Summer 2026

I have no doubt that I’ll remember my time at Dignity Aid as one of the most consequential of my life, for all the right reasons. Since being here, I have consistently been surrounded by some of the most interesting, well-meaning, dedicated, and good-humored people I have ever had the pleasure of working with. While I imagine much of that is the result of the nature of the kind of people who would dedicate their time and potentially jeopardize their safety for the good of others, it is also obvious that the niche that DA has carved out in Odesa is unique. A tight-knit group of locals and foreigners, everybody actively behaves with total commitment to their work but still accepts that the reality of their environment necessitates flexibility and, often, the relaxation of schedules, dates, and expectations. The work is varied and engaging, ranging from standard office work, to peeling vegetables, to making deliveries to families, and everything in between. No two days feel the same, even when you’re working on the same project. I’ve never once felt stressed, beyond the stress necessitated by the role, and it’s allowed me to enjoy the city far more than I expected I would before be arriving.

As for the city, while I’m told it’s relatively similar to other similarly sized Eastern European metropolises, it is in countless ways charming and idyllic. The weather, wonderfully temperate in the summer, is complimented by lush greenery and incredible Renaissance-revival architecture. The locals are almost universally pleasant, curious, and grateful, the food is inexpensive and well-prepared, and transportation is likewise cheap and easy when it’s necessary. As said before, if you come at the right time, it honestly feels like a waste to not enjoy the shaded promenades and long parks that parallel the central roads by walking wherever you need to go. Still, even this was hardly necessary given the convenience of living in the office, right in the center of the city. All this combines to make an experience that doesn’t just inspire confidence in me that there are good people doing important work, but also a desire to return as soon as possible that I would have thought impossible before seeing it for myself. I cannot speak highly enough about volunteering for Dignity Aid.

– Zack, USA, Summer 2026

I spent about 7 weeks volunteering with Dignity Aid International in 2026. During this time, I had the opportunity to be a part of many different aspects of the organisation, both in the office and in the field. The majority of the work was in the office, where I was entrusted to work on things like the annual financial report, creating a documentation system, and assisting with anything else I could help with. At least one day a week was spent doing physical work, for example driving for village deliveries and IDP visits, but also helping out at other NGOs based in Odesa, which was a nice way to break up the workweek.

I’ve had a very positive experience working with Abe, who runs Dignity Aid with fairness and transparency. He is very open to input and encouraged us to share ideas and contribute to ideas. He also understands that everyone has different strengths and gave us work that suited those strengths best, which allowed me to have a more enjoyable and meaningful time working here. The other members of the Dignity Aid team have all also been pleasant to work and spend time with as they are all very supportive, respectful, and easy-going.

Being in Odesa was much nicer than I expected. Living there as an international volunteer can be, if you forget about the war for a second, quite enjoyable. The beach and parks offer a great place to be outside and enjoy the sunshine. Meanwhile the city has plenty to offer as well, with lots of dining options, things to do and see, and people to meet, with the Dignity Aid office and volunteer housing right in the middle of it.

– Dordzji, Netherlands, Summer 2026