The Pride of Country Charitable Foundation was actually established in May 2024, but the activities to rescue and rehabilitate the wounded and return them to a full life began ten years ago.
The founder of the Foundation, public figure Vasyl Rybak, a leading specialist in the field of maxillofacial surgery, Doctor of Philosophy in Medicine, author of more than 20 scientific works, initiated the creation of the center of rehabilitation and reconstructive surgery in Odessa, which he later headed.
With the support of the city authorities, in January 2024, the center began its activities on the basis of the City Clinical Hospital No. 10.
Vasyl Rybak developed an author's program for surgery, prosthetics, bioprosthetics, and social rehabilitation for people with disabilities through adaptive sports. In order to implement it, he facilitated the reopening of the sports club for people with disabilities, “Odessa Basket”, which has more than 20 years of experience working with people with disabilities.
Thanks to new partnerships, the Foundation was able to increase the number of adaptive sports. Physical and psychological rehabilitation through adaptive sports and peer support groups with subsequent social adaptation and employment is part of the program.
To implement and finance the program, Vasyl Rybak, having successful fundraising experience in the public sector, founded the Pride of the Country Charitable Foundation.
The issues of rehabilitation of war victims, veterans who return from combat operations, have lost limbs, have post-traumatic syndrome and other problems are becoming extremely urgent and important. Given the ongoing war in the country, the number of people in need of help will only increase. Physical, psychological, and social rehabilitation, as well as adaptive sports, help people return to a full life. It is the consolidation of efforts by the public, businesses, and authorities that will be able to solve these issues.