Shelter For Ukraine

Shelter for Ukraine is a New Zealand-founded initiative to make a difference for Ukrainian refugees.

We’re Tristram (from the UK) and Tamara (from New Zealand) - and we’re the founders of the Taylor McCabe Institute . The Institute owns two 90-foot long barns on half an acre of land in Nemcinany, Slovakia – a beautiful village 5 hours from the Ukrainian border.

We were in the process of converting the barns into a skill-sharing school for adults. Power, water and other services were connected, but then Covid hit and works were put on hold. While everyone was deeply disappointed, it turns out this could be a blessing in disguise for Ukrainian refugees.

An opportunity to provide housing for Ukrainian refugees:

The half-finished buildings provide an opportunity to offer housing and self-sufficient housing for Ukrainian refugees. Specifically, we can house at least 40 people and have committed to do so for a minimum of two years.

Why Slovakia?

Slovakia is proximate to Ukraine: the countries share a border. It is a geo-politically safe distance from current military risks. Slovakia is also culturally and linguistically suitable for Ukrainian refugees.

How the funds will be used:

The immediate need is for us to travel to Slovakia to provide hands-on help with the fit out of the two dwellings. Much of the conversion work to date was done by us personally – we are very hands-on.

The first job is to install insulation, as the temperature in Slovakia at this time of year (Winter/Spring) is around -8°C - that's about 17°F.

We already have a team of builders ready on the ground to help. But we need to get there to make change happen.

Our initial fundraising goal is £66,000, which goes towards:

Refugee transportation/minibus: £6,000

Insulation: £7,500

Timber framing and board: £9,000

Kitchen equipment: £3,000

Toilets and bathrooms: £3,000

Electrics: £2,500

Discounted labour cost for the first month: £14,000

Food and essential life costs £21,000.

Once the initial fundraising goal has been reached, we'll raise more funds to provide refugees with all they need to expand shelter and assist families in becoming more self-sufficient.

We have local support already organised:

As well as a team of tradespeople in Slovakia ready to help with the construction work, the local mechanic in the village is keen to help too: he has a minibus ready to transport the refugees from the border to our property in Nemcinany.

As soon as we get there, we’ll be using this minibus to taxi people in our first round of 12 people from the Ukrainian border to immediate warm and safe housing.

Many hands make light work:

Although we’ve got a stellar team, many hands make light work.

If you’re able to volunteer your skills (in New Zealand or Europe) and time to travel to Slovakia to help us, please email us at [email redacted]. Practical help is appreciated as much as financial help.

Time is of the essence:

Ukrainian refugees urgently need safe temporary housing.

Our team are travelling to Slovakia by the middle of March 2022 at the latest, to ensure the basic needs of our first tranche of refugees.

The sooner we can reach our initial fundraising goal, the sooner we can provide a habitable space. If our funding goal isn't reached, we will still be sheltering people - but potentially doing our best without being able to have as warm or dry a space as all people deserve.

Thank you for any donation you can make – it will make a real and immediate difference.