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Transcript/ScriptUSAGM SHARE
((PLAYBOOK SLUG: TV - UKRAINE-BEAUTY-DAY
HEADLINE: Liberated Ukrainian Village Holds Beauty Day Amid War
TEASER:
PUBLISHED AT: 07/2X/2022 at --:--am
BYLINE: Anna Kosstutschenko
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Borodyanka, Ukraine
VIDEOGRAPHER: Paviel Syhodolskiy
VIDEO EDITOR: Paviel Syhodolskiy
SCRIPT EDITORS: KE; cobus
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, Story Hunter
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 3:01
VID APPROVED BY: KE
EDITOR NOTES: total words 488 KE; PLEASE RETURN TO ANNA RICE AND COPY TO HFR PLEASE ))
((INTRO)) [[The village of Borodyanka in the Kyiv region was one of the first ones in Ukraine to be shelled by the Russian military. Dozens of people were killed and hundreds more lost their homes. But on this day locals and volunteers are taking a day for self-care. Anna Kosstutschenko has the story.]]
((NARRATION))
((NATS))
((Maria Vasylenko, Borodyanka Resident))
“We just finished renovating our apartment, we bought a new bed, and now I am thinking, what beds are you sleeping in now, my children? You worked so hard and now you are lying here…” [[cries]]
((NARRATION))
70-year-old Maria Vasylenko visits the grave of her daughter and son-in-law daily. On March 1, Russians dropped a bomb on their apartment building. Vasylenko and her grandchildren escaped, while 41-year-old Olena and 45-year-old Serhiy were buried under the rubble.
((Maria Vasylenko, Borodyanka Resident))
“It was some kind of high-explosive bomb that cut through this panel that went into the basement. If it hadn't exploded, my children would have been alive. And those who came to rescue them from the basement after explosion were shot by Russians.”
((NARRATION))
Vasylenko lost not only her family, but her home. She now lives in a so-called modular town where rooms are big enough only for a bed, a table and a chair. But it is better than sleeping in the open, says pensioner Anna Shmorgun.
((Anna Shmorgun, Borodyanka Resident))
“On March 2nd, Russians dropped a bomb on our house. // Some people died; others are still missing. // Volunteers are helping; they give us food and support us. Still, it’s hard...”
((NARRATION))
Most people have what they need to live, but in a town consumed by grief, locals are now trying to meet other less material needs by holding a Beauty Day Fest. As part of this initiative, 25 hairdressers and manicurists did their magic on the residents for free all day. The idea belongs to 30-year-old beauty salon owner Natalia Vashunenko.
((Natalia Vashunenko, Volunteer))
“I enjoy making people beautiful and helping people, and the event that is taking place in Borodyanka is a combination of these two passions of mine.”
((NARRATION))
Vashunenko’s apartment building was also damaged. She now lives at her mother’s house in a nearby village with her children and husband. Every week, she brings hygiene products, clothes and food collected by volunteers to residents of Borodyanka and nearby villages.
((Natalia Vashunenko, Volunteer))
“We understand that life will never be the same, but I told myself—crying is not cool, and maybe there is someone else who suffered more than me.”
((NARRATION))
Since February 24th, Vashunenko’s husband Igor has been doing his part as well. He was evacuating locals from areas occupied by Russian forces. He has saved hundreds in Borodyanka and nearby villages.
The Vashunenkos find strength in each other and volunteering. Beauty Day in Borodyanka is just one of their initiatives that help residents of liberated villages return to normal life.
((Anna Kostiuchenko for VOA News, Borodyanka, Ukraine))
NewsML Media TopicsConflict, War and Peace, Society
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateJuly 22, 2022 13:03 EDT
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
