Share light for Christmas: Power life in Ukraine

Frank Wilde calls for help to support Ukraine during its power shortage emergency

Frank Wilde in his elevator without lights holding candles on his Instagram post on December 11, 2022.

Since two days before Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Frank Wilde has fully devoted his Instagram account to support Ukraine. In addition to using his daily elevator selfies to raise awareness, Frank is partnering with artists and brands to raise money. He was recently invited by the German NGO Vitsche to be the spokesperson of their joint fundraising campaign with UNITED24, an initiative launched by President Zelensky to collect charitable donations in support of Ukraine. Through this collaborative campaign, Frank is sharing a message of compassion with the goal of raising €1 million to supply 100 electricity generators that will be distributed to hospitals throughout Ukraine.

Words and interview by Fernanda Russomano

As winter approaches in Ukraine with temperatures averaging between -3ºC down to -20ºC, around 10 million people are faced with long-term emergency blackouts due to Russia’s constant strikes on Ukrainian power plants, leaving civilians with no heat, power and water. On November 16, Ukraine’s Office of the Prosecutor General reported that in October and November Russia carried out 92 attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, disabling nearly 50 percent of Ukraine’s energy system. Not only is electricity crucial for many essential services — like air raid notifications, homeschooling or updates from volunteering centers — it is also critical for medical facilities that are currently overloaded with victims of the war.

Demonstration organized by Vitsche in Gendarmenmarkt Berlin as an answer to Russia’s bombardment in all Ukraine after the attack on the Crimean bridge.

Established in January 2022 when it was evident that tensions at the borders were high, the Berlin-based NGO Vitsche took its name from an ancient word in the Ukrainian language that stands for “an assembly of free people where important public issues are discussed and decided”. The organisation is made up of eager young Ukrainians living in Germany who have organised over 70 protests and events in Berlin since February 2022, while providing help for refugees and direct humanitarian aid to support Ukraine. In association with UNITED24, Vitsche has created a campaign starring Frank Wilde for their fundraiser “Power Life in Ukraine”, which aims to purchase 100 generators for medical facilities across Ukraine. “Every donation helps to save someone’s life! Donate, share this campaign and help us bring power and light to Ukraine!”, Vitsche shared though its Instagram account.

Demonstration from Vitsche on August 24th, Ukraine’s Independence Day, in front of Brandenburger Tor in Berlin.

Frank with Eva Yakubovska (centre), operational manager for Vitsche and one of its founders, at a demonstration in Berlin organised by Vitsche this autumn in front of the German Ministry of Defense.

ZOOT spoke with Frank Wilde about his participation in the fundraising campaign and about using his voice and platform to take a stand for what he believes in. Read some highlights below.

ZOOT Magazine: Your ability to help people through social media is constantly changing as new possibilities and partnerships arise. How do you feel about being able to do that through your platform?

Frank Wilde: Honestly, I feel this is what social media should be about: making your statement regarding human rights and helping to empower people in need, show solidarity and support causes that are important. It’s at times overwhelming and for sure it is a lot of work, but at the same time it is very rewarding when you can achieve making the world a little better.

Frank speaking at one of Vitsche’s demonstrations this autumn in front of the Bundestag, the German federal parliament.

ZOOT: Electricity and other resources like water and heat are things that we tend to take for granted in our everyday life, though many people do not have access to it at all. Why do you think this is?

FW: I’ve often in my younger days been poor, so I can relate very well to situations that are threatening to your existence. The situation we’re facing now is also a task to question our lifestyle and ask ourselves what we really need. I don’t have a problem with using less water and using less heating and energy. I never heat my bedroom for example, I just love sleeping in cold fresh air covered with two big blankets. I don’t drive a car, I try to avoid plastic, shop groceries locally at the market and, within Germany, I only travel by train.

Frank at the demonstration organised by Vitsche on August 24th, Ukraine’s Independence Day, in front of Brandenburger Tor in Berlin.

ZOOT: The situation in medical facilities in Ukraine must be horrifying since the beginning of the war. If you could send a message to these brave professionals, what would you say?

FW: First of all, I would say how much I admire the strength and endurance reflected in the survival fight of Ukrainians. And I would tell them to not give up, to shout out and never hesitate to ask for help. We see you, we feel your pain, we are with you and we’ll help you as much as we can.

Frank Wilde in his elevator without lights holding candles on his Instagram post on December 18, 2022.

Depending on their capacity and purpose, generators cost between $2000 to $35000. The money raised through the Vitsche/UNITED24 fundraiser will go toward purchasing generators of different power supply capacities to big and small hospitals around Ukraine. “We want to keep the critical centers running in every corner of Ukraine. Our goal is to provide them with light and heat for the critical cold period of the year”, Vitsche stated in the fundraiser’s press release. “We call on everybody to share and support the campaign, so the people of Ukraine could overcome the time of darkness with your help and support.”