Vadym Binnatov
Resident of the Supported Living House of the Kolping Family in Vinnytsia, assistant stockkeeper at a confectionery factory
Vadym Binnatov works in manufacturing and lives in a supported living house, where he prepares his own meals, cares for plants, and enjoys spending time with friends. With the support of Kolping House, Vadym found his first job. For him, it was a moment of great joy and a true personal achievement. Having a job has given him greater independence and the confidence to look to the future. At the supported living house, Vadym is known as the heart and soul of the community.
I’m passionate about sports. I cycle, play badminton, football — anything active. I’ve been doing it for years.
We even travelled to Kyiv with Sasha for a badminton tournament.
I also spend time at our supported living home.
We call Vadym the heart of the house. He’s incredibly kind and compassionate. He’s always there to help. He’s always the first to ask how everyone is doing, whether something is bothering them, or why they seem upset.
One of Vadym’s biggest dreams was to have a job — and that dream has finally come true.
Before moving into supported living, he had worked as a shoemaker’s assistant. But at the time, neither his colleagues or the people around him really understood how to support and include a person with a disability in the workplace.
It became a painful experience, and he eventually left the job. That experience made him understandably cautious about trying again.
But at the beginning of this year, he started working at a factory, where he’s surrounded by a welcoming and supportive team. He’s genuinely happy there.
He’s proud that he can contribute to his family, too. He enjoys planning his purchases and saving money for things that matter to him.
I also work in our social enterprise, Smachnenko. I slice apples, arrange them on trays, prepare fruit leather, and help make our crispbreads.
My dream is to find a girlfriend to share my life with.
The Story of Vadym Binnatov
Vadym is a resident of the Kolping Family supported living home in Vinnytsia.
He has been receiving support at Kolping for six years. During this time, Vadym has made many friends and built a rich social life. He can cook borscht, soup, potatoes, and varenyky, takes care of flowers, and enjoys playing board games with his friends in his free time.
Vadym previously trained as a tailor and shoemaker and even worked in the profession for a short time. However, his colleagues at his first job did not accept him. From that point on, he dreamed of finding employment. Lesia Semenenko, the coordinator of the supported living home, helped Vadym make that dream a reality.
Vadym now works at a confectionery factory, where he slices apples using a slicer and arranges them on baking trays. Starting work was an enormously important milestone for him. It has given him financial independence, greater self-confidence, and a sense that his work makes a meaningful contribution to other people.
Vadym is also passionate about sport. He has played football for many years, enjoys badminton, and is a keen cyclist. He has taken part in competitions in Kyiv and Lutsk, returning with trophies, medals, and prizes. What he likes most about football is “teamwork, joy, and victory.”
Vadym dreams of meeting someone he loves — a person with whom he can share the joy of both the small and the great victories of everyday life.
And when asked what he would say to himself ten years from now, Vadym replies:
“Everything will be fine. You can do it. Don’t worry — that’s the most important thing.”
