Maria Voitenko, one of the few female machine gunners in the ranks of 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, Voitenko said that she dreamed of graduating from a military academy in Odessa, but instead signed a contract to serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. She added that serving in the army had been 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. Her skills were envied even by experienced military personnel.
“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 comrades,” the veteran said.
In the fall of 2022, Maria returned home to her family.
Maria admits that returning from the army to the rear was difficult.
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 couldn't get through on the phone, I didn't know what was going on with my siblings and what was happening there. Being with my parents, with my child, it was a different world for me
So Maria decided to get a job at the Vinnytsia Poultry Farm of the MHP company. According to her, work is a great responsibility and joy for her at the same time.
“Here I can develop, here I have my colleagues who support me. We help each other. This is my little family, so I really like coming here. 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 Khrin, notes that Maria Voitenko quickly joined the team.
“Colleagues describe her as a cheerful person who keeps the team in good spirits. She wanted professional development and was open to everything new, so adaptation went very quickly for her,” said Anastasia Khrin.
For systematic and comprehensive support, MHP was one of the first in Ukraine to launch the veterans reintegration program “MHP Poruch.” Maria received medical, psychological, and legal support, and in the near future she plans to visit art therapy with her child.
Veteran Viktor Mayorov also works at the same enterprise, now an administration specialist. He worked at the Vinnytsia Poultry Factory before the full-scale war, but after returning from service, a new position was created specifically for him.
“I was mobilized in 2023, I went to serve in the 46th separate airmobile brigade. There I was first an attack aircraft pilot, then I had the opportunity to study as a UAV operator, artillery adjustment,” the man said.
Last fall, Viktor was blown up by an enemy mine in Zaporizhia 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 Farm. As part of the “MHP Poruch” program, Viktor was constantly supported by the company and colleagues: when he was at the front, his job and salary were kept, and he was helped with equipment.
Of course, I wanted to work, but I thought I wouldn't be able to, because I had no limbs. They offered me a better job, a sedentary job. I was very happy to have the opportunity to work
Reference
“MHP Poruch” is a program of individual accompaniment 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 activities.
In May 2023, the company launched the “MHP Poruch” program to support military personnel, veterans, and their families. And in the fall of 2023, the Center for Interaction with Military Personnel and Veterans began operating within the framework of this program, the coordinators and experts of which 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. Since the first days of the Great War, the company has been doing everything possible to support our defenders on the path of recovery and reintegration.
