Soldier Duke

I am originally from Africa. I came to Ukraine in 2023 after observing the war between Ukraine and Russia. From what I saw and felt, it was obvious to me: what was happening was unjust. I did not consider it fair that Ukraine was attacked and that Ukrainians were forced to suffer simply because they wanted to decide for themselves how to live in their own country.

If I had sufficient financial means, I would have helped Ukraine with money. But I did not have such means. So I decided to help with what I had, my presence and my service.

When I first arrived here, what struck me most were the people. They were very friendly and welcoming. I felt at home here. I arrived almost just before winter. For a person who grew up in Africa, this was not easy, as we have a completely different climate. But I am a military man. I accepted it and remained strong. The cold did not kill me, that is why I am still alive.

Service in Ukraine

From the moment of my arrival I was in the military almost the entire time. I served in various directions and spent most of my time in Ukraine precisely where the combat operations were taking place. During my service I participated in combat operations near Lyptsi and Kupyansk in Kharkiv Oblast, in Sumy Oblast, and in the Pokrovsk and Zaporizhzhia directions.

During this time I served alongside Ukrainians, Americans, Spaniards, Africans, and military personnel from other countries. We were all different — and that is normal. People are always different.

In "Khartiya" I served as a group commander and senior mechanic.
In war you very quickly understand that you cannot live on expectations. The situation can be calm and then change sharply. That is why a soldier must not wait. He must be ready to adapt to any circumstances.

During my service I met many good people. In "Khartiya" I found brothers. I consciously chose this unit because most of the people I serve with here I already knew from before, from other brigades. We have traveled a long road together.

I have brothers in arms. People I trust. I do not know how they feel about me, but I trust them. These are people with whom we have traveled a long road together. We served together, worked side by side. If I need to talk or ask for help, I know I can turn to them. If we go out on a mission, I know that if something happens to me, they will do everything possible to save me. And I would do the same for them.
That is why I say they are not just friends. They are my family.

I also want to say something to those who are not in the military. Our hearts must beat together, and not work only as mechanisms. Remember that this is a difficult time for the country. Not everything that soldiers need reaches them in time. We often spend our own money to provide ourselves with what is necessary. That is why any help matters. Without unity we will not win.

Wounding and Evacuation

One day our medical position came under fire from Russian artillery. We received a call for the evacuation of the wounded. I got into the vehicle and set off to pick up the guys.

The mission was successful. We found the wounded and took them. But on the way back everything changed. The vehicle hit a mine. It caught fire and exploded.
At that moment I was inside the vehicle. As a result of the explosion, I lost my right leg, my right arm, and part of the fingers on my left hand. In addition, I sustained multiple shrapnel wounds to the head, face, chest, and limbs, a traumatic brain injury, burns to the face and both eyes, and damage to the right eye.

However, even now, when I recall that day, I most often think not about the wounds. I think about the people who were nearby. My fellow soldiers helped me, protected me, and evacuated me alive. That is why I call them my family.

Rehabilitation and Support

Today I am undergoing treatment and rehabilitation. I have already undergone surgeries to form the stumps of the amputated limbs, autodermoplasty (closure of the soft tissue defect) on the left hand, and ophthalmic surgical interventions. Ahead lies a lengthy recovery and preparation for prosthetics.

Due to the high-level amputation of the right arm and the complete absence of all fingers of the left hand at the level of the metacarpal bones, I require outside assistance in daily life and everyday activities. Prosthetics of the fingers of the left hand will give me the ability to independently perform the most basic daily actions right now. It will also increase my chances in the future of properly mastering prostheses: putting them on independently, using them, and operating their functions.

That is why the most important thing for me right now is a prosthesis for the fingers of the left hand. This is a special prosthesis manufactured by a private company. Without it I will not be able to begin the next stage learning to walk with a leg prosthesis. But I am not going through this path alone. I am supported by fellow soldiers, friends, and people who come to help. Many of my friends from current and former units find ways to support me. For this I am very grateful.

I try to do everything I can, even now, in the hospital. But there are no family members nearby who would be with me all the time. So I rely on physiotherapists and nurses.

And even now, I think most of all about those who remain at the front. I know that all of them are busy with their work. I do not expect them to sit by my side in the hospital. Instead, I pray for them every day. I pray that they successfully carry out their missions and return alive.

Dreams and Plans

I cannot plan what I cannot control. But my greatest dream is for this war to end. It pains me to see small children and infants sleeping in the metro behind their mothers' backs and hearing explosions at night. After the explosion, I feel this even more acutely.

You do not need to be a politician to understand what is happening in Ukraine. If someone comes into your home, everyone must stand up and drive the thief out of their home. Imagine how a elderly man feels who has lived on his land for seventy years and was forced to leave it. Why destroy traditions, churches, culture? This is barbarism.

I did not fight for politicians or political parties. I fought for the people of Ukraine. For mothers. For children. For those who cannot protect themselves. And I think most of the brothers who came here will say the same.

Everyone can help — whoever knows how to hold a weapon, let them go and help the brothers on rotations. Whoever knows how to work with a computer there are technologies, there are other ways. If even one person can rest while I help, that already matters.

After the hospital I want to continue helping my brothers in any way I can. The knowledge is in my head. I do not need hands to help my brothers. I can help even without hands.

Why a Fundraiser is Needed

As I already said, as a result of the severe wound I lost my right arm at the shoulder level, my right leg at the thigh level, and all the fingers on my left hand. One of the key stages of rehabilitation is finger prosthetics. In my case this is not a matter of comfort, but a necessary condition for regaining independence. Due to the loss of an arm and a leg, I cannot compensate for the absence of fingers with other limbs. It is precisely functional prostheses that will allow me to once again independently perform basic daily activities and continue rehabilitation.

According to current legislation, finger prostheses belong to auxiliary rehabilitation means (technical and other rehabilitation means), the provision of which is regulated by Resolution No. 321 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated April 5, 2012. According to this resolution, the maximum cost of finger prosthetics is 57,153 UAH.

This was calculated for cosmetic (silicone) finger prostheses and other auxiliary rehabilitation means, as until recently there was no company in Ukraine that manufactured functional finger prostheses. Patients were offered either to conceal the injury with a silicone prosthesis, which has no functionality and serves only a cosmetic purpose, or to undergo re-amputation of the limb.

For military personnel a limit of ×3 applies, so 57,153 × 3 = 171,459 UAH, but even this cannot help patients in full, as functional prostheses cost several times more — due to the complex development of unique prostheses for each unique case, modern prosthetics technologies, the use of quality materials, and the performance of work by hand — from development to manufacture.

The full cost of the prosthesis that suits me is 1,071,180.97 UAH. Taking into account the state payment of 171,459.00 UAH, the remaining cost amounts to 899,721.97 UAH. As of now, a portion of the amount has already been partially raised, and 551,837.83 UAH still needs to be collected.

For me this amount is beyond my means, so I am compelled to ask for help.
This prosthesis will give me the opportunity to regain independence in daily life and take one more important step toward full recovery after the wound.

 

COLLECTING: UAH 551,837