Faces

We are driving from Zaparizhzhia to Kherson to cook pizzas for victims of the floods. I've been given the responsibility of driving The Gazza, Wolf's smaller brother, a 3.5tonne  Iveco Daily van converted with 4 gas pizza ovens and air conditioning, that's the best part, unfortunately its suspension is not built for Ukrainian roads, every pothole and there are a lot, are accompanied by a body, car and human, shaking bang. On top of that it's rather underpowered making overtaking rather too exciting!

After 5 hours driving we pull up on the outskirts of Kherson and await instructions from the police. After half an hour news filters in that the Russian's are shelling the evacuation efforts and the right decision is made to retreat to Mykolaiv. A hotel is found, at least for half the group, the 'old hands' are invited to stay at Anna's place on the other side of town. Anna is a lovely generous Ukrainian who has a huge network in the region and runs an open house for volunteers to stay. The 'newbies' feeling somewhat abandoned settle in to what must be the creepiest hotel I've ever stayed in. 

At least the bar has an Italian coffee machine to kick start our day. The aid focus is on Kherson City centre and we decide we can offer more support (and Pizza) to the remote villages that never get visitors let alone aid. Siobhan Trust pizza making is a slick operation from arrival at a site to the first pizza being handed out only takes 15 minutes. Operating at maximum capacity; 2 trucks, 11 ovens, 3 pizzas in each oven they can churn out 600 an hour, on a busy day 2000 plus pizzas are not unusual. There are four main roles on the production line; the unwrapper, the pizza chef, the runner and the server. My favourite was the server as this was the best opportunity to directly connect with the Ukrainians we were helping. Look into their faces make eye contact with them, try to emphasise and comprehend the incomprehensible.