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# OPT
OPT We're only passing thru...make it count
## Posts
### [Posts](https://www.passingthrough.net/posts/)
**Published:** March 14, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Davyd with the patient he advocated for and gave him back his quality of life
**Content:**
### Latest Posts
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/back-in-ukraine-26-27-mission/ "Back in Ukraine: Our 2026 Mission Begins")
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/back-in-ukraine-26-27-mission/ "Back in Ukraine: Our 2026 Mission Begins") [](https://www.passingthrough.net/back-in-ukraine-26-27-mission/ "Back in Ukraine: Our 2026 Mission Begins") [Ukraine humanitarian trip](https://www.passingthrough.net/category/all-things-ukraine/ukraine-humanitarian/)
### [ Back in Ukraine: Our 2026 Mission Begins ](https://www.passingthrough.net/back-in-ukraine-26-27-mission/)
18/08/2026
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/journey-back-to-ukraine/ "Today We Begin the Journey Back to Ukraine")
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/journey-back-to-ukraine/ "Today We Begin the Journey Back to Ukraine") [](https://www.passingthrough.net/journey-back-to-ukraine/ "Today We Begin the Journey Back to Ukraine") [Posts About Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/category/all-things-ukraine/posts-ukraine/)
### [ Today We Begin the Journey Back to Ukraine ](https://www.passingthrough.net/journey-back-to-ukraine/)
02/08/2026
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/rural-generalism-in-a-war-zone/ "Rural Generalism in a War Zone | ACRRM Podcast")
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/rural-generalism-in-a-war-zone/ "Rural Generalism in a War Zone | ACRRM Podcast") [](https://www.passingthrough.net/rural-generalism-in-a-war-zone/ "Rural Generalism in a War Zone | ACRRM Podcast") [Posts About Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/category/all-things-ukraine/posts-ukraine/)
### [ Rural Generalism in a War Zone | ACRRM... ](https://www.passingthrough.net/rural-generalism-in-a-war-zone/)
31/07/2026
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/kowanyama-to-ukraine/ "Kowanyama to Ukraine")
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/kowanyama-to-ukraine/ "Kowanyama to Ukraine") [](https://www.passingthrough.net/kowanyama-to-ukraine/ "Kowanyama to Ukraine") [Posts About Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/category/all-things-ukraine/posts-ukraine/)
### [ Kowanyama to Ukraine ](https://www.passingthrough.net/kowanyama-to-ukraine/)
29/07/2026
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/serving-where-it-matters-most/ "‘Serving Where It Matters Most’")
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/serving-where-it-matters-most/ "‘Serving Where It Matters Most’") [](https://www.passingthrough.net/serving-where-it-matters-most/ "‘Serving Where It Matters Most’") [Posts About Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/category/all-things-ukraine/posts-ukraine/)
### [ ‘Serving Where It Matters Most’ ](https://www.passingthrough.net/serving-where-it-matters-most/)
27/07/2026
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/ukraine-the-forgotten-war/ "‘Ukraine: The Forgotten War’")
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/ukraine-the-forgotten-war/ "‘Ukraine: The Forgotten War’") [](https://www.passingthrough.net/ukraine-the-forgotten-war/ "‘Ukraine: The Forgotten War’") [Posts About Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/category/all-things-ukraine/posts-ukraine/)
### [ ‘Ukraine: The Forgotten War’ ](https://www.passingthrough.net/ukraine-the-forgotten-war/)
21/07/2026
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/dr-chris-goes-to-ukraine/ "Dr Chris Goes To Ukraine")
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/dr-chris-goes-to-ukraine/ "Dr Chris Goes To Ukraine") [](https://www.passingthrough.net/dr-chris-goes-to-ukraine/ "Dr Chris Goes To Ukraine") [Ukraine humanitarian trip](https://www.passingthrough.net/category/all-things-ukraine/ukraine-humanitarian/)
### [ Dr Chris Goes To Ukraine ](https://www.passingthrough.net/dr-chris-goes-to-ukraine/)
26/06/2026
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/a-nations-soul-under-fire/ "Erasing Ukraine: One Day, A Nation’s Soul Under Fire")
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/a-nations-soul-under-fire/ "Erasing Ukraine: One Day, A Nation’s Soul Under Fire") [](https://www.passingthrough.net/a-nations-soul-under-fire/ "Erasing Ukraine: One Day, A Nation’s Soul Under Fire") [Posts About Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/category/all-things-ukraine/posts-ukraine/)
### [ Erasing Ukraine: One Day, A Nation’s Soul Under... ](https://www.passingthrough.net/a-nations-soul-under-fire/)
18/06/2026
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/back-to-ukraine-a-doctors-commitment-to-care/ "Back To Ukraine: A Doctor’s Commitment To Care")
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/back-to-ukraine-a-doctors-commitment-to-care/ "Back To Ukraine: A Doctor’s Commitment To Care") [](https://www.passingthrough.net/back-to-ukraine-a-doctors-commitment-to-care/ "Back To Ukraine: A Doctor’s Commitment To Care") [Posts About Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/category/all-things-ukraine/posts-ukraine/)
### [ Back To Ukraine: A Doctor’s Commitment To Care ](https://www.passingthrough.net/back-to-ukraine-a-doctors-commitment-to-care/)
10/06/2026
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/how-your-donations-have-been-working/ "How Your Donations Have Been Working")
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/how-your-donations-have-been-working/ "How Your Donations Have Been Working") [](https://www.passingthrough.net/how-your-donations-have-been-working/ "How Your Donations Have Been Working") [Posts About Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/category/all-things-ukraine/posts-ukraine/)
### [ How Your Donations Have Been Working ](https://www.passingthrough.net/how-your-donations-have-been-working/)
27/04/2026
---
### [Back in Ukraine: Our 2026 Mission Begins](https://www.passingthrough.net/back-in-ukraine-26-27-mission/)
**Published:** August 18, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** We're back in Ukraine for five months. Borders, bureaucracy, air raid sirens and watermelons the size of small children — mission one begins.
**Content:**
I have always thought of myself as a light traveller. Five months in Ukraine put an end to that idea. We were packing for an unknown number of situations, stocking a base we’d need to run for months, and working within luggage limits that had nothing to do with how much we actually needed to bring. I packed and repacked those suitcases more times than I want to admit and unfortunately had to leave behind a lot of what I really wanted to bring.
We’d normally cross by train, as we’ve done before, and the thought of wrestling three heavy suitcases and two backpacks across two trains and a border crossing wasn’t appealing. Our NGO partner offered a better option. Volunteers in Poland repair donated cars and send them across into Ukraine, and we were able to drive across one of those vehicles, which meant our luggage rode in the boot instead of on our backs. We met the two women who coordinate this work, and the mechanic who handed over the keys — a Ukrainian veteran who had been injured in combat and now spends his time fixing vehicles for his brothers in arms, who constantly need replacement cars because Russia specifically targets the vehicles used to evacuate the wounded. This particular car was headed to the Azov Battalion. It will likely go on to save lives the same way so many others already have.
The car was registered as humanitarian aid, so at the border I had the paperwork to queue at the customs office on the Ukrainian side. The line was full of truck drivers who looked like they’d been waiting for hours. When they saw me and realised I was there for humanitarian aid, they waved me straight to the front and kept checking with the clerk to see if she was ready for me. It was a small kindness, and it stayed with me. Crossing into Ukraine and seeing that sign again — the fifth time now — is still hard to put the emotions into words. We’re just so glad to be here, to be able to help even a little. For me there’s also something that feels like coming home.
We arrived in the middle of a record-breaking heatwave, and between that and jet lag we could barely move for the first few days. Since then there’s been a lot to do getting the house set up to actually function as a base for the months ahead. We’ve had two power outages and some water issues — the town’s central water supply relies on electricity, so when the power goes, so does the water. We do have a fair amount of backup here; we just need to work out how it all fits together. There’s also a garden, which I’m always glad about wherever I end up — growing food is a real part of resilience here, not a hobby. The previous owners have let it go a little as they prepare to move house, but there are still plenty of tomatoes in the greenhouse, along with peppers, cucumbers, and berries, although the heatwave has hit them hard.
There’s been a fair amount of bureaucracy that comes with staying for longer than a short visit. We needed notarised translations of our passports. I already had a tax number, but Ron needed one, so we went to the state tax office and sat for a couple of hours watching our ticket number keep sliding to the bottom of the queue. Right at closing time, with everyone else seen, the screen went blank and staff started leaving. We went up to the window anyway. The woman there spoke no English, called a supervisor, and then left too. Eventually the supervisor explained, through Google Translate, that the working day had ended. We must have looked as unimpressed as we felt, because she relented, sighted our documents, processed the form, and asked us to come back the next day — when Ron was handed his tax number well ahead of the usual wait. Opening a bank account, by contrast, was simple, and the woman who helped us was lovely. The residency application was the real challenge: despite the long list of documents we’d been told we needed, it turned out we also needed the original — not a copy — of CMA Ukraine’s charity registration certificate, a new requirement CMA themselves hadn’t been told about, because their website hadn’t been updated yet. We also learned we needed health insurance covering thirteen months, not the twelve months our residency permit actually covers. And to our surprise the office that covers issues for foreigners had not one person who spoke English.
Lviv is relatively safe compared to other areas of Ukraine.
Kyiv has had no quiet days this week. Air raid alerts have sounded almost daily, mostly for Shahed drones, but at least twice for missile attacks. As one Ukraine news summary put it this week: residents joke darkly that they miss “the foreplay of drones” — the old, longer warning before an attack — because at least it gave you time to get to a shelter. Now it’s fast: you survive fast, or you don’t. That’s the gallows humour keeping people upright. It didn’t keep everyone upright this week. A family house near Brovary was hit overnight, killing a grandmother, grandfather, and their three-year-old grandson. A railway station nearby was struck as workers waited for a delayed train home — eight people were killed on the platform. A twenty-year-old volunteer, Vitalina Yarovenko, died in a double-tap strike while helping people injured in an earlier hit, a tactic specifically designed to kill those who come to help. Oleksiy Yukov, who had spent his life recovering and repatriating the bodies of the fallen, was fatally wounded doing that same work. And many, many more. July turned out to be the deadliest month for civilians since the war began.
Our partner organisation is in a busy stretch, deep in planning for upcoming mobile clinics, surgical missions and team retreats. Staff are tired — it’s hard work raising funds and running programs with very few resources, and we hope to be genuinely useful while we’re here. We’re still working out what the house needs to properly function as a place of support, since the previous owner hasn’t left as much behind as he’d indicated he would. Planning is also underway for a retreat that will be a time of healing and rest for those who spend their lives caring for others — thank you to everyone who has donated specifically toward that.
We had a lovely, brief visit from Jaan, a dear friend from Estonia who we first met years ago as a volunteer doing youth work with us in Kowanyama, and who is now a pastor there. He and a friend raised funds to drive donated equipment to us in Lviv, purely to encourage us — some much-needed gear for our office and training room, plus some medical equipment and supplies and a few Estonian treats for us. It was wonderful to see him again after all these years, though the visit was short; they had to turn straight around to get back to work.
Ron has also gone back to the particular sport of driving in Ukraine. CMA Ukraine has kindly been lending us whatever car they have spare while we sort out our own situation, and we’re very grateful for it — though it does mean Ron navigating a donated right-hand-drive car from the UK on Ukrainian roads.
We also made it to the biggest farmers market in western Ukraine — acres of wholesale stalls and trucks stacked with fresh fruit, vegetables, and mushrooms. It took real effort not to buy far more than we needed. People here buy in bulk to preserve, something that runs in my blood from both my German and Ukrainian sides, and it’s an important part of Ukrainian resilience — you can buy preserving jars in bulk almost anywhere. In the early days of the full-scale invasion, many Ukrainians survived being trapped in basements for months on food they’d preserved and stored. I’ve genuinely never seen so many enormous tomatoes in my life. I got to practise a little of my Ukrainian while I was at it. The watermelons are in season, and there were truck-sized loads of the biggest watermelons I’ve ever seen, along with rockmelons roughly five times the size of anything you’d find in Australia. My grandad used to describe fruit like that, and I always assumed it was a homesick man’s exaggeration of memory. It wasn’t.
Now it’s back to the work of setting this home up to be resilient through the war and the coming winter, and to be a haven that can genuinely help people here — through training, through support, and through everything else this mission will need over the next five months. As well as planning and preparing for the work ahead. This is the first update in what will be a long series. Thank you for reading, and for being part of it.
If you’d like to help fund the team retreat, the mobile clinics, or simply keep this work going, you can find out exactly what your support buys on the ground at **[passingthrough.net/donating](https://passingthrough.net/donating)** or through our **[200 Heroes for Ukraine](https://passingthrough.net/200-heroes-for-ukraine)** campaign. No pressure at all — just an open door if you’re curious.
Want the next update straight to your inbox? **[Subscribe here](https://passingthrough.net/subscribe-to-blog-posts)**.
```
A quick note, because someone asked: we don't draw a wage from OPT. I've taken some of my annual leave at part pay and picked up remote work on the side to help cover our way; we've also sold some things from home and rented out part of the house. The Lviv base, the flights, our own keep — that's on us. Unless you tell us otherwise, every dollar donated goes to the clinics, the training, the supplies.
```
### Heading Title
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**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** charity, humanitarian, medical mission, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, ukraine, volunteer
---
### [Rural Generalism in a War Zone | ACRRM Podcast](https://www.passingthrough.net/rural-generalism-in-a-war-zone/)
**Published:** July 31, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Dr Lara Wieland tells ACRRM's Life Hacks how rural generalism prepared her for Ukraine — and how you can help build MedLearnUke.
**Content:**
## **Turns Out, “No CT Scanner for Hours” Is a Universal Language**
I was on a panel at a conference for Melbourne University medical students recently, sandwiched between talks on Gaza and Yemen. The doctor before me — who organises missions to Gaza — turned to the Melbourne city-based room and said, “Just imagine you don’t have a CT scanner. It’s a few hours away.”
*I thought to myself – “Mate, that’s my last thirty years.”*
I relayed this to [ACRRM’s Dr Emily Moody](https://www.acrrm.org.au/resources/acrrm-podcasts/rg-life-hacks-podcast) in this episode of **[Life Hacks](https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/rg-life-hacks/id1692282819)** — a conversation about what happens when you take a rural generalist skill set, forged in Far North Queensland and remote Aboriginal communities, and drop it into a country under attack. Short answer: it turns out to be exactly the right training. Long answer: you’ll have to [**listen.**](https://acrrmlifehacks.podbean.com/)
We talk about what healthcare actually looks like in Ukraine — not the trench-medicine cliché, but the antenatal checks, the chronic disease reviews, and the palliative care that carry on under shelling, power cuts, and the occasional drone with opinions about your travel plans. We talk about why “just become a trauma surgeon” is the wrong instinct, and why the humble, adaptable generalist — the one who can sleep when they can, eat what’s available, and not need to be the hero of the story — is far more useful on the ground. Sound familiar, registrars? It should. It’s basically your curriculum with a passport stamp.
I also get a bit more candid than usual about the emotional weight of this work, what I’ve learned from Ukrainian clinicians about professionalism under conditions none of us would voluntarily sign up for, and why I remain firmly convinced I’m the one getting the better deal in this relationship.
**🎙️ Listen to the episode:** [ACRRM Life Hacks — Ukraine: Practising Beyond Borders](https://acrrmlifehacks.podbean.com/)
# **And If You Want to Do More Than Listen**
Near the end of the episode I mention [**MedLearnUke**](https://www.passingthrough.net/about-med-learn-uke/) — an online medical education platform we’re building for Ukrainian clinicians, built on ACRRM’s own curriculum as a framework (with their generous blessing), and designed to run on a weak connection and sheer stubbornness. AI handles the bilingual dubbing so Australian mentors can lecture, comment on case discussions, and support Ukrainian colleagues without needing a word of the language themselves.
We’re looking for ACRRM fellows willing to mentor a case discussion, contribute a lecture in their area of interest, or simply help us keep the lights on. And registrars keen to be a part of the learning and helping subsidise the hosting costs for their Ukrainian colleagues.
**📘 Learn more and get involved:** [About MedLearnUk](https://www.passingthrough.net/about-med-learn-uke/)e
**💚 Support the work directly:** [passingthrough.net/donating](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)
*Rural generalism taught most of us to make do with what’s in front of us and still do good medicine with humility. That’s just what humanitarian work needs.*
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** humanitarian, medical mission, remote doctors, Rural Generalism, Supportukraine, ukraine, warzone
---
### ['Serving Where It Matters Most'](https://www.passingthrough.net/serving-where-it-matters-most/)
**Published:** July 27, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** I sat down with Suzanne Rath on her podcast "Endures" to talk Cape York, Ukraine, and thirty years of showing up. Listen now — and consider chipping in.
**Content:**
## My Chat on ‘Endures’ Podcast
Somewhere between recounting thirty years of rural clinics and describing what it’s like when the temperature and the shelling both drop below zero at the same time, I realised “quite a lot” was an understatement for my life. Check out my conversation with Suzanne Rath on her podcast Endures. .
Suzanne and I talked about the long arc: rural, remote and Indigenous health across Cape York, the twenty-plus years my husband Ron and I have spent running a small charity for Indigenous youth, and — more recently — the work I do with Only Passing Thru, delivering medical training and supplies to healthcare workers on Ukraine’s front lines.
*“They wanted to freeze people to demoralise them.”*
That line from the episode has already stuck with people who’ve heard it. Russia’s deliberate targeting of heating and power through winter isn’t collateral damage — it’s strategy. It’s the kind of sentence that’s hard to say and harder to hear, and exactly the kind of thing that gets lost in a news cycle unless someone says it plainly. So I said it plainly.
Mostly, though, this was a conversation about service — what it costs, what it gives back, and why turning up again and again, in Cape York or in Kherson Oblast, still matters more than any single grand gesture. Three decades in, I can confirm: the paperwork has not gotten more fun. Everything else has been worth it.
### Listen to the full conversation
- **Apple Podcasts:** [listen here](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/serving-where-it-matters-most-with-dr-lara-gillespie/id1865642561?i=1000771859759)
- **Substack (Suzanne’s full write-up):** [read & listen](https://open.substack.com/pub/suzannerathcoach/p/serving-where-it-matters-most-with?r=87f5dz&utm_medium=ios)
- **LinkedIn (the clip doing the rounds):** [watch here](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/suzanne-rath-gaicd-speaker-coach_they-wanted-to-freeze-people-to-demoralize-ugcPost-7470081887630196736-V_8m/?utm_source=social_share_send&utm_medium=ios_app&rcm=ACoAABVBqnEB9npvqEdzDs01bLPDammdeEQDqmc&utm_campaign=copy_link)
If the conversation moves you the way these conversations tend to move people — a reminder that Only Passing Thru supports Ukraine with service AND donations. Every dollar goes toward medical supplies, training, and keeping the Ukrainian workers on the road. You can chip in at [passingthrough.net/donating](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating).
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** humanitarian, medical education, medical mission, standwithukraine, ukraine, volunteer, warzone
---
### [Kowanyama to Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/kowanyama-to-ukraine/)
**Published:** July 29, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Before Ukraine, there was Kowanyama. Watch our thank-you message to the community that shaped us, and hear why our hearts are now with Ukraine.
**Content:**
### *Before Kharkiv, there was Kowanyama.*
For 25 years, this remote Aboriginal community in Cape York was a second home for Ron and me. Through our charity Out There Kowanyama (now OPT), we, along with the OTK team, ran kids’ camps, mentoring programs, cooking classes, built the public barbecue & picnic and many other community projects— and along the way, Kowanyama became family. Not “family” in the polite, greeting-card sense. Actual family. The kind that gives you a hard time and then feeds you.
So when our work started pulling us toward Ukraine instead, we owed Kowanyama more than a Facebook post. We owed them a proper thank you — and an explanation.
In this short video, recorded after our recent visit for those who missed the in-person session, Ron and I sit down with our Kowanyama family to say thank you for over two decades of welcome, and to share why we’re now spending months at a time in Ukraine — running mobile medical clinics, training doctors under blackout conditions, and standing alongside communities living through the largest war in Europe since WWII.
The setting has changed. The reason hasn’t: showing up for people who need someone in their corner.
**🎥 Watch: [A Message to Our Kowanyama Family | Thank You & Why We’re Serving in Ukraine](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOuHo-WbYV0)**
We’re heading back for five months in August, and this time — for the first time ever — we’re asking for support. Not for us; Ron and I have always covered our own way. This is for medicines, fuel, and supplies for the clinics we run alongside Ukrainian doctors and volunteers who are doing extraordinary things on very little sleep.
$5 a week covers it. That’s roughly one coffee, or — if coffee is not your thing— slightly less than a packet of chips.
**If Kowanyama could set the standard for caring about people, maybe you can too.**
👉 [**Support our work at passingthrough.net/donating**](https://passingthrough.net/donating)
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** Kowanyama
---
### [Today We Begin the Journey Back to Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/journey-back-to-ukraine/)
**Published:** August 2, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Today we start the 3-4 day trip to Ukraine for a five-month deployment. Here's what we're doing, and how you can stand with us.
**Content:**
Right now, as you read this, we’re somewhere in transit. Bags packed (over-packed, if we’re honest), documents checked three times, and the long haul to Ukraine underway. It takes three to four days to get there — planes, trains, border crossings and whatever else the road throws at us.
This time, we’re not popping over for a few weeks. We’re going for five months.
Five months of mobile clinics. Five months of training and support, sharing skills. Five months building out and sharing our online medical education platform, so this knowledge doesn’t leave when we do. Five months alongside the partners who never get to leave — the Christian Medical Association of Ukraine, the church communities, the grassroots NGO’s, the everyday heroes who keep showing up long after the news cameras have gone home.
It’s a lot. It’s also, frankly, the whole point.
**Why We’re Doing This**
Statistics don’t keep anyone warm. What keeps people going is knowing someone still cares enough to show up. That’s what this deployment is — not a gesture, not a headline, but five months of actual presence.
**How You Can Help**
Here’s the part we always want to say plainly, because it matters: **every dollar you give goes to the work, not to us.** Our flights, our food, our five months away from home — that’s on us, not on you. Your support fuels generators, buys supplies, keeps the education platform running, keeps mobile clinics going, supports the humanitarian aid warehouse and gets medical training where it’s desperately needed and more. Nothing more glamorous than that, and nothing less important either.
If you’d like to see exactly what collective support can achieve, take a look at our **[200 Heroes for Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/200-heroes-for-ukraine/)** page — it lays out, heroes-and-all, what 200 people standing together can actually do on the ground.
**Stand With Us**
We’re heading over there so that when a Ukrainian medic asks “does anyone even remember us?” — we can say yes. Australia remembers. Australia cares. And we’re catching a very long series of flights and road transport to prove it in person.
If you can, donate at **[passingthrough.net/donating](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating),** even better sign up to stand with us and with Ukraine – even the cost of a coffee a week makes a huge difference. **[200 Heroes for Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/200-heroes-for-ukraine/)** If you can’t right now, share this post, or just keep Ukraine in your thoughts and prayers today. Every form of standing with them counts.
**[Sign up](https://www.passingthrough.net/subscribe-to-blog-posts/)** to follow our blog and be with us on the journey.
We’ll check in properly once we’ve landed — assuming we can still feel our legs after four days of transit.
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** humanitarian, medical mission, remote doctors, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, ukraine, volunteer, warzone
---
### [‘Ukraine: The Forgotten War’](https://www.passingthrough.net/ukraine-the-forgotten-war/)
**Published:** July 21, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Putin, drones, disinformation, and doctors who won't stop showing up. I talk Ukraine's forgotten war with Wendy Francis, and why it still deeply matters.
**Content:**
## My Conversation With [‘Warmly Wendy’](https://www.youtube.com/@warmly-wendy/videos)
An hour before I sat down to record with Wendy Francis on the Warmly Wendy podcast, a message arrived from a doctor couple I work alongside near the Russian border. They run a mobile palliative care service through villages most aid organisations will never reach, and weekend missions into communities that have been bombed. After thirty explosions struck their village in a single day, they told me, they had finally made the decision to stop sleeping in their own home. They have not stopped working. They go back every day. They just can’t sleep there anymore.
Sit with that for a second.
I carried that message into the interview, and in many ways it framed everything Wendy and I discussed — because this is the war we’re told is old news, and it is anything but.
As a doctor who has spent decades in remote communities, I’ve learned that the truest picture of any crisis is never found in the headlines. It’s found in the people who keep showing up. In Ukraine, that is not primarily the large international NGOs. It is local churches, small Ukrainian organisations, and volunteers — running clinics by day, sheltering in basements by night, some having lost their own homes, and still turning up for their neighbours. It is the closest thing I have witnessed to faith in action.
We also spoke about the things that are harder to hear. Putin’s ambitions are not hidden; he has stated them plainly, and the comforting idea that “Russia is weak” is a myth that history keeps correcting. My grandfather Nikodym survived the Holodomor, and when the full-scale invasion began in February 2022 I was shocked — even though his own stories should have told me not to be. Authoritarians with imperial nostalgia don’t stop at a border. They stop when someone makes them.
We talked, too, about disinformation — including the claim that Christians are persecuted in Ukraine. The documented reality is the reverse: it is in the occupied territories that churches are closed and believers persecuted. And we touched on an uncomfortable truth closer to home: Australia still buys Russian-refined fuel through Singapore. The war is quite literally in the fuel in your car.
People often ask whether I feel safe over there. Honest answer: no guarantees, sensible precautions — and a fairly firm belief that Ukrainian driving is statistically more dangerous than a Shahed drone.
So what can you actually do?
- **Pray.** Genuinely, it matters, and it costs nothing but a little time.
- [**Give something regular** ](https://www.passingthrough.net/200-heroes-for-ukraine/)— even the price of a coffee a week. A dollar goes a very long way in Ukraine, and every cent donated to OPT goes to the ground.
- [**Stay informed and gently push back on disinformation.**](https://www.passingthrough.net/subscribe-to-blog-posts/) Silence lets the false version win by default.
- **Leave a message with your donation.** I read every one, and I pass them on. You’d be amazed what “someone in Australia is praying for you” does for a doctor who hasn’t slept properly in weeks.
This is the short version. For the full conversation — Putin’s imperial ambitions, the drone war that exposed Russia’s cracks, the truth about Ukraine’s church, and why this fight is closer to home than the fuel in your car — watch the full episode below.
** Watch on YouTube:** [Ukraine: The Forgotten War](https://youtu.be/CApME0nxKSg)
** Listen on Spotify:** [Ukraine: The Forgotten War](https://open.spotify.com/episode/02XiOJ6DqhZgingvRLe8P9)
** Listen on Apple Podcasts:** [Ukraine: The Forgotten War](https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/ukraine-the-forgotten-war/id1896925187?i=1000773071832)
** Also airing on Vision Christian Radio:** [Warmly Wendy](https://vision.org.au/show/warmly-wendy/)
And if you want to back the people who don’t have the luxury of tuning out, you can donate at
or become one of our heroes who stands with Ukraine. **[What We Can Achieve With 200 heroes](https://www.passingthrough.net/200-heroes-for-ukraine/)**
*The war isn’t forgotten by the people living it. Let’s not forget it either.*
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** humanitarian, medical mission, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, ukraine
---
### [Dr Chris Goes To Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/dr-chris-goes-to-ukraine/)
**Published:** June 26, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** An Australian doctor heads to war-torn Ukraine — and returns humbled, inspired, and slightly wiser about tourniquets (and Nemiroff).
**Content:**
[Dr Chris teaching doctors in Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/IMG_5607-scaled.jpg)[Dr Chris teaching doctors in Ukrain](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/IMG_5609-scaled.jpg)[Dr Chris teaching doctors in Ukrain](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/IMG_5641-scaled.jpg)[Dr Chris with his well travelled granddaughters doll](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_6552.jpg)
### Dr Chris Hegerty | Darling Downs Health
A Doctor Visits Ukraine
**Introduction**
My granddaughter Eva is part Ukrainian.
Her father, my son-in-law, was born in Chernivtsi.
So when the editor of this prestigious journal suggested this article I of course agreed. The fact that I am indebted to him and his colleague Patrick O’Connor of the Darling Downs Health Library for their help to me over the years in sourcing and recommending texts for use in research, arranging Grand Rounds appearances, advice re ethics applications, publication etc. may also have something to do with my response.
I was fortunate in 2025 to be able to participate in some volunteer medical work in Ukraine arranged on behalf of the Christian Medical Association of Ukraine by a dynamo of a woman, Lara Wieland, who works as a GP in North Queensland, and who shared in the medical work in Ukraine.
She is also the driving force behind a charitable organization and website (OPT), which provides information about and supports the country of the grandfather who raised her.
With my family connections I am naturally disposed to support Ukraine, but it was clear to me at the onset of the invasion in 2022, including the bombing of hospitals and schools, that my workmates at Warwick Hospital were overwhelmingly of the same mind.
I will avoid politics and simply recount my experiences and impressions of the people, the country, and the war from the vantage point of a visiting Australian doctor. I can only describe my own impressions, conversations and experiences, and some details in my descriptions of the health system or the military may be incomplete or inaccurate.
**Arrival**
Although as stated I am consciously avoiding controversy it is surely uncontroversial to say that the flight from Australia, it being impossible to fly into Ukraine, landed in Warsaw at the airport named after the greatest ever composer of music for the piano, Frederic Chopin.
From there, travel was overland, and after delays at the border, into western Ukraine.
**Travel**
My first impressions were of a country devoid of tourists, with statues covered in steel mesh to protect from shrapnel, and with wood replacing glass in windows.
