Una Italiana in Ukrainia....

....and so the day started badly and went downhill......and then comes round again. 
So we get ready to set off on our next aid run, only for the van to lose all it's hydraulic fluid from the power steering. Laden as it was, it was undrivable. However with contacts and people we know, within a relatively small amount of time, the load was transferred to another van, with even someone just passing by helping us. This made the van just about drivable. Another person who came to help found a garage for us. 
When we got to the garage, the usual difficulty in explaining what was wrong using Google translate, until the office admin person said she could speak Italian, as she was married to an Italian. This made it so much easier, as i speak Italian...but what are the chances?  The part required was found and hopefully the van will be mended tomorrow. So many people working together made this happen. It was good.

The second challenge was communicating and working effectively with some of our aid supply colleagues. There are different interpretations of what helps. It may be that we have a wider view of what aid is useful and how it can be delivered. 
For us, anything that helps rebuild lives in a war torn country helps. Whether this is supplying soft toys for children, incontinence pads, cement to rebuild homes, stoves to keep people from freezing in winter and food aid.  We believe all serve a purpose. But organisations have their own purpose and agenda. This may mean that we can't effectively work with one organisation but negotiations may be ongoing. However, I have no doubt that they will continue to do good.

The third challenge was that for the first time since we've been here in Lviv, there were 4 warning sirens going off in one day. When we hear this we know that, somewhere in Ukraine, Putin is killing ordinary families. This puts into perspective what we do here and how we must try to assist in any way we can. 
Hopefully, tomorrow the van will be fixed and on we go ....

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