Byshiv

Kyiv
Population:

Population: 6,860 people

Men: 2,850
Women: 3,316
Children (aged 0-18): 618
People aged 65+: 6,181
Area: 279.6 ha

The community includes 15 villages

History

The village of Byshiv is the administrative centre of the territorial community in the Fastiv district, Kyiv region

The Byshiv rural territorial community includes 15 settlements.

Byshiv is located on both banks of the Lupa River, 22 km from the neighbourhood centre and 20 km from the Kyiv-Lviv highway.

The emergence of the settlement on the site of modern Byshiv coincides with the construction of the Serpent’s Wall – defensive structures whose total length exceeded 2,000 km. Their construction dates back to the 11th-12th centuries AD. At that time, the Byshiv settlement belonged to the Irpin-Zdvyzhiv defence line of the Kyiv land.

Among the architectural monuments, the buildings of the hospital (late 19th century), the territorial school (1909), as well as part of the Serpent’s Wall from the Old Kyivan Rus period have been preserved.

Remodelment of the Serpent’s Wall
Remodelment of the Serpent’s Wall Source
Territorial hospital
Territorial hospital Source
Territorial hospital
Territorial hospital Source

Economy

The community’s economy shapes up with a focus on horticulture and farming. On the territory of the community, large agricultural enterprises for the cultivation of champignons, fruit trees, fields of blueberry seedlings, and vineyards are developing.

Ukraine’s largest and first breeding ostrich farm Valley of Ostriches, a nursery of ornamental chickens, and a horse farm are located in the village of Yasnogorodka.

Ostrich farm in Yasnogorodka
Ostrich farm in Yasnogorodka Source
Yasnogorodka Ecopark
Yasnogorodka Ecopark Source

Community and War

The village of Byshiv in the Kyiv region repeatedly suffered from shelling by Russian troops.

About 250 buildings were damaged in the Byshiv territorial community due to Russian military aggression. Of them, 50 were completely destroyed and cannot be restored: 2 kindergartens and 47 residential buildings.

The cultural centre which was hit by two Russian aerial bombs is also unrestorable. Residential buildings were shelled and all utility equipment was destroyed.

 Destroyed buildings
Destroyed buildings Source
Destructions in the village of Byshiv
Destructions in the village of Byshiv Source
Destructions in the village of Byshiv
Destructions in the village of Byshiv Source

The headman of the village of Byshiv Ivan Roznay coordinated the provision of humanitarian and medical aid from the UN World Food Programme in Ukraine

Community and Well-Being

There are 6 schools and 7 preschools in the community. 12 medical institutions (1 hospital, 13 dispensaries) take care of the residents’ health.

Currently, the community is preparing for the new school year, which will be special for all participants of the educational process due to the security situation in the country.

Residents of the community are rebuilding the Byshiv School and the Yasnogorodka Gymnasium which were damaged by aerial bombardment and numerous shelling.

Restoration of the damaged school
Restoration of the damaged school Source
Restoration of the damaged school
Restoration of the damaged school Source

In addition to schools, residents’ homes are also being restored in the community. Thuswise, the reconstruction of the destroyed house of a large family in the village of Yasnogorodka is underway.

Restoration of the damaged house
Restoration of the damaged house Source

Headman of the village of Byshiv Ivan Roznay

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Ivan Roznay and his team have become the main source of information for the residents of the community, psychologists who have helped people find strength, restore their lives, buildings and their own resources.

Headman of the village of Byshiv Ivan Roznay
Headman of the village of Byshiv Ivan Roznay Source

The head of the village council coordinated the processes of interaction between the Teroborona, volunteers and the community. And during a rocket attack on March 3, Ivan Roznay received moderately severe shrapnel injuries. Even then, despite his condition, he did not leave the community.

Community residents launch useful initiatives to help the residents and the Armed Forces. Thus, local volunteers organized a project to collect recyclables. Funds received from the project are spent on the needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The project has already spread to neighbouring villages thanks to off-site collection points.

Collection of recyclables in the Byshiv community
Collection of recyclables in the Byshiv community Source

The Chernogorodka club & company project was created in the village of Chornogorodka of the Byshiv community. Here they organize cultural events for children and charity events for the Armed Forces.

Development Strategy

The community has outlined the main strategic areas of its development:

To ensure safety in the community, they are conducting training for the community on actions in emergency situations and meetings with representatives of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, police, fire, and gas services. Shelters are being built in case of an emergency.

The community is developing and improving its public recreation space: it is working on the landscape design of a place for recreation in the green zone. New roads and infrastructure are being restored and built here. Historical buildings are being reconstructed and historical sites are being beautified.

Raising the flag in the community
Raising the flag in the community Source

The community understands how valuable residents’ cohesion is. Therefore, meetings, creative workshops, entertainment events, book and film clubs are held here. Besides, psychological and legal support groups for war victims are being organized.

The community is working on the integration of war veterans into society. They hold joint meetings with the military, work on the creation of an interactive museum and monuments in honour of the soldiers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

If you want to contact an Ukrainian community or have additional questions regarding the project please contact us: [email protected]