The project "You Should Know About Tuberculosis" is also operating in Kyiv. As in other regions, social workers here organize activities to actively identify new cases of tuberculosis (TB/XRTB) among vulnerable groups - former prisoners and IDPs.

The initiative is implemented by the NGO "Social Initiatives for Occupational Safety and Health" with the support of BF «Public Health Alliance» within the framework of a grant from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. As well as in cooperation with regional and local social service centers, medical and preventive institutions of various levels.

We spoke with social work coordinator Natalia Klachko and social worker Iryna Piddubna from Kyiv, and they told us incredible stories of clients who are "pulled" even into the category of miracles. Here is the first of the stories.

"I went out into nowhere..."

Oleksandr left prison with only a certificate of release. He had no property left, no documents either, his wife died in a car accident, and his relatives had gone abroad during the war and left no contacts. Without a passport, he could neither receive medical care nor find shelter. All doors were closed, and with them the path to restoring a normal life.

And yet, at the resilience center, where Oleksandr sometimes came to get food or humanitarian aid, he met Iryna, the project’s social worker. She didn’t just listen to him—she saw the person behind the problems.

Iryna screened for tuberculosis, and the results were suspicious. The next step was a medical examination, but additional examinations required documents. And here began the path to restoring not only Oleksandr's health, but also his legal personality.

On the advice of colleagues, Iryna directed him to the necessary authorities. First, he received an identity document, and later a passport. With this document, he was able to sign a declaration with his family doctor, undergo a full medical examination, and begin treatment.

During his two months in the hospital, another miracle happened. Oleksandr met members of the religious community, who later sheltered him in their rehabilitation center. There, he not only regained his health, but also found inner support and motivation for life.

Today he is in good physical shape, making new plans, looking confidently into the future and... starting to smile again.

Sometimes a second chance starts with something simple—with someone stopping to listen, help, and believe.