Anna Kutova represents Light of Hope, a Poltava-based organization dedicated to helping those most in need in Ukrainian society: vulnerable women and children, survivors of violence, persons living with HIV and AIDS, homeless persons, members of the LGBTQI+ community, and others. Since 2014, Light of Hope has devoted much of its efforts to helping those displaced by Russia’s invasion of the Donbas, a task that became much greater in scope following last year’s full-scale invasion.
“Over the past year, requests for assistance from people affected by the war have increased tenfold,” Anna explains. “And our organization is making every effort to provide services to them.”
In addition to operating a network of shelters and helping persons with HIV access life-saving treatments, Light of Hope supported more than 200 families to evacuate from Russia-occupied parts of Ukraine.
In 2022, Anna received the Generation Change Award at the 2022 MTV European Music Awards for her humanitarian efforts. Anna, always focused on helping others, referred to the award as a “chance to raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.”
USAID is proud to partner with Light of Hope under our Community Action for HIV Control activity. We work with Light of Hope to address discrimination and stigma against persons living with HIV and AIDS, helping them access life-saving treatments.
Anna shared her vision for Ukraine’s successful future:
“I see Ukraine as a strong, independent, and prosperous state with zero discrimination against people with HIV, TB, HPV, or other diseases. We still have a lot of work ahead of us, both domestically in terms of reconstruction, and internationally. We must create a country that will be an integral and valued part of the civilized world.”
