shelling and we ran out of food, money and medicine for Serhii, who had suffered a stroke. With no communication or electricity, we had to travel across the city just to charge our phones. We left everything behind, taking only our cats.’

Reflecting on the last few years, Tetiana shares: ‘We have endured much. Though we carry on with our daily lives, we’re constantly confronted with the cycle of mourning what we’ve lost, followed by healing and growing stronger. I’ve had to let go of the pain of losing our home, which is now occupied by others.’

A new beginning in Zaporizhzhia

In Zaporizhzhia, Tetiana connected with Dorcas Ukraine through our ‘restoring hope’ project. Through this initiative, she enrolled in a sewing course, which has contributed to improving her family’s livelihood. Learning to sew had always been a dream of Tetiana, and despite the challenges, she was able to make it a reality.

Tetiana now plans to start by repairing clothes before moving on to tailoring. Together with her daughter, she also aims to create adaptive clothing for the wounded in hospitals.

At Dorcas, we remain committed to supporting people like Tetiana to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope. Her story is a reminder that even in the face of immense loss, new beginnings are possible.

Between October and December, the Dorcas team, with the support of the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund (UHF), provided cash assistance for winter fuel to 4,258 households in the Zaporizhzhia region. This initiative has become an essential support for people in need, who have found themselves in a complicated situation due to the conflict and economic crisis. Over the past year, the problem has been exacerbated by continuing attacks on energy infrastructure.  

In addition, declining support from several funds has led to a significant increase in the number of internally displaced people at risk. IDPs are also often housed in privately rented or substandard housing, which, like most housing in Ukraine, may lack adequate insulation. Returnees and non-displaced persons also face similar insulation challenges in their homes, and the situation is exacerbated by conflict-related damages such as leaking roofs, broken windows and damaged perimeter walls that compromise the thermal integrity of the houses.   

As a result, heating their homes for at least three months has become an unbearable financial burden for people with disabilities, older people, large families and single parents. The amount of assistance was around 505 euros per household. The funds enabled families to buy firewood and briquettes to keep their homes warm during the cold months.  

This underscores the importance of international support in continuing to support Ukrainians who are enduring and struggling to survive in the midst of the conflict. 

The impact of this assistance can be seen in families like Valentyna’s. Forced to leave Zaporizhzhia due to the ongoing hostilities, Valentyna and her husband have settled in Vilnyansk, where they face a daily struggle to make ends meet. With limited financial resources, they rely on collected branches and cones to heat their home. Thanks to financial support from the Dorcas team and UHF, they were able to buy enough solid fuel to get them through the winter and provide a warm and stable environment for their grandchildren. Their story reflects the resilience of Ukrainian families and the important role humanitarian assistance plays in supporting them to face these difficult times with dignity and hope.