From the beginning I was advised not to take photos of anything associated with security or the military.
Most of our travel was by overnight rail, starting with the night train from Lviv to Odesa. On later journeys in the north and east, in the early mornings, through condensation on the carriage window, could be seen scattered villages in mist-shrouded black soil steppes which stretched to the horizons, crossed by endless meandering lines of concrete dragons teeth tank barriers.
These plains could have been on the Darling Downs and I can understand how impassable to invading tanks they would be when it rains.
Along the roads, which sometimes resembled patchwork quilts, are roadblocks and military checkpoints, and beside the roads are bunkers, ‘Czech hedgehogs’ made from old railway line, and recruiting billboards featuring young men and women in uniform. Unlike in Australia, recruitment is done by individual army units, some of which, being well known, well led and well supplied have no trouble attracting new members, while others may struggle for numbers (which on the battlefield can be problematic – not only for the unit involved but for the units on its flanks).
The towns and cities resemble Australian or European cities, except for the destroyed and damaged apartment buildings, floral memorial tributes, bomb shelters and military cemeteries.
**The students**
In the early days we were privileged to provide teaching sessions for medical students and doctors in the war-ravaged but beautiful cities of Lviv, Odesa, and Kharkiv.
The students and young doctors, many of whom are multilingual, women and men, were frighteningly smart, enthusiastic and keen to learn, as are our students and young doctors in Australia.
Sadly, due to the war effort, there is a shortage of both money for equipment and senior doctors for teaching, with medical education having to be mainly online. As a result our first session of hands-on emergency simulation training at Lviv Medical University was greeted with enthusiasm, (and only once interrupted by an air raid alert).
I of course had to photograph the student accommodation to show to our students should they ever complain (not that they do); old rundown multi-story blocks with the obligatory bomb shelters beneath, and before we left we crossed the road from the University to visit the incredibly sad, ever expanding war cemetery.
Our next assignment was in Odesa, of which my main memory is not of the teaching itself, but of a 30 second ‘swim’ in a freezing Black Sea, the shores lined with concrete anti-invasion barricades. (Only later was I told the sea was mined).
Our final teaching assignment was in the historic city of Kharkiv. The medical university building had sustained missile damage, with blackened areas, cracks in the interior walls, and boards replacing window glass.
I was a bit disappointed with my final teaching effort, in which I felt a bit flat, possibly a result of the overnight train journey from Odesa, unlikely related to the pre-teaching consumption of something called Nemiroff, with which we were obliged to toast the hospitable medical school staff.
**The mobile clinics**
The Medical Association for whom we were working tries to provide mobile medical outreach clinics to isolated towns and villages where medical services are unavailable due to the war. We were also fortunate to be able to provide clinics for some military personnel in a village, and at an army base.
Doctors are in short supply in rural areas in the east, many having been channelled into the military or to large acute hospitals, some having moved to the less dangerous west of the country, and some to better paid jobs in other European countries.
From the outset I felt inadequate due to the language barrier, unfamiliarity with local customs and lack of the facilities I am used to in my usual work. I was ‘a cog outside the machine’, with imposter syndrome writ large.
This was despite the support of the wonderful people in the teams with which we worked, the hospitality of the local Ukrainian people with food and accommodation, and the universal amiability of the customers, our patients, civilian and military.
As well as we two Australian doctors our teams comprised nurses, and volunteers to help with logistics, setting up, medication dispensing, driving, cooking and other tasks. Sometimes we were accompanied by a dental van.
Some volunteers were elderly and some middle aged, but many were young school or university students or workers who had taken time away from their regular jobs to help with the clinics.
We worked with interpreters, some civilian and some young medical students or interns (who after a few hours listening to and translating my routine, would sometimes cut me out entirely and fly solo).
One young volunteer was an intern at a Kyiv children’s hospital where she had sometimes had to continue working while her hospital was under rocket attack, at times without electricity, with part of her hospital destroyed, boarded up windows, and unable to move to safer lower floor while having children on dialysis.
Another young interpreter was in her final year of medical studies in Ukraine. Having fled to Italy with her family at the start of the war, while living hand to mouth, she learned Italian in nine months, continued medical studies at the university of Bologna, and was soon to sit for final exams in both countries.
Our first clinic was in a village in which most of the houses had been destroyed and most of the inhabitants had fled. Across a cratered laneway, under a grey cloud scudding sky, was an abandoned primary school with bomb damaged classrooms, long grass in the playground, and swings moving eerily in the wind.
My consult room, on the second floor of one of the few remaining buildings, had old shrapnel scarred internal walls, a table, chairs for the patient, myself and my interpreter, no running water, no electricity, and a door which wouldn’t shut.
Our later mobile clinics were in relatively undamaged towns and villages. At one of these the unusual concentration of people caused by our presence in the town necessitated the location among some nearby trees of soldiers with a ute set up as a ‘drone jammer’.
**The civilian patients**
At work in Warwick I often have the feeling that patients expect me to fix ailments which aren’t always fixable, may improve with time, and are simply manifestations of the aging human condition. Consequently after many consultations I feel stressed at what I perceive as the patient’s disappointment with the lack of a result.
Also in Australia there is great preoccupation by us doctors with whether patients are being ‘compliant’ with their treatment.
The Ukrainian patients, almost none of whom are older than 75, described their symptoms, (some of which had been present for years but with no opportunity to see a doctor), listened politely to what I had to say (via my interpreter), and at the end of the consultation smiled, and left, possibly with a small supply of tablets.
I gradually came to believe they were thinking ….. ‘I didn’t really expect you could fix anything doc, just floating the idea, thanks for listening, I’ll just put up with it, try a herbal medicine my neighbour grows, or get some tablets from the chemist’.
After a while I found this low expectation and amiable disobedience strangely comforting, even refreshing, whereas my instinctive reaction in Australia would have been one of disappointment or annoyance.
I think underlying many patients’ symptoms was the stress of the war and the subconscious knowledge that a missile or bomb could land on their roof at any time.
I was very stressed by my inability to really be of any help in one short visit, and all I could do was listen thoughtfully, examine carefully, and reassure the person in front of me that on balance their health would be OK.
In general, the medical scene in rural Ukraine struck me as rather chaotic. Most medicines, including antibiotics, can be bought over the counter at the chemist without a prescription. This is problematic, but government plans to reorder the health system from 2023 have had to be put on hold because of the war.
A patient’s choice of medication depends not so much on a doctor’s advice or prescription, still less on evidence, but on advertisements, recommendations of a neighbour, what the chemist happens to have in stock, and ultimately cost. Drugs made in Ukraine, India or Romania for example may be less expensive than those from Germany or the US.
Unlike in Australia there is little concern for the long term or preventive aspects of medicine. People would often only take blood pressure tablets intermittently depending on how they felt on the day, and seemed sceptical of my suggestion that they take tablets regularly.
**The soldiers**
I spent my birthday in 2025 with soldiers on a large army base partly hidden in woods to counter drone attacks.
This is largely a volunteer army of young and middle-aged Ukrainians who have left their regular jobs to serve in the defence of their country.
I saw young mothers on leave to care for sick children, and a captain accompanying a sergeant, she (the captain) to make sure that he (the sergeant) listened to the doctor and obeyed orders. He was inclined to be fatalistic and unconcerned about his long term health, which I suppose is understandable when you could be dead in a week.
As well as the usual medical issues such as menstrual problems, hypertension or joint strains, many soldiers are suffering from the physical effects of war. Ear damage, headaches and vertigo were common, related to frequent proximity to explosions and gunfire. Few soldiers did not have the scars of a wound or surgery. Almost all (male) soldiers smoked as relaxation. One who showed me his hospital discharge summary after a heart attack 3 months before and was now back at the front had a pack of cigarettes in the top pocket of his uniform. I was briefly tempted to suggest he stop smoking after his heart attack but realised this was unrealistic. I did however suggest he stop after the war.
And everyone was stressed (including the base psychologist).
**Frontline medicine, a snapshot**
I was never near the frontline, so this is my impressions following conversations with doctors or soldiers who were.
In Ukraine the response to frontline injuries is not like that we are used to seeing in movies featuring modern American or European armies in conflicts such as the Gulf Wars or even Vietnam.
The shortage of well-trained medics and equipment is one difference, but the main thing is lack of control of the airspace.
Russian drones, aircraft and missiles make evacuation of injured soldiers impossible during daylight, and difficult at night, causing delays for hours or days in the treatment of critical injuries. Evacuating an injured soldier back to a field hospital may result not only in his death but the death of the soldier accompanying him or her. Casualties accumulate waiting for a moonless night, during which time the rear field hospitals are quiet, only to be overwhelmed by the sudden arrival of many casualties at once when the opportunity occurs.
The area under attack can change rapidly, but without control of the skies there may be long delays before field hospitals are able to move to a new area of conflict.
I was told that the major causes of death were shock from blood loss, hypothermia, acidosis, and infection.
Wounds cannot be adequately cleaned at the front while under constant attack, and the delay in reaching definitive treatment together with widespread antibiotic resistance means that although patients’ injuries may be managed, many later succumb to untreatable infections.
Haemorrhage from limbs damaged by explosions or shrapnel is a major cause of death and all soldiers carry four tourniquets, one on their belt, one on their shoulder and two in their packs.
The training centre at Kharkiv University is noticeably different from ours in Australia for the piles of artificial severed limbs and tourniquets. In Warwick Hospital ED we have one tourniquet, although most of us probably don’t know where it is kept.
While tourniquets save lives, they also cost limbs, and avoidable limb loss resulting from suboptimal tourniquet management combined with delays to evacuation is a major ongoing problem with terrible consequences for the people involved.
Although every soldier knows their blood group and that of their comrades, the only available medics may be volunteers with only two weeks training, and this, together with the chaotic and dangerous environment, makes standard trauma management including intravenous drugs, fluids, blood transfusion or intubation impossible.
Every fourth soldier may carry Tranexamic acid (which is given IM rather than IV), a haemostatic syringe, morphine, and a haemostatic clamp device, and medics may also have chest seals, pelvic binders, chemical blankets to warm shocked patients, and sometimes an intraosseous gun.
**The tragedy of Ukraine**
A father in uniform returning to the front walks into Kharkiv railway station, his small daughter on his shoulders, holding his wife’s hand on one side, towing his suitcase with the other.
A flower covered tribute on blackened playground equipment among damaged apartment blocks.
Side by side photographic memorials of two young women soldiers among the many in the growing military cemetery in Bohodukhiv.
A still cheerful 22 year old volunteer medic who after only three weeks in the army is now in hospital in Kyiv having had one leg amputated and undergoing surgery to save the other, while young soldiers in adjacent beds lie quietly staring at the ceiling.
These are some of my memories.
In the chaos of war wives and children sometimes struggle without a secure income, not knowing if their missing husbands and fathers are dead or in a Russian prison.
For nearly four years, as well as missile and drone attacks, aircraft have been taking off nightly along the Russian border, sometimes to launch missiles, but often just to trigger air raid alerts waking tired people and forcing them into shelters, only for the planes to land again.
All this designed to grind down the morale of the Ukrainian people who are exhausted but remain determined.
Ukraine is not as economically well off as we in Australia, and after this war ends the country will take many years to recover.
As well as the physical rebuilding there will have to be an emotional rebuilding, including for the many traumatised ex-military amputees too ashamed and depressed to leave their homes.
As a result of this visit I have an immense respect for the people of Ukraine, with a mainly volunteer citizen army, men, women, fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, sons and daughters, who continue to defend their country against the attack of a more powerful neighbour, together with the many civilian volunteers including those involved in the medical clinics of which for a short time and in a very small way I was privileged to be a part.
Thankyou to Dr Chris Hegerty and Journal of Health Information and Libraries Australasia for permission to reprint this article. The original can be found [**HERE.** ](https://www.johila.org/index.php/Johila/article/view/226)
The pdf version with photos can be found **[HERE. ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/226-Article-Text-667-1-10-20260429-1.pdf)**
And of course much gratitude to Dr Chris Hegerty for his support of Ukraine and our work.
**Categories:** Giving Back, Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** humanitarian, medical mission, remote doctors, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, ukraine, volunteer
---
### [Erasing Ukraine: One Day, A Nation's Soul Under Fire](https://www.passingthrough.net/a-nations-soul-under-fire/)
**Published:** June 18, 2026
**Author:** Ron Gillespie
**Excerpt:** In a single day, Russian missiles struck Ukraine's holiest monastery, its film heritage, its universities, its children — and called it war.
**Content:**
### 15th June
So overnight Putin targeted 5 highly significant cultural sights in Ukraine. Losses, while still not as valuable as a human life, that are irreplaceable.
One target was the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, one of the most significant sites in Eastern Orthodox Christianity and a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. The attack has severely damaged the roof of the monastery’s 11th-century Dormition Cathedral.
The Kremlin, as usual, is denying this, blaming Ukraine’s air defence, but the coincidence of the other significant sites being hit on the same night really shows that claim to be likely what it is.
From ShalinMap (on telegram):
**“On one day, Russian terrorists attacked:**
💬 **the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra** — an 11th-century Orthodox monastery complex, one of the holiest sites in Eastern Christianity and a UNESCO World Heritage Site; its destruction would be equivalent to bombing the Vatican
💬 **the Dovzhenko National Film Studio** — the birthplace of Ukrainian cinema and home to over a century of irreplaceable film archives and heritage listed costumes, the cultural equivalent of Hollywood and the Library of Congress combined
💬 **the National Art Museum “Mystetskyi Arsenal”** — Ukraine’s largest exhibition space, housing priceless national collections and serving as the beating heart of contemporary Ukrainian cultural life
💬 **the “Nova Poshta” Innovation Terminal** — a modern logistics hub representing Ukraine’s economic resilience and its drive toward a self-sufficient, European-integrated future
💬 **the building of the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC)** — the institution Ukraine built specifically to meet EU membership requirements; an attack on the rule of law itself
💬 **educational institutions, including the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv** — founded in 1834, Ukraine’s most prestigious university, named for the poet who is the soul of Ukrainian national identity
💬 **the Organ and Chamber Music Hall in Dnipro** — a beloved cultural anchor for an industrial city that has become a frontline of both war and Ukrainian resilience
💬 **the Children’s and Youth Creativity Center in Sumy** — a place where the next generation of artists, musicians, and thinkers were shaped; children were the target
💬 **the Zoo in Kharkiv** — home to hundreds of animals and a cherished sanctuary for families in Ukraine’s second-largest city, which has been under near-constant bombardment
💬 **energy infrastructure** — power, heat, and water systems deliberately targeted to make survival itself impossible through the coming winter
💬 **residential areas and buildings** — people’s homes, their memories, their ordinary lives — the most intimate form of terror
💬 **and other objects** — because the list is too long to fully name “
This was not a military operation. This was a deliberate assault on everything that makes Ukraine *Ukraine.*
This targeting of Ukrainian culture by Russia is not new, it has a history, search the holodomor. There have been systematic efforts to erase Ukrainian culture in the Russian occupied areas of Ukraine since the beginning of Putin’s invasion in 2014.
Quote in Ground News.
“The devastating escalation came immediately after a 55-minute phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday, during which Trump emphasized the vital importance of halting”
And of course many civilians were killed and injured in all these strikes. And the ‘double-tap’ strategy continues with russia regularly sending a second attack just as rescuers arrive at the scene.
🔴Kharkiv. Rescue workers were extinguishing a fire from a previous attack when Russia struck them. Five State Emergency Service employees were killed, and at least five more were injured.
## [ Stand with Ukraine!](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)
Another great article [**HERE.**](https://kyivindependent.com/attack-on-kyiv-pechersk-lavra-exposes-the-truth-behind-russias-christianity/ "attack-on-kyiv-pechersk-lavra-exposes-the-truth-behind-russias-christianity/")
[\#image_title](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/photo_2026-06-17_11-04-08-585x390-1.jpg)[Lavra pechersk monastery on fire after russian drone attack](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/photo_2026-06-17_12-51-44.jpg)[National Art Museum hit by russian drone](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/photo_2026-06-17_12-51-49.jpg)
Ron Gillespie
[See Full Bio](https://www.passingthrough.net/author/rgillespie/) [ ](https://www.passingthrough.net/author/rgillespie/)
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** Support ukraine
---
### [Back To Ukraine: A Doctor's Commitment To Care](https://www.passingthrough.net/back-to-ukraine-a-doctors-commitment-to-care/)
**Published:** June 10, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** An Australian doctor returns to war-torn Ukraine. Read what JCU says about this mission — and why the need for medical aid has never been greater.
**Content:**
James Cook University has just published a piece about our upcoming deployment to Ukraine, and I wanted to share it with you — because sometimes it helps to hear our story through someone else’s eyes.
The article captures something I’m often too close to articulate cleanly: that this work is about more than emergency response. It’s about showing up, again and again, for people whose healthcare system has been systematically destroyed by war.
What JCU’s piece doesn’t tell you is what it costs — not financially, but humanly — to walk into a country where hospitals are targets and doctors are working under conditions most of us cannot imagine. I’ve seen it. That’s why I keep going back. And that’s why the equipment we’re fundraising for right now matters so much. Portable ultrasounds, wound care supplies, diagnostic tools — these aren’t abstractions. They are the difference between a clinician guessing and a clinician knowing.
If you haven’t yet supported our *Empowering Health Heroes in Ukraine* campaign on Chuffed, this is a good moment. Or you can support us directly [**HERE**](htpps://www.passingthrough.net/donating/). Read the JCU article below, then come back and consider how you can support.
Link to [**FULL STORY**](https://www.nqrth.edu.au/news/stories-media-releases/back-to-ukraine-a-doctor-s-commitment-to-care/)
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine
---
### [Christianity and Persecution in Ukraine:](https://www.passingthrough.net/christianity-and-persecution-in-ukraine/)
**Published:** February 3, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** During war, there is persecution in Ukraine, by Russia- the response of sacrificial love and service reveals Christianity\'s true face: not a weapon, but a light in darkness.
**Content:**
## Update May 2025: This documentary is a must -watch.
## **[A Faith Under Siege – YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@AFaithUnderSiege/videos)**
Separating Fact From Fiction
The invitation to join the sister of our charity partner’s manager for a church service during the war was both humbling and profoundly moving. Stepping into the large, brightly lit hall of the church in Kyiv (whose pastor turned out to be one of the teachers for **[FEBC](https://vision.org.au/articles/a-year-on-what-god-is-doing-through-febc-in-ukraine/)**), bursting at the seams with people of all ages, I was immediately embraced by an atmosphere of inspiring faith and hope. Though the prayers were spoken in a language I did not understand, their intent was unmistakable—fervent pleas for peace, justice, and protection. The congregation sang with hearts full of love for God, their voices rising like a defiant hymn against the surrounding turmoil.
I’ve struggled with writing this piece, watching with growing alarm as Christian friends and acquaintances seemingly accept the notion that Putin and Russia are defenders of Christianity. This narrative has influenced conservative stances on Ukraine globally, with some Christian leaders and political figures echoing such faith targeted misinformation that undermines support for Ukraine. My journey to Ukraine in July 2023 showed me a very different reality—one that compels me to share what I witnessed firsthand about the profound role of faith in Ukraine’s resistance, and to confront the disturbing spread of Russian propaganda about religious persecution when indeed it is Russia doing the persecuting.
## A Nation’s Sacred Heritage
Ukraine’s Christian roots run deep, stretching back to 988 AD when Prince Volodymyr the Great embraced Christianity in Kyivan Rus’. This watershed moment established Eastern Orthodoxy as the foundation of faith in the region. My Ukrainian grandfather often recounted this story with great pride, painting vivid images of mass baptisms in the Dnipro River and the unifying power of the faith that took root in the heart of Ukraine. For him, it was more than just a historical event—it was a symbol of Ukraine’s enduring Christian heritage and its role as a spiritual beacon. He would remind me that, despite centuries of external pressures and conflict, including severe persecution in Soviet times, the Christian values instilled during Kyivan Rus’ baptism had shaped Ukraine’s identity, providing strength and guidance through every hardship.
But Ukraine’s religious landscape has evolved into something far richer and more diverse than many realise. During the Soviet era, when religious institutions faced severe repression, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in exile carried the torch of faith and national heritage. My grandfather, a priest in the autocephalous Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Australia, played a vital role in this diaspora movement. He not only preserved liturgical traditions but also nurtured the spiritual and cultural identity of Ukrainians scattered far from their homeland.
The East-West Schism of 1054 left a lasting impact on Ukraine’s religious landscape, solidifying Eastern Orthodoxy while paving the way for the formation of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in the 16th century. Protestant movements also gained a foothold during the 19th and 20th centuries, emphasising personal faith and community service. These denominations have contributed significantly to Ukraine’s spiritual and social life, even amid persecution.
Today, Ukraine hosts a vibrant tapestry of Christian denominations. The Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), which gained independence in 2019, stands alongside the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), which has ties to Moscow. The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, particularly strong in Western Ukraine, bridges Eastern liturgical traditions with loyalty to the Vatican. Roman Catholic communities, primarily among Polish Ukrainians, add another thread to this rich fabric. Protestant groups—Baptists, Pentecostals, and Evangelicals—have flourished, contributing significantly to Ukraine’s social and spiritual life.
## The Reality of Religious Freedom in Ukraine
When Ukraine regained independence in 1991, it ushered in an era of unprecedented religious freedom. Churches could finally operate without government interference. Religious communities began establishing spiritual centres, missions, educational institutions, and charities. Street evangelisation flourished, and summer camps for youth became commonplace. Churches gained access to media platforms, freely spreading their message through radio, television, and the internet.
The Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organisations emerged as a powerful force for unity, representing about 95% of believing citizens. This interfaith body exemplifies Ukraine’s commitment to religious pluralism and democratic values—a stark contrast to the state-controlled religious landscape in Russia.
In my **[visit to Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/journey-into-ukraine/)** where I travelled across the country and interviewed many Ukrainians both in and out of churches and faith-based NGO’s – I saw no evidence of persecution or lack of religious freedom.
## The Dark Reality of Putin’s “Christian” Russia
The myth of Russia as a bastion of Christian values requires confronting. Despite Putin’s carefully crafted image as a defender of faith, Russia ranks among the world’s least religious societies. According to a 2022 Levada Centre poll, only 9% of Russians attend religious services regularly. The country also has some of the world’s highest rates of divorce, abortion, and domestic violence.
Putin’s embrace of Orthodox Christianity serves a strategic purpose, using religious symbolism to justify his regime’s actions and generate cultural friction with the West. The Russian Orthodox Church, under Patriarch Kirill—who is reported to be a former KGB agent who spied for Moscow whilst in his role as priest—has become a tool for state propaganda, even declaring that Russian soldiers who die in Ukraine are “absolved of sin.’
## Churches Under Attack
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, the targeting of religious communities has been systematic and brutal. Over 660 religious buildings, theological institutions, and places of worship have been destroyed or damaged. The devastation is most severe in Donetsk (at least 146), Luhansk (at least 83), and Kherson (at least 78) regions. The Kyiv region saw 73 religious buildings destroyed during Russia’s failed attempt to seize the capital in February-March 2022. The destruction continues to mount in Kharkiv (at least 62), Zaporizhzhia (at least 51), and Mykolaiv (at least 41) regions as Russia continues to shell civilian infrastructure with missiles and suicide drones, reaching even the distant Western regions of Ukraine. Churches that once served as sanctuaries have been repurposed as military centres by Russian forces. The statistics are staggering, but they don’t tell the full story of human suffering.
During my time in Ukraine, I met numerous pastors and chaplains who volunteered to serve as frontline ministers. These brave souls risk their lives daily, often being the only ones willing to venture into the most dangerous areas to deliver aid and medicines to those unable to evacuate. I listened in awe as I heard how they ministered to soldiers at stabilisation points, providing spiritual comfort before the wounded were transported to hospitals (and often they were doing the transporting!). Many would then speed back along treacherous roads on Sundays to serve their regular congregations. Beyond spiritual duties, these remarkable individuals help rebuild their communities—fixing roofs, constructing houses, delivering water and running camps for children in bombed villages. Their spirit of service flows to all, embodying faith through action in ways I was humbled to witness.
The persecution in occupied territories is particularly horrific. One evangelical church leader and his 19-year-old son were found tortured and killed after being abducted by Russian soldiers. Their crime? According to witnesses, the soldiers declared, “Your church has no right to exist, as it has connections with America and other Western countries.
## The True Face of Christian Persecution
The Russian authorities’ treatment of religious communities in occupied territories follows a chilling pattern. Churches are systematically closed, their buildings often repurposed for military use. Religious leaders face threats, illegal arrests, kidnapping, rape and torture. Even home gatherings have become dangerous, as Russian intelligence services use church membership data to conduct surveillance and organise roundups of believers.
The only exception to this persecution has been churches affiliated with the Moscow Patriarchate—and even then, only if they publicly declare loyalty to the occupying authorities. Russian soldiers have demanded to review sermon notes before services, stationed observers during worship, and forbidden the use of the Ukrainian language.
## Disinformation and Its Impact
The spread of [disinformation](https://www.passingthrough.net/russian-disinformation-the-digital-threat-to-global-democracy/) about religious persecution in Ukraine has found fertile ground among some Western conservatives. Tucker Carlson’s widely circulated claims about Ukrainian churches being burned and priests arrested by Ukrainians were thoroughly debunked by the Orthodox Public Affairs Committee. The video evidence Carlson used actually showed churches destroyed by Russian attacks, including St. George’s Church in Kyiv Oblast and the Sviatohirsk Lavra in Donetsk Oblast and a church that caught fire in Canada.
## Churches As Lights In The Darkness
Despite the dangers, Ukraine’s churches have become vital centres of humanitarian aid and community support. Since 2014, they have provided housing, food, medicine, and essential supplies to thousands fleeing violence. During the full-scale invasion, churches transformed into humanitarian hubs, coordinating evacuations from devastated cities like Mariupol and Severodonetsk.
In Lviv, talking to the Baptist seminary’s head, I heard something unexpected: they’re experiencing their largest-ever surge in young people applying to become pastors since the war began. The revelation caught me off guard – in the midst of missiles and martyrdom, a new generation is stepping forward to serve.
When I visited Ukraine, I witnessed this extraordinary impact firsthand. Churches of all denominations, but particularly protestant ones, worked tirelessly to save lives and sustain hope amid the chaos of war. Their dedication continued even as Russian authorities began viewing humanitarian aid as a threat and attempted to block these efforts in areas they controlled.
## The Voice of Dissent
Among Russian religious leaders, few have had the courage to speak out against the war. Yuri Sipko, the 71-year-old former president of the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians, stands as a rare exception. Facing charges for his opposition to the war, he fled to Germany, inspired by Matthew 10:28: “Do not fear those who can only kill the body.”
Sipko’s words carry particular weight: “The crime is the destruction of Ukraine. Silence is also a crime.” He sees his fellow evangelical leaders’ silence as a betrayal not only of their Ukrainian brothers and sisters but of God’s kingdom itself.
## Looking Forward: A Vision of Renewal
During my time in Ukraine, I was struck by something unexpected and profound in my conversations with Christian leaders and humanitarian workers. Amid discussions of reconstruction plans and immediate crisis response, their eyes would light up when speaking of Ukraine’s future. These weren’t just dreams of rebuilding buildings—they were visions of rebuilding society itself.
“We’re not just fighting against something,” a young pastor in Kyiv told me, his hands wrapped around a coffee cup in a makeshift church office. “We’re fighting for something. For a Ukraine free from the old Soviet mentality, built on Christian values of love and justice.” I heard variations of this sentiment repeatedly from Christian NGO workers, chaplains, and church leaders across denominations. They spoke of using this moment of profound national trauma as an opportunity for spiritual and social renewal.
In makeshift churches and converted warehouses serving as aid centres, I witnessed these aspirations already taking shape. Young volunteers, many of whom had never been inside a church before the war, worked alongside believers, united by a shared vision of compassionate service and community care.
The challenges ahead are monumental. Rebuilding destroyed infrastructure, healing divided communities, facing the immense psychological and physical traumas, environmental damage, UXO’s and navigating political pressures will require tremendous resilience.Yet there’s something powerful emerging from the rubble—a grassroots movement of faith communities dedicated to building a society anchored in love rather than fear, in service rather than control.
As Pastor Mykhailo Brytsyn, who experienced Russian persecution firsthand, powerfully stated: “Where there is Russia, there is no freedom at all. Religious freedom will return to the occupied territories only when they are liberated and returned under Ukrainian government control.” But beyond this immediate truth lies a deeper aspiration I encountered repeatedly: not just the return of religious freedom, but for it then to become a foundation for a transformation to a more just and compassionate society.
## Christianity’s True Face In Ukraine
The story of Christianity in Ukraine during this war reveals a profound truth: faith often grows and shines brighter in tough times. Testament to this are the hearts and actions of those who selflessly help others amid danger and darkness. While Putin’s Russia cloaks its aggression in religious imagery, as if somehow the machinery of state power can fake faith, Ukraine’s diverse Christian communities demonstrate authentic faith through their sacrificial love and service.
The contrast couldn’t be clearer. On one side stands a regime that uses Christianity as a political tool while persecuting believers who don’t conform to its narrative. On the other stands a nation where faith communities of all traditions work together to support their people through Europe’s darkest hour since World War II.
For those seeking to understand Christianity’s role in this conflict, the evidence speaks for itself. The true defenders of faith are not those who wear crosses while ordering missile strikes on civilians but those who risk their lives daily to serve others in Christ’s name, regardless of denomination or creed.
