Warm houses, warm hearts: Fuel briquettes for a long winter

Three Ukrainian women, three winters of endurance – and one seemingly trivial thing that kindled hope and strength.

Across Ukraine, from Chernihiv to Mykolaiv and Sumy, three women who have never met still share the same challenges: All three are over seventy and have to get by on very tight pensions. When the coldest months arrived, each also found herself alone in a damaged home, struggling to stay warm – for the fourth time.

Maria – Chernihiv Oblast

Maria, 74, received briquettes for heating and cooking that will last the winter. “God bless everyone who does such good things,” Maria says. Photo: CF SSS/Malteser International

Maria’s little blue house in Horodnia, close to the border in the north of Ukraine, is surrounded by a garden bursting with bright flowers: a fragile island of peace in a wounded land. Here, 74-year-old Maria Andriivna lives alone. Local social workers bring her food and help with small daily tasks.

“I started preparing for winter back in June,” she says. “When my husband was alive, we used to heat our house with gas, but after he passed, it became too expensive. I switched to wood. From my small pension of 4,000 UAH (about 82 Euro), I managed to save a little and buy firewood twice.” Then, her house was cold once more.

Our partner organization Stabilization Support Services (CF SSS) in Ukraine supports people in Maria’s situation with fuel briquettes. After careful assessment in the region, Maria became one of the recipients of our joint support. Recently, she received more than three tons of briquettes. “God bless everyone who does such good things,” Maria says, smiling softly. “It was pouring rain, but these kind people carried the briquettes and stacked them neatly in my garage. I tried one in the heater yesterday – it still keeps the house warm today. This amount of briquettes will last me the whole winter.”

Valentyna – Mykolaiv Oblast

“This is my first time ever getting briquettes, and I’m so happy,“ says Valentyna. She is unemployed, like so many people in her region. The fuel briquettes support her with warmth as well as financially. Photo: CF SSS/Malteser International

In Novotymofiivka in southern Ukraine, the war has left its mark everywhere: destroyed houses, unemployment, and the constant threat of shelling characterize people's lives. Few humanitarian convoys reach this village, the home of Valentyna. “Life is very hard,” she says quietly. “If I had work, I’d go – but there’s none. I survive on the vegetables and fruit I grow myself, and in winter I live off my preserves. Sometimes a neighbor hires me for fieldwork, and that’s how I pay the electricity bill.“

Valentyna lives alone. Her only relative, a cousin in Kherson 31 km away, now also needs help. Valentyna had not received any humanitarian aid since fall of 024. But recently, a project team from our partner CF SSS finally made it through to Novotymofiivka. When Valentyna heard that fuel briquettes were coming, she could hardly believe it.

“There’s no gas in our village – and even if there were, I couldn’t afford it. I don’t receive any state support. This is my first time ever getting briquettes, and I’m so happy. I can cook in my stove again, and the house is warm,” she says, eyes glistening with relief.

Hanna – Sumy

„It feels like a miracle,” says Hanna when the fuel briquettes arrive at her home. The windows of her house were destroyed by a drone attack.

Last November, two Shahed drones exploded near 78-year-old Hanna’s home in Sumy, shattering windows and damaging five nearby houses. “I can’t afford new glass,” she says. “I live on a small pension.” Neighbors helped her board up the empty window frames with plywood, but, of course, the cold still crept in.

„When the team brought me two tons of briquettes and stacked them in the yard so neatly, I could hardly believe it,“ says Hanna. „It’s such needed help. Even though it’s not yet winter, nights are already cold. Thanks to these briquettes, I can save on firewood. I’m so grateful – I didn’t believe it was possible. It feels like a small miracle.”

Fuel briquettes may seem like a trivial thing. But for Maria, Valentyna, Hanna, and thousands like them they are like a candle in the dark. The ability to cook a warm meal and to keep their homes warm, mean more than comfort. Each act of care, each delivery, each gesture of solidarity joins others to create something stronger, something enduring. They are hope made visible.

(December 2025)

Many candles. One light.

We live in a world overshadowed by darkness. Millions of people are facing conflict, displacement, climate-related disasters, and poverty. But even the smallest act of compassion can shine brightly in the darkness.

This Christmas, our message is simple: Many candles. One light. Each gesture, each donation, each prayer, each word of kindness is a candle lit against despair. And when these candles come together, they form one powerful light of hope and solidarity.

Let your actions shine bright!

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