Oleksandr Paiuk
Resident of the Supported Living House of the Kolping Family in Vinnytsia, confectionery factory assistant and courier
Six years ago, Oleksandr Paiuk came to the Kolping supported living home. At the time, he was shy and reserved. But it was here that he opened up, made friends, and gained confidence in himself. That gave him the courage to find a job. Oleksandr learned to cook independently, discovered a passion for sports, and even won third place at the National Badminton Olympics. He also developed a love for nature photography and cycling. Today, his biggest dream is to get a driver’s licence and drive his own car.
In general, I love riding a bike.
I want to learn how to drive a car. There is this Ferrari car, it is red.
I used to be timid and shy. Now I am an open person.
I work at a confectionery factory; I am a general worker — I fold napkins and towels.
I wanted to have my own money, not to be dependent on my parents.
Supported living services, in our opinion — ..and this is our mission — must necessarily have a component of vocational guidance and employment. Otherwise, a person loses, as they say, themselves.
If a person does not see what they are living for in this world, and believe me, even people with severe forms of intellectual disability feel that they are important and needed by someone in this life.
I have become more independent; I can cook something to eat for myself.
His story of opening up is literally here. He was also very closed off: he wanted to communicate, but had limited experience with such communication. Now he is one of our best leaders, he always wants to be first.
He struggles, for example, with speech, but he assists everyone very well, beautifully, and is always ready to help. That is, his desire has been unlocked, and he is employed, and works with pleasure; he even dreams of further education and working in our field.
I have a trophy — on it is written “Best Coach”.
I want to get a higher education in order to know more and in the future work with children.
The Story of OLEKSANDR PAIUK
Oleksandr is a resident of the Kolping Family supported living home and a person with a disability.
Before discovering the Kolping Family supported living home, Oleksandr Payuk was timid and shy and had limited experience communicating with others. This is how he remembers himself six years ago, when he first became acquainted with the Kolping Family.
Today, the team at the supported living home describes Oleksandr as a leader. He is always ready to help his friends.
Employment was the key to this transformation.
“I wanted to have my own money and not depend on my parents,” Oleksandr explains, describing why he decided to take a job as a general worker at a confectionery factory.
That is why the home helps its residents identify work that matches their interests and abilities and then supports them throughout their journey towards employment.
“Even people with severe intellectual disabilities can feel that they matter and that they are needed by someone in this life,” says Lesia Semenenko, coordinator of the supported living home.
Over these six years, Oleksandr has learned to prepare his own meals and developed a passion for sport — even winning third place at a national badminton competition. He has also discovered a love of cycling and photographing nature.
He describes his journey simply:
“I was timid and shy. Now I’m an outgoing person.”
Oleksandr is already thinking about what comes next. He wants to pursue higher education and eventually work with children. At home, he keeps a trophy bearing the words “Best Coach” — a reminder of how much he is already capable of achieving.
And he also dreams of one day getting behind the wheel of his own red sports car.
