Oksana Turchina: “It all started with a genuine desire to help”

29 july 2025

Our July issue of the About People and Good Deeds column features Oksana Turchina, an expert with ZapSibNeftekhim, reminiscing about how her transition into a new life started, discussing her areas of focus in volunteering, sharing her vision of the mission at hand, and unveiling her plans for future kind deeds.

At SIBUR’s 5th Volunteering Forum, you were chosen as the winner in the Breakthrough of the Year category. What does this award mean to you?
This award is not just my personal achievement, but rather a symbol of our team’s collective efforts. To me, it is a recognition of the importance of what we do. This is what inspires me to carry on and continue to contribute to improving our community.

How did you become involved in volunteering? Do you remember your very first project?
It all started with a genuine desire to help. I will always remember my first project. It was a campaign where we collected various items of clothing for those in need. The moment I saw the smiles of the people we were helping, it dawned upon me how important support and compassion are. That was when I started transitioning into a new way of life, a life full of meaning and joy.

You have been involved in all sorts of campaigns ranging from helping children to environmental initiatives. What drives you to keep on going?
I am driven by the realization that even the smallest thing can have the power of potentially changing another person’s life. When you see your initiatives bring about tangible results, it gives you a sense that your efforts really matter. That’s what gives you the strength to keep on going and do more.

How do you manage to combine being an active volunteer with your primary job?
Granted, it’s not always easy to do, but anything is possible if you set your priorities right and learn to time management. Being a volunteer fills me with energy and provides a resource for professional growth. These two tracks of my life are mutually complementary.

Can you tell us about the From Heart to Heart campaign? How did the toy collection and visit to Hospital No. 3 go? What was the most memorable part?
It was a very special campaign for me personally. We had collected children’s toys and then went to Hospital No. 3 together with all other volunteers to deliver the gifts in person. The most emotional moment was seeing the kids experiencing these true feelings of joy, surprise, seeing the spark in their eyes. It was an incredible feeling to see how simple things can make someone happy.

You have been an active sponsor of the Right to Life animal shelter. Why is it so important to help homeless animals for you?
My helping the Right to Life shelter is my way of showing compassion. Homeless animals, same as people, need our care and love. Every time I succeed in saving a cat or a dog, or in helping them find a home and giving them hope, I realize that I am not doing this in vain.

Eco-volunteering is an important part of what you do. What inspires you to get involved in such projects as the Green Formula, Press Picnic, or Conserving Together?
Environmental projects have become an integral part of my life. My involvement in campaigns like the Green Formula and Conserving Together makes me proud that, together with colleagues, I am helping make our world a better place. The Press Picnic is especially important to me as it is more than merely an eco-initiative, but also a platform for dialogue between our city’s residents and ZapSibNeftekhim’s employees. We show that SIBUR and its facilities can be eco-friendly, safe, and socially responsible. I get inspired by seeing how a common cause can drive people together and give rise to real change.

In your opinion, what is the main value of SIBUR’s environmental initiatives for the city and region?
Their main value is in their contribution to sustainable development and to fostering an eco-conscious culture. Such initiatives not only help maintain a clearer environment but they also cultivate a caring attitude toward our natural resources among members of local communities. It is a form of investment in a healthier and more harmonious future for all of us.

Is there a personal mission or idea that you try to “carry through” your volunteering?
Yes, there is. I truly believe that each individual is capable of changing the world around them. To me, volunteering is not just another form of activity but a calling from within. I try to show by my own example that one doesn’t have to be a superhero to do good. Even the smallest steps matter.

Have you succeeded in getting your colleagues involved in volunteering? How do people react when you tell them about your volunteer work?
Yes, I have, and that’s very satisfying. When my colleagues see my enthusiasm and sincerity, they, too, start taking an interest in it themselves, sign up for taking part in our initiatives, and come up with ideas of their own. There’s a group chat on Telegram that we maintain where we share updates on the Formula of Good Deeds activities, as well as post info about regional and nationwide projects. Examples of these have included campaigns to release fish fry into the Volga, efforts to build eco-trails through the Nature’s Call platform, and the Grow, Sturgeon initiatives.

How important is it for you to feel support from your employer and from the volunteering team at ZapSibNeftekhim?
This support is extremely vital. It gives you a sense of unity and a shared goal. It makes you realize that you are not alone, that there is a team close by that shares my values and is always ready to help. This gives me the energy and the strength to do even more good.

What qualities help one to be an active volunteer and inspire others?
It’s important to be compassionate, open to people, and not being afraid to show initiative. Tenacity is also necessary as not everything might work from take one. But if you believe in what you do and really want to help, you will definitely inspire others by your example.

What projects would you like to implement or support going forward?
I dream of being able to spearhead my own projects or participate in projects that would rally young people together around the cause of animal protection, nature conservation, and cultivating a responsible attitude toward life. One such idea is to organize a large-scale volunteering festival that would bring together activists from different cities, companies, and organizations. It would be an excellent platform for sharing one’s experiences, getting inspired, and launching new initiatives. I would want such gatherings to help build a strong community of people who ready to act for the good of the world around them.

To find out more about upcoming good initiatives, follow SIBUR Volunteers’ group on VKontakte and on Telegram.