A Kiwi organisation led by former Tauranga mayor Tenby Powell has launched a new fundraising initiative to manufacture more than 1000 lifesaving wood-burning stoves and water heaters for the people of Ukraine.
“Such was their success that word has spread like wildfire – quite literally. Currently we have requests for over 1000 and anticipate this will easily grow to 1200.”
As with many initiatives in war-torn Ukraine, Kiwi K.A.R.E’s approach for the project has been to work with what is available, remodelling old recycled electrical water cylinders.
“We put a call out on social media for donations of old water cylinders and they have come pouring in from all over Ukraine,” Powell said.
“The old cylinders are stripped down to access the core tank. This is then cut and welded into various-sized stoves and water boilers.”
At a build cost of between $160 and $260, Kiwi K.A.R.E was now launching a dedicated fundraising initiative aimed at finding the $250,000 necessary to support those families in most need.
“Eastern European winters are harsh, and we know the inevitable targeting by Russia of civilian infrastructure, such as power and water facilities, will come once again,” Powell said.
“We are doing our best to get ahead of that and the snowfall.”
Kiwi K.A.R.E has started a new Givealittle page called Providing Vital Winter Warmth - with Love from New Zealand.
Powell said each stove had a metal plaque attached which said “With Love from New Zealand”.
“Our little country, on the other side of the world is becoming well known in Ukraine due to the stellar service of many New Zealanders who have come to support them in their darkest hour.”