Maria Voytenko, one of the few female machine gunners in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, successfully returned to civilian life after her service. Her story is an example of strength of spirit, perseverance and successful reintegration into society.
In particular, Voytenko said that she dreamed of graduating from the military academy in Odesa, but instead signed a contract to serve in the Armed Forces. And she added that serving in the army was her dream since childhood. However, she did not expect that she would have to serve with a machine gun.
At that time, Maria was one of the few female machine gunners in Ukraine. Even experienced soldiers envied her skills.
"The battalion was very proud of me, because this weapon is difficult to master, especially since it was mastered by a woman. I was an example for my brothers and sisters," said the veteran.
In the fall of 2022, Maria returned home to her relatives.
Maria admits that it was difficult to return from the army to the rear.
When I returned home in October, at first it was normal for me for a week or two, and then I started to withdraw into myself because I can't call, I don't know what's going on with my siblings and what's happening there. With my parents, with my child, it was a different world for me
Therefore, Maria decided to get a job at the Vinnytsia poultry farm of the MHP company. According to her, work for her is a great responsibility and at the same time a 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 coming 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 Farm, Anastasia Hrin, notes that Maria Voytenko quickly joined the team.
"Colleagues describe her as a cheerful person who supports the team's mood. She wanted professional development and was open to everything new, so adaptation went very quickly for her," Anastasia Hrin said.
For systematic and comprehensive support, the MHP company was one of the first in Ukraine to launch the "MHP Poruch" veterans' reintegration program. Maria was given the opportunity to receive medical, psychological and legal support, and in the near future she plans to attend art therapy together with her child.
Veteran Viktor Mayorov works at the same enterprise - he is now an administration specialist. The man worked at the Vinnytsia Poultry Factory even before the full-scale war, but after returning from the service, a new position was created specifically for him.
"I was mobilized in 2023, I went to serve in the 46th separate air mobile brigade. I was first an attack pilot there, then I had the opportunity to learn to be a UAV operator, adjusting artillery," the man said.
Last fall, Viktor was blown up by an enemy mine in the Zaporizhzhia region and lost his leg. After two serious operations, the veteran walks skillfully on a prosthesis, so he returned to work at the Vinnytsia Poultry Factory. Within the framework of the "MHP Poruch" program, Viktor was constantly supported by the company and colleagues: when he was at the front, his workplace and salary were kept, he was helped with equipment.
Of course, I wanted to work, but I thought that I wouldn't be able to, because I don't have a limb. I was offered a better place, a sedentary job. I was very happy to be able to work
Reference
"MHP Poruch" 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 war: humanitarian assistance 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 personnel and veterans began work, whose coordinators and experts communicate directly with defenders and their family members and provide individual support and all necessary support.
Currently, more than 2,600 employees of the Ministry of Defense defend Ukraine at the front. Already 433 veterans have returned to work in the company, new jobs have been created for 216 of them. In addition, another 115 veterans came to work after demobilization. Since the first days of the great war, the company has been doing everything possible to support our defenders on the road to recovery and reintegration.
