Journey home through Ukraine

The autumn colours were, once again, beautiful on our journey back through Ukraine...

Now, we have come full circle and are in Krakow, before flying to the UK tomorrow. When we first came here, at the beginning of Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine, we had very little idea of what we would do and how long we would stay - possibly one or 2 months. The reality is that we've been away from our home in Trawden since March 2022. We don't regret a moment of our time and our work, in Krakow and then in Ukraine.

Not all in Ukraine is good. It continues to face many challenges, including corruption, language differences and societal inequalities. A pensioner is supposed to survive on $50 per month. Having said this, we have been met with such kindness, consideration and appreciation by the many people we've met and they have affected us profoundly.

Along the way we have also met people of other nationalities, who have supported us, as well as delivering aid to Ukraine themselves.

We had a parting this evening, in Krakow, with our closest friend and one of the most passionate supporters of Ukraine. Without him we would not have been able to do the work we've managed to do. Of all the partings, this one was especially hard. Thank you, Tomasz, for trusting us and for all you've done to support us in delivering aid.

We would also like to thank everyone back home, and in other parts of the world, who have also contributed, financially and emotionally, to our work in Ukraine. 

As we go our separate ways, for now, we have little clear idea of what the future may hold. But a part of us will be forever in Ukraine. We both have ideas about possible ways forward. There may be a pause before the start of a new chapter.

In the meantime, we will keep in contact with those we've been supporting, particularly in Kherson, and will continue to write blogs to make sure that their story continues to be heard. 

Watch this space...