Transformations...

When we visited Ivanivka, Chernihiv oblast, near the Belarusian border, for the first time, in winter last year, it was a village that had, in some ways, reached the bottom. It was good that they had got rid of the Russian occupiers, but the future was far from certain. At the time, we took really needed aid to a community centre, where Ala, an English teacher, acted as an interpreter. She invited us to her school. It was a shock. All facilities were lacking. The Russians had stolen everything worth taking. Used Ukrainian books as toilet paper.

The classrooms had no facilities, except for a blackboard....not necessarily chalk! The basement where we went when the air raid siren went off was little more than a cellar, with nothing. Dark and cold, no opportunity to continue studies 

And now...

Likewise, the classrooms, with computers and projectors, and appropriate boards...

Also, a new canteen has been been put in place so that the children have meals at lunch time, the last one having been shelled by the Russians. It's still to be finished but getting there.

Water filtration provided by a Finish charity...

However, challenges will still exist. The canteen will cost about £20 per hour to run. There is no budget for this....tomorrow's challenge.

So this morning, on visiting the school, I, very unexpectedly, was able to do an impromptu lesson with children and their teachers, who are attending a sort of summer camp at the school. I hope they enjoyed it. There seemed to be laughter and chattering, which is good.

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Also, one had one of those moments in teaching that make you smile...I wanted the children to write the English numbers, one to five. I asked one of the teachers to write it...she did in numerals 1, 2, 3 etc. More laughter.

So that bit done, I thought that's it for the day. However, I was asked to help transport some aid that had been brought to Ivanivka to the home of Ala, where I'm staying.

I was shocked to see it was the Red Cross that had brought the aid. And really useful aid. Basically, all the equipment required to provide a large cold frame to grow vegetables, right into the autumn and winter. Now you probably know what my thoughts are on these large organisations....but it's good to eat humble pie now and again.

And then the day was done. I was able to have a walk with Ala by a river. So peaceful. 

 I sat down in her garden in the late evening sunshine.I wish I could split myself in half and continue to be involved here, but for a variety of reasons that can't happen.

It has been a real privilege to spend these two days here. This village has a future. Homes are being repaired and rebuilt. A good community.

I will never forget Ivanivka, nor the people. One day I hope to visit it again.

Fiona, in Lviv, also had an interesting day, which she will write about in her own blog tomorrow.