As Ukraine continues its fight for survival, its churches stand as lights on a lamp stand and resistance—not through force of arms, but through the power of faith expressed in love, service, and unwavering commitment to human dignity. This is Christianity’s true face in Ukraine: not a weapon of war, but a force for peace; not a tool of oppression, but a source of liberation.
Please support our work with NGO partners in Ukraine.
###### https://www.thetimes.com/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/ukraine-passes-law-to-ban-the-russian-orthodox-church-7m85qnm0
###### https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/four-fifths-ukrainians-support-ban-russia-linked-church-poll-2024-10-15/
###### https://www.wsj.com/world/russia/russia-tries-to-erase-evangelical-churches-from-occupied-ukraine-2739d9bd?
###### https://tci.org.ua/campusfund/
###### https://www.christianitytoday.com/2023/08/ukraine-chaplain-evangelical-war-front-ministry
###### https://www.premierchristianity.com/opinion/putin-might-quote-jesus-but-hes-no-saviour-of-christianity/17489.article
###### https://releaseinternational.org/ukraine-evangelical-leader-and-son-tortured-and-killed-by-russian-forces
###### http://christianitytoday.com/news/2023/september/yuri-sipko-russia-war-ukraine-baptist-pastor-charged-fled.html
###### https://www.christianpost.com/news/orthodox-group-accuses-tucker-carlson-spreading-russian-propaganda.html
###### https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Wild-Blue-Yonder/Article-Display/Article/3511835/the-unexpected-theologian-the-rise-of-religious-messaging-in-putins-re-making-o/https://missioneurasia.org/religious-freedom/?fbclid=IwAR1MwgIwSkhDSMr7RL8LppUG4ITJzRJfVkDcKj8VxP55tBjh7mJldU-oUWs&
###### https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/09/06/russia-putin-trump-maga-conservative-religion-church-traditional-values-populist
Other related readings:
https://kyivindependent.com/ex-mp-leader-of-russia-affiliated-ukrainian-orthodox-church-charged-with-treason/?mc\_cid=031c85b8c3&mc\_eid=e0dfaa7c1e
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** christianity, church, Godslove, humanitarian, persecution, refugees, Russian church, ukraine, war, warzone
---
### [Empowering Ukraine's Health Heroes Campaign](https://www.passingthrough.net/empowering-ukraines-health-heroes-campaign/)
**Published:** April 24, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** As we prepare to return to Ukraine, every contribution helps keep clinics running and doctors trained.
**Content:**
## 💙 Chuffed Campaign ends— Work Continues
The online campaign at Chuffed.org platform has officially closed, but the needs are still there and have not yet been met — and it’s **still possible to donate and make a difference.**
***[What We Can Achieve With 200 heroes](https://www.passingthrough.net/200-heroes-for-ukraine/)*** – more information on what you can be supporting.
As we prepare to return to Ukraine shortly, every contribution helps keep clinics running and doctors trained.
👉 Support here: [*Chuffed.org platform* ](https://chuffed.org/project/empowering-health-heroes-in-ukraine) *or* [*OUR Donation Page*](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)
For lasting impact, even **$20/month (a coffee a week)** helps sustain this work:
👉 [www.passingthrough.net/donating](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating) (tax-deductible)
Thank you for standing with Ukraine.
— Only Passing Thru Ltd (OPT Ukraine)
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** charity, humanitarian, medical mission, Supportukraine, ukraine
---
### [How Your Donations Have Been Working](https://www.passingthrough.net/how-your-donations-have-been-working/)
**Published:** April 27, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** We've been busy, and so have your donations— supporting delivery of aid across Ukraine, funding generators, mobile clinics, medical education, and planning our biggest mission yet. Join us.
**Content:**
# *A Charity Update — The Last 4–6 Months*
You might have noticed things have been a little quiet on the blog. Don’t worry — we haven’t been sitting around eating biscuits. Quite the opposite. The last four to six months have been a whirlwind of raising funds for our partners delivering aid, building new tools to support Ukrainian healthcare workers, a productive forum in Ukraine, and planning what is shaping up to be our biggest Ukraine deployment yet. Let us catch you up.
## 🔥 Keeping the Lights On — Literally
Ukraine’s winters are brutal at the best of times. During an active war, with Russia systematically targeting the power grid, they become life-threatening. A portion of your donations over these months went directly to fuel for generators — the unglamorous but absolutely critical lifeline keeping clinics running, food warm, and people alive when the electricity disappears for days at a time. We were also able to buy powerpacks and propane heaters. Absolutely critical in a -25C winter with no power.
Here is where else your generosity landed:
## **Elohim Charitable Foundation — Korosten**
Based out of a church in Korosten, the Elohim team are one of those groups that make you feel simultaneously inspired and exhausted just hearing about them. A dedicated band of volunteers serving internally displaced people, refugees, disabled people, frontline villages, military units, chaplains — and running mobile clinics in some of the most desperate areas of the country, in partnership with our friends at CMA Ukraine.
*Your donations provided fuel for their generators, and food, and hand warmers for them to deliver to the needy during the worst of winter. Small things. Enormous impact.*
Volunteers help register refugees
Food packages to be delivered to frontline areas
Hand warmers and butane stoves for frontline areas
## **“Hope in Christ” Charity (near the Russian border) & Kharkiv Mobile Clinic Team**
Yes, near the Russian border. These people don’t do easy. Hope in Christ works with local churches and doctors and the CMA Ukraine mobile clinic team, running community health awareness projects, mobile clinics, handing out food and aid parcels, warm clothing, and caring for displaced people who’ve fled from even more dangerous places — only to land somewhere that is still very dangerous. Generator fuel and power packs for clinic equipment kept their work moving through the darkest months. Your contributions also helped pay for food parcels and mobile clinic work.
Dr Mykola sharing handouts on how to manage anxiety
Food and aid goods for displaced persons
Displaced person get the chance to learn about how to manage anxiety and stress
A displaced Ukrainian woman reads a handout on how to help with stress
Aid parcels for refugees
Refugees coming to a group about how to manage anxiety during war
A donated ecoflow powers an ultrasound
Dr Mykola providing Ultrasound with our power pack
## **Fortress of Good Charity — (Banner of Love Church, Kryvyi Rih)**
This one is also close to our hearts. A portion of donations went to repair windows for an elderly widow who does volunteer work for this church — and was facing the bitter winter cold ( it went down to -25C) literally coming through her walls. The funds also purchased propane heaters deployed in de-occupied territories, where the Fortress of Good team works with people who’ve lost their homes, running children’s programmes and delivering humanitarian aid.
This winter most of these areas were without power much of the time due to russia’s attacks on power infrastructure.
*Sometimes the most important thing you can do is fix someone’s window. This was one of those times.*
 Fortress of Good team in a deoccupied village
Delivering water to villages who have none thanks to russian bombing of their dam
Propane heaters donated to the community centre in Kherson region village
Propane heaters critical in a deadly winter with no power
Volunteers supporting people who lost so much under russian occupation
Selfless volunteer gets help fixing her damaged windows
## **A Church in Dnipro — Heating for the Children**
When the power is out most of the time and it’s freezing, keeping children’s activities running is an act of defiance and hope. Donations here went directly to heating so that kids could gather, be warm, be safe, and be kids — while volunteers continued delivering medical and humanitarian aid across the city.
## **The Ark Church — Dnipro**
The Ark Church does it all: refugee support, humanitarian aid, children’s programmes — and rescues and evacuations from frontline areas. Yes, actual evacuations. Your donations funded generator fuel through winter and food packets for the people they’re pulling out of harm’s way.
We also did some mobile clinics with them, partnered with CMA.
Parcels of food and essential aid for refugees in Dnipro
Parcels of food and essential aid for refugees in Dnipro
Parcels of food and essential aid for refugees in Dnipro
Children's programs for refugees
Children's programs for refugees
Children's programs for refugees
Aid parcels to deliver to frontline areas
Aid parcels to deliver to frontline areas
Children's programs for refugees
## Curtains. Yes, Curtains. — A Special Delivery
Sometimes aid looks like a generator. Sometimes it looks like a food parcel. And sometimes — gloriously — it looks like curtains.
Thanks to a wonderfully generous donor, we were able to deliver curtains and room dividers to our mobile clinic teams. This might sound modest until you learn that some of these clinics were previously using bedsheets for privacy — and literally hammering blocks of wood into walls to hang them on – only to have to dismantle them after the clinic from the temporary building. These are spaces where people are being examined, treated, and cared for with dignity. And dignity deserves better than a flapping bedsheet held up by a chunk of timber that takes the team hours to put up and down.
*The new dividers won’t make the news. But they will make a real difference to every patient who walks through those clinic ‘doors’. A huge thank you to the donor who made this happen — you know who you are, and so do the patients.*
Update: 24 April 2026 – Dr M from this team went to pick up the parcel with these curtains from the post office. The next day the post office burnt down along with many other buildings in his village as their area comes under increasing attack.
## **CMA Ukraine — Our Primary Partners**
Running through all of the above like a backbone is **[CMA Ukraine](https://www.cmaukraine.com/en)** — our primary partner organisation, who work with many of the smaller NGOs listed here and deliver critical medical education, mobile clinics, medicines, medical equipment, and humanitarian aid where it’s needed most. We continue to provide them with regular support, because they are the engine that keeps so much of this work moving.
## Something New Is Coming — The Medical Education Platform
Here’s the part we’re genuinely excited about. Behind the scenes, we’ve been building an online education platform specifically designed to support and mentor Ukrainian healthcare workers — because the need for medical training doesn’t pause for war. If anything, it intensifies.
Over the last several months we’ve been delivering online lectures, helping our partners with systems and strategies to streamline their clinic work, and laying the groundwork for something that will serve Ukrainian health workers and their communities – long after the shooting stops.
*More details coming soon — but this is big, and we’re proud of it.*
Health professionals can sign up [**HERE**](https://www.passingthrough.net/interest-med-learn-uke/) to be the first to hear more.
## Five Months in Ukraine — We’re Going Back
And the big news: we’re deep in planning for a five-month deployment to Ukraine later this year. Five months of mobile clinics, medical training, frontline support, and being where we’re needed most. It’s our most ambitious trip yet, and we cannot do it without you. Our trip and our work will be fully self-funded but we need support for the work in Ukraine that our partners continue to do and that we are going to support.
 Ron & Lara by River Dnipr at Dnipro
## **How You Can Help**
Every donation — whether it’s the price of a coffee or a generator’s worth of fuel — goes directly to the people and partners you’ve just read about. No fluff, no overhead theatre. Just aid, delivered.
We’d love you to join our [***HEROES BOARD*** ](https://www.passingthrough.net/heroes-board/)and commit to $20 per month or more. Regular giving is what keeps the work going.
*Thank you for reading, for caring, and for making all of this possible. We’ll keep working. You keep believing in us and in Ukraine.*
*With gratitude (and a healthy amount of strong Ukrainian tea),*
**Lara, Ron & the team**
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** charity, humanitarian, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, ukraine
---
### [From Cape York to Ukraine: our founder Dr Lara’s Journey](https://www.passingthrough.net/meeting-our-founder-dr-laras-journey-from-cape-york-to-ukraine/)
**Published:** January 10, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Meeting our founder Dr. Lara Wieland, whose journey from Indigenous Australia to war-torn Ukraine shows how one doctor's mission became a bridge of hope and healing.
**Content:**
## **Meeting Our Founder: The Inspiring Work of Dr. Lara**
In the quiet beauty of Australia’s Atherton Tablelands, a remarkable story unfolds — one that bridges continents, generations, and the full spectrum of human resilience. Lara Gillespie (known professionally as Lara Wieland, and affectionately called “Dr. Lara” by her patients) is a rural generalist doctor, humanitarian, and the founder of Only Passing Thru (OPT) — a charity delivering medical and humanitarian aid where it’s needed most. Her driving force? A deep sense of duty rooted in the legacy of her Ukrainian grandfather, Nikodym Pliczkowsky.
**A Legacy Rooted in Strength and Service**
Lara grew up on stories — vivid, urgent, spoken in Ukrainian over the dinner table. Her grandfather Nikodym, a survivor of the Holodomor and a key figure in Australia’s Ukrainian diaspora, filled her childhood with accounts of Cossack courage, Soviet oppression, and the stubborn survival of a people who refused to be erased. As a teenager and university student, Lara recorded these stories on a battered old tape recorder. (She still has them.)
“You are a Cossack girl,” Nikodym would tell her. He wasn’t wrong.
These weren’t just family stories — they were a blueprint for how to live: with resilience, justice, and a commitment to those who have been overlooked. As Lara grew into her roles as doctor, advocate, and charity leader, she carried that blueprint everywhere she went.
**A Lifelong Commitment to the Underserved**
Her medical career quickly confirmed what she already sensed: she was drawn to the places others found too hard, and the people others found too complicated. For nearly 20 years, Lara worked in Kowanyama — a remote Indigenous community in Cape York, Queensland — where she became not just a respected doctor, but an “Aunty” to many. Drive down any street in Kowanyama with Lara today and the shouts of recognition tell you everything about the relationships she built.
Her approach was simple and quietly radical: listen first, judge never. One patient, written off by others as a “hopeless, trouble-making drunk,” became — through trust, time, and counselling — a wonderful parent and grandparent. “If I had not taken the time to learn their history,” Lara reflects, “I may have also just seen them as others did.”
She learned that healing is never just clinical. “Our lives are made up of a thousand shades of grey and brown,” she says. “Black and white do not exist.” Her Christian faith has been the undercurrent through it all — the thing that keeps her pressing on when the work feels impossible, and the reminder that every person she serves, from Cape York to Kherson, is infinitely worthy of care./
### Working with those in need
[ Connecting with locals in her work ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_6151-rotated.jpg)
[ Volunteer work in Aboriginal community ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/xmas-08-samahl-lara-scaled-1170x878.jpg)
[ Doctor Lara Wieland checking up on patient Caitlyn Henry 7 and her grandmother Lillian Henry pic Eddie Safarik ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/LARA31-scaled-1170x780.jpg)
[ Caring for patients ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/lara3-scaled-1170x780.jpg)
[ Providing health promotion in needy areas ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_7113-scaled-1170x878.jpg)
[ Child health clinics in remote areas. ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_5521-scaled.jpg)
[ Connecting with patients at school health checks ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_4150.jpg)
[ Sexual health talks at schools ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_1176-scaled-1170x779.jpg)
[ Healthy eating classes in community garden ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_1135-scaled-1170x779.jpg)
[ Teaching kids how to cook healthy food ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_1102-scaled-1170x779.jpg)
[ Volunteering in the community garden ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_0709.jpg)
[ Some of the many boys who boarded with her and husband Ron ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/boys-scaled-1170x842.jpg)
[ Child health in remote Bangladesh ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_0132-1170x868.jpg)
[ With river dwellers in Bangladesh ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_0337-scaled-1170x1437.jpg)
[ Teaching kids how to cook good food ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/072-scaled-1170x874.jpg)
## **Inspired by Ukraine’s Resilience**
When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the stories her grandfather had told decades ago suddenly felt devastatingly present. In 2023, Lara travelled to Ukraine with colleague Professor Whitehall — not just to provide medical aid, but to honour a legacy she had carried her whole life.
What she found in the war-torn villages of the Kherson region echoed what she had learned in remote Australia: the importance of bearing witness, the healing power of listening, and the truth that trauma requires more than medicine.
“I have worked in remote communities for decades and have seen and experienced things many have not,” she wrote. “But nothing had prepared me for this.”
And yet — even amid the devastation, she found the extraordinary. In Bilohirka, she sat with farming couples who had survived occupation, listening to their stories while artillery rumbled in the distance. In Stanislav, she treated elderly patients with shrapnel wounds who still wanted to tell her what they had seen. A farmer walked her through his once-productive land — carefully, along tracks thought to be mine-free — because he wanted her to witness the destruction with her own eyes.
She did. She bore witness. She came home changed, and more determined.
Lara’s time in Ukraine deepened both her understanding of her heritage and her sense of mission. From churches to local NGOs, she saw communities refusing to be broken — defying chaos with courage, compassion, and a resilience that is, frankly, humbling to observe from the outside.
### Inspired by Ukraine
[ Meeting with Ukrainians who host us in their bombed house ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/coffee-in-bombed-house-1170x878.jpg)
[ Ukrainians working with Ukraine refugees who shared their horror stories. ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_5136-1170x878.jpg)
[ On camp with Ukrainian doctors needing a rest ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_5270-1170x878.jpg)
[ Special people I met ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_9385-1170x2536.png)
[ Saying goodbye to some of the Lviv CMA team ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_8188-1170x878.jpg)
[ Ira from Banner of Love church (Fortress of Good NGO) ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_7875.jpg)
[ With Dr Davyd at Mechnykov hospital ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_7165-1-1-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Vova loves his Aussie patch! ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_8336-1.jpg)
[ Swapping patches with Lisa from Taiwan and Army Chaplain Yura ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/8f99a48f-4912-4698-9fdd-72faac137311-1-1-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Catching up with Andriy at the hospital ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_5283-1.jpg)
[ Finally my grandfather's book is published ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/book-lara1.png)
[ Lara with volunteer Andriy at a kids camp in deoccupied Ukraine. ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_5676.jpg)
[ With Army Chaplain Mark the day before he died in Ukraine. ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/img_5297.jpg)
[ Dr Chris with Dr Rudi, CMA president and myself ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6971-1-1-1170x948.jpg)
[ With volunteer Iryna who goes to dangerous places every week to help ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/img_5792-2.jpg)
[ With people who lost their homes and their farms to Russian bombs ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/img_5661.jpg)
## **The Work Continues**
These experiences gave shape to everything that [Only Passing Thru (OPT)](https://www.passingthrough.net/about) does. Through partnerships with Ukrainian NGOs — most notably the [**Christian Medical Association of Ukraine (CMA**](https://www.cmaukraine.com/)) — OPT delivers life-saving medical aid while raising awareness in Australia about Ukraine’s ongoing struggle.
“Their approach resonated with everything I’d learned about healing,” Lara explains. “They understand that medical care isn’t just about treating symptoms — it’s about seeing each person as inherently valuable. That’s not just their ethos, it’s actually part of their mission statement.”
OPT also has supported development work in remote Bangladesh and continues the founding community projects in Kowanyama that began years ago — a thread of sustained commitment that runs through everything Lara does.
For nearly two decades, she and her husband Ron have opened their home to boys from Kowanyama, providing educational opportunities while maintaining real, living connections to the community. This is not charity from a distance. It is showing up, year after year.
“I was not going to be the struggling doctor who came here as a last resort and left when things got tough,” she says. “I was going to be here by choice.”
That same conviction drives her work in Ukraine — and it’s why Lara has also spent years editing her grandfather’s historical novel, *Under Black Banners*, bridging past and present in one more act of love and service. All proceeds go directly to humanitarian aid in Ukraine.
## **A Living Legacy**
Every dollar donated to OPT goes directly to the cause. No wages, no overhead — a rarity that reflects Lara’s integrity and the integrity of the organisation she built.
The [**most sustaining support** ](https://www.passingthrough.net/heroes-board/)OPT receives often comes in small, regular amounts — $5, $10, $20 a month. It doesn’t sound like much. But in Lara’s world, consistency is everything. “It’s the relationship, it’s the commitment, it’s being there for the long haul that makes all the difference.” (Sound familiar? It’s the same thing she’s been saying since Kowanyama.)
If you’re inspired by this work — by what it means to truly show up for people in their most desperate moments — we’d love to have you with us. Donations can be directed to the area of your choice.
All donations over $2 are **tax deductible**.
**Join the journey. Support OPT at [www.passingthrough.net/donating](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating)**
**Categories:** Everything Else, Giving Back, Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** charity, Godslove, humanitarian, medical mission, non-profit, remote doctors, Supportukraine, Ukrainian doctor visit, volunteer
---
### [Russia's War on Ukrainian Civilians: 2026's Devastating Toll](https://www.passingthrough.net/2026-devastating-toll/)
**Published:** April 8, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilians are escalating in 2026. Here is the record — in names, numbers, and moments that demand the world pay attention.
**Content:**
**Russia’s War on Ukrainian Civilians: 2026’s Devastating Toll**
It is 9:50 in the morning in Nikopol. A covered market — the kind where people buy bread and vegetables and stop to chat with someone they know. At that moment, Russia strikes. Five people are killed. Among the wounded, a fourteen-year-old girl in critical condition. A second strike hits the same site minutes later, as if to finish the job.
This was **April 4, 2026.**
That same day, overnight Russian strikes injured a five-month-old baby and a six-year-old boy in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. A woman was killed by a drone on a road in Donetsk. A child was wounded in the Kyiv region. Emergency power outages swept across multiple regions. By the end of the day, sixteen Ukrainian civilians were dead. Ninety-four injured.
I keep coming back to the market. Because a market at ten in the morning is about as ordinary as life gets. People doing what people do. And that is exactly the point.
---
**The scale of what is happening**
The UN documented at least 161 Ukrainian civilians killed and 757 injured in January 2026 alone. Long-range drones — Shaheds, some now fitted with Starlink satellite guidance to track moving civilian targets — caused the single highest share of those casualties. But UN figures, as I have noted before, are conservative. They capture only what can be verified under strict evidentiary standards. The real toll is higher.
The UK Government told the OSCE in February 2026 that UN-verified civilian casualties for all of 2025 were up 31% on 2024, and 70% on 2023. People aged sixty and above accounted for over 45% of civilians killed in frontline areas — disproportionate to their 25% share of the population. The UN confirmed 2025 was the deadliest year for Ukrainian civilians since 2022: 2,514 killed, 12,142 injured. At least 763 children have been killed since the full-scale invasion began. (There are many more unable to be verified in now occupied areas – the toll is likely to be vastly greater – [**LINK.**](https://ineukraine.com/2025/10/08/the-ever-growing-mass-graves-russia-doesnt-want-you-to-see/))
These are not abstractions. They are people with names, addresses, and morning routines.
---
**January 2026: The 2026 record begins**
**January 2**. A Russian missile almost completely destroys a residential apartment block in Kharkiv. Among the dead are believed to be a mother and her three-year-old child. Twenty-eight others are wounded. That same day: three people killed in a drone attack on Odesa, two more in Sloviansk, six killed in a drone strike on a train in Kharkiv Oblast, and additional casualties in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts — all on a single day.
**January 3.** Nine missiles and 165 Shahed-type drones overnight. A Kyiv medical centre is struck. A patient is killed. Three others injured. An American-owned vegetable oil plant in Dnipro is also hit, spilling 300 tonnes of oil into the environment.
**January 4.** Three people killed in a Russian drone strike in Mykolaivka, Donetsk Oblast. A separate strike kills one person in Kyrykivka, Sumy Oblast.
**January 8–9**. Russia launches 242 drones and ballistic and cruise missiles at Kyiv. Four civilians killed, twenty-five injured. A paramedic is killed in a deliberate “double-tap” strike — a second attack timed to hit first responders already at the scene — with four other emergency personnel wounded alongside him. Debris falls on a children’s playground in the Darnytskyi district. Residential buildings in Pechersk and Desnianskyi districts are destroyed. Nearly 6,000 apartment buildings lose heat in winter. The Qatar Embassy is struck by drone debris. That same night, Russia fires the Oreshnik nuclear-capable hypersonic ballistic missile at Lviv — only the second time it has deployed this weapon since 2024.
**January 8.** Two foreign-flagged civilian vessels are struck by Russian drones in Odesa’s port. Two people killed, eight injured. Storage facilities are damaged in subsequent attacks.
**January 9**. A Russian drone and missile attack damages parts of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra — Ukraine’s most revered religious landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
**January 13**. Russia strikes residential buildings, schools, railway infrastructure, ports, and energy facilities across eight oblasts simultaneously: Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyr, Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv, Odesa, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Donetsk. In Odesa alone, 46,000 families lose power.
**January 27**. A passenger train carrying more than 200 people in Kharkiv Oblast is hit by three Shaheds. Five killed, including eighteen passengers in the car that took the direct strike. Analysts confirm Russia had fitted the drones with Starlink satellite guidance to increase accuracy against moving targets. Zelenskyy said what needed to be said: “In any country, a drone strike on a civilian train would be viewed the same way — exclusively as terrorism.”
**January 27**. A Russian drone attack on Odesa kills at least three people and wounds twenty-three. A pregnant woman and two children are among the injured. The drones simultaneously target the power grid — during the coldest winter in years.
**January 30**. Russian shelling strikes a bus in central Kherson. The driver is killed. Five passengers wounded.
In the **week of January 24–30** alone, Russian strikes kill at least 51 civilians across eight regions.
---
**February 2026: Miners, maternity wards, and 19 degrees below zero**
**February 1**. Two Shaheds hit a bus carrying coal miners leaving their shift in Ternivka, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. At least twelve miners killed. France calls it one in a series of deliberate attacks on non-combatants.
**February 1**. A maternity hospital is struck in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. France formally condemns it as a war crime.
**February 2–3.** Russia launches 450 drones and 71 missiles in what is described as the most powerful blow to Ukraine’s energy sector since the war began. The Darnytska thermal power plant — which supplies heat to over 1,100 Kyiv apartment buildings — is destroyed. It will not be repaired for two months. A Kharkiv power plant is also damaged beyond repair, leaving 300,000 people without electricity.
**February 4**. A nurse is killed by an FPV drone in Kherson.
**February 4**. A crowded market in Donetsk is shelled with cluster munitions — seven killed, fifteen wounded — while Ukrainian and Russian officials are simultaneously engaged in US-brokered peace negotiations. The timing was not coincidental.
**February 6.** An evacuation vehicle is attacked by Russian drones while volunteers are trying to rescue people in Beryslav. One person killed, three injured.
**February 7**. Russia launches over 400 drones and 40 missiles in a mass attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure across eleven oblasts. Nuclear facilities are damaged, automatically shutting down one nuclear unit. The Burshtyn and Dobrotvir thermal power plants in western Ukraine are hit. Kyiv forecasts temperatures of −19°C in the days following.
**February 9**. At least four people are killed, including a child. A thirteen-year-old girl is among the wounded in Dnipropetrovsk region. Another person is killed in Odesa.
**February 17**. Russia launches nearly 400 drones and 29 missiles affecting twelve regions. Three energy workers are killed when a drone strikes their car near the Sloviansk power plant.
**February 21.** Russia strikes a residential area in Sumy, destroying two buildings and damaging ten houses. Among the injured: a five-year-old child, a seventeen-year-old, and a seventy-year-old woman. Separately, two people are killed in a Kharkiv attack.
**February 24.** On the eve of the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion, Russian forces launch a wave of strikes killing four people, including two civilians in Odesa.
**February 26.** A Shahed drone destroys the kitchen of a residential home in Kyiv’s Pecherskyi district. An elderly couple are trapped inside and can only escape when their grandson Maksym Leshchenko breaks down the door. In Zaporizhzhia that night, ten people including an eight-year-old boy are injured. A children’s educational railway in Kharkiv Oblast is also struck.
In the single week of February 7–13, Russian strikes kill at least 45 civilians across nine regions.
---
**March 2026: Teachers, children, and a church in Lviv**
**March 1**. Russian artillery strikes residential areas in Kherson’s Korabelnyi district. Four civilians killed. Two of them are seventy-seven-year-old women, killed at the entrance of their own building.
**March 7.** A Russian ballistic missile hits a five-storey apartment building in Kharkiv. Eleven dead, including two children. Fifteen others injured, including three children. Among the named victims: a primary school teacher and her nine-year-old son — a second-grade student — killed in their home. A thirteen-year-old girl and her mother.
A neighbour named Hanna arrived at the scene twenty minutes after the explosion. She told Reuters: “I thought I was going to have a stroke. It was ordinary people who lived there. What were they targeting?”
**March 14.** Russia strikes Ukraine with around 430 drones and 68 missiles. Six killed, fifteen injured. Five die in the Kyiv region, where residential buildings, schools, and businesses are damaged alongside energy infrastructure. In Zaporizhzhia, two civilians are killed and twenty-two injured amid 735 strikes on 43 settlements in a single day. Emergency medical workers are among the dead in Kharkiv.
**March 19** onwards. The UN Security Council convenes an emergency session at European members’ request. Since March 19, at least twenty-five civilians have been killed and more than 130 injured — including children — particularly in Donetsk, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia.
**March 21**. A body is recovered from the rubble of a residential building struck by Russian drones in Zaporizhzhia.
**March 23.** At 5:20 in the morning, an FPV drone hits a commuter train eight miles from the Russian border. The crew sounds the alarm. Passengers evacuate to a shelter — except one. A sixty-one-year-old man who refuses to leave is killed. Ukrainian Railways asks passengers to please follow safety instructions. The trains, they say, will keep running.
**March 23–24**. The largest single-day aerial assault since the war began. Nearly 1,000 drones and missiles — 392 overnight, then 556 more in a rare daytime wave. At least seven people killed, seventy-three injured, including children, across Ukraine.
In Lviv, Shaheds strike the historic city centre, damaging the UNESCO-protected seventeenth-century Bernardine Monastery complex, including St. Andrew’s Church. Thirty-two people injured. Zelenskyy says: “Iranian Shaheds, modernized by Russia, hit a church in Lviv — it’s absolute perversion.” UNESCO issues a statement saying it is “deeply alarmed” — but declines to name Russia. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Sybiha responds publicly: “Is it a joke, @UNESCO?”
In Ivano-Frankivsk, a maternity hospital and around ten residential buildings are struck. Two people killed, four others injured, including a six-year-old child.
In Zhytomyr, a twelve-year-old girl is hospitalised after a strike on the city centre.
