And so we are back in Lviv...

after another 2000km round trip. In just over the 3 weeks since we've been here on our return, we have done 2 aid runs and covered over 5000 kilometres.

There appear to be two fundamental problems from what we have heard here. Unfortunately, due to the old Soviet Union era, there remains a level of endemic corruption. There are some here that don't like to acknowledge or accept this, but this is the reality. So aid is given, and in some circumstances a percentage is skimmed off and sold. Even aid going to the military.
The second is that a lot of aid goes into large central aid stores, and there it either gets stuck or is given out in a small geographical area, mainly large cities. It might get sent on but the bureaucratic process slows things down.

 So we see that in, eg Odesa, there is a lot of aid. Go east or west 100 kilometres, to villages, and nothing gets there.
Going around these villages, we saw first hand the challenges that ordinary people face. 

So, what to do? Any aid we raise or obtain, will be given to those In most need. Local individuals and communities that can be easily overlooked. Our last journey allowed us to meet with these smaller communities. This will now be our focus.
Also, we now have a much clearer idea of what is required. Home knitted pullovers are great but don't really cut it. 

On a personal basis, the last journey has been very challenging. We can now say that we went to Odesa, and then further, both east and west. This was all made possible by working with other organisations, sharing their resources.... A shout out to Krakow for Ukraine and Parcels for Ukraine. This run would never have happened without them.

We are aware we are but two individuals and our contribution in the scheme of things is not vast....but someone sent us this.....the Dalai Lama said that if you don't think that a small thing can make a difference, try sleeping in a sleeping bag with a mosquito.....

As we have driven the kilometres, we have been visually stunned at times by the colours of autumn and many other things.... here are a few of the images.
The first one made me chuckle.....the photo was taken in an enormous park with hundreds of trees..... and this woman was sweeping up leaves in autumn....and why wouldn't you..?
It might not be obvious, but below is Fiona communicating with a Ukrainian sparrow......who says this blog isn't exciting...
If anyone is able to make a donation please:

1. Open PayPal and, when asked for name of payee or email, enter trawden4ukraine@hotmail.com. 

2. Use the collection box in Trawden community shop.


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