The next steps.....

The train journey back from Odesa turned out to be really a challenge. Fourteen hours and a toilet that left much to be desired. The train was packed with refugees. We have chosen to do this....they not so much. 
After some quick shuteye back home, we got on with our day: following up on people wanting information etc. We also happened to realise that the Canadian visa application centre has reopened in Lviv, and Fi, having Canadian nationality, we went in to find out what they were offering. Quite a lot really so will follow that up.

In the afternoon we took a bit of aid that we have been given to a refugee centre based at the central library of Lviv.
 We also had the pleasure of meeting the director of the library, a wonderfully erudite man who gave us interesting insights into books and reading in his library. He showed us a book some 70 years old,  a book for children with the first page a picture of Stalin, with a song that should be sung at the start of every school day to the glory of Stalin, followed by songs and poems to the glory of Stalin. No interesting pictures or anything to catch the interest of a child. A winner of a book. Beats I'm going on a bear hunt....... however joking aside, it's amazing the power of a dictator and the power they have. And it repeats again. This director also put us in touch with publishers/book shops that may be able to donate children's books. We will follow this up.

What is interesting, though, is that there is quite a bit of discontent in Ukraine. We have met with individuals who have complained about the level of corruption in Ukraine. Also, about the financial hardships faced by many, even before the war. There does seem to be a thread that says that if you have money you can get around anything....and that favours and advancements can be bought. Not everything there was ok before the war.
This does nothing to diminish the fact that the invasion of Ukraine by Russia is wholly unjustified and wrong, and that many are suffering. 

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