In Poltava, a hotel and residential buildings are burning. Two dead, eleven injured.
In Dnipro, a drone strikes a fourteen-storey residential building. Nine injured, including an eighteen-month-old boy.
In Vinnytsia, at least one person is killed and thirteen others injured.
In Kherson, a man is killed in his own home.
**March 29**. A Russian glide bomb hits Kramatorsk. Three killed, including a thirteen-year-old boy. Thirteen others wounded. Multi-storey residential buildings are damaged.
---
**April 2026: The Easter escalation**
**April 2**. Russian forces strike Druzhkivka in Donetsk region with four FAB-250 aerial bombs, injuring nine civilians.
**April 2.** In the Kherson region, one person is killed and sixteen others injured in Russian attacks.
**April 3**. Russian forces attack a minibus in Kherson with a drone — five people injured. In Kharkiv, five people including an infant are injured in overnight attacks. Russia then strikes Kharkiv with four ballistic missiles, damaging residential buildings and injuring a woman. A Russian drone strikes a shopping centre in central Sumy, injuring two people. Four border communities in Chernihiv region are attacked with FPV drones. One person is killed and another wounded in the Kyiv region.
**April 3**. Russian forces drop four FAB-250 aerial bombs with cluster munitions on a residential area of Kramatorsk between 6:17 and 6:25 p.m. Four people killed: a sixteen-year-old boy who dies in hospital from his injuries; a husband and wife aged seventy-one and sixty-eight; and a forty-five-year-old woman. Multiple houses and two administrative buildings are destroyed. Cluster munitions are banned by over 100 countries due to their indiscriminate nature. Donetsk Governor Vadym Filashkin: “The Russians are destroying everything they can reach.”
**April 3**. Russia strikes Kharkiv at least twenty times with explosive drones. Two people later die in hospital. A drone strikes a bus in Kherson, leaving the driver seriously wounded and at least eight passengers hurt. Russian attacks on Kherson Oblast that day kill one person and injure twenty-five others.
**April 3**. A Russian guided aerial bomb strikes an apartment block in Sumy’s northern district. One person killed.
**April 3–4**. Zelenskyy describes what is unfolding as an “Easter escalation” — Russia deliberately intensifying its bombardment in the days before Catholic Easter. More than 500 drones and dozens of missiles. Sixteen civilians killed across Ukraine, ninety-four injured. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Sybiha says: “This is how Moscow responds to Ukraine’s Easter ceasefire proposals — with brutal attacks.”
**April 4**. The market in Nikopol. Five killed — three women and two men. A fourteen-year-old girl in critical condition among the wounded. A second strike hits the same site shortly after, injuring two more men. The Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office calls it yet another Russian war crime. A day of mourning is declared in Nikopol.
**April 4**. Overnight strikes on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast injure a five-month-old baby, a six-year-old boy, and a forty-one-year-old woman as fires blaze through neighbourhoods.
**April 4**. A Russian drone strikes an apartment block in Sumy during a mass nighttime attack. Thirteen people injured, including a fifteen-year-old girl.
**April 4**. A Russian drone strikes a civilian car on the Kostyantynivka–Druzhkivka road in Donetsk. One woman killed, another wounded.
**April 4.** One civilian killed and eight wounded, including a child, in the Kyiv region. Emergency power outages triggered across several regions.
**April 5**. In the twenty-four hours to April 5, Russian attacks kill at least nine civilians and injure at least ninety-five across Ukraine. In Donetsk Oblast, one killed and two injured. In Kherson Oblast, two killed and thirteen injured. In Chernihiv Oblast, one killed by a long-range Shahed strike. In Kharkiv Oblast, eleven injured including an eleven-year-old girl. Zaporizhzhia Oblast is struck 887 times by drones, rockets, and artillery in a single day. A woman injured in Russian shelling of a public transport stop in Kherson’s Korabelnyi district on April 4 dies from her wounds. A civilian car strikes a Russian mine in Kherson, injuring one man. Russian drones attack Naftogaz gas facilities in Poltava and Sumy overnight. 169 people — including 139 children — are evacuated from frontline areas.
---
**The human safari**
Alongside these mass strikes, something more intimate and more sinister is happening in Kherson and surrounding districts. Human rights investigators call it a “human safari.”
Russia deploys an estimated 1,200 to 1,400 FPV drones every single day. Human Rights Watch has documented at least 45 drone strikes in Kherson’s Antonivka and Dniprovskyi districts appearing to deliberately target civilians. Russian military-affiliated Telegram channels post videos of attacks on people going about their lives — riding bicycles, driving to work, walking their dogs, boarding buses, being evacuated in clearly marked ambulances — often captioned: “Any movement of motor vehicles will be considered a legitimate target.” Russian drone operators have declared these areas “red zones” on publicly posted maps.
89% of all FPV casualties occur in Ukrainian-controlled territory.
Anastasia Pavlenko is twenty-three years old. A drone chases her on her bicycle for 300 metres before dropping a grenade, injuring her neck, leg, and ribs. The Russian Telegram post about the attack is captioned: “This character was accurately eliminated.”
November 2025. A Russian drone strikes a civilian car, killing a woman and her six-year-old child.
November 4, 2025. Two civilians and their dog are killed by a drone while walking under a white flag. A war crimes investigation is opened.
**February 4, 2026**. A nurse killed by FPV drone in Kherson.
**February 6, 2026.** An evacuation vehicle attacked in Beryslav. One volunteer killed, three injured.
A rescue worker explains what it is like to do his job now: “We can’t safely respond to emergencies. When we get emergency calls, we contact the military to see if there are any drones in the area before we dispatch.”
Between May and December 2024 alone, at least twenty-one medical staff were injured in drone attacks in Kherson.
(note: since first writing this – **as of April 2026** there are **[multiple FPV drone strikes on civlians in Kherson EVERY DAY)](https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/08/22/the-film-showing-how-russias-killer-drones-turned-ukraine-into-a-human-safari/).**
---
**The systematic destruction of healthcare**
Russia has carried out 2,591 attacks on Ukrainian healthcare facilities since the full-scale invasion began, according to Physicians for Human Rights. That includes 1,389 hospitals and clinics damaged or destroyed, 235 ambulance attacks, 359 deaths among medical workers, 379 injuries to medical staff, and 94 attacks specifically targeting the maternal health system.
Attacks on healthcare increased by nearly 20% in 2025 compared to 2024. Shelling of medical warehouses tripled. MSF has been forced to abandon seven hospitals and more than forty medical locations since 2022. Two-thirds of health workers report that power outages have disrupted surgeries, dialysis, and maternity care.
As of **January 2026**, 703 of the more than 2,500 damaged medical facilities have been restored. That means nearly 1,800 have not.
---
**The erasure of culture**
By March 2026, UNESCO has verified damage to 523 cultural sites. More than 700 religious sites have been damaged. 200 churches have been fully destroyed. More than seventy religious leaders killed. Seven million cultural artefacts lost. Five million archival documents from Ukraine’s National Archival Fund are now under occupation.
The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and Saint Sophia Cathedral — both UNESCO World Heritage Sites — were struck in June 2025. The Lviv Bernardine Monastery in **March 2026**. Odesa’s Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral before that. Russia is not accidentally hitting these places. It is erasing them.
---
**What you can do**
The people behind every one of these incidents — the teachers, miners, nurses, grandmothers at their doorsteps, children on bicycles, commuters on trains — are the same people our medical teams and humanitarian partners work alongside and care for every day. They are not statistics. They are patients, neighbours, and survivors who need medical supplies, emergency care, and the knowledge that the world has not looked away.
If this record moves you, please consider supporting our work. Every donation funds the [medical equipment and humanitarian aid](https://www.cmaukraine.com) that keeps people alive in a country where going to the market, catching a train, or cycling home has become an act of courage.
**Donate [HERE.](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)**
Because bearing witness is not enough. [**We have to act.**](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)
---
*Sources: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs; UK Government statement to the OSCE, February 2026; Physicians for Human Rights; Human Rights Watch; WHO; Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office; Kyiv Independent; Reuters; UNESCO; Donetsk Regional Military Administration; Ukrainian Air Force.*
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** medical mission, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, ukraine, warzone
---
### [Oleshky: Russia's Deliberate Humanitarian Catastrophe](https://www.passingthrough.net/oleshky-humanitarian-catastrophe/)
**Published:** April 1, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** In occupied Oleshky, Ukrainians starve and freeze under Russian blockade. It is a humanitarian catastrophe. This is why surrendering land is never the answer.
**Content:**
Before the full-scale invasion, Oleshky was a city of 40,000 people — an ordinary Ukrainian community on the left bank of the Dnipro River, just across the water from Kherson. Russia occupied it in the earliest days of the war. Then, in June 2023, Russian forces destroyed the Kakhovka Dam, flooding much of the city. While the waters rose, Russian forces reportedly prevented locals from leaving and later confiscated humanitarian aid. An Associated Press investigation found that the dam’s destruction killed at least hundreds in Oleshky alone — not the 59 Russia claimed for the entire region.
That catastrophe was only the beginning.
Today, roughly 6,000 to 8,000 people remain out of those 40,000. Most who could leave, did. Those who remain are the elderly, the immobile, families with nowhere to go. And they are trapped.
Since mid-January 2026, food has been delivered to the city exactly once. Every other attempt has ended the same way: volunteers and drivers killed under targeted drone attacks on roads that have become, in the words of the people who live there, “The Road of Death.” When a truck did break through in early January, there was a stampede. In fifteen minutes, everything was gone.
All roads are mined. The Russian military allows civilian vehicles to bring in food only in exchange for 80% of whatever they carry. Even then, getting through is close to impossible. In March 2026, the last functioning ambulance exploded on a mine on that same road.
Consider what happened on 5 March. Two vehicles managed to bring provisions into the city. Word spread quickly. By morning, a long line had formed outside the grocery store. Instead, four drones attacked the gathering, wounding ten people and killing two civilians. The wounded were transported to hospital in a wheelbarrow.
People queuing for bread. Attacked by drones.
Two to three people die in Oleshky every day — from malnutrition, heart attacks, shelling. Russian FPV drone operators use moving targets for training, including civilians, vehicles, and animals. Residents call it “human safari.” One elderly man was killed by occupiers when he tried to stop them looting food from his cellar.
The hospital treats only Russian military personnel. Ukrainian residents are turned away. The building has had no reliable power, water, or gas for years.
And there is Alyona. Her husband was injured by a Russian drone and sent home from hospital without medication. Back home without heat or power, she washed his bandages by hand with water melted from snow and boiled the last three potatoes on an outdoor fire. She called a cousin to say she wasn’t sure they would survive. By March, the cousin had heard nothing. She comforts herself with the knowledge that phones cannot be charged and communications are down.
There is also a woman counting her flour. She has enough for one more loaf. After that, a few frozen pumpkins. Some cereals. Whatever she can barter with neighbours who have equally little. She has not tasted dairy since December. She cooks on a wood-burning stove outside because there is nothing else. She is down to her last cup of flour, cooking on an open fire in the ruins of the life she used to have.
 FILE - Houses are seen underwater in the flooded town of Oleshky, Ukraine, June 10, 2023. An AP investigation has found that Russian occupation authorities vastly and deliberately undercounted the dead in one of the most devastating chapters of the 22-month war in Ukraine - the flooding that followed the catastrophic explosion that destroyed the Kakhovka Dam in the southern Kherson region. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka, File)
I have been a doctor for over thirty years. I have worked in difficult environments and seen suffering that stays with you. But some details from Oleshky stop me cold.
The dead are being buried in plastic bags. In the best case, a handwritten plaque marks the date of birth, date of death, and name. A man who died in December lay unburied for nearly two months before anyone came. The city morgue has had no electricity for four years. In mid-March, it was hit by a shell. Although it is full, Russian authorities do not permit burials. Along the road toward Crimea, bodies lie uncollected, consumed by stray dogs. People are afraid to stop and approach them — stopping means becoming a drone target yourself.
To deny someone a dignified burial is one of the oldest forms of dehumanisation. Russia is doing this systematically, deliberately, in 2026.
And then there is the deliberate erasure of identity — what journalist [Zarina Zabrisky](https://x.com/ZarinaZabrisky/), reporting for Meidas+, documents as a parallel campaign running alongside the physical siege. Russian propaganda tells residents still in occupied territory that they are not welcome back in Ukraine. Fake Ukrainian leaflets dropped by drones threaten locals, calling them “collaborators.” Russian soldiers set up Ukrainian flags in the street and watch to see who reacts with sympathy — then arrest them.
One family was stopped at a checkpoint when soldiers found a deleted Ukrainian bank app on the husband’s phone. The couple was taken to their home, tied to chairs, and had needles pushed under their fingernails while soldiers accused them of funding the Ukrainian army.
Sexual violence is used as a tool of control. Multiple cases of rape by Russian military personnel have been documented, with some women giving birth following these assaults.
According to international humanitarian law — specifically Articles 55 and 59 of the Geneva Convention — an occupying power is obligated to provide the civilian population with food, water, and medical supplies, and to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid. Russia is the occupying power in Oleshky. Ukraine’s Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets has appealed to both the ICRC and Russia directly, calling for a humanitarian corridor. After nearly a month of appeals, the situation has not changed. Lubinets has been direct: this is not merely a humanitarian crisis. This is deliberate terrorism by the Russian Federation against the civilian population.
The [Holodomor](https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=37dc697d3bb6a335c49c93757256f912c82473aa39e3650feb5c7f4fe858f453JmltdHM9MTc3NDc0MjQwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=24837f0b-3377-6e5f-1677-691732456f6b&psq=holodomor+genocide&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9lbi53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnL3dpa2kvSG9sb2RvbW9y) comparison is not hyperbole. It is history recognising itself.
So when Western politicians speak of “giving Russia something” to end the war, when commentators suggest that territorial concessions are the[ “pragmatic” path to peace](https://www.passingthrough.net/no-peace-at-all/), I want them to understand what they are asking Ukrainians to accept. Not inconvenience. Not reduced sovereignty in the abstract. This. Alyona melting snow to wash her husband’s bandages. Children choosing between starvation and a mined road. Bodies in plastic bags. People tortured for having a bank app on their phone.
The UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights has confirmed that evacuation from Oleshky is extremely difficult and dangerous, leaving many people trapped close to the frontline, with critical humanitarian needs going unmet. The international community’s silence is its own kind of verdict.
**What can you do?**
Speak up. Write to your local MP, your senator, your federal representative. Australia has a voice in the international conversation on Ukraine. Use yours. Ask your government to press for humanitarian corridors. Ask them to name what is happening in Oleshky for what it is: a war crime.
And if you can, please support our medical and humanitarian aid mission directly. Our partners on the ground in Ukraine work with people like this every day — those who have survived occupation and emerged with nothing: untreated wounds, unmanaged chronic conditions, no documents, no money, nowhere to go. Medicine, surgical supplies, evacuation support, and hands-on care delivered in conditions most of us cannot imagine. That is what your support makes possible.
The woman counting her last cup of flour is running out of time.
So is our window to make a difference.
[ ***Sign up to support Ukraine here*** ](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)
#### **Sources**
1. Zarina Zabrisky, *Besieged Oleshki: Humanitarian Collapse Under Russian Control*, Meidas+, 26 March 2026 https://www.meidasplus.com/p/besieged-oleshki-humanitarian-collapse
2. *Occupied Oleshky Faces Blockade: Civilians Die Trying To Bring Bread*, Ukrinform via MENAFN, 25 February 2026 https://menafn.com/1110789968/Occupied-Oleshky-Faces-Blockade-Civilians-Die-Trying-To-Bring-Bread
3. *In Occupied Oleshky, No One Left To Bury Dead*, Ukrinform via MENAFN, 25 February 2026 https://menafn.com/1110788736/In-Occupied-Oleshky-No-One-Left-To-Bury-Dead
4. *Lubinets calls for humanitarian corridor to evacuate civilians from Oleshky*, Ukrinform, 28 March 2026 https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/4106423-lubinets-calls-for-humanitarian-corridor-to-evacuate-civilians-from-oleshky.html
5. *Ombudsman declares humanitarian catastrophe in Oleshky*, Intent Press, 28 March 2026 https://intent.press/en/news/war/2026/oleshky-on-the-verge-of-survival-ombudsman-declares-humanitarian-catastrophe/
6. *Residents of occupied Kherson region die of hunger*, Intent Press, 25 March 2026 https://intent.press/en/news/society/2026/occupants-blockade-a-town-in-kherson-region-residents-are-dying-of-hunger/
7. *Due to the blockade of Oleshky, attempts to bring in food end in death*, Intent Press, 26 February 2026 https://intent.press/en/news/war/2026/due-to-the-blockade-of-oleshky-attempts-to-bring-in-food-end-in-death/
8. *Occupied communities in Kherson region are under humanitarian blockade*, Intent Press, 5 March 2026 https://intent.press/en/news/society/2026/occupied-communities-in-kherson-region-are-under-humanitarian-blockade/
9. *In Oleshky, more than 8,000 people still live: humanitarian catastrophe continues*, Most Kherson, 22 March 2026 https://most.ks.ua/en/news/url/v-oleshkah-dosi-meshkaje-ponad-8000-ljudej-v-misti-trivaje-gumanitarna-katastrofa-tolokonnikov/
10. *Bodies remain uncollected on roadsides in temporarily occupied Oleshky*, Most Kherson, 25 March 2026 https://most.ks.ua/en/news/url/v-okupovanih-oleshkah-cherez-vidsutnist-trun-ljudej-hovajut-u-paketah-mipl/
11. *Ukraine: danger is only increasing, warns UN human rights office*, UN News, 26 March 2026 https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/03/1167201
12. *Some villages in occupied Kherson Oblast ‘no longer exist,’ official says*, Kyiv Independent https://kyivindependent.com/some-villages-no-longer-exist-in-occupied-kherson/
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** humanitarian, Supportukraine, ukraine, warzone
---
### [The Summer of Betrayal:](https://www.passingthrough.net/the-summer-of-betrayal/)
**Published:** September 7, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** How summer 2025 exposed the lie of Ukraine peace talks. From Alaska summits to drone-killed children, Putin's true intentions revealed.
**Content:**
## From Alaska summits to drone-killed toddlers— why this summer revealed the true cost of appeasing Putin
### The Theatre of Diplomacy While Children Die
August 31st, 2025. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov delivers his latest performance: *“We are ready to resolve the problem by political and diplomatic means but since we do not see reciprocity from \[Kiev\] we continue the ‘special military operation.’”*
The same night, Russian missiles rain down on Ukrainian cities. The same week, footage emerges of Russian generals in a war room, maps spread before them showing not just the territories they’ve captured (incorrectly marked, as usual), but vast swaths of Ukrainian land they intend to seize—land that isn’t even part of their so-called **[“peace negotiations.”](https://www.passingthrough.net/no-peace-at-all/)**
This is the summer that revealed the bankruptcy of Western diplomacy and the true face of Russian “peace.”
### July: Targeting Children is Routine
Since my last update in July the bombings have continued with horrific precision. On July 9th, Russia attacked civilian vehicles in Rodynske, Donetsk region, killing five people. The volunteer who shared recovery footage of the victims’ bodies had no words left—just the grim documentation of another war crime.
Five days later, July 14th brought a new level of depravity. A Russian drone operator—watching through live video feed—deliberately guided his weapon toward a one-year-old baby in Kherson region. This wasn’t collateral damage. This wasn’t a missed military target. An adult human being, sitting safely miles away, chose to murder a toddler.
**As one observer noted:** *“I don’t think people realise the extent to which Russians have dehumanised Ukrainians. There is an entire curriculum for this hate. It’s taught. I don’t know how a society comes back from this.”*
The same day, Russian drones attacked a medical brigade during civilian evacuation in Sumy region. After medics arrived to provide aid following the first strike, the Russians hit again—this time targeting the ambulance directly. Two paramedics hospitalised. The message clear: even trying to save lives makes you a target. These are just some of almost daily stories.
### The War on Birth: Genocidal Intent in Action
July’s assault on a maternity ward in Kharkiv revealed Russia’s systematic campaign against Ukraine’s future. The drone strike blew out windows mid-labour. Doctors rushed mothers across the river, performing deliveries under bombardment while mothers and newborns sheltered underground.
The statistics tell the story of organised genocide:
- Russia has attacked Ukraine’s healthcare facilities over **2,000 times** since the war began
- **81 attacks** specifically targeted maternity units
- Ukraine now records **3 deaths for every birth**—the world’s lowest birth rate and highest mortality in 2024
In Kharkiv, women now fear giving birth in hospitals. Doctors deliver babies under torchlight during power cuts. Hospitals hire psychologists to help mothers cope with the trauma. In Sloviansk, after Russian drones destroyed the main hospital, the maternity unit operates as the last functioning one in Ukrainian-held territory.
**The pattern is unmistakable:** FPV drones, artillery, and bombs deliberately target maternity care. This fits perfectly with Putin’s often-stated genocidal intentions.
### August: The Month of Betrayal
**The Alaska Summit: Red Carpets for War Criminals**
August brought the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska—a diplomatic circus that granted Putin global legitimacy while offering Ukraine nothing. No ceasefire emerged. No concessions from Moscow. Ukraine wasn’t even included in discussions about its own future.
Behind the pageantry of flags and photo ops, the real business was conducted: Exxon executives secretly held talks with Rosneft about returning to Russia’s oil projects. The same day Putin met Trump, he signed a decree allowing foreign investors—including Exxon Mobil—to regain shares in Russian oil and gas ventures.
The message was clear: sanctions are theatre, business is business, and Ukraine is expendable.
**Trump’s Offensive Ignorance**
August 27th delivered Trump’s most offensive commentary yet: *“I’m sure Ukraine thought it was going to win, but if you’re trying to beat someone 15 times bigger than you… Ukraine has gotten their \*\*\*\*\* kicked.”*
**Does this man understand who invaded whom?** Ukraine was sitting peacefully within its internationally recognised borders when Russia attacked. Ukraine wasn’t “looking for a fight”—it was defending its right to exist. And Russia has expended hundreds of thousands of lives for a few square metres despite getting help from North Korea and China…
The same day, a British humanitarian volunteer was killed while delivering aid. An Australian volunteer shared footage of his car being attacked by drones while evacuating elderly people from villages. These heroes die while Trump mocks their sacrifice.
**International Voices of Reason**
August 28th: Portugal’s president openly accused Trump of working to promote Russia’s strategic interests. Finally, a world leader willing to say what everyone was thinking.
The contrast couldn’t be starker—while Trump rolled out red carpets for Putin, Ukrainian volunteers were literally being hunted by drones for the crime of delivering food to grandmothers.
### The Siege Strategy: Kherson Under the Gun
The highway between Kherson and Mykolaiv tells the story of Russia’s true intentions. Russian drones now continuously hunt civilians on the only main highway out of the city. The road is littered with burnt-out cars. Authorities had to close the highway for people’s safety.
**This is siege warfare in the 21st century**—not conquering territory, but trapping and terrorising civilians until they break.
### Beyond Ukraine: Russia's War on the West
While the world fixated on Alaska summits, Russia’s sabotage campaign across Europe intensified:
- **Mid-air sabotage**: Russia targeted two planes carrying the head of the EU and Germany’s military chief while they were airborne
- **Naval threats**: Large-scale searches for Russian submarines threatening US aircraft carriers off Norway
- **Recruitment networks**: Russians recruiting migrants across Europe to carry out attacks on European soil
- **Cyber warfare**: Continued hacking attacks across multiple countries, including the US and Australia
- **Infrastructure attacks**: Russian agents setting fires in Polish warehouses storing supplies for Ukraine
**The truth is simple:** Russia is already at war with us. Despite Putin’s growing friendship with Trump, he has never backed down from his stated aim to destroy the West.
### The Torture Documentation
August brought the UN Human Rights Council’s latest documentation of Russian war crimes. The report detailed systematic sexualised torture in occupied Ukrainian territories:
- Men and women beaten with electric shocks, including on genitals
- Severe beatings, simulated drowning, and execution threats
- “Extensive, well-documented” practices of sexual assault, rape, and rape threats by Russian military
These documented cases represent only a small fraction of the systematic brutality. Yet somehow, we’re still expected to believe Putin is interested in “diplomatic solutions.”
### The Propaganda Machine at Work
Russian state media doesn’t hide the genocidal intent. Anton Krasovsky, chief of Russian-language broadcasting for Russia Today, declared on air:
*“\[Ukrainian children\] should have been drowned… Just drown those children… Whoever says that Russia occupied them, you throw them in the river… Shove them right into those huts and burn them up… \[Ukraine\] is not supposed to exist at all.”*
A quote from a Russian military telegram channel reveals the strategy: *“If we won’t bomb schools, maternity wards and civil buildings, we won’t win this war. Only by killing civilians will we provide enough pressure to make Zelensky capitulate. Russia’s army reputation is at stake.”*
**This is not a war of conquest—it’s a campaign of extermination.**
### The Estonian Warning
Estonia, having lived under Russian occupation, understands the stakes. A former Estonian Prime Minister warned: *“If the war in Ukraine does not end with the complete destruction of Russia and a new Nuremberg trial, a predator that has tasted blood will be left to roam freely in the forest.”*
Countries that have experienced Russian rule know what Ukraine faces: not just occupation, but erasure.
### The Peace Delusion
Throughout this summer of horrors, Western voices continued pushing for “peace negotiations.” But what peace looks like under Russian terms became crystal clear:
- No NATO troops in Ukraine
- No security guarantees that don’t include Russian veto power
- Handover of Ukrainian land to give Russia a foothold for future conquest
- No direct meetings with President Zelensky
In other words everything Russia needs to complete it’s ‘stated goals’ of the erasure of Ukraine.
Ukraine offered an unconditional ceasefire. Russia loudly and clearly refused any ceasefire.
**The security guarantees Russia proposed?** Only ones in which Russia and China have veto power—meaning Ukraine’s attackers would control who’s allowed to defend it.
### The Stakes: Genocide in Real Time
Ukrainian Nobel Peace Prize winner Oleksandra Matviichuk explained the reality: *“Putin openly said that there is no Ukrainian nation, there is no Ukrainian language, there is no Ukrainian culture. Ukrainians have to be either re-educated as Russians or killed. And for 10 years we have documented how these words have been converted into horrible practice.”*
A headline in a Russian state-approved commentary read: *“There is no other option—no one should remain alive in Ukraine.”*
**We are witnessing genocide in real time.** And too many in the West still don’t get it: Russia doesn’t want to control Ukraine—it wants to erase Ukraine as a nation entirely.
### History's Judgment
As summer 2025 draws to a close, one truth emerges clearly: History will remember this not as the summer of peacemaking, but as the season when the world’s most powerful democracy chose appeasement over justice.
**Trump will be remembered not as a peacemaker, but as the worst president in modern history**—one who rewarded genocide, legitimised aggression, and tried to trade away a nation’s freedom for his own ego while welcoming a war criminal on a red carpet.
The consequences of this betrayal extend far beyond Ukraine. When you reward genocide, it becomes a strategy. When you trade land for “peace,” you lose both. And when you legitimise the targeting of toddlers with drones, you lose something essential about what it means to be human.
### **The Ukrainian people know what they’re fighting for.**
### The question is: Do we?
*Support organisations working directly with those on the ground. Share the truth. Reject disinformation. Because Ukraine’s fight for survival is ultimately a fight for the values we claim to hold dear.*
[ Please Support ](http://www.passingthrough.net/donating)
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** axis of evil, democracy, freedom, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, ukraine
---
### [Ukraine's Health Heroes Need Your Help](https://www.passingthrough.net/ukraines-health-heroes-need-your-help/)
**Published:** August 22, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** URGENT: DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT FOR UKRAINE’S HEALTH HEROES A generous donor has stepped forward to MATCH the next $10,000 in donations made to our account
**Content:**
##  URGENT: DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT FOR UKRAINE’S HEALTH HEROES
A generous donor has stepped forward to MATCH the next $10,000 in donations made to our account- dollar-for-dollar to our Ukraine medical mission! We leave in just 4 weeks!
Every dollar you donate will be DOUBLED to help save lives in areas of desperate need.
 YOUR $50 BECOMES $100
 YOUR $100 BECOMES $200
 YOUR $250 BECOMES $500
Right now, Ukrainian doctors are performing life-saving surgeries in hospitals with blown-out windows. Frontline medics face relentless danger treating wounded civilians and soldiers. They desperately need medical supplies – bandages, wound dressings, trauma kits, and essential equipment.
We support these brave Ukrainian healthcare heroes directly, but there’s an URGENT need: our Ukrainian partners need a van to safely transport medical supplies and training equipment into the country and reach remote, dangerous areas where help is needed most.
 100% of your donation goes directly to supporting Ukrainian doctors and medical supplies
 URGENT: Funds needed for transport van to reach remote areas
 Our transparency reports show exactly how funds are used
 Direct impact – we work hand-in-hand with Ukrainian medical teams
 CAMPAIGN: “Empowering Health Heroes in Ukraine”
Learn more: [https://chuffed.org/…/empowering-health-heroes-in-ukraine](https://chuffed.org/project/empowering-health-heroes-in-ukraine/)
 TO DOUBLE YOUR DONATION: Send funds directly to our charity bank account
**Only Passing Thru**
**BSB 084512**
**AC 299319963**
Full details at: [www.passingthrough.net/donating](http://www.passingthrough.net/donating?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExMVhxaTM2ZXNMSlhNcmxkaAEeXT1baulA46cg8sz6RhIxoVTFRgibQLCzA09mfQ3ayTYsapcuF2CAeBuC32U_aem_r-FJBYXw8f8VEqBGCs-DRQ)
 MATCHING FUNDS LIMITED TO FIRST $10,000 DONATED
Don’t wait – every moment counts when lives are on the line. Your donation today will be doubled and will directly support Ukraine’s brave medical heroes.
