Moving on....


Fiona and I have decided to go our separate ways. Fiona based in Kharkiv, and me based in Odesa and Kherson.

The situation in both places remains challenging. The power situation is dire, with sometimes only 6 hours of electricity a day. Psychologically this is hard to manage in summer, however, I really fear for the winter. And the missiles and glide bombs are a daily occurrence with resultant deaths and injuries. The photo below taken near my apartment.


There are many reasons that I wish to remain in Odesa and Kherson, but one of the main reasons is the continued direct interaction with the people receiving the help.

The kitchen I work with in Odesa makes 500 meals plus. At about 1 pm we take the food and share it at a centre for internally displaced people, some of whom are homeless, having lost everything. Some speak English, but in the main Russian. They tell me their stories. Either directly or through translators. I'm aware this might not change much, but many seem pleased to relate their stories.


The kitchen itself and organisation are interesting in their own right. It has a strong Buddhist base, which is quite unusual in Ukraine in itself. It relies on both international and Ukrainian volunteers. It's an amazingly quiet, peaceful place to work. There are 3 main cooks each day, of which I'm one, on the days I work. It's very much a vegetarian kitchen, and my repertoire of dishes has improved. I'm given more or less free rein to do my own thing. 
We also prepare 240 litres of soup a day. Stirring that pan is interesting. It's hard, hot difficult work, but extremely rewarding. Bread is also made, as well as cakes.

With regards delivering aid to Kherson, that will also continue, with donations given by residents of Trawden, families and friends. Fiona will likewise support organisations in Kharkiv. 

I mentioned in one of the recent blogs that I was finding it challenging to do all the driving. I put out feelers to see if there were volunteers who could support. As usual in Ukraine, the response was positive, and I will have a co driver on my runs. This means  that the aid taken to the community in Kherson will definitely continue.

Your contributions continue to make a direct difference here in Ukraine. Many thanks for your continued support. I will be doing an aid run to Kherson in the near future. I am asking specifically, if anyone wants to donate for the dog sanctuary in Kherson please donate as usual through PayPal, but please mark dog sanctuary. Many thanks.

To make a donation, please:
1. Open PayPal and, when asked for name of payee or email, enter trawden4ukraine@hotmail.com

Or, if you live in/near Trawden:
2. Use the Ukraine collection box in Trawden Community Shop. 

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