Anyone for Pizza? Ukraine through the eyes of a charity volunteer.

Day 1 

"Why are you coming to Ukraine? You don't need to do this you could just stay in your own country".

I'm on the sleeper train from the Polish border town of Chelm, you don't pronounce the C, to Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine which we have all come to know since Russia began it's invasion almost 16 months ago. My couchette travelling companions are a Ukrainian family of three,  mother Valentina and her 15 year old twins, Victoria and Valentin, 'V' must be popular in Ukraine! Originally from Kyiv they have lived in the Polish city of Gdansk since the war began but were going back to Kyiv to visit their Babushka and celebrate her 70th birthday. Despite the language barrier, Google translate is frustrating when your Internet connection keeps dropping out, we struck up an immediate friendship. Valentina insisted on sharing the delicious pasties she had cooked for their journey. 

Why? Good question which I've been asking myself ever since I agreed to come here in early May. I blurted "to help people on the ground and show support for Ukraine against Russia". Valentina seemed genuinely moved, thanking me and asking if I was afraid. My response was "not really" and I guess that's because I don't have any prior experience of being in a country at war. Am I being foolish and naive? Frankly I really don't know but I'm curious and never shied from adventure and would rather be helping on the ground than just making a financial donation. I asked her if she was afraid, replying  "yes, for them" looking lovingly at her twins. 

I should explain, I'm a volunteer for the Siobhan Trust a Scottish based charity providing support to Ukraine The mission of Siobhan’s Trust – Ukraine is to provide food and practical support to the huge number of internally displaced Ukrainians, traumatised by the Russian invasion of their homeland. This is my story