Jim and Ronnie’s Humanitarian Mission to Ukraine

Inspired by the humanitarian work of TT legend Joey Dunlop, two Manxies have spent the past week travelling to Ukraine to deliver humanitarian aid. 

Jim Hunter and Ronnie Russell have visited an orphanage, school and old people’s home in an area just south west of Kyiv.

Having flown into Romania, Jim and Ronnie were met by Chris Baker from Hands of Hope to join up with the Association of Light for Children to travel into Ukraine.

Using money raised through a coach trip around the TT course, as well as from donations, they bought a literal van full of medicines, toiletries and school supplies, as well as some fresher items while on the ground in Romania.

Whilst in Ukraine, they met with Natalia Tomsk, the headteacher at Zvenchian Secondary School, which has 151 students, many of whom have fled the war and are now living abroad.

As well as seeing many of their students fleeing the war, the school is dealing with air raids warnings, power cuts, missiles flying over their heads and children who have lost parents, despite this Natalia and her colleagues are carrying on, going beyond what could be expected of anyone to ensure their students continue to get an education.  

She said: ‘A small part of our pupils are in Ukraine and we are trying to keep teaching them, to keep a good atmosphere for our pupils. Tomorrow and Thursday and Friday we’re starting [to teach] online because of the anniversary of the war beginning and many parents are afraid of rocket attacks, afraid for their children and the authorities have told us to be in our shelters when we hear the air riad signals, so we decided to study online because of the danger.

‘I am so thankful for all the people because they have supported us a lot, it is very important for us to get this help because we need it. I thank you so much, from all my heart and from my staff and pupils. It is very important for us in this situation to feel supported, it is very important and we really appreciated it.’

With what we assume to be only minimal arm twisting from IT teacher Jim, Natalia added:‘I want to say hello to St Ninian’s pupils, I wish you to be healthy, wealthy, strong and you have a good teacher, who comes to Ukraine and you should be very happy to have such a good teacher.’

Orphanage

Having visited the school, Jim and Ronnie went on to visit Chernivsi Childrens’ Orphanage where they were able to provide not only toiletries and medicines, but also toys and treats for the children. 

There they met Olya Kitsan and Liliya Rachkovska who have 150 living across three buildings, some who still have a mother, but others who tragically have lost their parents in the war.

They also spoke to Martha Levchenko, who despite the horror going on around her, remains positive and said that as well as caring for the children, the orphanage has dogs living there to help provide canine therapy. 

She said: ‘The dogs work with our children who have come from war, who are very scared, very closed, they can’t talk, they can’t speak to the other children and when they got the dog, they open up their heart.

‘The children start to talk, they start to smile and start to play with the dog, it’s wonderful therapy with our children.’ 

While at the orphanage, Ronnie even found time to play himself, with Jim filming him going down a slide to what could probably best be said to be a level of respectability remaining intact, which at very least gave everyone a laugh. 

Sheltered Accommodation

The final leg of their trip saw Jim and Ronnie visit Chernivtsi’s sheltered accommodation. As well as providing somewhere for the more elderly residents there, it has seen an influx of people from across Ukraine.

Even there, they found people who were doing their bit in the war against Russia, with Jim saying the residents were ‘sewing together camouflage nets to support their soldiers on the front line’.

There they met Pastor Evhenni Kurulenko and director Natalie Solonar who help to support the 62 people living in the home.

Pastor Evhennii said: ‘Natalie had the idea to make camouflage for the Ukrainian army because the army needs the material and people who live here want to help.

He added: ‘Thank you very much that you haven’t forgotten other people and that you have come to us from the Isle of Man. Thank you very much, your help for all the people who live here is very important.’

Overwhelming

Speaking to Jim once he and Ronnie were safely back in Romania, he said that they had found the trip to be ‘pretty overwhelming’.

He said: ‘People remain so positive despite the obvious adversity and so grateful for the support and a little reminder that some are thinking about them.’

Jim also thanked everyone for their support and donations before the paid head back to the island, arriving home tomorrow, which is the one year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. 

You can see a slideshow of pictures from their visit below:

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