August 2023 Update
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August 22
So, my last mission before rotation. The lowered barrier at the Polish border suggested it wouldn't be a leisurely one.
We reached Zaporizhia alright, but in the morning, out of the three elderly folks we planned to transport from the east, we had to decline one. We wouldn't have been able to safely get the grandpa to his destination...
And the remaining two ladies weren't in the best medical condition either. En route, we received a request for evacuation west from Kyiv for a British lad with a gunshot wound to the hand, whom I know from my early days at TESCO. It wasn't exactly on the way, but of course, we turned towards Kyiv. Luckily, not long after setting off, we got a cancellation – the doctors wouldn't release the lad. We returned to our route.
Before Ternopil, Nika's engine overheated. Opening the hood revealed a grim sight – the cooling fan, along with its axis, had come loose, some drive belts were hanging around, a complete mess under that hood... (see the not-so-great photo).
Outside it was 34°C, and inside the treatment cabin, two grannies were breathing air conditioning, and there was nowhere else for them to go. Alright, we turned off the air conditioning in the driver cabin, cranked the ventilation to the max, and drove quickly under the siren, creating ventilation for the engine. We left the air conditioning on for the grannies – they could keep breathing.
And that's how we rolled for 300 kilometers. At speeds below 70 km/h, there was a scent of antifreeze, making our prayers more fervent. And then there were traffic jams, traffic lights... "Not for us, baby, not now"
And the God who loves us worked His miracle again. Not only did we arrive and deliver the grannies to the right place, where everything went smoothly for them, but when we opened the hood, we saw an engine that wasn't at all overheated, normal levels of antifreeze and oil. Hallelujah!
In this mission, Roma received his monkey patch. Roma is a paramedic, and when necessary, after the 14th, a frontline medic. An exceptional professional, I can tell them apart. Well, during this somewhat nerve-wracking mission, he proved himself admirably!
As for me – tonight, I'm off to Krakow and then on a plane. To meet, to negotiate..., and of course, to ask for money from you. Now, it's time for Nika's repairs.
And I need to catch my breath, I'm quite tired.
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August 18
Today, I transported a wounded soldier, a Scot from the Legion, and a mother with her daughter from Kharkiv.
With the soldier, I had to recall all the things I heard about medicine in my childhood... But everything went smoothly. There won't be any photos with him; there wasn't time for that, and I forgot.
As for the mother's daughter, she's shy.
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August 15
Today, patches with a little monkey were received by Svitlana Vydra and Oleksandr Noraiev. I worked with Sasha back in Zaporizhia last year, and Svitlana and I collaborate closely in Lviv. Each in their own field, they participated in the preparation of this ride to Izium and agreed to join the crew.
The ride turned out to be predictably long and very difficult. However, there was one small problem – the main computer crashed, and the cabin turned into a pumpkin, without lights or air conditioning. Outside, it was 34 degrees Celsius. Praying, I quickly sorted it out. The crew didn't have time to get scared, and the passengers didn't quite grasp the situation. Only I got scared, as I've had a similar experience before. Of course, there are backups in the ambulance for such cases, but they're all... rigid.
But neither this nor much else stopped us. After covering 2600 km, we delivered the collected humanitarian aid to the Legion’s medics heading to the front lines and safely brought our passengers to a Polish shelter. Everything went smoothly.
We evacuated a family from Izium, a city they hadn't left since the beginning of the war. The whole world already knows what happened in the city. The house got some damage, everyone was lightly wounded except the head of the family. And when everything had finally calmed down, a stroke followed, causing partial paralysis. I think it's from the cumulative stress...
But the progress is good; the Germans will get them back on their feet.
And here's something important: As the project leader, I want to thank Svitlana Vydra for her resilience and courage shown during the mission.
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August 11
Shipping from 07-17 already delivered and started to distribute in Odessa and Kherson. Dear doctors and donors! Huge thanks!!!
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August 11
I transported Natasha, our friendly volunteer from Rubicus, with her children. After leaving the occupied city of Melitopol, she has been a coordinator for over a year.
"Those who have done it, know it" (c). Well, it's time to catch her breath.
Surprisingly, we crossed the border quite easily; I believe many people wish Natasha well.
It turned out that there are a lot of our “godchildren” from several recent rides at the shelter. Everyone has a long way to go, and sorting out the route takes time. They're doing well at Jay's.
Unexpectedly, I found myself surrounded by masses of children, like Santa Claus at Christmas. I was a bit embarrassed. They made a little flower.
Pleasant!
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August 10
And today - people from Kherson. Two women and two children. Some medical issues. It's unfortunate that we didn't catch up with them at the beginning of their journey - that's why the problems don't dissolve.
I'm not much of a photographer - the angles are clichéd, just like the subjects. Women with children, elderly, sick...
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August 9
Mom, three little ones, grandma.
They are nervous for now. But volunteers are already working with them at Jay's. Everything is going according to plan.
I know the places they come from well, been there.
The Russians bombed the bridge there, and the "Avos" (RIP) left half of the suspension on detours.
I always forget: people in shock lose their appetite and feel nauseous because of it.
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August 7
Today, I took Alex Smirnov to the airport.
The affairs of our foundation required his urgent presence, and we need to push for fundraising. We are already working miracles and with your help.
While Smirnov was here, we did quite well, judging by the number of people, the complexity of situations, and diagnoses. I could allow myself to forget everything related to medicine... Many tasks, which essentially had no solution, were miraculously resolved, which in our case meant - efficiently.
It was a good hunt!
For now, I'll hold down the fort for both the first and second positions.
Applications for the wizard vacancy are being accepted))))
Alexander Zharov
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August 5
Today, a family from Zaporizhia was transported using two vehicles. The grandmother is unable to walk, one of the young boys and the mother require medical assistance.
A convoy of two vehicles, one of which is not an ambulance, going through an accelerated procedure at the border – that's challenging.
While on the Ukrainian side, where we have the most cooperation, this wasn't surprising, on the Polish side, it was like a miracle.
But God loves us.
Everyone is happy, everyone is laughing, and even our friend's dog, shelter owner Jay's, is in the photo.
Today in Lviv, the siren wailed several times, and on the road, the boys kept pestering their mom, saying, 'You said there wouldn't be any more bombing once we left, right?'
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August 5
War or not, kids will be kids.
The weather is hot, and kids are playing in the fountain at the Lviv Train Station, seemingly unaffected by the air raid sirens blaring in the background.
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August 4
Last shipping was sent today. 13 boxes to Odessa and one to Kharkiv, 543lbs, $1603.42
Also, got the pictures from recipient - shipment from 07/03 (https://www.facebook.com/groups/globalrelief2022/posts/1520767301787476) already in Lviv.
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August 3
Today, at Lviv Station, with subsequent dispatch to the medical team rally point for the for front, our Benya (Ben Asack) was brought. He might seem small only against the backdrop of the station. And - in comparison. The girls at the station were looking at our Benya. Girls always take notice of him; we're used to it.
It was nice to meet again, to remember the roads of a year ago...
And to Poland, we brought a mother with her son, post-op, spinal concussion, everything will be fine, I said... and a girl from Zaporizhzhia. Because it's wrong for beautiful girls to be under bombs.
Being under bombs - that's just wrong altogether.
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August 2
We transferred two families from Ukraine to Jaroslaw. There were two adults and four children.
The border crossing today was tough; it took more than an hour. Well, for us, it was difficult, but considering the situation, people had to stand for twelve hours.
For them, our Nika is a miracle.
And people keep going, going...