Good bye, our friend, farewell, our Captain.

May 30, 2010
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On the 29th of May, on Saturday, Ilko Kucheriv has died.

Our Foundation, Democratic Initiatives, was not only a “workplace” for him; it was his child, his creation, his instrument for changing world for better. And he was not just a boss or a director; he was a Captain of our friendly crew, its undeniable leader.

The day before, on Friday, we all gathered together and discussed our future plans – how to develop our organization, how to become more effective and influential, and Ilko insisted that the perspective should be foreseen for at least 20 years and not less. Some people were skeptical – is there a need to plan for such a long time? “We need to think of what will be left after us”, said Ilko. Now his words gained special meaning.

What did Ilko leave after him? He was among those people who fought for independent Ukraine, one of the founders of Narodny Rukh (People’s Movement). And then, having decided that there is a need to unite “those active with those clever”, he founded Democratic Initiatives Foundation. He was one of the first people who understood that the society needs a fair mirror to look through, and Democratic Initiatives Foundation started to provide public with sociological information. Ilko initiated first exit-polls in Ukraine and this forced fair votes counting during elections.

Ilko was a man of integrity, he had strong beliefs. He was sure that Ukraine has to become democratic and civilized state, that Ukraine should enter European community as an equal. And he did everything for it to happen, never stepping back and giving in to temptations. Future of Ukraine was his lifework, it was Ilko himself.

Ilko had a gift of joining people together – journalists, sociologists, experts. It is difficult to estimate how many associations of public organizations appeared due to his efforts and insistence. Ilko was loved – we felt this when the ailment struck him.

Ilko was a very warm person, he knew how to be friends, and he always helped someone. He was a loving husband and caring father for his daughters, and attentive son for his parents.

He’s shown a bold front when heard the news about his illness. Right after he recovered from painful chemo he immediately got back to work, dealt with new projects and plans, negotiated with partners. He never lost optimism and sense of humor. Please, read what he’s written at our site the day before he died: “I believe that people can and should change the world for better”. It so fell out that these words became his last will.

Ilko passed away. He went to the place where Vyacheslav Chornovil, Sergiy Naboka, Giya Gongadze, Sashko Krivenko are now. These were people of his circle, his friends. People do not go to nowhere, people return to the eternity. And there they go through the unbiased evaluation – what have you done during your life? Did you manage to change the world for better at least a little bit? Ilko has a lot to report.
But his plans appeared bigger then life. Ruthless fate knocked him down on the wing. And it is our affair of honor to make his dreams come true.

Good bye, our friend, farewell, our Captain. We will miss you a lot, especially now when the country goes through the tough times. But we believe that “people can and should change the world for better”. And as long as we live the last word has not yet been said.

Staff of Democratic Initiatives Foundation
 


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