In a unique opportunity of collaboration and cooperation, West Jordan city leaders in partnership with the Utah based non-governmental organization, forPeace, hosted a delegation of municipal leaders from Novovorontsovka, Ukraine from Feb. 9-12.

The delegates came with the intention of learning more about local governments, local public works, and local parks and recreation departments in hopes of finding ways for their town’s residents, to not only survive, but thrive in the wake of the Russian invasion.

The delegates included Head of Military Administration Andrii Seletskiy, County Advisor Juliy Morozov, Director of Public Utilities Serhii Pylypenko, and Chief Specialist of Project Work and Investments Karyna Dobrovolska.

The multiday city tour included Sandy, North Salt Lake, Bountiful, West Jordan, Spanish Fork and Nephi.

“We really enjoy Utah,” Morozov said. “We expected to meet a lot of great people who care about Ukraine.”

During the city council meeting held on the evening of Feb. 10, city leaders from West Jordan unanimously approved a motion to sign a memorandum of understanding, a “soft law,” non-binding agreement that outlines a willingness to collaborate with Novovorontsovka.

“We want to learn and to think correctly and have the right vision,” Seletskiy said. “We want to discuss our questions of development with you.”

Watermelons and resilience

Head of Military Administration for Novovorontsovka, Andrii Seletskyi presents West Jordan City Mayor Dick Burton with a watermelon embossed emblem during a city council meeting on Feb. 10 after both leaders signed a memorandum of understanding (Photo by Rachel Aureby/City Journals).

Located in the Southern territory, in the Kherson region, the town of Novovorontsovka is primarily agrarian and the main crop is watermelon. 

Geographically, Novovorontsovka is situated five miles from Russian occupied Ukraine. Before the war, the 10 villages that comprised the region had approximately 13,000 residents. Currently, the population has decreased by half with one village lost, due in large part to the destruction that has overwhelmed the area.

Part of that destruction included the Kahhovska dam, which once held the equivalent amount of water as the Great Salt Lake. Residents were without adequate water to drink for approximately two years.

Town leaders had to rely on 200-year-old water wells, known only through historians and American archival maps from the 1940s. 

The delegates came to Utah in hopes of gaining knowledge and understanding of public works systems, especially water systems.

“We don't [only want] to survive,” Dobrovolska said. “We want to develop. We have people in our community, so we have to create any opportunities for their normal life.” 

After being occupied by Russian forces for seven months, the area was liberated in October of 2022 by the Ukrainian Army. 

forPeace for progress

West Jordan City Attorney Josh Chandler served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Ukraine approximately 25 years ago. Since that time, he has been actively interested and invested in helping the people of Ukraine.

Head of Military Administration for Novovorontsovka, Andrii Seletskyi signs a memorandum of understanding during a West Jordan City council meeting on Feb. 10 alongside Mayor Dick Burton (Rachel Aubrey/City Journals).

Chandler connected with Britta Ellwanger, Ukraine relief project director with forPeace. Ellwanger has lived and worked in Ukraine for approximately 10 years. She accompanied the delegates on the various tours of Utah cities. Her mission is to facilitate not only tangible relief but also long-standing solutions to help the Ukrainian people press forward.

“First of all, you see how ordinary Ukrainians have been reacting and responding to the war, which is extraordinary,” Ellwanger said. “These are heroes. But they're heroes because they're ordinary and they're just people.”

According to the website, “The forPEACE Ukraine Relief Project deals in hyperlocalized targeted aid. We focus on precise, small assistance that has force multiplying impact. We work with Ukrainians in the war zone effectively connecting the power of international financial support with the expertise of Ukrainian networks, medical professionals, and trusted community organizers that know what is needed, where it is needed, and how to get it there in record time.”

The Ukrainian leaders along with the leaders of West Jordan City agreed that help and aide come in lots of different ways.

“Once you humanize the crisis, like there's a natural link, and there's something you can do, and it's real, and it has lasting impact,” Ellwanger said. “You know, it's more than just survival, it's continued life, and it's victory.”

Head of Military Administration Seletskiy admitted that there was a lot of work to do once they return to Ukraine. 

For more information about how to help and become involved visit https://forpeace.us.