Together, we can save lives. 
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** charity, Godslove, humanitarian, medical mission, non-profit, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, ukraine, volunteer, warzone
---
### [Our Ukraine Volunteers on A Current Affair ( Australian TV)](https://www.passingthrough.net/current-affair-australian-tv/)
**Published:** October 31, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Dr Lara Wieland has traded her life in Far North Queensland for the chaos of Ukraine - volunteering her medical skills amid relentless Russian attacks.
**Content:**
Also see [**https://www.passingthrough.net/medical-mission-in-the-media/**](https://www.passingthrough.net/medical-mission-in-the-media/)
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** charity, humanitarian, medical mission, non-profit, remote doctors, Supportukraine, ukraine, volunteer, warzone
---
### [In the Media: Our Upcoming Medical Mission to Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/medical-mission-in-the-media/)
**Published:** September 9, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Explore coverage of our upcoming Ukraine medical mission — from news features to radio interviews — and see how you can help at www.passingthrough.net/donating.
**Content:**
## OPT Managing Director on Channel 7 news
See 7News Cairns [HERE](https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1B2no6SEyj/)
## Story in The Sunday Mail 24th August, 2025
## Going Back to Ukraine
[ ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/courier-mail-1170x1560.jpg)
[ ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/courier-mail1-1170x1560.jpg)
## Feature in the Rural Doctors Association of Queensland Quarterly
[RDAQ Quarterly August 2025 FINAL](https://rdaq.com.au/common/Uploaded%20files/_Qld/RDAQ%20Quarterly/250830/RDAQ%20Quarterly%20August%202025%20FINAL.pdf) [](https://www.passingthrough.net/?attachment_id=18386) [](https://www.passingthrough.net/?attachment_id=18387)
[ PLEASE SUPPORT OUR WORK! ](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)
## Dr Lara Wieland Radio Interview with 92.3 FM Christian Radio
**Phyllis (92.3 FM):**
Hi, Phyllis here at 92.3 FM. Today we have Dr. Lara Wieland with us. She is a rural generalist doctor who has been serving in Indigenous health in far North Queensland for nearly three decades.
So Lara, thank you for being with us today. Can you share with us a bit about your background and how your journey has led to your current mission?
**Dr. Lara:**
Yeah, thank you, Phyllis. It’s a privilege to be here with you. As you said, I’ve been working in remote Aboriginal communities for close to 30 years. And about 20 years ago, a group of us started a charity and children’s ministry in Kowanyama called *Out There Kowanyama*.
That’s a remote Aboriginal community in Cape York. We ran holiday programs, leadership camps, youth mentoring, student boarding, and a range of other projects.
Just before COVID, we changed our name to *Only Passing Through*. Obviously there are biblical connotations to that—us being strangers in a strange land, just passing through and needing to make our time count in an eternal sense.
We reshaped our structure, and the vision at the time was to develop a social enterprise to support an NGO in Bangladesh that I had become involved in. They do incredible Christ-centred work. But with COVID and other factors, that avenue didn’t unfold as hoped.
We had also started winding down some of our work in Kowanyama, though not all. And then in 2023, God opened a new door—I had the opportunity to travel to Ukraine with a colleague through the Christian Medical Association of Ukraine.
We really felt God’s clear leading to go.
**Phyllis:**
And what did you encounter there, Lara?
**Dr. Lara:**
Being in Ukraine during war was deeply moving. Even though they were under attack and in the midst of devastation, I saw Christians everywhere showing God’s love in action—to the bombed, the displaced, the sick, the injured.
I was particularly struck by the compassion, accountability, and integrity of the Christian Medical Association of Ukraine. When I realised how difficult it was to transfer funds into Ukraine, I suggested that our charity could step in.
Because we already had DGR status in Australia, people here could give tax-deductible donations. It was amazing to see how the structure we’d built earlier—without knowing what lay ahead—was perfectly positioned to serve Ukraine.
It reminded me that God really does bring good out of things that don’t always make sense at the time.
**Phyllis:**
He does. And aren’t we fortunate that He does? That’s such a reassurance for people too.
We’ll be back with Dr. Lara in a little while, after a couple of lovely positive songs. Stay tuned on 92.3 FM.
---
**Phyllis (later):**
Hi, Phyllis back here at 92.3 FM. We have Dr. Lara Wieland with us. Dr. Lara was just talking about Ukraine and her involvement there with the Christian Medical Association.
Since then, your involvement has grown, hasn’t it?
**Dr. Lara:**
Yes. After coming back from Ukraine and partnering with the Christian Medical Association, it became clear I could do more than just fundraise. With my background in medicine and medical education, we’ve supported practical projects—supporting doctors and nurses with upskilling, supplying medicines and equipment, caring for those with burns and life-threatening injuries, and running mobile clinics to reach people in the most isolated areas, always in partnership with local churches.
We’ve also partnered on a smaller scale with a Ukrainian church-based NGO doing incredible work—children’s camps, humanitarian aid, church planting, even working alongside military chaplains.
**Phyllis:**
That covers just life, doesn’t it! Really Matthew 24 love in action.
So tell us about the upcoming mission—you’re going back over there?
**Dr. Lara:**
Yes, this September we’re returning to Ukraine. We’re urgently raising funds for a second-hand van, medical equipment, and education resources.
We always pay for our own travel and time—donations never go to us. But we desperately need this vehicle. Trains are harder to access and increasingly targeted, but more importantly, we want to leave the van in Ukraine so CMA can equip it as a mobile medical training van for lifesaving first aid and advanced life support education across the country.
---
**Phyllis (closing segment):**
So Lara, how can people help?
**Dr. Lara:**
Three ways:
1. **Prayer** – Please pray for Ukraine, its leaders, peace, and especially for those suffering in occupied areas.
2. **Spreading awareness** – Ukraine slips out of the headlines. Please sign up to our newsletter and blog at [www.passingthrough.net](http://www.passingthrough.net?utm_source=chatgpt.com) and share widely.
3. **Giving** – Our charity is fully volunteer-run. Every dollar you give goes directly to where it’s needed. Donations are tax deductible in Australia.
Regular giving helps most—even $5 to $25 a month makes a difference. It gives our partners in Ukraine certainty to plan wisely and keep showing Christ’s love in action.
So we ask: could you consider the cost of a cup of coffee a week as a gift of hope to people in Ukraine? You can donate at **[www.passingthrough.net/donating](http://www.passingthrough.net/donating?utm_source=chatgpt.com)**.
**Phyllis:**
That is a very powerful appeal. Thank you, Dr. Lara. May God bless you and your team. Would you close with a prayer?
**Dr. Lara:**
(Prayer)
**Phyllis:**
Thank you, Dr. Lara, and thank you listeners. Remember—even the cost of a cup of coffee can make a great difference. Donate at **[www.passingthrough.net/donating](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)**. Stay tuned here on 92.3 FM for more positive music and content.
[ PLEASE SUPPORT OUR WORK! ](http://www.passingthrough.net/donating)
Also see [**https://www.passingthrough.net/current-affair-australian-tv/** ](https://www.passingthrough.net/current-affair-australian-tv/)
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** charity, Godslove, humanitarian, medical mission, non-profit, remote doctors, Supportukraine, ukraine, volunteer, warzone
---
### [Drones, Danger, and the Unbreakable Spirit of Ukraine's Frontline Volunteers](https://www.passingthrough.net/drones-danger/)
**Published:** October 29, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Powerful firsthand accounts from volunteers working in Ukraine's danger zones—evacuating families, dodging drones, and delivering hope under fire.
**Content:**
### Crossing into Ukraine
Crossing into Ukraine is never simple—especially when you discover your vehicle has no spare tire. (Pro tip: “parking included” in Ukrainian apartment listings is a… flexible concept.)
But what starts as a comedy of errors quickly transforms into something far more profound: a front-row seat to the extraordinary courage of everyday people doing impossible work in impossible conditions.
### Welcome to Ukraine
I’d assured Ron that Lviv was safe. “You’ll rest easy,” I said. Famous last words.
At 4 AM, air raid sirens shattered the quiet. Major missile attack. Critical danger alerts. For five hours, we huddled in the shelter with local families and their children as explosions shook the building. The acrid smoke that followed marked the biggest attack on Lviv since 2022 began. A family of five was killed that morning.
Welcome to Ukraine.
### Inspirational Ukrainian doctors
The delay meant we barely got two hours at the Azov Family Medicine School in the stunning Carpathian mountains (no time for sightseeing—though we did buy mushrooms from a roadside babushka). Some great connections made with inspirational leaders in family medicine. The founders of this school started on the Azov Sea but had to move to escape Russian occupation as the Russians invaded and now, despite being internally displaced still lead reform in their country under war. An honour to connect with them and explore ways we can help.
### The Volunteers You Need to Meet
Some planning meetings were held in Lviv with our NGO partners.
Days later in Dnipro we met volunteers who’ve given up literally everything to be here.
We’d connected with them online recently and had provided some small support. This trip, we brought a couple of small things—including refurbished iPads from Isaac, our board member, to help with their refugee evacuation work. It was a privilege to meet these extraordinary people face-to-face.
There’s the American who was among the first into Bucha after liberation—helping to find and identify bodies in March 2022. He saw horrors that would break most people. But it wasn’t the horrors that gave him PTSD.
“He said it was the constant alerts and explosions that caused the PTSD,” Cedric explained. “He started getting panic attacks and thought he was having heart attacks. He is now on medication to help.”
This “very normal” volunteer speaks fluent Ukrainian now. He’s promised his wife they’ll live in America for a time, so he’s going back tomorrow. But he’s heartbroken about it. “He is very sad to leave Ukraine. He doesn’t want to go back to America and his ‘terrible president,'” Cedric said. Daryl said Ukraine feels to him like the America of 30 years ago with more family values.
Daryl believes Ukraine’s survival is a turning point for the entire world. “It would be a very dark turning point in the world if Russia was allowed to win in Ukraine,” he agreed with Ron.
And then there’s Cedric.
### Dnipro volunteers
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[ Cedric showing me how heavy his protection vest is ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/img_3758-1-1170x1529.jpg)
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### What Cedric Sees: Life Under the Drones
Cedric is a volunteer from New Zealand who works with evacuation teams across Ukraine’s danger zones. What he told us should make the world pay attention.
**The Deliberate Targeting**
“The first drone strike I saw was on the markets in Pokrovske,” Cedric began. “The drone circled twice—deliberately. It wasn’t confused; it was hunting. There were soldiers nearby, but it didn’t go for them. It aimed right for the market, full of civilians.”
The drone struck the roof. One person was wounded by shrapnel. It could have been much worse. But the intent was clear.
**Living in the Crosshairs**
The White Angels—the police evacuation unit they work with—all carry shotguns now, trying to shoot down drones or at least defend themselves. “Everyone needs one, really,” Cedric said. “We’re constantly tracked from above.”
Every week, there are new “fried” cars along the road, destroyed from above.
“The drones are scarier than artillery,” Cedric explained. “Especially the FPV types. You never know who or what they’re targeting. The thermobaric grenades are the worst—the pressure wave can knock you out even under cover. You can’t imagine what it’s like when the big ones hit Ukrainian positions—concussion injuries everywhere.”
**The People Making It Possible**
Cedric works alongside an extraordinary network of Ukrainian and foreign volunteers—British truck drivers, Swedish instructors, everyone pitching in where needed.
“Simon, a Swede I know, teaches police and soldiers how to use shotguns and other small arms,” Cedric told us. “He’s helped train the White Angels and special police who do extractions under fire.”
Here’s the crucial detail: these units aren’t military—they’re special police. “That means we can fundraise and buy gear for them legally,” Cedric explained. “Night-vision scopes, radio detectors, protective kits. We can’t donate directly to the army, but we can help the police who save civilians.”
**The Reality of Evacuations**
Evacuation drivers do 12 to 18 runs a day, catching a few hours’ sleep before starting again. Routes get destroyed or mined.
“Once we turned off what we thought was the main road and found ourselves in an open field—no landmarks, frozen ground, GPS useless,” Cedric recounted. “You just keep driving and hope it’s the right way.”
FPV drones make it worse—they track movement, so even stopping can be risky. Some teams carry radio detectors to pick up signals, giving a few seconds’ warning to dive for shelter.
**The Aid That Never Arrives**
Here’s where it gets frustrating: aid is arriving, but distribution is broken.
“There are many organisations working here—British, Ukrainian, mixed missions. I join whichever needs help at the time,” Cedric explained. “We’ve got containers of equipment arriving in November: PPE, generators, hospital gear. They should reach the hospitals by January.”
But there’s a massive bottleneck: “Aid arrives faster than it’s distributed. The Lviv regional authorities, for example, are sitting on nearly a hundred trucks – emergency service vehicles—just parked, collecting dust. They’re supposed to go to communities, but the paperwork and bureaucracy hold everything up.”
And then there’s the darker side. Some people hoard food or try to sell it back to locals. One so-called “Texan humanitarian” from the USA gets free food through NGO contacts, posts it on TikTok claiming “look at all your donations at work,” then asks for more money. “He’s under investigation but still operating—protected by the fact that he’s foreign,” Cedric said with obvious frustration.
“It’s hard to watch because genuine volunteers lose trust over these scams. I’ve seen donors send tens of thousands of dollars to frauds. Then when the truth comes out, everyone’s disillusioned.”
This is exactly why direct, accountable support matters so much.
**Medicine in the Shadows**
“There are mobile hospitals in Ukraine—but they’ve never been used,” Cedric revealed.
Why? My friend in the First Medical Battalion explained it: the moment you set one up, it’s targeted by Russian weapons. Real medicine happens underground—basements, garages, old shelters. So I understood.
Mobile clinics only operate in safer zones, often inside damaged houses or community halls. The mobile dental unit is the most popular—people line up before it even arrives. “When the dentists come out with us, they’re treated like heroes,” I told him. Cedric smiled.
It’s a stark reminder: in modern warfare, even trying to heal people can make you a target.
**The Children Who’ve Forgotten Normal**
One of Cedric’s Bavarian sponsors recently collected toys, clothing, and supplies for a children’s centre being rebuilt. “They turned up with everything—TVs, hygiene kits, even materials for classrooms,” Cedric said.
When they played a movie for the kids for the first time, “they all sat silent, wide-eyed. You realise how much normal childhood they’ve missed.”
The support didn’t stop there. “They’re already organising another shipment—books, warm clothes, and hygiene products. We’re finding safe places to store and distribute them,” Cedric added.
Small acts of normalcy in a world turned upside down.
**The Poisoned Land**
“We don’t drink water on the road,” Cedric warned. “Rivers in places have been poisoned by the Russians—it kills everything downstream.”
Then he told us a story that made our blood run cold: “I remember one reservoir fed from across the border was poisoned by the Russians. The British truck driver I work with—his Ukrainian wife was poisoned. A perfectly healthy 40-year-old lady, but now all her organs are failing. He is desperately trying to get her to the UK to get specialised treatment.”
**Why They Fight**
“You can’t believe a word of Russian media,” Cedric said, his voice hardening. “They call it liberation—from Nazis, Satanists, whatever today’s excuse is. But look around. Cities flattened, families killed. That’s not liberation.”
“This war could have ended long ago, but it’s become a global machine now—oil, weapons, manufacturing. Too many people profit from it. The Ukrainians fight on because they must. They’ve got nothing else left to lose.”
**What Keeps Them Going**
Faith. Community. History.
“Churches are active, though sometimes they compete instead of cooperate,” Cedric observed. “Still, faith keeps people going.”
He’s visited Saint Sophia’s Cathedral in Kyiv three times. “It’s incredible—ancient, built around the 11th century. The foundations are still visible through glass floors. When you stand there, you understand what Ukrainians are defending: their history, culture, and identity.”
It’s not just about land. It’s about centuries of existence, of culture, of being.
At night in the big cities, around 10:30 or 11 PM, everyone starts heading to the shelters. The metro stations fill with families, pets, bags.
“The escalator down always works, but the one up never does at night,” Cedric noted with a wry smile. “You walk back up in the morning when the sirens stop.”
“It’s the deepest metro system in the world—feels like descending into another planet,” he described. “Down there, it’s quiet. You can almost forget the war, for a few hours.”
But only for a few hours.
### Small moments that matter
On the drive to Dnipro, we stopped at a forest to stretch our legs. Two women were picking mushrooms. I approached them (in my terrible Ukrainian) and asked if they were picking mushrooms. (Yes, obviously. Great question, right?)
When I explained I was from Australia, their faces lit up. “Thank you for coming to help!” They hugged me, reached into their car, and pulled out a pot of flowers as a gift.
These moments remind you why this matters.
### [What you can do](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating)
The volunteers we met—from New Zealand, America, Australia, Britain—have given up everything to be there. They’re evacuating families under fire, delivering medical supplies to the front lines, rebuilding children’s centres, training protection units, and providing hope in impossible circumstances.
The specific needs are urgent and real:
- Night-vision scopes and radio detectors for evacuation teams (giving precious seconds of warning)
- Protective equipment for first responders
- Fuel for hospital deliveries
- Materials for classrooms, TVs, and hygiene kits for children’s centres
- Basic support for the families being evacuated from danger zones
The work is dangerous. The logistics are messy. The corruption is real. But so are the lives being saved.
Every donation that reaches genuine volunteers like Cedric means one more family evacuated from a danger zone. One more evacuation driver with the tools to detect incoming drones. One more child with a warm coat and a book. One more person who knows the world hasn’t forgotten them.
This isn’t about politics. It’s about people—the ones doing the evacuations, and the ones desperately waiting to be evacuated.
**The world is watching Ukraine. But watching isn’t enough.**
*Want to support frontline humanitarian work in Ukraine? Look for direct, accountable organisations working with verified volunteers on the ground. ( **[or let us find them for you!](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)**) Every bit of genuine support matters—and every bit of accountability ensures it reaches those who need it most.*
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** charity, humanitarian, medical mission, non-profit, remote doctors, Supportukraine, ukraine, volunteer, warzone
---
### [Mines to Melons](https://www.passingthrough.net/mines-to-melons/)
**Published:** November 19, 2025
**Author:** Ron Gillespie
**Excerpt:** Kherson watermelons growing in de-mined paddocks—a delicious symbol of hope. Despite Russia's brutality, Ukraine returns and continues to live and grow.
**Content:**
When watermelons grow in fields that were minefields just months before, you know you’re witnessing something extraordinary. One deoccupied village in Kherson region that [**Lara had visited in 2023**](https://www.passingthrough.net/journey-into-ukraine/) didn’t have a house left intact, yet, incredibly, some people had started moving back almost immediately; the Russians had been pushed back far enough. Initially, they lived amongst the landmines in makeshift shelters built around the ruins of their houses. Now, to most that may seem crazy, but when you understand the depths of the connections the people have to their village, their land, you can begin to see why.
**[T](https://www.passingthrough.net/life-returns/)[wo years on, when we visit agai](https://www.passingthrough.net/life-returns/)n** (first time for me) progress was slow, but it was happening. Life and hope were returning. Destruction was still widespread, most of the village houses remained as they were, with some walls and rubble. Some were still roped off with UXO/landmine warning signs. The village power lines and poles had been repaired. Five or six new houses were under construction, and many cheap temporary shed-type dwellings were erected about the place, thanks to an international NGO called Razom providing some materials. They are nothing fancy, simple yet functional; the locals love them and are extremely grateful for the help.
Landmines had been cleared from some paddocks and most of the village area, but many remain scattered. For a long time, though, a small thread of fear or trepidation surely must remain with every step as people venture, for whatever reason, into uncertain areas, which even after clearing is not 100%. A farmer was sharing how he had paid for his paddock to be cleared but shockingly had dislodged more than one while later working his paddocks. He would be dead if they exploded, and he does not understand why they didn’t. Land mines were banned for good reasons.
Much deeper water bores need to be drilled now as the disgraceful Russian act of bombing the Khahovka Dam has lowered the groundwater level significantly. Water is a much bigger issue in a huge area now due to the loss of this dam (not to mention the thousands of lives lost in this terrorist act).
A family had proudly grown a crop of the legendary “Kherson” watermelons in their de-mined paddock. They had proudly shown Lara on the first trip a newspaper clipping of their award-winning watermelons, but dared not walk anywhere near this paddock, which was full of mines. This time, we bought extra melons from them to share with people in other areas of Ukraine, and eyes lit up when the fruits’ origins became known. Kherson watermelons are famous in Ukraine. I suspect, though, that the thought that they had returned from out of the landmines- a symbol of hope-well exceeded the eating experience. Despite Russia’s attempts at obliteration, Ukraine returns and continues to live and grow. This village was an incredible example of Ukrainian resilience, hope, perseverance and charity. Putin really did underestimate these people, this country.
Watermelons arising out of landmines is but one small example of Ukraine defying Putin’s attempts to demoralise and conquer them. Throughout the country, Ukrainians have refused to let Russia’s brutality stop them. Life continues as normal as possible under the situation. Sometimes I feel that Ukraine should get on a war footing similar to Russia. But this is the difference between the mentality of the countries. The freedom-loving mentality of Ukrainians versus the more soviet mentality of Russia.
But let’s not look through rose-coloured glasses only. Many villagers see no other option but to return to their land if or when they can. They cannot afford other land, and they cannot afford rent. This is their homeland, their community, with long generational ties. Will it ever return to what it was after such complete devastation and so much death, though? Obviously it will never be the same, but a village is made up of people, and if the people come a village will return.
Many just don’t want to live anywhere else, regardless of the damage and dangers. Some we met feared the cities anyway, as they get bombed more regularly. But many do not have the choice of returning, as their land is under Russian occupation. Still more desperate refugees are created as Putin’s army slowly crawls forward (at the cost of countless wasted Russian lives), creating an even heavier toll on Ukraine.
One thing I see clearly, now that I’ve spent time in Ukraine, is that Putin has picked one tough opponent to fight. Like when the Ukrainian heavyweight boxing champion of the world, Oleksandr Usyk, quoted “Don’t push the horses”, I think Putin may have done just that. But after nearly 4 years of this full-scale invasion and 11 years since the initial invasion, Ukraine desperately needs and deserves all our support to send Russia back home. Russia has shown continuously since the start of this invasion, and even well before that, that they are no respecter of international laws and decency. Putin has shown he deserves no space, no acceptance, in a world where freedoms and justice are valued as he represents the antithesis of this.
Australians, please [**rally our government** ](https://www.passingthrough.net/stop-russian-oil-profits/)to support Ukraine. Unbelievably, in 2025 so far, monetarily, the Australian government has supported Russia more than they have Ukraine. This is because we continue to buy Russian oil through Indian,Turkey and Singapore refineries – while at the same time having committed no new military or humanitarian aid in 2025. This is not going unnoticed within the international community and is not painting us in a positive light in those countries we see ourselves aligned to in values.
Read this again – [**Australians are paying for bombs that are dropped on innocent civilians….**](https://www.passingthrough.net/close-the-russian-oil-loophole/)
Many claim this is not our war because it is on the other side of the world. But this cannot be a serious argument nowadays, surely? The world after all has become a much smaller place as technology improves. But to me, the strongest counter to this argument is to ask what kind of world we want to live in. American power over recent generations has bought mostly peaceful times. Yes I agree they were far from perfect and no doubt greed and power sometimes ruled their decisions, but generally it was a time of peace and prosperity, of a generally “just and fair” global order for most.
Russia has shown time and time again throughout their history that they are no respecter of justice, fairness or human rights. Frighteningly the opposite actually. Russian control of Ukraine, (and yes, the kremlin has made it clear that this is the goal,) will boost Russian influence, Russian power, Russian reach well into “our” world. Regardless of all this, as was said earlier, Russian behaviour in Ukraine alone, let alone in other countries like Chechnya, Syria, Sudan etc should see it as an international pariah if our world has any sense of right and wrong.
#### *This is what your donations make possible: not just survival, but watermelons rising from minefields, doctors choosing to stay, and villages refusing to die. Stand with Ukraine.*
Ron Gillespie
[See Full Bio](https://www.passingthrough.net/author/rgillespie/) [ ](https://www.passingthrough.net/author/rgillespie/)
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** humanitarian, medical mission, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, warzone
---
### [When Power Goes Out and Generosity Lights Up](https://www.passingthrough.net/when-power-goes-out/)
**Published:** November 27, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Delivering aid to Ukraine's liberated villages. Stories of resilience and generosity from communities rebuilding near the frontlines.
**Content:**
**17-19 October 2025**
We woke up on the 17th to discover we’d slept through a massive Shahed drone attack on Kryvyi Rih. My phone was full of alerts I’d missed because we’d turned off the overnight notifications – we were in a relatively safe spot and weren’t going to run to a shelter anyway. Ron had been awake and heard the explosions. I, apparently, can sleep through anything.
Lola, one of the church volunteers and our translator, had messaged during the night asking if we’d heard the explosions. I only saw her messages that morning. The power plant had been hit – [part of Russia’s ongoing campaign to destroy Ukraine’s power and heating infrastructure before winter.](https://www.passingthrough.net/winter-crisis-appeal/) The electricity went out for most of the day, and the flat was absolutely freezing. Not that power helps much anyway, because the heating here runs on a Soviet-era central gas system that normally gets switched on around this time of year. Except it’s been postponed for at least a month because Russia keeps hitting the gas supplies too.
So here we are, not even in winter yet, wandering around the flat in all our jackets and piling blankets on ourselves when we sit down. It’s going to be a long few months for Ukrainians.
**Bread, Volleyball, and the Teens Who Wouldn’t Let Us Leave**
The next day we met up with the church volunteers and collected bread from a local bakery that makes it from donated flour. We were heading out to the de-occupied villages – the ones that had been under Russian occupation and were liberated in 2022, still bearing all the scars.
As we drove, Lola told us about living in a part of town where you could always hear the explosions more loudly when the city was attacked, and how traumatising it had been. She’s grateful that where she lives now, she hears them more rarely. It’s a strange thing to be thankful for – that you only sometimes hear explosions instead of all the time.
The closer we got to the villages, the more evidence of the fighting we saw. Burnt-out cars near checkpoints that had obviously been hit by something. Houses destroyed or damaged. This area had been badly shelled.
When we pulled up in the village, people started appearing. Kids came out, some on bicycles, a few shyly grabbing a ball and heading over to the volleyball net set up on the grass in the village centre. While we waited for things to start, we played volleyball with some of the older kids and teens. The ladies handed out the bread we’d brought, and we donated some items for the kids’ group they run there – pencils, colouring books, textas, and frisbees.
Then something beautiful happened. The locals all joined together to sing songs and pray. As they went around in a circle praying, I realised that nearly every one of them was praying for their men and women on the frontlines, for their army, for peace and for victory. These people knew what it was to be under Russian occupation, and they understood the need for victory and freedom.
We were asked if we wanted to run a group with the older ladies or the teens. Given our experience with Kowanyama youth back home, we thought we’d have a go at the teens. The locals smiled at each other and warned us we’d only keep their attention for 15 minutes.
One hour and 15 minutes later, we were being told to wind it up.
Of course, the novelty of Australians in a remote village probably helped, but we had some really great in-depth discussions with the kids. It was one of those moments that reminds you why you’re doing this work.
**The Skipping Rope and the Boys Who Couldn’t Believe It Was Theirs**
Later, a couple of little boys were playing out the back. We gave them a skipping rope. They didn’t know how to use it but greatly enjoyed watching Ron demonstrate. When they had a go, they weren’t very coordinated – I found myself wondering if this was because during some of their formative years they’d had limited activity as they hid from bombs. Anyway, they seemed determined to work it out.
When we started to leave, these tiny boys wrapped up the ropes and tried to put them in my handbag. I tried to explain that it was for them to keep – it was like they couldn’t believe it and wanted to be really sure. When they finally accepted it, they said the loveliest thank you. Such polite, gorgeous kids.
**Four Varieties of Grapes and a Man Who Didn’t Believe They’d Hurt an Old Man**
The team asked me to visit a man and his wife for a medical consultation. They’d given me all his medical tests to review and wanted advice. Thankfully, he’d managed to get to the town and receive good care from a doctor there, so there wasn’t much for me to add, but I did a summary for him.
After our chat, he shared some of his homegrown grapes with us. Ron helped him pick some as he could no longer safely reach them. He was very proud of his four varieties of delicious grapes.
Then he started sharing his story.
When the Russians came, he didn’t try to flee – he didn’t really believe they’d do anything to an old man. But he was wrong. He was beaten and tortured by the Russians. A close relative was tortured to death because of his association with someone who had fought against the Russians in 2014. He showed us his missing teeth that the Russians had knocked out.
During the occupation, he was unable to get any medicines. His high blood pressure led to a stroke. He now no longer has the strength to work his small farm. He showed us all the rockets that had fallen in his yard, pieces of shrapnel and grenades that had damaged his farm equipment and houses. His fields are full of mines, but anyway, he doesn’t have the strength anymore to work them. The young people have left because the villages were destroyed and there’s no work.
After liberation, he helped the military demine until more professional sappers arrived. Now, he said, reconnaissance drones fly over almost daily. Sometimes there’s still shelling in the village, usually after a reconnaissance drone has been spotted overhead.
I was really hoping it was a mistranslation when he mentioned he’d seen one that morning.
During the occupation, there was no access to medicines or healthcare, and many people were tortured or beaten in this village. “All this stress contributed to my stroke,” he said, “and took away my strength.”
