The Yashchenko Foundation is named in honour of our former colleague, Maksim Yashchenko, who epitomised the compassion and bravery emblematic of the finest in the humanitarian sector. Maksim consistently put himself in harm’s way to aid those in need.
Maksim studied at Taras Shevchenko Chernihiv National Pedagogical University, earning a diploma in ecology. After graduation, he worked in Mezin National Nature Park, focusing on environmental education, before transitioning to a role as a construction manager.
He resided in Chernihiv until the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In March 2022, after evacuating his family to safety in Lviv, Maksim returned to Chernihiv to assist other families in evacuating from the Oblast. Over the following two years, Maksim played a pivotal role in evacuating thousands of civilians from frontline areas across Ukraine and delivering aid to some of the country’s most perilous locations.
Maksim’s reputation as a warm, dedicated, and compassionate colleague, volunteer, and friend was renowned throughout Ukraine, from Chernihiv to Kherson, and from Lviv to Kramatorsk. His trademark smile, even in the face of extreme danger, underscored his bravery and unwavering commitment to helping as many people as possible. Maksim will forever be remembered for his signature catchphrase, which he would exclaim each time he ventured to the frontline: “a new adventure!”
Maksim was declared missing on the frontline in Zaporizhska Oblast in November 2023.
We miss him every day and are proud to work under his name.