September 2006 CWUHA Journey to Ukraine

Ten vehicles loaded with Humanitarian Aid, and love, began the long journey to Kiev and Chernihiv in Ukraine.

Chernihiv is only a few Kilometres from Chernobyl the scene of the worse nuclear disaster in history, not many charities venture here.

The drivers were once again from all walks of life. Royal Mail and BT employees shared the same goal as solicitors, businessmen, house wives and even the odd tax inspector.

Their goal was to try and help people less fortunate than themselves.

Royal Mail and BT, a special thanks to you, supplied all of the vehicles, fuel cards and employee special leave!

Assistance given by the Department of Transport in London helped to make the crossing into Ukraine smooth and relatively cost free, a real “Brucey Bonus” compared to all our previous experiences at this border.

Even the custom clearance in Kiev and Chernihiv went like clockwork. Maybe this was partly due to lobbying that the organisers had achieved with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the fact that we had an audience with the British Ambassador in Kiev, who knows?

As usual all the aid at both places had to be stored in bonded warehouses awaiting detailed custom inspection after our departure. We can only hope that the newfound cooperation from the Ukraine authorities will be extended to EveryChild our partners in Ukraine who will supervise the distribution of the Aid.

Some of the Aid is intended for mother and baby units in Kiev and Chernihiv. The rest will be distributed around very poor villages, which will enable the families to stay together, and the children to avoid the “hell hole” orphanages.

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