Canadian or English?

So we're trying to extend our visad here so that we can continue with our work here, as we only are allowed to stay for 90 days without needing a visa. With Fiona's Canadian passport it costs about $65 for the visa. If you have a UK passport it's about $330!!!

Otherwise, the day has had some good news. We have been given some children's books by a kind Ukrainian donor, now living in Rawtenstall, as well as a donor who wants to send books abroad for children who have left Ukraine, and are now in Europe. When we return to Lviv we will distribute 

As we have said, we are at this camp for families from war-torn areas to have some respite. Not really, as yet, worked out as we imagined. In some ways it reflects the refugee centres we've worked in....often there seems little structure, but it works.The facilities are minimal and challenging. One small communal kitchen for many. The children will come from the real danger areas. At least for a while no bombs and sirens. The worst is that most  will have to return to these war zones.

There are many challenges for some of the children here. Just want to tell a story of one 13 yr old girl here. No English, (we had tried just to share names) struggling to engage with some of the other children. She came and sat down at the table in the kitchen where we was cooking. I asked her if she could help, and straight away she started stirring the sauce which I was making. We asked her to join our little group of of adults and children, and asked if she would like to eat with us, which she did. It seemed a poignant little moment that she trusted us enough to join. 
Unfortunately challenges remain in the camp. You can't leave food in cupboards etc....it will just be taken. Even in the fridge items disappear. 

Earlier in the day we went to the top of a hill where 100 years ago Ukranians were fighting, guess who, the Russians, in a war of independence. At the top of this hill is a cemetery with the Ukrainian soldiers that died.
The picture below is the Ukrainian flag on a rock :).... they always find a way to show their colours.

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