Lviv Polytechnic

In Ukraine a polytechnic does not have the same meaning as in the UK. Lviv Polytechnic National University is the largest scientific university in Lviv and, since its foundation in 1816, it has been one of the most important centres of science and technological development in Central Europe (according to Wikipedia). We have got to know one of the university lecturers as he runs the refugee centre at Stryiskyi Park, and Bob and a couple of our volunteers were lucky enough to be given a guided tour.

Meanwhile, I spoke to a 76 year old retired English teacher and translator, and her daughter, who is unwell with heart problems and long COVID. Both live, side by side, in one of the accommodation units with about 40 other refugees. She said that she has always wanted to come to England, and we would love to find a sponsor for her and her daughter. But most of the few remaining sponsors are in very rural locations with no public transport. The best we can do for now is to try to find more suitable accommodation for them by appealing to church organisations.

Bob had his last English lesson (for now) with the younger children, took them all for an ice-cream and gave them little gift bags. He was going to do the same with the older children but the air raid siren sounded, when all commercial premises close and children have to be taken to shelters. So ice-creams for the older children had to be postponed until tomorrow.

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