Later, Sveta told us that he’s a very kind man who often helps soldiers and ex-soldiers, letting them stay at his house. Looking into his kind eyes, I believed it completely.
**The Checkpoint, the Dam That Isn’t, and Artillery Shells to Avoid**
On the way back, we were stopped at a checkpoint. It was pretty intense – the whole thing covered with nets to protect from FPV drones. I wanted to take a photo but quickly learned there are hefty penalties for photographing military sites. For obvious reasons.
Driving through these areas, we saw debris and remnants from the intense fighting when this territory was liberated in 2022. Burnt-out tanks and cars. One vehicle where many lives had been lost had been turned into a memorial.
Lola told us that her husband and Sveta had come through one village soon after the initial liberation in 2022 to help and were shocked when a car in front of them was hit by an artillery shell. In another village, Sveta had gone to help straight after liberation and there were still bodies of Russian soldiers in the streets.
We stopped at a lookout to see where the mighty Kakhovka Dam once stood – 250 kilometers long, providing water for thousands of villages and farmers, irrigation and replenishment for bores. Russia bombed it on June 6, 2023, flooding the area, killing thousands, and depriving entire communities of their water supply. Locals attribute the reduced precipitation in the area since then to the loss of this huge water mass, saying it’s meant failed sunflower crops on top of all the other massive challenges of mines and damaged infrastructure. Some suspect that less evaporation from the huge dam has led to less rain. It’s possible, I guess, though I’m not entirely sure.
As we looked across to the other side of the river where the dam once was, Sveta casually mentioned we shouldn’t loiter too long because the Russians were over there, not that far away, and we might attract attention and an artillery shell or two.
Nothing like a bit of potential incoming fire to cut short your sightseeing.
We stopped at a roadside village stall to buy tomatoes and capsicums. I accidentally gave the vendor a Polish note instead of Ukrainian money, which gave him a good laugh. It was nice that he pointed it out – Polish money is worth ten times as much!
**Stories That Stay With You**
On the drive, they told us about their friend, a well-known youth pastor in the city. He was driving past a hotel, taking a different route than usual, when a shahed drone hit the building. He was killed by the explosion. Everyone was really shaken and saddened.
The Russians had been systematically targeting hotels across Ukraine. This particular one – which was both a church and a hotel – they’d hit four times. That’s why Iryna wouldn’t let me stay in a hotel last time I came.
She also told us about the bomb that targeted a playground – full of nails to inflict maximum damage. Impact was at a time when lots of people were out in the playground. Lola was in a cafe just a block away, but a building between her and the explosion protected her.
We got back to Lola’s house, and she and her husband and the others served us a magnificent home-cooked dinner with so much amazing food. And then, as if she hadn’t done enough already, they gifted me an incredible handmade leather bag that her husband’s friend had made.
**Sunday: When Soldiers Clean Your Car and Everyone Gives You Everything**
The Banner of Love church service on Sunday was something special. Olena, who had been our fill-in translator before Lola arrived, shared her story. At the beginning of the war, her husband and father went to fight. She became a Christian since the invasion through this church. You can see she’s full of His love, pouring it out into community work helping the broken. She works particularly with soldiers’ wives as a volunteer and is a disability teacher for her day job.
The generosity and gratitude were overwhelming. People gave us bags, handmade gifts, plaques. Someone even cooked us lunch and put it in a container for us to take on the road.
A soldier came and thanked us, hugged us, and gave me one of his chevrons. I gave him an Australian patch in return. Then he went to help Ron clean the hay out of the back of our car – hay we’d brought from the village. Ron told me later he became quite overwhelmed at the thought that a Ukrainian soldier, who already risks and gives so much, would be cleaning out our car.
Someone at the church mentioned that ten members of their congregation are currently on the frontlines.
So many people came and hugged us, thanked us for being there. One guy just randomly walked up and gave us two printed bags as gifts. The warmth and love were palpable.
**What They Don’t Tell You About Living Through This**
Over lunch with Pastor Oleg, Sveta, and Lola, we learned something interesting: many Ukrainians don’t have air alert apps or follow all the news about Ukraine because of the effect on their mental health. Several people had told us this. Lola mentioned how Ukrainians living abroad contact them about different things happening in Ukraine, and they often have to say they don’t know about it because those abroad follow the news more closely than they do.
It’s a strange reality of living in a war zone – sometimes you have to tune out the constant stream of bad news just to maintain your sanity and keep going.
And somewhere in eastern Ukraine, there are two little boys learning to skip rope, a soldier with an Australian patch, and an old man with four varieties of grapes who helps soldiers find a place to stay.
The medical van continues to serve these communities, bringing not just supplies but connection, hope, and proof that the world hasn’t forgotten them. The needs are enormous and ongoing. If you’d like to support this work – fuel, medical equipment, supplies for these villages, maintenance of the medical training vehicle – you can contribute through our **[Chuffed campaign](https://chuffed.org/project/empowering-health-heroes-in-ukraine)** or [**donate directly**](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/) through our website (less fees).
Every dollar goes directly to the work and a dollar goes much further in Ukraine. These villages would love to know they are not alone. These soldiers deserve to know their sacrifice is known and appreciated. These church volunteers who give all they can, would happily give more if they could. Please, any help would be gratefully and thankfully received.
### Heading Title
- [ ](https://www.passingthrough.net/back-in-ukraine-26-27-mission/ "Back in Ukraine: Our 2026 Mission Begins")
[Ukraine humanitarian trip](https://www.passingthrough.net/category/all-things-ukraine/ukraine-humanitarian/)## [Back in Ukraine: Our 2026 Mission Begins](https://www.passingthrough.net/back-in-ukraine-26-27-mission/)
by [opt@passingthrough.net](https://www.passingthrough.net/author/lwielandvtown-com-au/) 18/08/2026
by [opt@passingthrough.net](https://www.passingthrough.net/author/lwielandvtown-com-au/) 18/08/2026 9 minutes read
We’re back in Ukraine for five months. Borders, bureaucracy, air raid sirens and watermelons the size of small children — mission one begins.
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- [ ](https://www.passingthrough.net/journey-back-to-ukraine/ "Today We Begin the Journey Back to Ukraine")
[Posts About Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/category/all-things-ukraine/posts-ukraine/)## [Today We Begin the Journey Back to Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/journey-back-to-ukraine/)
by [opt@passingthrough.net](https://www.passingthrough.net/author/lwielandvtown-com-au/) 02/08/2026
by [opt@passingthrough.net](https://www.passingthrough.net/author/lwielandvtown-com-au/) 02/08/2026 2 minutes read
Today we start the 3-4 day trip to Ukraine for a five-month deployment. Here’s what we’re doing, and how you can stand with us.
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- [ ](https://www.passingthrough.net/rural-generalism-in-a-war-zone/ "Rural Generalism in a War Zone | ACRRM Podcast")
[Posts About Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/category/all-things-ukraine/posts-ukraine/)## [Rural Generalism in a War Zone | ACRRM Podcast](https://www.passingthrough.net/rural-generalism-in-a-war-zone/)
by [opt@passingthrough.net](https://www.passingthrough.net/author/lwielandvtown-com-au/) 31/07/2026
by [opt@passingthrough.net](https://www.passingthrough.net/author/lwielandvtown-com-au/) 31/07/2026 2 minutes read
Dr Lara Wieland tells ACRRM’s Life Hacks how rural generalism prepared her for Ukraine — and how you can help build MedLearnUke.
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- [ ](https://www.passingthrough.net/kowanyama-to-ukraine/ "Kowanyama to Ukraine")
[Posts About Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/category/all-things-ukraine/posts-ukraine/)## [Kowanyama to Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/kowanyama-to-ukraine/)
by [opt@passingthrough.net](https://www.passingthrough.net/author/lwielandvtown-com-au/) 29/07/2026
by [opt@passingthrough.net](https://www.passingthrough.net/author/lwielandvtown-com-au/) 29/07/2026 2 minutes read
Before Ukraine, there was Kowanyama. Watch our thank-you message to the community that shaped us, and hear why our hearts are now with Ukraine.
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- [ ](https://www.passingthrough.net/serving-where-it-matters-most/ "‘Serving Where It Matters Most’")
[Posts About Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/category/all-things-ukraine/posts-ukraine/)## [‘Serving Where It Matters Most’](https://www.passingthrough.net/serving-where-it-matters-most/)
by [opt@passingthrough.net](https://www.passingthrough.net/author/lwielandvtown-com-au/) 27/07/2026
by [opt@passingthrough.net](https://www.passingthrough.net/author/lwielandvtown-com-au/) 27/07/2026 2 minutes read
I sat down with Suzanne Rath on her podcast “Endures” to talk Cape York, Ukraine, and thirty years of showing up. Listen now — and consider chipping in.
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- [ ](https://www.passingthrough.net/ukraine-the-forgotten-war/ "‘Ukraine: The Forgotten War’")
[Posts About Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/category/all-things-ukraine/posts-ukraine/)## [‘Ukraine: The Forgotten War’](https://www.passingthrough.net/ukraine-the-forgotten-war/)
by [opt@passingthrough.net](https://www.passingthrough.net/author/lwielandvtown-com-au/) 21/07/2026
by [opt@passingthrough.net](https://www.passingthrough.net/author/lwielandvtown-com-au/) 21/07/2026 3 minutes read
Putin, drones, disinformation, and doctors who won’t stop showing up. I talk Ukraine’s forgotten war with Wendy Francis, and why it still deeply matters.
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**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** charity, humanitarian, medical mission, non-profit, remote doctors, Supportukraine, ukraine, volunteer, warzone
---
### [When Google Maps nearly kills you and Shahed Drones actually try...](https://www.passingthrough.net/google-maps-shahed-drones/)
**Published:** November 29, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Google Maps nearly sent us into oncoming traffic. Then a Shahed drone hit 900m away. Just another week teaching doctors in Kharkiv's bomb shelters.
**Content:**
21 October 2025
The thing about Ukraine is that catastrophes pile up so fast you can barely process one before the next arrives. Another power plant hit today. A mine collapse with 190 miners trapped. Just another Tuesday in a country Russia is [determined to freeze and terrorise into submission](https://www.passingthrough.net/winter-crisis-appeal/).
## The Road to Poltava: A Thriller Nobody Asked For
Our drive to Poltava tested both our nerves and our faith in Google Maps. What should have been a straightforward journey turned into something resembling the opening scene of a bad thriller—though I’d say Deliverance, but that’s deeply unfair to Ukraine.
We crossed the massive Dnipro hydroelectric dam, a structure holding back apocalyptic volumes of water. Russia had already attacked the power system attached to this dam, raising fears of catastrophic failure. One successful strike here would be a disaster of global proportions. But they’ll probably try again—they always do.
Then Google Maps, in its infinite algorithmic wisdom, directed us to exit left onto what it claimed was a four-lane highway. Small problem: it was actually eight lanes divided by a guard rail, and we were now driving into oncoming traffic. Ron has learned on this trip to trust his instincts over Google, but it still took approaching headlights to override the navigation’s confidence in our imminent death.
Here’s what’s beautiful about Ukrainian drivers: they just… stopped. Patiently waited for these clearly-lost foreigners to sort themselves out. No honking, no rage, just collective understanding that sometimes people make mistakes and nearly die. So different from Australia, though to be fair, our road signage doesn’t require you to gamble with your life quite so often.
## Wildlife, Water Rats, and Birch Branch Beatings
Our hotel outside Poltava was an interesting discovery. Only two air raid alerts during the night, which Ron spent with the window open, listening for drones. He got excited about photographing a “wild buck deer” across the lake in the twilight.
Morning revealed the truth: not wild at all. We’d stayed at some kind of animal park-slash-kids complex-slash-relaxation center, complete with a sauna offering “birch branch beatings to open your capillaries.” You know, as one does.
Breakfast was pleasant until we were mobbed on exit by the park’s musk rats. They looked like mega-fauna water rats to me, and they were decidedly not cute.
## The Road to Kharkiv: Welcome to the War Zone
Driving toward Kharkiv, the reality of modern warfare became impossible to ignore. Vehicles passed us fitted with drone jammers and protective cages—defense against the FPV drones that have become routine in this war. A tow truck carried away a small passenger bus that had been blown up by one such drone.
Every small town park displays rows of fresh memorials to soldiers killed in this war. Every. Single. One.
We stopped at a café and felt… watched. Maybe as foreigners we looked suspicious. Maybe we were paranoid. Probably both.
Military vehicles were constant: pickup trucks full of soldiers, vans bristling with anti-drone equipment, massive trucks hauling vehicles and weapons.
## Underground Safety and Deteriorating Hope
We checked into our semi-underground hotel in Kharkiv—a choice that felt wise given the density of air raid alerts. The sense of safety was welcome.
Met with Regina from CMA, who’d arrived with Australian emergency doctor Suzanne (whom we had connected them with) for ATLS training. By mid-afternoon, we’d already had several air alerts. Regina was distressed—two of their critical warehouse staff had been mobilised into the army over the weekend. They’d accepted it with grace, but it was still a devastating blow to a small organisation doing vital work.
Then came an unusual conversation—the first time I’d heard any of these Ukrainians mention Trump or politics directly. They’re worried. The prospect of no more American weapons or support is terrifying for them.
That night, four rocket-powered glide bombs hit Kharkiv. You get minutes of warning with these, and they’re new—Russia is developing weapons that can reach longer distances. They hit power plants across the country: drones, missiles, and KAB bombs, all designed to maximise winter suffering.
Regina spoke about visiting Europe and hearing people say “oh, it’s so sad.” She gets upset: “It’s not sad. It’s terror.” She feels Europeans have become weak from too many years of comfort, unwilling to step outside their comfort zones, influenced by propaganda and misinformation. “Everyone says ‘oh how strong Ukrainians are’—but that’s just because “we’ve never had it easy. We’ve had to fight for centuries. Years of ease cause weakness.”
I agreed. We’ve had too many years of ease in Australia too.
Her flatmate’s parents were being evacuated from a town under Russian attack—the father nearly didn’t come. Now the scramble to find housing, find money for rent. Regina’s flat was overflowing with displaced people, so we decided to rent something. Everywhere you look, the effects multiply: more refugees, more displacement, families with nowhere to go.
## Fatalists and Choosing Not to Be Angry
Meeting Mariia in person for the first time was powerful. She helps manage our social media (I pay her from my own pocket so all donations go directly to Ukraine), and our conversation went deep quickly.
“We are fatalists now,” she said, “and that’s not good. People choose two camps—to be angry or not. Those who are not angry have better mental health.”
She’d noticed when she made this mental shift. It helped her cope. But she’s too close to the Russian border, too close to the bombs. She needs sleep. She’s not sure how much longer her mental health can take it. (After we left Ukraine, she told me she’d taken a refugee program opportunity to leave the country.)
She found it hard to understand how Australians could grasp their situation better than some Europeans—and could want to come here and help.
## Teaching Underground: Business as Usual in a War Zone
That afternoon I taught at Kharkiv Medical University. The young doctor who’d translated for me last time took time off to attend and brought me Kharkiv cake as a gift. That kind of generosity, in these circumstances, is overwhelming.
The lectures went well—lots of questions, great feedback, many thanks afterward. All lectures are now held underground because of the bombing frequency. This is just… normal now.
## When the Drone Comes for You
October 22nd started with vague memories of sirens overnight, but I’d kept sleeping, knowing our lower-level room was relatively safe. Woke to news of missiles and Shaheds hitting the city, many injured.
I was preparing my talk in the hotel room. Ron mentioned getting something from the car. Another air raid alert sounded—the second that day, I think.
I decided to film a bit for my blog and started recording. Then I heard it: the whirring engine sound of an incoming Shahed drone. I leaned forward to listen.
Then BANG.
A massive explosion outside the window. Scared the living daylights out of me. My first instinct was to call out to Ron—I’d suddenly remembered he might have gone outside, might be under that explosion. Thankfully he’d been waylaid by a trip to the basement toilet. He called back. Then another explosion.
Within minutes: sirens. I prayed no one was hurt.
They were.
One person killed. Others lost limbs. Several children had minor injuries—the strike hit a kindergarten, but a teacher had rushed the kids to the basement and they survived.
I saw the footage on Telegram and recognised the place. About 900 meters from us. Sent it to Regina.
At lunch, Regina received a phone call. Her face went ashen. The call was to say that our teaching venue—where we were supposed to be in two hours—had been hit by that strike. It was next to the kindergarten.
The venue changed at short notice to the bomb shelter where Suzanne was teaching ATLS.
Amazingly, doctors still showed up, seemingly unfazed. Ukrainians are incredible.
## Teaching Continues (Because What Else Can You Do?)
Two or three air raid sirens during my talk. Then another teaching session at the university—the same building I’d spoken at in April, which had been hit by a Shahed. I could see they’d made progress on repairs, but now all lessons happen in the bomb shelter.
One doctor told me she couldn’t work that evening because her workplace had just been hit by a Shahed.
These amazing doctors quickly adapted, came to listen in a bomb shelter, and we had great conversations and learning and encouragement. They were so grateful and amazed that I came to Kharkiv.
But the strikes are constant. More air raids that day. Russia keeps hitting residential areas, power plants, anything designed to make civilians suffer as winter approaches.
---
[Children being rescued from the kindergarten attack](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_5122.jpg)[News popping up on my feed](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_5104-scaled.png)[This was coming up as I could here the explosions](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_5103-scaled.png)[Yes we could here them](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_5099-scaled.png)[Massive attack across half the country](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_5097.jpg)[Not far from us](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_5089-scaled.png)[Eager learners at Kharkiv university ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_5090-scaled.jpg)[Not even a bomb stops these doctors learning](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_5164-scaled.jpg)[The wonderful Anna who had translated for me last time](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_5036-scaled.jpg)[Beautiful evening in lovely Kharkiv](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/6dfa9faf-1ba8-4354-87c9-63540d36018e.jpg)[Online images of the attack we heard](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_5064-scaled.png)[More of the same...](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_5063-scaled.png)[Air alerts are constant here](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_5038-scaled.png)[Mariia from Kharkiv](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_5020-scaled.jpg)[Children being rescued from the kindergarten attack](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_5125.jpg)[In real time](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_5127-scaled.png)[Children being rescued from the kindergarten attack](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_5129.jpg)[The site of the attack](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_5160-1.jpg)[The news came in fast](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_5109-scaled.png)[And it wasn't just where we were](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_5065-scaled.png)[The attack on Kyiv the same night](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_5066.jpg)
This is what supporting Ukraine looks like right now. Not abstract geopolitics, but kindergartens and teaching venues and power plants. Doctors who show up to learn in bomb shelters after their workplaces are destroyed. People who choose not to be angry because it’s the only way to survive.
***They need more than our admiration for their strength. They need support to get through this winter Russia is engineering for them.***
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** charity, humanitarian, medical mission, non-profit, remote doctors, Supportukraine, ukraine, volunteer, warzone
---
### [Be Part Of Something Bigger...Become a Hero...](https://www.passingthrough.net/heroes-for-ukraine/)
**Published:** February 20, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
In times of war, we speak of heroes.
Soldiers.
Medics.
Volunteers.
Civilians who endure.
But there is another kind of hero.
The steady one.
The one who doesn’t appear in headlines.
The one who chooses consistency over drama.
That is the spirit behind the[ OPT Ukraine Heroes Board.](https://www.passingthrough.net/heroes-board/)
## **200 People. $20 a Month.**
We are inviting 200\* people to commit to giving $20 per month or more
That’s it.
Not thousands.
Not sacrifice beyond capacity.
Just steadiness.
When 200 people stand consistently, it provides:
- Foundational operational stability
- The ability to plan months ahead
- Confidence for Ukrainian partners
- Freedom to respond quickly when needs shift
Sustainable work requires sustainable people.
**Why Regular Giving Changes the Relationship**
Research shows recurring donors:
- Develop stronger emotional connection to the mission
- Experience higher long-term satisfaction
- Feel greater agency and hope
In other words, regular giving strengthens not only the organisation — but the giver.
It builds belonging.
And belonging matters.
You are no longer just a donor, you are a partner.
Ukraine’s fight for Truth, Decency and Freedom is not short-term.
This is not a moment.
It is a marathon.
## **Why You Can Trust This**
OPT Ukraine operates under Only Passing Thru Ltd:
- 100% volunteer-run
- No wages paid
- Founder-led by a trusted Australian doctor
- Transparent and accountable
- Flexible to direct funds where donors request
The Heroes Board is not about ego.
It is about collective courage.
## **Take Your Place on the Board**
If you would like your initials added:
👉 **[www.passingthrough.net/donating](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)**
Choose giving of $20 or more per month
Help us fill 200 tiles.
Because the world does not change only through dramatic gestures.
It changes when ordinary people quietly decide to stand.
[  ](https://www.passingthrough.net/heroes-board/)
[ Heroes Board HERE ](https://www.passingthrough.net/heroes-board/)
```
* we already have some regular givers whose initials will appear on this board, heroes who have been quietly standing with us for some time – THANKYOU!
```
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** democracy, freedom, humanitarian, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, truth, ukraine
---
### [Beyond the Operating Room: A Ukrainian Doctor’s Journey](https://www.passingthrough.net/beyond-the-operating-room/)
**Published:** March 5, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** In the shadow of war, a young Ukrainian neurosurgeon returns from Australia with surgical techniques and a spirit renewed through connection while his homeland endures.
**Content:**
1.1K\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
# **Beyond the Operating Room: A Ukrainian Neurosurgeon’s Journey of Professional Growth and Personal Renewal**
In the shadow of war, where sirens wail and the earth trembles beneath Russian bombs, a young Ukrainian neurosurgeon pursues his calling with brave determination. [Dr. Davyd Staryk](https://www.passingthrough.net/a-transformative-visit-ukrainian-neurosurgeon-davyd-staryk-in-australia/ "A Transformative Visit: Ukrainian Neurosurgeon Davyd Staryk in Australia") ( whom we have written about earlier [HERE](https://www.passingthrough.net/a-transformative-visit-ukrainian-neurosurgeon-davyd-staryk-in-australia/ "A Transformative Visit: Ukrainian Neurosurgeon Davyd Staryk in Australia"))—only 28 years old but carrying responsibilities far beyond his years—recently returned from Australia with more than just refined surgical techniques. He brought back a renewed spirit, professional insights, and the gentle reassurance that even in Ukraine’s darkest hour, they are not forgotten.
I’ve spoken with countless medical professionals working in conflict zones, but there was something particularly striking about the light in Davyd’s eyes as he described his Australian experience. It wasn’t just about the surgical knowledge gained—though that was significant—but about the profound human connections forged in a place of peace while his homeland burned.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_separator css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
## **Professional Transformation Through Global Connection**
“When I’m coming back, my friend told me that Davyd, your eyes… I can see there are changes in your eyes,” Davyd shared, his English careful but expressive. “You have different eyes.”
Those changed eyes belong to a vascular neurosurgeon from Dnipro, a city that sits precariously close to Ukraine’s eastern front lines. His hospital bears a significant burden as the primary military trauma treatment centre for the region. During our conversation, I learned that while Davyd was in Kyiv securing his visa, his hospital was struck by a Russian rocket and then whilst in Australia his town was hit with a Russian Oreshnik Intercontinental Ballistic Missile.
The professional opportunities Australia provided were transformative. With visible excitement, Davyd described implementing techniques he learned abroad within days of his return. His first case involved a woman suffering from neck pain and right arm discomfort for two years. She saw him before he left for Australia and he told her she’d have to have someone else do her operation. She insisted on waiting. When he returned, using an approach learned in Australia, he successfully addressed her disc herniation, leaving his senior colleague amazed.
“You are either so lucky or you are so smart,” his colleague remarked. But for Davyd, the success represented something deeper: “I was not so happy for, you know, not for the approach… I feel so happy that I understand that… I know the right way.” There was much more to this amazing story and it’s worth watching the video to learn more.
In another case, he incorporated bone grafting techniques into a spinal fusion procedure—something apparently uncommon in his region. When he contacted the implant manufacturer to request specific materials, they responded with surprise: “You are the first surgeon who asked for this.”
These moments reveal a physician hungry not just to survive in wartime conditions but to excel, to bring world-class care to patients who would otherwise go without.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_gallery type=”image\_grid” images=”14200,14199,14194,14191,14190,14186,14208,14187,14181,14182″ css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
## **Finding Family Half a World Away**
What struck me most profoundly during our conversation was how the professional and personal experiences in Australia intertwined to create something healing for this young doctor living under the constant stress of war.
In Brisbane, Davyd found himself embraced by a medical community that treated him like family. He spoke of Dr. Toby, who despite being incredibly busy, took time to personally guide him through the hospital, selecting operations that would benefit Davyd’s learning, and even teaching him to paddleboard on the river. Dr Toby and his family had generously opened their home and their hearts to Davyd.
“I feel myself like I’m part of this family,” he repeated several times, struggling to find words adequate to describe the depth of connection. “It’s too rich. I can’t explain.”
Later, in Sydney, he found an unexpected connection with Dr. John Whitehall that touched him on an entirely different level.
“You know, I had my grandfather. He died when I was 11,” Davyd shared, his voice softening. “But when I’m coming in Sydney, I spend time like I’m coming to my grandfather. Something touched my heart.”
With John, he explored the Blue Mountains, experienced new sounds and sights, and even made his first public speech in English at a local church. He participated in a radio interview—another first. These experiences weren’t merely diversions; they were opportunities to grow not just as a surgeon but as a whole person.
“In Brisbane, I’m growing like surgeon. In Sydney, I’m growing like personality,” he explained.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_gallery type=”image\_grid” images=”14206,14956,14955,14202,14198″ css=””\]\[vc\_separator css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
## **Finding Strength in Faith Under Fire**
For medical professionals working in war zones, the psychological burden can be overwhelming. I’ve seen firsthand how the constant state of alertness, the inability to distinguish between thunder and bombs, gradually erodes one’s sense of security and peace.
When I asked what sustains him during these difficult times, Davyd’s answer revealed the core of his resilience.
“I think for myself, I take a lot of support in Christ because you understand, you can’t control anything,” he said. “If you can’t control everything in your life, you can feel the richness of God.”
This faith provides a framework for understanding his purpose amidst chaos. When contemplating why he remains in Ukraine despite the dangers, he spoke of listening for God’s plan rather than making autonomous decisions about his future.
“Maybe it was the plan of God coming back in Ukraine and have treatment for this woman,” he mused, referring to the patient he helped using his newly acquired techniques.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_separator css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
## **A Message to Those Who Support From Afar**
Toward the end of our conversation, I asked Davyd what message he would like to share with Australians who donate to support Ukrainian medical efforts. His response was profoundly moving, addressing a tension familiar to anyone working in humanitarian aid—the desire of donors to see tangible results versus the messy, often undocumentable reality of work in crisis zones.
“Sometimes you can’t see the results, but from Ukraine, I want to tell that you have a result here,” he emphasised. “It’s a great job, it’s a great ministry here. It’s a lot of work in process here. And your support is too rich for Ukraine.”
He acknowledged that while people naturally want to see photos and videos documenting the impact of their contributions, some moments are too sacred, too raw, or too urgent to capture.
“Sometimes some things, it’s so sentimental… You can’t just make a picture,” he explained. The reality of working in a war zone means documentation often takes a back seat to providing immediate care. Yet he wanted supporters to know with absolute certainty: “We are so grateful. We are… it is touch our heart. And it’s a big support for Ukraine.”\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_btn title=”YOU CAN SUPPORT HERE” color=”success” align=”center” css=”” button\_block=”true” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.passingthrough.net%2Fdonating|target:\_blank”\]\[vc\_separator css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
## **The Lasting Impact of Global Connection**
As we concluded our interview, what lingered was the image of a young doctor whose eyes had changed. For a brief moment in Australia, away from air raid sirens and the constant vigilance required in a war zone, he had found respite and renewal.
“I think it’s the first time when I’m not relaxing, I’m just close this part of my body and just feel good,” he said, speaking of the relief from constant alertness.
But he returned carrying more than memories. He brought back techniques that immediately improved patient outcomes, professional connections with specialists he can call upon for advice, and a renewed sense of purpose.
In the great tapestry of global medical solidarity, these human threads—stretching from operating rooms in war-torn Ukraine to peaceful Australian hospitals—create something more powerful than medical supplies alone can provide. They weave a fabric of shared humanity that sustains those working on the front lines of suffering.
And for all of us watching from safety, Davyd’s story offers a powerful reminder: even when we cannot see the immediate impact of our support, the light it kindles in the eyes of those who carry on despite impossible odds is real and enduring.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_separator css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]*This blog post accompanies our [**video interview**](https://youtu.be/jFSEu92kf3s) (below) with Dr. Davyd Staryk, a neurosurgeon from Dnipro, Ukraine, who recently completed a medical observership in Australia. Through our charity, Only Passing Thru, with the help of our generous donors and with our Ukrainian partners, we continue to support medical professionals like Davyd working in Ukraine’s conflict zones.*
*If you are able to assist with, host or sponsor a medical observership please contact us at *****\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_video link=”https://youtu.be/jFSEu92kf3s” align=”center” css=””\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]
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**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Giving Back, Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** charity, Godslove, humanitarian, medical mission, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, ukrainian neurosurgeon, warzone
---
### [Just a Door Banging: Frontline Medicine in Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/just-a-door-banging/)
**Published:** January 6, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** 'It's just a door banging'—the coping mechanism for explosions. Mobile clinics, blackouts, and frontline medicine in war zones in Ukraine.
