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Another delivery....

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As I mentioned in my last blog, what seemed very strange and different, has become the norm.  Seeing a city practically devoid of cars, buildings destroyed, few people in the street. No schools open. Children who first had to learn online due to COVID, now have the war. 4-5 years of ordinary school lost. What will be the long term consequences for these children? It's the norm to hear mortar fire, explosions and artillery fire. Random drone attacks on individual cars continue. Today, an ordinary car in an ordinary street was targeted by a Russian drone. Two women were murdered, a 72 year old and a 56 year old.  People I meet seem resigned to the fact that they will have to face another long difficult winter. The Russians, a few days ago destroyed power infrastructure, even though this is classified as a war crime. No running water for 3 days in large parts of the city, nor electricity. The Ukrainians repaired this yesterday morning and there was water again.
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Ordinary life in a not an ordinary place.

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It's strange how you become accustomed to a situation, a new way of life. There has now developed for me, a general routine to my time here in Odesa, even though everywhere I continue to see the damage caused by this war. People trying to manage. Most days start with an air raid warning, any time between 5am and 8am. These then happen on and off throughout the day. Sometimes there are explosions and air raid defences at work, sometimes close enough to feel the pressure waves. I still always flinch. Sometimes nothing. You really never know. Often, I have a walk to the sea at around 6:30 before going to work in the kitchen. It gives me a sense of calm. Well, sort off. Sometimes, especially now that it's dark in the mornings, you can very occasionally see missiles and Shaheeds coming in from the Black Sea. Not all aiming for Odesa, but flying over to alternative destinations. Air defences trying to knock them out. I have a video of this, but for the life of
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The killing goes on.

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Time diminishes things. News cycles bring new, more pressing concerns. But the war here in Ukraine grinds on, with deaths a daily occurrence. The killing seems to have become more incideous and heartless.This weekend in Kherson, delivering aid, under the fairly constant sound of artillery and drone attacks, I heard and saw the inhumanity of this senseless war. There is now a real tangible fear about going out in your car in Kherson. Over the last few months, individual cars have been targeted by Russian drones. These carry small bombs or grenade type munitions. . A car is targeted. An initial bomb dropped. The man realises he's  being targeted and tries to drive away at high speed. He then stops suddenly, hoping to get away. Opens his door to run away, but about two metres away from the car a small bomb explodes. With the door open, nothing seems to happen, then as in slow motion, a man falls from the driver's seat onto the road. Dead. It'
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Journey...

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I needed to get the aid car back to Krakow from Odesa, to be reunited with it's owner, an American volunteer J.  I found out at the Polish border, the car was without a valid MOT. I just avoided getting fined, probably the only reason being, was that it was an aid vehicle. I hadn't realised that the Polish equivalent had run out a couple of weeks ago. The fine could have been £100. I was able to use the journey to take two women, mother and daughter, to Lviv .They had recently been evacuated from a village, under constant Russian bombardment. I'm always amazed at the bravery of people who do this evacuation work. Dangerous doesn't begin to describe it. To say that the woman were traumatised would be an understatement. When they spoke, it was practically in whispers to one another. Their only possessions three suitcases. They were going to stay with family in Lviv. To lose practically everything is unimaginable. Unlikely to see home again. Donations covered s
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Kherson.

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We once more took aid to Kherson. Every time I go there I feel a sadness envelop me. It feels like an abandoned place. The first photo is of what should be a busy market. At 12:30, it was all but deserted. A few stragglers walked by the open stalls.  For the main part it feels like people are just trying to survive. Last night Kherson came under very heavy shelling. Anastasiia, whom we took aid to, said that her area yesterday was thick with smoke. However, there is a determination by most people to stay. This is their city and they will not be driven out. But I think it takes it's toll. Especially amongst the children I fear. There are no schools, everything is online. It's too dangerous to play out. The opportunities for socializing with other children are severely restricted. Although, never say never..... When we arrive we are greeted with such warmth and friendship. We catch up with each others news. Anastasiia works tireless
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A quick catch up....

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The weather has been extremely hot in Odesa, and working in practically any situation is challenging. There is the additional difficulty of lack of electricity and mains water, as a result constant attacks on energy infrastructure by the Russians. Often in Odesa, there is only 6 hours of electricity a day....so maybe only 3 during daylight hours. I've given up having anything in the freezer. Just doesn't work. Try keeping milk!! Some days there's no running water. It's hard for me, but how much harder for people just trying to get on with their lives? However, the work goes on. The English speaking group is working well. Again this is directed as far as possible to internally displaced people. Age range from 17 to 70+. On average about 12-16 people attend. The enthusiasm is so nice to see, and I really enjoy the 2 sessions each week. Each lasts 1.5 hours. The feedback from the new group initiative for women who have suffered trauma, has been extremely positi
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A new co-worker.... baptism by fire.

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Yesterday was the closest I've come to death in Ukraine. All this week Kherson has been hit by shelling and mortar fire. People have lost there lives. It has become a very dangerous place. So much so that foreigners are no longer allowed to enter Kherson, without prior permission, this following the deaths of several foreign volunteers in recent weeks. There is now a seven page document which you need to complete, 3 days before you can even be considered to enter Kherson. This document has to be forwarded to the area army commander for approval. You must specify many things including the exact route you will take to your destination. Obviously this is all in Ukrainian, except the final paragraph which is in English, states bleakly, that there is a high level of danger and possibility of injury, and you enter with full knowledge of this. Basically on your own head be it :) I now know first hand that this is the truth. We arrived at the checkpoint, but without all the required docume
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