ROBIN’S REMARKABLE DIARY FROM UKRAINE
Eight seven year old Robin Jowit OBE from Teddington has helped raise over £150.000 to support children impacted by the war in Ukraine, providing printers, laptop computers and other vital equipment desperately needed.
He set off on his latest mission last Saturday and has provided this update from his trip, visiting schools, checking on the deployment of those items donated and meeting many local civic leaders, who are so grateful for his efforts.
He was inspired to help because of the devastating impact of the war on children and their education and believes providing the tools of the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects they will be the future of ‘engineers who help rebuild Ukraine.
Here, Robin, a former Mayor of Richmond and RAF pilot, has provided Teddington Town with a remarkable diary and photos of his humanitarian mission.
After flying to Rzeszow in Poland on 22 November, I spent the night there taking a slow boring bus to Lviv. Arriving late and met by Rotarian Borys Boydar, we enjoyed a dinner followed by boozy chat with Simon Davies of UKRAINE AID from Liverpool. He is an incredible individual who raises humanitarian aid every month and drives to Ukraine delivering it people in Zaporhiza close to the fighting. We agreed to keep in touch and the next day Borys showed me the warehouse where he stores donated items, including water filters, sourced from donors in the UK and delivered by Tony Preston from Folkestone. Yes, there are many national charities but the contribution by individuals, including Rotarians, is unbelievable. Tony also collects vehicles that he transports to Ukraine for military use.
We then visited the Lychakivsky cemetery, where Warriors of the current war, from Lviv and its surround, have been laid to rest.
Before moving on, the need for water filters astounded me. Believe it or not, the tap water throughout Ukraine is tainted and water filters for homes and schools are required.
Later we spent an enjoyable 2 hours with an elderly Rotarian, Myron Uhryn, who is the leading authority in dental treatment and research. His hospitality supported by a stunning supply of wine amongst paintings collected when he had over imbibed, needs to be seen to be believed.
Later I attended a Rotary dinner and was privileged to present Borys Bodar with a Paul Harris medal for his services to Rotary and a Rotary Club of Kew Gardens pennant.
That night I caught the 23.00 train to Kyiv, on Tuesday arriving at 06.30, collected by Igor who I first met in Kew. At 9.30 Serhii Zavadsky (SZ) picked me up to visit a secondary school in Borodyanka with 700 pupils that has been repaired after war damage. Kew Gardens Rotary have invested £22,000 for sport and education, including some 3D printers that have just arrived together with a new teacher. Some of our donation remains to be finished and other small requirements will be reviewed by SZ.
During the day we also visited Bucha to see the memorial to 1137 civilians brutally murdered by Russian troops during a 28 day occupation in 2022. A very moving experience with some bodies still being found.
Later we attended a Rotary meeting, at Trattoria restaurant, where I was privileged to present SZ with a well deserved Paul Harris award.
The next day, Wednesday 26 November, four ladies including some Rotarians escorted me to a kindergarten school in Makariv about 70 km from Kyiv. The school, for children up to 6 years of age, was badly damaged and can only accommodate 60 because the second bunker has not been repaired. Rotary is supporting this school and will investigate ways to supply water filters. However, sadly, Rotary cannot fund the Bunker. It was a delight to witness such joyful children although some have serious issues.
Following the visit, we were honoured with a 60 minute audience with the Mayor of Makariv.
We then visited the secondary school in Buzova that was seriously damaged in 2022. I have previously visited twice and pleased to report that it should be ready in December to accommodate over 600 pupils. The Headmaster is closely linked to a front line drone operator, so we presented him with a toy drone for the children to learn a new skill. In closing we discussed his STEM requirements and agreed to explore 3D printer opportunities and water filters.
Whilst there, I took the opportunity to inspect and photograph the kitchen repairs, donated by Rotary in Picton, Ontario. I have sent them details.
We then visited a secondary school in Kyiv, named after the famous Ukranian aircraft designer Oleg Antanov, whose granddaughter lives in an adjoining house. In April 2022 a missile exploded near the school, a boy and his parents were killed and all the front windows and some doors were blown out. UNICEF funded the repairs but they need some water filters for their extensive bunkers and also, improved STEM education. We agreed to explore both needs and, in honour of its aircraft history, donated a toy drone.
Prior to my visit, a serious Rotary supporter, Azad Azud, presented me with a hoodie when I attended the London Lady Mayor parade. I took the opportunity of promoting his generosity plus company name, by offering it to an employee or student at the school, to wear in the cold winter.
Accompanied by Lesia & Dimitri, Sergii we drove to a kindergarten in Petryvtsi for 300 pupils and ample bunker space, The Principal, Natalia manages an excellent school with clearly happy children. However, the day it was to officially open as a new school in 2022, a building nearby was hit by a drone and all the front windows of the school were blown out. It was quickly repaired and the school, for children up to 6 years old, are also encouraged to learn about microscopes, telescopes, body parts with a skeleton together with a wide range of teaching aids.
As an ultra-modern school with beds in the bunkers, it also has 3 water filter systems, donated by Rotary to replace plastic bottles. This is part of a Rotary project throughout Ukraine, supported by Rotary Club of Kew Gardens whose logo is displayed on the filters.
We then visited the Mayor who was clearly very supportive of education but has a major issue at the secondary school that does not have bunkers. Until they are built, many children continue with Home Schooling. This is a major priority,
He also showed us an ambitious brochure for a major development in his area, requiring both local and foreign investors. I offered to show it to colleagues in the UK.
To conclude the day, we visited a secondary school, School 5, where Rotary Club of Kew Gardens have donated laptops and 2 electrical storage batteries. Today, the electricity was off for 4 hours during school time and the battery storage was insufficient. With Russia increasing their attacks on infrastructure, there are increasing electricity shortage. We have arranged for 2 additional batteries and an inverter to be delivered next week to the school and will assess any further needs including STEM. We ended the visit by presenting a small drone to the Principal – keen to see it flying in the sports hall.
In summary, after 5 days it is obvious that there are signs of recent drone / missile damage but the Government has done a fantastic job repairing schools and property damaged during the 2022 invasion.
On the surface there are indications that ALL IS WELL but after relaxed chats there are serious worries – the list is too long to provide but – RELATIONS KILLED, WOUNDED OR FIGHTING, MARRIAGE ISSUES DUE TO PTSD OF SOLDIERS, EVENTUAL PEACE AGREEMENT THAT MAKES THE SACRIFICES WORTHLESS AND WORRIES ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THEIR CHILDREN.
There are many more and I am sure that my forthcoming visits to KHARKIV and ZAPORIZHZHIA will open my eyes to more, sad issues.
The drinking water problem has been a surprise and, because of targeted attacks, there has been an increase in electricity shortages. Also, with the large number of injured / disabled men, in addition to our STEM objective I believe we need to ENCOURAGE computer skills to provide the disabled with opportunities to work.
Enough from me.
Friday a quiet day followed by some culture – TOSCA.