**Content:**
Seven of us packed into the van for the long drive to Dnipro—about 6-7 hours solid. We were taking the volunteer Korosten mobile clinic team to the Dnipro region for mobile clinics. We could really see the value in having a decent size vehicle with such a big team.
We picked up Alina—a young medical student helping CMA—in Bucha. Thirty minutes after we left, I got a notification that a [Shahed drone](https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=50d22d9f0e421fb386af2054327c4877a383d5142e567862609884f03a417656JmltdHM9MTc2NzM5ODQwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=3ea46ccb-a959-6946-0315-7a49a86e68cf&psq=shahed+drone&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9reWl2aW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY29tL2hvdy1ydXNzaWEtbW9kaWZpZWQtaXJhbnMtc2hhaGVkLTEzNi1kcm9uZXMtYW5kLXdoYXQtaXQtbWVhbnMtZm9yLXVrcmFpbmUv) hit Bucha. Nobody seemed to want to know – not the last time we would notice this.
As we got closer to Dnipropetrovsk, the military presence intensified. Trucks loaded with tanks. Vehicles covered in drone cages or equipped with drone jammers. After driving through beautiful forest, it was a typical snap back to reality: we’re in a country at war. Our route took us past a bombed school on the outskirts of Dnipro.
The ladies were determined to see Dnipro city centre and look at a shopping centre before dinner—it was their first time in the city. Ron warned we should get moving before any air raid alerts scrambled the GPS.
Sure enough.
As we approached the city, Google Maps went haywire. Shaheds were hitting Dnipro. The ladies kept chatting as if nothing was happening. Maybe pretending was their coping mechanism. I understood that.
We drove in circles through spaghetti piles of roads with busy traffic, GPS completely scrambled. Alerts kept pinging. It became apparent that Shaheds had hit somewhere in the city—a residential building was struck, six people were injured and hospitalised, while we drove around lost. Kind of surreal.
We thankfully worked our way back just in time for dinner. The city centre tour would have to wait.
**Welcome to a War Zone**
I woke to discover more Shaheds had hit the city overnight on the other side of the river. The train had been stopped for a while due to hits on the track. So grateful to be in a car.
We followed Serhii toward a village for a mobile clinic. He warned us GPS wouldn’t work where we were going—security measures for soldiers rotating through the area. Checkpoints increased. Piles of Czech hedgehogs and concrete blocks lined the roads.
We reached a certain point and just pulled over amongst the fields, waiting for a car to turn up and show us the way into a little village.
The dental van that was supposed to join us had experienced a major mechanical problem. After three years of going straight to the frontlines, it finally gave up. We got sent a video of it on the tow truck. Losing dental services hurt—it’s always in high demand.
**Every Patient Had Lost Someone**
Every single patient that day had gone through major trauma or lost someone in this war.
My first patient had several brain contusions and extremely severe PTSD. He’d sleep for a couple of hours, then wake up screaming. Terrible tremor. Struggled to talk. Any small noise made him jump. He’d been like this for two years. It broke my heart to watch his distress.
Every patient had lost someone—a husband, a son, a nephew, friends.
One older man had been in the military since 1985. He fought in 2014, suffered a back injury, did extensive rehab and recovered. But now, instead of retiring, he’s fighting again. The heavy body armor brought his back pain roaring back. When he talked about how much he missed his lost brothers in arms, he became very teary.
**The South American Battalion**
After the clinic, Serhii mentioned we’d help some South American soldiers that he had been helping. A Ukrainian-speaking Canadian woman came out when we arrived—Ron later told me she’d been fighting here for six months.
The soldiers were living in a very basic, cold house. Both men and women. Most had viral illnesses—basically colds—and some had secondary lung infections requiring antibiotics. They only wanted to see the general practitioner – that was me. We used Google Translate for Spanish and Portuguese, so the interpreter wasn’t even needed. Just Ron, Serhii and I went in while the others walked around to a cafe.
Then the team leader mentioned a few had some sensitive health issues but were too embarrassed to talk about it (probably a cultural thing?). I encouraged him to tell them I could speak privately and help. Eventually they opened up. One lady asked for her friend who was too embarrassed to speak to me—he didn’t even have the 100 hryvnia for treatment (about $3 AUD). I gave her the money and told her to buy it.
They were very grateful. A couple asked us to pray for them. Fighters from Brazil, Argentina, Colombia who had joined the Ukrainian army to help a country fighting for justice and freedom.
**When Russian Brothers Became Enemies**
That day I had two separate conversations with young people in their twenties—both had the same realisation. They and their peers had been dramatically influenced by Russian propaganda over the years. Even after the 2014 invasion, people forgot easily and still considered themselves “brothers” with Russians. Shared media, music, bloggers. They brushed aside or disregarded the fact that Russians had dehumanising slurs for Ukrainians for many decades.
But after 2022, everything changed. Suddenly everyone realised the people they once considered “brothers” didn’t even see them as human—and were intent on destroying them and their identity. Their feelings toward Russia would likely never be the same again.
Ukraine has been undergoing a decolonisation process ever since while simultaneously fighting their colonisers. Fighting to retain their culture, language, literature, music, art. Russian appropriation is no longer tolerated. Across the country, people tell the same stories of destroyed relationships with friends and family in Russia who either don’t accept that Russia is attacking Ukraine or no longer hide their country’s desire to occupy Ukraine and destroy everything Ukrainian—including its inhabitants if necessary.
**November 7th: Doctoring in the Dark**
At breakfast Ron asked me to check Telegram—he thought he’d heard explosions in the middle of the night. Turns out he probably heard a missile attack on energy infrastructure across the river that took out power in the city. A couple hours later, a shahed hit a residential building. One killed, many injured including children. Three floors destroyed. (The death toll later rose to four.)
Ballistic missiles and shaheds were still heading across the country, targeting power infrastructure. I saw that two shaheds hit near where we’d been staying in Kyiv.
Our optometrist couldn’t make it—she’d been awake all night in the bomb shelter with her kids. It was really close to her. She later sent video of herself at the rescue site.
Massive attacks across the country hitting energy infrastructure and civilian areas. At breakfast everyone was talking about it—how they’d been woken up, how the building shook. A few guys sleeping on the lower level said they’d been woken by explosions and discussed whether they should come get us from the upper floor.
They seemed shocked I’d managed to sleep through it all. 🤦♀️
Later at dinner, it came out that the frontline chaplaincy team had a coping mechanism for dealing with loud explosions: they’d say “it’s just a door banging.”
Just a door banging. Not missiles. Not shaheds. Not cities being destroyed. Just doors…
**Power On and Off—Mostly Off**
At the clinic: power flickered on and off, mostly off, thanks to Russian attacks. They made coffee on a gas light.
They got a generator running for a few hours before it packed it in. We used the portable power pack your donations had paid for to run the ophthalmologist’s equipment. Teams keep asking for more of these to help them continue working through constant power outages.
We also had no water – again thanks to Russian attacks. Had to pour water from a bucket to flush the toilet.
I saw many patients who’d lost a son or a husband. Actually, I think every patient had lost someone—some very recently.
One older lady seemed particularly bright and super cheerful. Kept saying everything was good, smiling from ear to ear. I couldnt work out why she came to the doctor – I think it was just to say hi and check out the Australian. Asked about her activity—she said she still goes in the garden. “Putin bombs us but I will go plant some trees!”
Then the facade started crumbling.
Her son had been killed in Russia’s 2014 invasion. She started cupping her hands together: “How can it be that I held my son in my hands but now he is dead? The world doesn’t even know about this genocide…”
She paused. “But I’m one of the lucky ones—I can at least visit my son’s grave. Others don’t even know where theirs is. Don’t even have so much as a bone from their son’s body to bury.”
She later agreed to record her story and her plea to the world to help stop this evil. ( see the video **[HERE](https://youtu.be/AyptSH36-xU?si=Qm5fxuZn9z8XM71H)**)
So many patients suffering stress, grief, depression, having lost loved ones. It was overwhelming.
**Filtering Water from Puddles**
A younger man came in about his blood results. We talked about drinking more water. He said he’s on the frontlines—sometimes they run out of water and have to filter water from the puddles. So it’s not that easy.
Oh, and he’d had a concussion a week ago from an explosion. Gets dizzy. He had ten days rest, then goes back to the front.
As he walked out, I reached into my bag and pulled out a camo patch with a red kangaroo. “Thank you,” I said.
He immediately grabbed me and gave me a massive hug…
Even the young man helping in the kitchen had lost his dad.
**Hands in the Soil**
Many patients talked about how their sanity, their therapy, their joy, their exercise came from gardening. Growing vegetables. Putting their hands in the soil is how they put it.
It made me feel connected—I thought of how that was such a big part of life for my Ukrainian mother and grandfather, and how that had been handed down to me. Even under bombardment, they plant.
**Vova**
An eight-year-old boy named Vova—his mother brought him to practice his English with me. At first he was very nervous, but once he warmed up and realised we could talk, he kept coming up and tapping my arm to ask me something else. It was so cute.
He started getting a bit mixed up telling me things he loved or liked and ended up saying “I love you too,” which made me smile.
I gave him a badge of Australia with a kangaroo on it. Everyone in the waiting room told him he could show his papa. His dad is at the front.
Hard to think there’s a fair chance this child could end up fatherless.
He gave me a lovely hug when we left.
**Massive Blackouts**
The news showed massive blackouts in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Dnipro. Entire cities without power, many without water and central heating too. All as a result of massive Russian attacks designed to destroy everything that makes Ukraine habitable—designed to make the population suffer and want to give in.
They clearly don’t understand Ukrainians.
The team went for one last walk to local markets for some last-minute shopping, but conversation was difficult due to the loud roar of generators keeping the shops going. No power in the city.
**Why They Stay**
The next morning, a young woman from CMA gave me a hug. She wanted to say again how much it meant to have people like us who give her hope and inspiration to stay in Ukraine. Sometimes she gets despondent when young friends leave the country, and say to her – Ukraine will be a hard life for ten years or more—why stay when you can have a better life abroad?
I told her how it was us who felt inspired and uplifted by people like her and these teams working so selflessly under extreme conditions. Ukraine is an amazing country to be proud of, with such great potential to be an example to the world. We’re proud of people like her who stay to help build the future.
As we left the church that morning, we saw a large group of elderly refugees waiting outside a door for it to open—presumably to receive humanitarian aid.
This church NGO does amazing work. Their building often overflows with refugees they themselves rescue and evacuate from frontline villages at risk to their own lives. They provide food, counselling, help with accommodation, children’s programs. Pastor Serhii was constantly organising, on his phone, answering calls—super busy.
On the seven-hour drive back to Korosten with the team, the ladies chatted the entire way. After days of clinics and sleepless nights with bombing, they still had unstoppable energy.
**Your Support Makes the Difference**
The portable power packs you’ve funded keep medical equipment running when the grid fails. The mobile clinic van gets teams into villages that would otherwise have no care. Your donations mean fuel for the mobile clinic van, delivering care and medicines to those in need.
This work continues because you make it possible.
*Support our next mission at **[Empowering Health Heroes in Ukraine](https://chuffed.org/project/empowering-health-heroes-in-ukraine)*****[](https://chuffed.org/project/empowering-health-heroes-in-ukraine)**
*or [**HERE f**](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)or donating with less fees.*
### Video clips Medical Mission October 2025
Thumbnail youtube Dr Lara in clinic Thumbnail youtube Attack on Dnipro the night we were there Thumbnail youtube Optometrist shares last nights bombing Thumbnail youtube Refugees waiting for doors to open Thumbnail youtube Attack on Dnipro
[Team heads off in the van](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6547-scaled.jpg)[This delayed some of our team](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6542-scaled.png)[Nightly events](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6543-scaled.png)[Ron and Pastor Serhii have a chat](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6572-scaled-e1770506598108.jpg)[Volunteers](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6573-scaled.jpg)[Breakfast with the team](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6582-scaled.jpg)[Treating soldiers with flu](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6610.JPG)[One of many brave Ukrainian volunteers](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6617.JPG)[The gratitude is always overwhelming](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6618.JPG)[This happened where our optometrist was staying](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6619-scaled.png)[CMA Ukraine banner](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6669-scaled.jpg)[Following Serhii's car to clinic](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6549-scaled.jpg)[Patients and clinic team near Dnipro](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6629.JPG)[Another day in Dnipro](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6641-scaled.png)[With the clinic manager and nurse](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6645-scaled.jpg)[The team and patients](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6647-scaled.jpg)[Using phone lights to share light in the clinic](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6676-scaled.jpg)[Patient Halina gave us this gift out of her bag from her own tree](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6657-scaled.jpg)[This was what woke some of us up](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6701-scaled-e1770623737418.png)[The news of the day](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6699-scaled.png)[With Pastor Serhii at his church/refugee centre](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6705.JPG)[With the volunteer cardiologist](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6661-scaled.jpg)[The amazing Grace Korosten team volunteers.](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/photo_2025-12-01_10-57-41.jpg)['Traditional' service station picnic on the road from clinic](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/photo_2025-12-01_10-57-36.jpg)[The team in Dnipropetrovsk region](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/photo_2025-12-01_10-59-47.jpg)[Amazing Ukrainian volunteers. ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/photo_2025-12-01_10-59-57.jpg)[Traditional Ukraine cottage scene - autumn pumpkins.](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6729-scaled.jpg)
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** charity, humanitarian, medical mission, non-profit, remote doctors, Supportukraine, ukraine, volunteer, warzone
---
### [YOUR Questions On Ukraine...](https://www.passingthrough.net/questions-on-ukraine-answered-1/)
**Published:** February 14, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Your questions about Ukraine answered : reliable news, how to help, and the truth about Ukrainian resilience.
**Content:**
## The Questions You Asked Through Our Google Form
You can ask more at the link at bottom of this article.
## If I donate now will it go to support those in need of power and heat?
Yes absolutely – in fact we have been running a winter appeal that you could donate to. So far we have raised $2170 and we have transferred $2400 specifically for fuel for generators, power packs and warm clothes without waiting for the appeal to finish. We sent it to three different on-the-ground groups (in Korosten, Kharkiv region, Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih & Kherson region ) that I personally saw distributing to very needy people. Here is the link to our winter appeal. **[Winter Emergency Appeal – OPT](https://www.passingthrough.net/winter-emergency/)** Thankyou!
## Could you please recommend websites, digital radio stations, podcasts, or other digital sources for reliable daily news updates from Ukraine?
I’m usually careful with recommendations like this because I believe that everyone has some kind of bias – it’s human nature. And also, situations can change very quickly. As an example one time I recommended New York Times and then found they published a lot of articles that were full of Russian propaganda but then they have been lately publishing some good stuff again -so it’s up and down. So I encourage people to look at a range of sources and apply critical thinking to what they read. However so far some of the ones I have found pretty good are T[he Kyiv Independent](https://kyivindependent.com/), Youtube blogs by [Jake Broe](https://www.youtube.com/c/JakeBroe/videos), [Denys Davydov – YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@DenysDavydov/videos), and [Caolon Robertson](https://www.youtube.com/@CaolanReports). Ground News is a great app/site that curates news from all over the world on different topics you can search for and indicates the percentage by which it is left/right or centre biased so you can make up your own mind. [Roman Sheretma](https://www.facebook.com/roman.sheremeta.7/) and [Garry Kasparov](https://www.facebook.com/GKKasparov/) and [Ilya Pomorenko](https://x.com/IAPonomarenko) are some good ones to follow on social media for commentary. Others recommended by [@JulianKnysh](https://www.facebook.com/julian.knysh/): [KyivPost](https://www.kyivpost.com/), [Ukrainiska Pravda,](https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/) Ukraine The Latest – [podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ukraine-the-latest/id1612424182) / YouTube
## Ukraine's leadership is in a difficult position; they have to show gratitude for the help they HAVE received from the West, but at the same time they must often have to bite their tongue in frustration at the slowness with which the help has come, too little, too late. Even ignoring the dreadful stuff the American administration has been involved in of late. My question is, everyday Ukrainians must also have this mix of gratitude and, yes, anger... did anyone in Ukraine make comments to you relevant to that confict, which you can share? I ask because I can sort of identify with those conflicting emotions on Ukraine's behalf.
And yes, I can relate to those frustrations too. What I did find is that those of us outside of Ukraine (including the Ukrainian diaspora) are far more vocal about these frustrations than those inside Ukraine. I found that very few Ukrainians would talk with us about politics, what the world is not doing enough of etc.. I don’t know the exact answer, but my observations lead me to believe it is for a combination of the following reasons:
1. The Ukrainians I mix with are all involved in some kind of selfless service in difficult times and cannot afford the time or mental power to think about frustrating things they can’t change.
2. There is an incredible amount of stoicism – no one really complains even though I think they have a lot to be very angry about…
3. I think it is also a part of their culture to be polite and be thankful – everyone just kept thanking us but I feel like our countries have not done anywhere near enough and we are the ones who should be saying thankyou.
4. For many it is a mental health survival strategy. Quite simply – for many Ukrainians – if they gave any time to thinking about the ups and downs of the way the world does or doesn’t support them they would go insane. They just ‘get on with the job.’
5. In a similar vein I think Ukrainians have enough experience of being let down by partners, they fully know the untrustworthiness of Russia and it’s true intentions – to really not trust anything but themselves and their determination to fight on to remain free. So, everything else is just background noise.
So, until I thought all that through – I guess it initially surprised me how many Ukrainians I mixed with really didn’t seem to even pay attention to all the world negotiations and politics.
## What’s something you saw or experienced that you were not expecting by people in Ukraine?
That’s hard to say as given my background and the way my grandfather spoke about Ukraine, I had high expectations. But I think Ukrainians exceeded all my expectations in their courage, resilience, kindness, generosity and ingenuity. I didn’t really expect to find that so many Ukrainians would ignore air raid alerts and not want to even know if there was a missile coming or similar. But after being there longer this last time I started to understand – and they explained to me – that it is a case of surviving mentally. One can only be on high alert or think about the fact that a neighbour is deliberately sending lethal bombs to rain down on where you and your children live, for so long, without losing your mind.
## The current consensus among Western commentators sympathetic to Ukraine is that the 'best case' is a ceasefire that freezes the front line, with security guarantees, hoping to get occupied territories back in future. That frustrates me, because if only Uk got a little more help and the pressure kept on Russia, there is a good chance over the long run that Russia's economy and thus its war effort, will collapse. But I don't have to suffer the daily trauma. I know that Ukrainians don't want to surrender any more territory, but do any of them you met share my feeling that it's not time to freeze anything, so long as the US doesn't stop all support and/or lift sanctions on Russia.
As you say – we cannot imagine the daily trauma – the huge loss of life – the destroyed homes and towns. I can’t claim to speak for all Ukrainians and I am sure there is a variety of views as there would be in any society But I don’t think there are many, if any, Ukrainians who actually believe that ‘giving’ anything to Putin will stop any of that – in fact it will likely make it worse. I have not met one Ukrainian in Ukraine who wants to freeze or give up on anything. On the contrary these are some of the comments I have personally heard:
- We cannot give up, Russia will turn us into one giant concentration camp.
- We have seen what Russia does to our people in occupied territory – giving up anything is not an option.
- Even if they take our weapons we will keep fighting with our hands and shovels.
- We will fight until the last one of us – we have to, so that our children will not be slaves.
The other thing to remember is that what you mention is not an option. Putin has made clear that his non-negotiable is the whole of Donbas territory. He has never agreed to just freezing frontlines and explicitly stated he wouldn’t. And what some don’t realise is Donbas is where Ukraine’s strongest defence lines are – so if this is given to Putin ( who couldn’t take it after 4 years of fighting) – it is basically handing him the keys to the gates to the rest of Ukraine and then Europe.
As for security guarantees- Ukraine has lost count of the number of broken promises, particularly the biggest one – the Budapest Memorandum – which if it had been honoured would have meant there would have been no war. So, they have no reason to trust the vague allusions to ‘security guarantees’ being thrown around now.
You are right – it is frustrating- because if USA and Europe had gone all in to supplying the help needed, applying all the possible sanctions, seizing tankers full of sanctioned Russian oil, then this would very likely already be over. There will be books and movies about these failures.
Ukraine is the only one paying the ultimate price for standing up to this evil… That’s why we choose to stand with them in the small ways we can.
*Please stand with them….[ **HERE**](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/) 💛🩵*
*Please keep the questions coming – you can enter them anonymously here;* ****
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** disinformation, freedom, questions, standwithukraine, ukraine
---
### [When the Patterns Became Too Clear to Ignore:](https://www.passingthrough.net/russian-influence-australia/)
**Published:** January 31, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** I asked ChatGPT to fact-check whether I was imagining Russian influence in Australia. The analysis confirmed the patterns were real and strategic.
**Content:**
For years now, many people I know have been sharing online content with me on all kinds of subjects. COVID certainly got this ball rolling. Much of the online content shared just wasn’t true, or at least wasn’t supported by any current known facts. Some content, I’m sure, was created for nefarious reasons—though often it was hard to know the real motivation behind an “influencer” jumping onto and pushing a narrative, besides the obvious monetary gains around emotive clickbait. It became tiring and disheartening, spending time trying to find out if there was any substance of truth to it. Often this content would have strings, or a base, of truths, with falsities woven through—or eventually burying the truth entirely.
Lately though, this sharing has increased. Along with my pulse rate.
Kremlin-influenced content around Ukraine is obviously especially troublesome to me, and it’s rarely not seeded with falsities. This is nothing new—Russia has provided a masterclass in how to use the internet to their advantage. They’ve spread doubt around what “actually” happens in Ukraine, around Crimea and Donbas this was rife. But this doesn’t stop at Ukraine. The Kremlin’s tentacles reach far deeper and wider globally than most realise. Even to here in Australia. They’re all about fostering division and eroding the pillars of our societies to weaken us.
The Kremlin knows how to spread rage and hate—though willing participants can be found in most countries. They often feed into areas of genuine concern for people, exaggerating, skewing or outright falsifying facts around these. Growing what may have been a fair concern into fear, despair, hate, anger. Leading like-minded people into online echo chambers and groups which further amplify these emotions, even weaponising them. Sadly, it seems the Kremlin barely has to start the ball rolling—we humans do the rest now.
The anger at rallies. The hate being shown towards fellow humans. The mistrust toward governments and organisations. The changes within politics itself. Not hard to see. But much is harder to see.
Then there were the comment sections on news posts. Stories of Ukrainian suffering—hospitals bombed, children killed, entire cities under attack—met with waves of fellow Australians posting callous dismissals, victim-blaming, or outright celebration of Russian victories. The sheer volume and viciousness looked coordinated, even though I thought it probably wasn’t.
And now the ‘random’ posts popping up in my algorithms. Posts from the Russian embassy. Posts from Australian political groups and individuals saying ‘Putin isn’t really that bad.’ Pictures of Trump and Putin with a shining cross between them. But what was behind this? How can people look past the thousands of proven and documented horrendous war crimes and crimes against humanity that Putin has allowed to happen and somehow excuse this invasion?
I told myself I was being paranoid. That my immersion in Ukraine’s reality—the medical missions, the documentation of Russia’s systematic destruction—was making me see patterns that weren’t there.
But the talking points were too similar. Too perfectly aligned with what I knew Russian state media was pushing globally. The same deflections about Ukraine. The same divisive topics being rerun. The same erosion of trust in institutions, elections, media, expertise itself.
So I did what any good researcher does when they suspect confirmation bias: I asked for a second opinion. I asked ChatGPT to conduct a deep analysis of Russian influence operations in Australia and whether the patterns I was seeing were real or imagined. I made sure to ask for references too, to check it wasn’t made-up rubbish.
What came back confirmed that what I’d been noticing wasn’t coincidence. It was strategic. It was documented. And it was working.
**What the Analysis Shows**
The full analysis below examines how Russian state-backed actors have targeted Australia through state-sponsored troll networks ASIO is actively investigating, the Pravda Australia propaganda operation designed to “poison” AI chatbots with Russian narratives, and strategic amplification of Australian political figures whose messaging aligns with Kremlin interests.
What struck me most was reading specific Australian politicians quoted, their statements placed alongside the Russian narratives they echo. Anti-Ukraine rhetoric lifted from RT. Climate denial serving petrostate interests. Sovereignty arguments undermining international cooperation.
This isn’t about claiming anyone is a conscious Russian agent. It’s about recognising how influence operations amplify existing divisions, finding fracture lines in our society and applying pressure.
I want you to read the full analysis—to sit with the documented evidence from intelligence agencies, parliamentary inquiries, and investigative journalism. To understand this isn’t speculation. It’s operational reality.
[***Full ChatGPT analysis HERE***](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Russian-Influence-and-Far-Right-Narratives-in-Australia.pdf)
 When evil presents itself as light...
**When evil presents itself as light…**
What concerns me most is what I’m seeing in Christian communities. Just as in America, Christians—people whose faith calls them to truth and justice—are being specifically targeted by disinformation wrapped in the language of faith and freedom. The communities that should be most resistant to authoritarian propaganda are often most vulnerable, because the packaging speaks their language.
Differences and divisions have always existed. Climate, health, politics, finance, immigration, freedoms, beliefs, values. But the Kremlin is too often behind increasing these divisions, weaponising emotions around them. Please be sure, and aware, of this. It’s more widespread than most realise and is certainly weakening countries from within. The USA is a shining present example. The Kremlin has been hard at work there for a long time and is now reaping dividends.
The goal isn’t to make Australians love Russia. It’s to make us suspicious of each other, doubtful of our institutions, cynical about truth itself. To fragment the social cohesion that makes democracy work. To ensure that when autocrats commit atrocities abroad, Western publics are too divided to respond.
The best defence is knowledge. It’s asking where information comes from. It’s noticing when narratives align too perfectly with authoritarian interests. It’s maintaining complexity—recognising you can have concerns about policy without swallowing disinformation, that you can question government without believing elections are rigged, that you can have faith without falling for content that weaponises it.
Most importantly, it’s remembering that Ukrainians are dying right now to defend principles we claim to value. When we let Russian propaganda convince us that supporting Ukraine is against Australian interests, we’re not just failing them. We’re failing ourselves.
Read the analysis. Sit with the evidence. Make up your own minds.
But please, make them up with your eyes open.
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** australia, disinformation, far-right, russia, ukraine
---
### [Final Days in Ukraine: Van Handover and Farewell from Lviv](https://www.passingthrough.net/final-days-in-ukraine/)
**Published:** January 20, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Our final days in Ukraine: handing over the humanitarian van to CMA in Lviv, Lara's soft skills medical conference, and an emotional farewell to Ukraine.
**Content:**
After such wonderful and fulfilling days working with the Korosten team of volunteers the realisation that our Ukrainian “road trip” was in its last days brought on new, mixed feelings for me (Ron). Usually after this long away I’d be well and truly ready to return “home”, but there was a part of me that didn’t want to leave Ukraine. An “invasion” torn country, facing daily indiscriminate bombardments, and all kinds of other horrible traumas and trials thanks to their neighbour of nightmares. What was I thinking!?
1Cor13:6-7 “Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. **[7](http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/13-7.htm)**Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” The injustices and evils inflicted on Ukraine during Russia’s invasion are off the charts, a clear abomination, much of which is documented and proven, and is why Putin is wanted by the ICC. There can never be any “if’s, but’s or maybe’s” to try and justify or excuse Russia’s invasion. Even if there was a valid reason, which there isn’t, the Russian army’s acts would null and void it anyway. Experiencing this country and its people during this awful invasion has grown a Love in me for Ukraine, and given me a clearer sense of the injustice (to put it mildly) of this invasion.
I now understand much better why I met so many “foreigners” who have ended up staying on in Ukraine much longer than they initially intended. There really is something special about the people. You can not help but admire and respect them on so many levels.
Planning our route to our next destination always entails some interesting considerations and options, and I must say that many memorable experiences occurred thanks to the freedom that Google Maps can offer. We chose a route to Lutsk that looked like it would have good examples of rural and village life, it went quite close to the border with Belarus.
Belarus has a pro-Russian puppet government. Russia used Belarus as one of their launch points into Ukraine at the start of the 2022 full scale invasion. Belarus did cop sanctions for this but sadly, especially recently by Trump, these are being partially removed.
The drive took us through beautiful examples of village life and some lovely forests. It was obvious that most people still lived very traditionally. We saw many horse and carts being used for transport and farm work and mushroom gathering. Almost every house had noticeable food production of some type like vege gardens, orchids, animals and fields, earth cellars. The impressive wood stacks and animal feed silage were evidences of the impending winter.
We were stopped at two checkpoints, unsurprisingly given our proximity to Belarus. A policeman stopped us on a small rural road that we may not have chosen to take had we known its condition, but it was worth it. Anyway he could not speak English, we had no phone reception for Google Translate. He was obviously frustrated that he could not suss us out better, as you could see him thinking “Why would you go to Lutsk this way?”. I tried to lay the blame on Google Maps. Once he worked out we were Australians doing humanitarian work he noticeably softened and waved us on.
Lutsk was another very pleasant place. But the university where Lara was to speak was especially impressive in many facets. They were an old university but a very new medical school. They had a strong social justice bent and students regularly took part in fundraisers for the war effort. They had offered hundreds of free places at the medical school to students who had been displaced by the war or lost parents in the war. Again, the students at Lara’s well-attended talk were super thankful, appreciative and grateful. It was nice watching from the back of the lecture theatre as they lined up for selfies and hugs, I’m so very proud of my wife. We were then taken on a tour of their very impressive medical school with some very deep and forthright conversation taking place.
