A Van for Chernihiv - Project Update
Firstly, I would like to begin this article by saying a huge thank you to all that have helped with this project. Amelie Leclercq (Past European Co-ordinator) and I have been working with the wonderful members of BPW Chernihiv, Yullia Zayaka (President of BPW Ukraine) and Victoria Filatova (Founding member of BPW Chernihiv and Chair of the Charity Arrata). This on the ground knowledge from local BPW members has been invaluable and helped to secure the success we have seen.
The vehicle, a second-hand VW minivan was bought in Bulgaria, and it was prepared for the journey to Chernihiv, and then loaded with goods that had been bought with the donated monies. This van has eight seats, and this fitted well with the aim that it will help transport people to hospital appointments, and to deliver aid around the area, where larger trucks cannot travel. These goods included personal first aid kits, domestic solar panels, batteries, vitamins to support people’s general well-being, hygiene kits, nappies, and baby foods. We brought a generator, to assist homes that are suffering with the rolling power cuts. Amelie and I collected clothes to fill those gaps within the van, not that we had many with the generosity of friends and neighbours that got involved with our BPW project as well. I even roped in my cousin who knitted scarfs to go into the van, an act of kindness from one woman to another.
What next? Of course, we need to continue this project until the conflict has ceased. Until then, the need will not stop unfortunately. This is the ONLY BPW International project that is working on the ground within Ukraine. Other BPW Federation and Clubs have wonderful projects around the world, and are doing great things within an individual country, but Amelie and I felt that we also needed to insure we do not abandon our BPW sisters still living with families in Ukraine.
So, before phase two, thank you.💕 However, please can we continue to support this project? https://bpwpayment.aplusready.com/bpw-help-for-ukraine-refugees This is the direct link to the project donation page, and all funds will go towards the continued humanitarian aid that Ukraine need and will be distributed by our BPW sisters in and around Chernihiv in Ukraine. Amelie and I promise to continue to monitor the project, share photographs of those receiving the aid. We look forward to the project being closed, mission accomplished, and those women that are our BPW sisters returning to the life they enjoyed before this awful conflict began.
Can you help?
Jo Kinsey, President BPW UK
