In November and December 2024, a collection of wax was held at the Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice to help the people of Ukraine affected by the military conflict. Thanks to the generosity of staff, students, and other donors, more than 170 kilograms of wax were collected.
On 18 November 2024, the university announced the second wax collection for Ukraine. Two collection points were set up on the premises of the university. The staff and students donated wax, unburnt and new candles, tea lights, and incense burners. The Vice-Rector for Science, Research, and Project Agenda, Prof. RNDr. Renáta Oriňaková, DrSc., received Ing. Eduard Buraš, Ambassador of Transcarpathia, Expert Advisor to the Commissioner for the Rights of the Child and Director of the Feman Association, which is dedicated to the assistance to Ukraine on Tuesday, 14 January 2025. The aim of the meeting was to hand over more than 170 kilograms of wax, which was then transported across the Slovak border to our eastern neighbors in Uzhhorod on Wednesday, 15 January 2025, by a university car. “The recipients of this humanitarian aid are the sisters of Congregatio JESU (Women’s Religious Society) Slovak Province, which has a presence in Uzhhorod and helps in several areas by providing help to orphans, mothers with children, youth, seniors, and war veterans,” specified Ing. Eduard Buraš. The wax will be used to produce trench candles, which will provide warmth and light to people in Ukraine living without electricity. Trench candles are essential for the survival of war-affected populations, especially during the winter months.
The results of the wax collection were announced at a press conference on 14 January 2025 by Vice-Rector Prof. Renáta Oriňáková and Ing. Eduard Buraš, the director of the FEMAN Association. The wax was transported to Uzhhorod on Wednesday, 15 January 2025, by UPJŠ employees Kamila Zelenák and Michal Takáč, together with Eduard Buraš.
The university is aware of its social responsibility and wants to be a leader not only in education, science, and research, but also in the development of civil society and care for the environment. “At UPJŠ we regularly prepare charity projects to support various non-profit organizations and civic associations aimed at helping people in need. We are thankful to our staff and students who take the initiative to get involved in such projects, either as contributors or organizers. In the second year of the fundraiser, we have seen a huge interest from the public, for which I also express my thanks on behalf of the entire university,” said Renáta Oriňaková, Vice-Rector of UPJŠ. Not only individuals, but also entire organizations—the Office of the Commissioner for Children, the Janko Francisci Rimavský Primary School in Hnúšťa, and the St. Elisabeth Secondary Medical School Košice—took part in the initiative.
The collection of wax for Ukraine is unique in that it combines both humanitarian and ecological dimensions. Wax and candles, which are a surplus in our homes, can help people in crisis situations. The wax brought to Ukraine is boiled in pots until liquified and then poured into empty tins. Folded cardboard paper is inserted beforehand and then covered with melted wax. Trench candles help not only soldiers in the trenches in times of cold and inclement weather but also aid women and children to keep warm, have a source of light, or heat water or other foodstuffs. “The candles can burn for up to 16 to 18 hours, depending on the size of the can. With small wire baskets placed over this trench candle, a mug of water or milk can be warmed. Mothers heat drinks and food for their babies in this way. These candles help them to survive. We are very happy to be able to help in this way,” explained Ing. Eduard Buraš, director of the Feman Association.
