For my comrades-in-arms, I was an example: the story of a woman machine gunner who returned from the army to the rear

Veteran Maria Voitenko returned to civilian life in the fall of 2022. In the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Maria was one of the few female machine gunners, and even experienced military personnel envied her skills. Now Voitenko works as a senior quality control inspector at the Vinnytsia Poultry Factory. Maria shared her experience of reintegration and professional adaptation after returning from the front with journalists, reports UNN.

Details

In particular, Voitenko said that she dreamed of graduating from the military academy in Odesa, but instead signed a contract to serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. And she added that serving in the army was her dream since childhood. However, she did not expect to have to serve with a machine gun.

At that time, Maria was one of the few female machine gunners in Ukraine. Even experienced military personnel envied her skills. 

"The battalion was very proud of me, because this weapon is difficult to master, and even more so that a woman mastered it. I was an example for my comrades-in-arms," the veteran said.

In the fall of 2022, Maria returned home to her family.

Maria admits that it was difficult to return from the army to the rear.

When I returned home in October, it was normal for me for a week or two, but then I started to withdraw into myself, because I couldn't call, I didn't know what was happening with my comrades-in-arms and what was happening there. With my parents, with my child - this was a different world for me

Therefore, Maria decided to get a job at the Vinnytsia Poultry Factory of the MHP company. According to her, work for her is a great responsibility and at the same time joy.

"Here I can develop, here are my colleagues who support me. We help each other. This is my little family, so I really like to come here. In this way, I distract myself and try to move on," the veteran shared.

The head of the quality control department of the Vinnytsia Poultry Factory, Anastasia Khrin, notes that Maria Voitenko quickly integrated into the team.

"Colleagues describe her as a cheerful person who supports the mood in the team. She wanted professional development and was open to everything new, so adaptation for her went very quickly," Anastasia Khrin said.

For systematic and comprehensive support, the MHP company was one of the first in Ukraine to launch the "MHP Nearby" veteran reintegration program. Maria received the opportunity for medical, psychological and legal support, and in the near future she plans to visit art therapy with her child. 

The Vinnytsia Poultry Factory also employs veteran Viktor Mayorov - now an administration specialist. The man worked at the Vinnytsia Poultry Factory even before the full-scale war, but after returning from service, a new position was specially created for him.

"I was mobilized in 2023, I went to serve in the 46th separate airmobile brigade. There I was first an assault soldier, then I had the opportunity to study as a UAV operator, artillery adjustment," the man said.

In the fall of last year, in the Zaporizhia region, Viktor stepped on an enemy mine and lost his leg. After two serious operations, the veteran walks confidently on a prosthesis, so he returned to work at the Vinnytsia Poultry Factory. Within the framework of the "MHP Nearby" program, Viktor was constantly supported by the company and colleagues: when he was at the front, his workplace and salary were preserved, and they helped him with equipment. 

Of course, I wanted to work, but I thought I wouldn't be able to, since I don't have a limb. They offered me a better job, a sedentary job. I was very glad that I have the opportunity to work

Reference

"MHP Nearby" is a program of individual support and comprehensive support for military personnel, veterans and their families. It is aimed at employees and residents of communities where MHP enterprises are present. The program supports military personnel, veterans and their families during service and after returning from the war: humanitarian aid to military units; medical examination, treatment and rehabilitation; legal and psychological support; social reintegration; professional adaptation and inclusive sports events. 

In May 2023, the company launched the "MHP Nearby" program to support military personnel, veterans and their families. And already in the fall of 2023, within the framework of this program, the Center for Interaction with Military and Veterans began to operate, whose coordinators and experts directly communicate with defenders and their family members and provide individual support and all necessary support.

Currently, more than 2,600 MHP employees are defending Ukraine at the front. Already 433 veterans have returned to work at the company, and new jobs have been created for 216 of them. In addition, another 115 veterans came to work after demobilization. From the first days of the great war, the company is doing everything possible to support our defenders on the path of recovery and reintegration.