Goodbye Lutsk, hello again Lviv, our last stop. Lovely Lviv, where parking is an extreme challenge due to the lack of it. Lara once again though excelled in finding an apartment that had “guaranteed” parking, an impressive achievement. After all the travel the van looked almost military in its coating of grime. “Official” handover of the van to CMA was tomorrow and we had to get it cleaned and the stickers applied.
The young couple at the car detailing business insisted on doing the van for free when they found out we were volunteers and the van was a donation to Ukraine. That is so very humbling. This was not the first time we’d been shown favour or given free service by grateful Ukrainians. Considering this is a country facing invasion, a country whose people are struggling even more now to make ends meet, I found it tough to accept this returned charity, but I think to push back too much may actually be insulting to them, so I always gratefully accepted. The sticker design looked professional and was applied perfectly by the sticker man under torch and light.
The van was ready for handover and it looked wonderful, you would never know where it had been. After putting an extra near 10 thousand kilometres on it since leaving Switzerland, and being able to experience and do so much because of this van, it brought a tinge of sadness to consider parting with it. I cannot overstate the value of this van to CMA’s work, it will be a great blessing to them. CMA sourced the vehicle, it had extremely low mileage for its age, it has great fuel economy, and ran beautifully the whole time, so well chosen CMA. I am very proud and humbled that OPT was able to raise the funds for this vehicle and deliver it into Ukraine for CMA.
We tied the van handover in with CMA’s strategic meeting. It was a lovely time and a massive thanks again to all who donated to this fundraiser. Be assured it is appreciated sincerely and immensely at CMA and should affect their work in many positive ways for years to come. Being part of CMA’s strategic meeting was further confirmation and encouragement to me, OPT have certainly partnered with an effective and efficient organisation.
We got time to walk around and experience the old town area of Lviv, which I believe is UNESCO listed. It is certainly a beautiful, vibrant city, it amazes me to think what it must have been like before 2022. After Ukraine’s victory I highly recommend visiting.
The next day Lara had more meetings with CMA. I helped with the set-up of CMA’s “Soft skills Medical conference” which was to be held the following day. The conference itself was well attended and received. Lara was one of three speakers. Soft skills are important in effective medicine and Ukrainians especially soak it up as young doctors attempt to grow away from some of the hangovers of the less personal old soviet systems.
Our last full day in Ukraine saw us attend a church service held in a section of a waterpark, that’s a first. We then went out for a late extended lunch with two dear friends for some very good food and conversation. Besides talking about food a lot, which I love, I also appreciate that often Ukrainian’s conversations are deep, heavy, meaningful and thought provoking.
Our last morning in Lviv before we jumped on the train to Poland saw us attend a “prayer breakfast” meeting organised by CMA at a Baptist Seminary. It was a meeting of many influential players in Ukraine, international NGO’s, etc? It was heartening to hear what is being done for Ukraine by different organisations in different spheres. But governments of most countries need to step up more. We did feel partly like we did not belong, but it seems to me that Lara has become a welcomed, accepted and valuable part of the CMA team and they wanted her there, I on the other hand didn’t belong, but I enjoyed my last breakfast in Ukraine and the conversations regardless.
Russia had used “hybrid warfare” to blow up the railway line we were about to travel on in Poland a day earlier. Thankfully there was another line they were able to use, and thankfully they had time to patrol all the lines just before we travelled. Did I worry about our train line being blown up? No. Once underway it did not even enter my thoughts, but I did think again about the savage effect all these accumulated traumas, big and small, are having on the people. This invasion needs to stop, Russia is doing it tough and will fail to reach their objectives, but we need to stand with Ukraine till this time. Please don’t forget about Ukraine, even though our news cycle does.
Support [***HERE***](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)
[Toilet stop ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DSCN1133-1-scaled.jpg)[Village life in Volyn](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DSCN1151-1-scaled.jpg)[Village Life](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DSCN1156-1-scaled.jpg)[Every village house has a cow](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DSCN1204-1-scaled.jpg)[Many ride bikes](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6790-1-scaled.jpg)[Traditional houses](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DSCN1200-1-scaled.jpg)[Traditional houses](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DSCN1192-1-scaled.jpg)[But still there are trenches...](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DSCN1189-scaled.jpg)[Village life](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DSCN1183-1-scaled.jpg)[Selling roadside mushrooms](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DSCN1291-1-scaled.jpg)[Autumn colours](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DSCN1245-1-scaled.jpg)[Every village has losses...](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DSCN1242-1-scaled.jpg)[On the road to Lutsk](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DSCN1208-1-scaled.jpg)[Village life ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6858-1.JPG)[Picking mushrooms](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6804-1-scaled.jpg)[Lutsk Medical School](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_9098-scaled.jpg)[Lectures at Lutsk](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_7375.JPG)[Supporting CMA](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_7384.JPG)[Lutsk University](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6913-scaled.jpg)[I guess they liked the lecture...](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6917-scaled.jpg)[Amazing students and doctors](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6876-1-scaled.jpg)[Amazing students and doctors](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6892-scaled.jpg)[Amazing students and doctors](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6893-scaled.jpg)[Back to Beautiful Lviv](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_7166-scaled.jpg)[Monument to Shevchenko](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_7152-scaled.jpg)[Lviv remembers](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_7173-scaled.jpg)[We're now CMA Medchangers](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_7137-scaled.jpg)[Soft Skills Medchanger conference](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DSCN1294-1-scaled.jpg)[Medchanger conference amazing docs! ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/b38fed78-87c9-477f-bec6-338de73ea585.JPG)[Amazing Ukrainian family docs...](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/94795764-c0ca-4623-87c3-19df482a7011.JPG)[Speaking at conference](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_7350-scaled.jpg)[Medchanger conference amazing docs!](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/646974f2-b22d-473d-b647-e4565660964e.JPG)[You get gifts for giving gifts! ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_7468-scaled.jpg)[Meeting time at CMA](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_7457-scaled.jpg)[Handing over the van](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/photo_2025-11-24_20-11-07.jpg)[CMA's new van thanks to you all.](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_7130-scaled.jpg)[Lviv health leaders prayer breakfast](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_7483-scaled.jpg)
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** charity, humanitarian, medical mission, non-profit, remote doctors, Supportukraine, ukraine, volunteer, warzone
---
### [WHEN WINTER IS A WEAPON- A CRISIS APPEAL](https://www.passingthrough.net/winter-crisis-appeal/)
**Published:** January 27, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Russia targets Ukraine's power grid in coldest winter in 15 years. Families freezing without heat or water. Donate for emergency generators.
**Content:**
# When Winter Becomes a Weapon: Ukraine’s Coldest Crisis in 15 Years
**Imagine putting your child to bed in a winter coat, gloves and beanie.**
Not because you forgot to turn on the heater. Because there is no heater. There’s been no power for three weeks. No water. You can’t flush the toilet. No warmth. Outside it’s -15°C—the coldest winter in 15 years. Inside, you can see your breath, ice is growing on the windows and the stairs. The stairs… all 20 floors that you have to climb (if you can) because there is no power for the elevator.
This is large parts of Ukraine. Right now. Today.
This isn’t an accident. This is strategy.
Russia has been systematically obliterating Ukraine’s power grid and gas infrastructure, turning winter into a weapon of war. Every destroyed transformer, every bombed heating station, every shattered water pipe is calculated. The goal isn’t just military—it’s to make survival so exhausting, so unbearable, that people break.
They’re betting on the wrong people.
## The Reality Right Now
Across Ukraine, entire cities are going weeks without electricity, heat, or running water. Toilets don’t flush. Elderly people huddle under blankets, rationing body heat.
The churches and NGOs we support—the ones sheltering families who fled Russian bombing just months ago—are now facing an impossible equation: freeze or spend money they don’t have on diesel fuel.
A generator can save lives. But fuel to run it? That’s the crisis within the crisis. Prices have soared, and the math is brutal: heat the refugee shelter OR run the medical clinic. Charge phones so people can call for help, OR keep lights on for traumatised children who are already terrified of the dark.
One pastor told us he’s rationing generator fuel like liquid gold. “Two hours morning, two hours night. The rest of the time, we pray and wear extra socks.” Dark humour is survival here—because what else can you do when you’re living in the dark?
## What We’re Fighting For
This winter is a humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in real time. And we can help.
**We’re raising $6,000 AUD for:**
- **Generators** for clinics, shelters, and refugee support centers
- **Fuel** to keep those generators running through the winter
- **Power packs** for volunteers providing medical care and emergency services
Every dollar goes directly to keeping people alive. This isn’t abstract charity—this is water pumps working, heaters running, medical equipment staying powered, and desperate families getting the warmth and care they need to survive.
## Your Move
Ukrainians have already endured four years of hell. Now they’re facing a winter deliberately designed to kill them. They’re still standing—still fighting, still caring for each other, still cracking jokes in the freezing dark.
But they need fuel. They need power. They need to know the world hasn’t looked away.
**Donate now. Every amount counts. All donations are tax-deductible.**
We’ll update the progress bar as donations come in—let’s hit $6,000 together and show Ukraine that winter won’t win.
*Because if Ukrainians don’t give up in this darkness, the least we can do is help share a little bit of light with them.*
---
[**DONATE TODAY**](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)
**Goal: $6,000 AUD | [Track our progress →](https://www.passingthrough.net/winter-emergency/)**
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** freezing, humanitarian crisis, ukraine, winter
---
### [Why Peace At Any Price Means No Peace At All](https://www.passingthrough.net/no-peace-at-all/)
**Published:** January 3, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Peace that rewards genocide is not peace. It's the interval before the next war, purchased with the lives of those abandoned to the aggressor.
**Content:**
Documented Russian War Crimes in Ukraine # Documented Russian War Crimes in Ukraine
Evidence compiled from UN investigations, International Criminal Court findings, and international human rights organisations
100,000+
Civilians Killed (Estimated)
14,534 UN-verified deaths; satellite images of mass graves suggest actual toll in hundreds of thousands
38,472+
Civilians Injured
Documented injuries from targeted attacks
35,000+
Children Deported
Forcibly taken to Russia for "re-education"
100%
POWs Tortured
Every Ukrainian POW interviewed by UN reported torture
1,878
Healthcare Attacks
Verified attacks on hospitals and medical facilities
3,800+
Schools Destroyed
Educational facilities damaged or demolished
### UN Determination: Crimes Against Humanity
The UN Independent Commission of Inquiry concluded Russian authorities "have acted pursuant to a **coordinated state policy**" in committing torture, enforced disappearances, and murder—constituting crimes against humanity.
## Systematic Torture ICC DOCUMENTED
- **Electric Shock Torture**Soviet-era field telephones used to deliver electric shocks to bodies and genitals—documented at facilities from Donetsk to Siberia
- **Deliberate Starvation**POW Artur Reutov's weight dropped from 120 kg to 40 kg; prisoners reported eating cockroaches to survive
- **Mock Executions**Guns pressed to heads, psychological torture designed to break prisoners before interrogation
- **Medical Torture**Wounds deliberately torn open, denial of medical care, beatings with rifle butts and rubber batons
## Genocide by Another Name PUTIN ARREST WARRANT ISSUED
- **Mass Child Deportation**35,000+ Ukrainian children forcibly transferred to Russia, given new identities, forbidden from contacting Ukrainian families
- **Cultural Erasure**736 hours of Ukrainian language instruction eliminated in occupied territories; Ukrainian textbooks burned as "extremist material"
- **Forced Russification**Children receive Russian birth certificates, undergo military training, face threats of family separation if they resist
- **Denial of Ukrainian Existence**Putin's 2021 essay: "Russians and Ukrainians were one people"; Kremlin advisor: "There is no Ukraine...a specific disorder of the mind"
## Mass Atrocities
- **Bucha Massacre**561 civilians executed with hands bound, shot while riding bicycles or walking streets
- **Izium Mass Graves**447 bodies found in unmarked graves, 30 showing signs of torture including genital amputations
- **Sexual Violence as Weapon**Systematic rape documented; one mother gang-raped by 15 men, threatened with daughter's murder if she didn't "scream loud enough"
- **Filtration Camps**Secret concentration camps where civilians face torture, forced fingerprinting, and disappearance
## Infrastructure Annihilation
- **Energy Warfare**70-90% of thermal power capacity destroyed; 500,000+ left without heat during winter attacks
- **Hospital Strikes**July 2024 attack on Okhmatdyt children's hospital killed 42 including 5 children, destroyed ICU and oncology units
- **Civilian Targeting Escalation**Child casualties increased 50% in 2024; medical facility attacks tripled from 2023
- **Economic Destruction**$524 billion in damage—nearly 3 times Ukraine's GDP
### Legal Status: Not Allegations—Documented Crimes
**6 ICC arrest warrants** issued including for Vladimir Putin • **12 countries** opened universal jurisdiction investigations • **8 national parliaments** formally recognised genocide • Council of Europe determination of genocidal acts
**These are not isolated incidents. These are documented patterns of systematic state policy.**
With 100,000+ civilians dead and satellite evidence of mass graves across occupied territories, any "peace" deal that rewards these crimes with territorial gains validates genocide and invites the next war.
Sources: UN Independent Commission of Inquiry, International Criminal Court, Human Rights Watch, Yale Humanitarian Research Lab, WHO, UNICEF, U.S. Department of State
**A territorial compromise with Russia would reward documented genocide, validate systematic torture as state policy, and invite the next war—because history proves appeasing aggressors always does.**
The bodies lay where they fell on Yablunska Street in Bucha. People shot dead while riding bicycles. A couple executed together, their hands zip-tied behind their backs, bullet wounds to the head at close range. A father and his teenage son, killed in their car trying to evacuate, still holding each other in death. When Russian forces withdrew in March 2022, they left behind **561 civilians** murdered in ways that spoke of deliberate cruelty—not the chaos of battle, but of methodical violence in occupation.
In the woods near Izium, investigators would later unearth **447 bodies** from unmarked graves. Thirty showed signs of torture so brutal the details still haunt the forensic teams who documented them: genital mutilation, broken bones that could only come from sustained beating, bodies bearing the distinctive burn patterns of electric shock torture. One grave held an entire family—parents and three children, the youngest just six years old.
These were not aberrations. These were not the actions of rogue soldiers or tragic accidents of war. These were policy, enacted systematically across every territory Russian forces occupied. And any peace deal that trades Ukrainian land for promises from the regime that ordered these atrocities isn’t a path to peace. It’s permission for the next massacre.
---
## The evidence shows systematic cruelty, not isolated acts
The scale of documented Russian war crimes defies comprehension, but one pattern emerges with devastating clarity: these atrocities are coordinated from the top. In October 2024, the UN Independent Commission of Inquiry concluded that Russian authorities “have acted pursuant to a **coordinated state policy**” and committed crimes against humanity through torture. Every single Ukrainian prisoner of war interviewed by UN monitors—100% of them—reported experiencing torture in Russian custody.
Think about that. Not most. Not many. Every single one.
The methods are standardised across facilities from Donetsk to Siberia, identical in their calculated brutality: electric shocks using Soviet-era field telephones applied to bodies and genitals, beatings with rubber batons and rifle butts, mock executions with guns pressed against heads, deliberate starvation. Artur Reutov, a Ukrainian defender, watched his body waste away in Russian captivity, his weight plummeting from **120 kg to 40 kg**. The hunger became so severe he ate cockroaches to survive. When he was finally released in a prisoner exchange, his own family barely recognised the skeletal figure that emerged.
Serhiy Boychuk arrived at a Russian prison facility with a 2×3 centimeter wound from combat. Guards deliberately tore it open, expanding it to 15×6 centimeters with their bare hands, then denied him medical care and watched it fester. The pain, he later told investigators, was designed to break him before interrogation even began.
A 73-year-old American teacher, captured while volunteering in Ukraine, endured months of torture in a Russian prison. His captors subjected him to electric shocks, mock executions, and beatings that left him with broken ribs and permanent nerve damage. His crime? Teaching English to Ukrainian children.
Human Rights Watch documented identical “admission procedures” of ritualised violence at every transfer point—the same torture playbook running across dozens of facilities, from the moment of capture through the entire detention system. This standardisation is the fingerprint of state policy, not individual cruelty.
This isn’t the behaviour of rogue soldiers. Even now there are regular interceptions of Russian commanders’ orders to execute civilians and shoot dead any Ukrainians who surrender. The ICC has issued six arrest warrants against Russian officials, including **Vladimir Putin himself** for the war crime of unlawful deportation of children. The UN has formally determined that enforced disappearances, torture, and murder through drone attacks constitute crimes against humanity. Twelve countries have opened investigations under universal jurisdiction. These are not allegations pending review—they are legally documented violations determined by international courts and investigative bodies.
---
## Children taken, identities erased: the architecture of genocide
The 1948 Genocide Convention specifically identifies “forcibly transferring children of the group to another group” as an act of genocide. Russia has done this on an industrial scale, and the bureaucratic precision with which they execute it makes the crime even more chilling. It reminds me of the way Hitler’s men organised and documented the trains and the concentration camps.
Yale’s Humanitarian Research Lab has tracked with high confidence **over 35,000 Ukrainian children** deported to more than 100 locations across Russia and occupied territories. Think about that number. Thirty-five thousand children torn from their families, their communities, their language, their entire identity. That’s the population of a small city—an entire generation of Ukrainian children simply erased from the map.
The system is methodical. Children are processed through “filtration” camps, issued new Russian birth certificates with fabricated names and birthplaces. Seven-year-old Sasha has his name changed. His birthplace, once Mariupol, now reads Rostov-on-Don. Any mention of Ukrainian family, Ukrainian home, Ukrainian language is systematically eliminated from official records. The child that was Sasha legally ceases to exist.
These children are forbidden from contacting their Ukrainian families. Those who resist undergo “patriotic re-education”—forced participation in Russian military youth programs, indoctrination sessions where they’re taught that Ukraine doesn’t exist, that their parents abandoned them, that Russia is their salvation. Some as young as eight are given military training, taught to fire weapons, prepared to one day fight against the very country of their birth.
Maria Lvova-Belova, Putin’s Children’s Rights Commissioner—now subject to an ICC arrest warrant—stated the goal with disturbing clarity: “Doesn’t it feel patriotic when foreign children don’t exist, and they are all ours?” This isn’t rescue. This is demographic engineering masquerading as humanitarian aid. This is the deliberate destruction of Ukrainian identity, one stolen child at a time.
In occupied territories, the erasure accelerates. **736 hours of Ukrainian language instruction** have been eliminated from school curricula. Ukrainian textbooks are burned as “extremist material”—children’s books about Ukrainian fairy tales and history, set ablaze in schoolyards while students watch. Parents face a horrifying choice: enrol their children in Russian schools where they’ll be taught to hate their own heritage, or risk losing custody entirely. Teachers who refuse to teach Russian curriculum face detention. Some have been tortured. Some have disappeared.
Putin himself laid the ideological groundwork in a 2021 essay declaring that “Russians and Ukrainians were one people” and that Ukrainian statehood has “never been stable.” His advisor Vladislav Surkov was more explicit: “There is no Ukraine. There is Ukrainian-ness. That is, a specific disorder of the mind.”
Read those words again. Ukraine is a “disorder of the mind.” This is the language of erasure, the rhetoric that precedes genocide. When a head of state denies a nation’s right to exist, then systematically deports its children and erases its language and culture, there’s a word for that under international law: **genocide.** Eight national parliaments and the Council of Europe have formally recognised it as such.
---
## The numbers reveal a campaign against civilian life
The statistics from UN agencies and World Bank assessments tell the story of systematic destruction targeting the Ukrainian people themselves, but behind every number is a name, a life, a family shattered:
- **14,534 civilians killed** and **38,472 injured** (UN-verified through October 2025)—but satellite imagery of mass graves across occupied territories suggests the actual death toll exceeds **hundreds of thousands.**
- **Over 2,520 children** killed or injured, with child casualties increasing **50% in 2024** compared to 2023—each one a future, a life, stolen, a family broken
- **70-90% of thermal power capacity currently destroyed or severely damaged**, with 14 large-scale coordinated attacks on energy infrastructure in 2024 alone, 2025 being far worse
- **1,878 verified attacks** on healthcare facilities; **306 attacks** on medical facilities in 2024—a threefold increase from 2023
- **3,800+ schools** damaged or destroyed—entire generations whose education happens in basements and bomb shelters, if it happens at all
- **$524 billion** estimated reconstruction cost—nearly three times Ukraine’s GDP
But let’s talk about what these numbers actually mean on the ground.
On December 25, 2024—Christmas Day—Russian missiles struck Kharkiv’s heating infrastructure in coordinated attacks timed for maximum suffering. More than **500,000 people** woke up without heat as temperatures plunged below freezing. Families huddled together under every blanket they owned. The elderly and infirm faced a choice between freezing or evacuating to overcrowded shelters. This wasn’t collateral damage. The targeting was precise, the timing deliberate. This was terror as military strategy.
On July 8, 2024, a Russian missile struck Okhmatdyt—Kyiv’s largest children’s hospital. The explosion tore through the toxicology and intensive care units. Parents threw themselves over their children’s hospital beds, trying to shield them from falling debris. Doctors continued surgery as ceiling tiles crashed around them. The attack killed 42 civilians including 5 children and destroyed the oncology ward where some of Ukraine’s sickest children were fighting for their lives. Among the dead: a mother who’d been keeping vigil at her daughter’s bedside.
“Infrastructure targeting” is disgusting, but targeting medical facilities takes it to another level of evil. This is not an abstract strategy, or “collateral damage” – it is concrete calculated terror. Children undergoing chemotherapy evacuated from collapsing buildings. Premature infants in incubators moved to basements as air raid sirens wail overhead. Surgical teams operating by flashlight when the power grid fails.
And it’s accelerating. Civilian casualties in 2025 have already surpassed the entire 2024 total. As we left Ukraine in November 2025, the bombardments continued to intensify, especially on energy infrastructure, with a determination to ensure that as many Ukrainians as possible sit in freezing darkness over winter, inflicting widespread suffering on innocent civilians. Targeting civilian infrastructure is a war crime, Russia has been doing this in Ukraine since 2022. Global outrage to the initial attacks soon waned and then stopped making the news at all.
Christmas 2025 and the last few days of ‘peace talks’ continued to be marked by ongoing bombardments of civilian buildings and homes and more people were killed and injured including children. This is not a conflict winding down as negotiations are discussed. This is an intensifying campaign against civilians, a deliberate strategy to break the will of the Ukrainian people by invading terror into all facets of “normal” life.
---
## Sexual violence as a weapon of terror
Some atrocities are so heinous they resist documentation, yet the evidence is overwhelming. Russian forces have weaponised sexual violence on a scale that recalls the darkest chapters of the 20th century.
One Ukrainian mother’s testimony to investigators captures the systematic nature of these crimes. Russian soldiers stripped her naked in front of her five-year-old daughter. Fifteen men raped her in succession. They told her they would only stop when she “screamed loud enough”. The child, they said, would be next if the mother didn’t comply. This violence was not from passion or chaos, but from a hatred this world needs to never tolerate. It was a calculated torture designed to destroy not just a body, but a soul, to traumatise not just a victim, but an entire family across generations.
These aren’t isolated incidents. UN investigators have documented systematic patterns of sexual violence against women, men, and children in occupied territories. The torture isn’t hidden—it’s deliberate, often conducted in front of family members, designed to maximise psychological trauma and communal shame. In some filtration camps, sexual assault has become part of the standardised “processing” of Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war.
The testimonies are consistent across regions and time periods: sexual violence used as an interrogation technique, as punishment for Ukrainian identity, as entertainment for occupying forces, as a weapon to break communities. And because of the shame and trauma associated with these crimes, investigators believe the documented cases represent only a fraction of the actual toll.
---
## History’s verdict on appeasing aggressors is unambiguous
In September 1938, Neville Chamberlain returned from Munich waving an agreement that gave Hitler the Sudetenland in exchange for “peace in our time.” Hitler had declared it his “last territorial claim in Europe.” Six months later, Germany occupied the rest of Czechoslovakia. Six months after that, World War II began.
Winston Churchill’s judgment was immediate and correct: “You were given the choice between war and dishonour. You chose dishonour, and you will have war.”
Russia has followed this playbook precisely. In **1999**, Putin invaded Chechnya. In **2008**, Putin invaded Georgia. The West negotiated a ceasefire that Moscow largely violated without consequence, then launched an Obama-era “reset.” In **2014**, Putin seized Crimea from Ukraine and launched a hybrid war in Donbas that killed 14,000 people. The West imposed sanctions but continued treating Russia as a partner. In **2022**, Putin concluded, based on past experience, that the benefits of full invasion would exceed the costs.
Former Russian President Medvedev admitted this calculus openly in 2011: “If you had faltered back in 2008, the geopolitical situation would be different now.” Atlantic Council analysts concluded that the weak response to Georgia “greenlighted Russia’s subsequent military assault on Ukraine.” The European Parliament formally assessed that the EU’s 2008 response “may have encouraged Russia to act in a similar way in Ukraine.”
The pattern is not subtle. Each unchallenged aggression invited the next. Each “pragmatic” accommodation strengthened the aggressor’s calculations that democracies lack the resolve to defend their stated values. As this invasion heads towards its fifth year it is hard to disagree with this calculation. It is ultimately only Ukrainian sacrifice that has made these calculations wrong.
---
## A compromise that rewards aggression will produce more aggression
Any peace settlement that leaves Russia holding Ukrainian territory—and facing no accountability for documented genocide, systematic torture, and crimes against humanity—sends a clear message to authoritarian regimes worldwide: **aggression pays**.
Beijing is watching with particular attention. If Russia can invade a neighbour, commit atrocities documented by UN investigators, and emerge with territorial gains under a “peace” framework, the lesson for Taiwan is unmistakable.
Leaders from Finland, the Baltic states, Poland and others have expressed alarm at negotiation frameworks that hand Russia concessions. Their concern is existential. A peace that validates Russia’s territorial conquest doesn’t end Russian expansionism—the Minsk agreements of 2014-2015 provided exactly this breathing room. Eight years later came the full-scale invasion.
---
## The choice is not between war and peace—it’s between confronting aggression now or later
The real cost of appeasement is never the immediate crisis avoided. It’s the larger catastrophe that follows when aggressors learn that the international community lacks conviction. Munich 1938 didn’t prevent World War II. It strengthened Hitler’s hand while weakening the democracies that would eventually have to fight him anyway—at far greater cost.
Right now, the world faces the same test that Chamberlain failed in 1938. The documented evidence of Russian war crimes—the torture policies, the child deportations, the genocide by another name, the systematic destruction of hospitals and schools and power plants—represents not merely a moral horror but a moral and strategic test. Will the international community establish that such crimes carry consequences? Or will it demonstrate that sufficient brutality, sustained long enough, produces the exhaustion and compromise aggressors are counting on?
Frederick Kempe of the Atlantic Council states it plainly: “The lesson of Munich, then and now, is that the cost of countering a despot will only grow the longer democracies wait to do so.”
Think about what a compromise “peace” actually means. It means the Ukrainian mother raped in front of her child lives under Russian occupation, where her rapists face no justice and remain armed with state authority. It means the 35,000 stolen children stay lost, (and possibly the over a million under occupation we don’t know about) their Ukrainian names erased, their families unable to reclaim them. It means the doctors at Okhmatdyt children’s hospital watch Russian forces occupy their city, knowing the regime that bombed them as they treated dying children faces no accountability. It means Artur Reutov, starved to 40 kilograms, and thousands like him learn that their torture was merely the price of doing business with Moscow.
It means the satellite images of mass graves become permanent features of the landscape, their contents unexamined, their dead uncounted, their families denied even the dignity of burial and mourning.
The **100,000+ dead civilians**—verified, photographed, documented in mass graves visible from space—are not abstractions to be weighed against diplomatic convenience or “realpolitik” calculations. They are evidence of what happens when a regime that denies a nation’s right to exist gains unchecked power over its people. Every single one had a name, a life, people who loved them. They were killed not in battle but in occupation, not as soldiers but as civilians whose only crime was being Ukrainian.
Any settlement that leaves Ukrainians under Russian occupation doesn’t just abandon those people to documented torture, forced disappearance, and cultural annihilation. It validates the methods. It tells every authoritarian regime contemplating aggression that brutality works, that war crimes pay dividends, that democracies will eventually tire and trade justice for the illusion of peace.
Peace that rewards genocide is not peace. It is the interval before the next war, purchased with the lives of those abandoned to the aggressor’s mercy. Aggressors who, as we have documented across hundreds of torture facilities, thousands of mass graves, and tens of thousands of stolen children, have no mercy.
The choice before us is not peace versus war. It’s between confronting these crimes, this evil, now, while Ukraine still fights for its survival, or confronting them later—maybe after Ukraine has fallen, when Putin has become further strengthened and empowered on Ukraine’s corpse. The time to stand up to a despot is always now.
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---
## References
### War Crimes and Atrocity Documentation
Human Rights Watch. (2025, December 11). *Russia’s Systematic Torture of Ukrainian POWs*. https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/12/11/russias-systematic-torture-of-ukrainian-pows
United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine. (2024). *Report on torture and crimes against humanity in Ukraine*. Retrieved from UN documentation.
Wikipedia. *Izium mass graves*. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Izium\_mass\_graves
Meduza. (2025, February 10). *Russian prison officials ordered guards to ‘be cruel’ to Ukrainian POWs from first weeks of war, encouraging torture — WSJ*. https://meduza.io/en/news/2025/02/10/russian-prison-officials-ordered-guards-to-be-cruel-to-ukrainian-pows-from-first-weeks-of-war-encouraging-torture-wsj
The Moscow Times. (2025, February 10). *Russian Prison Authorities Approved Widespread Brutality Against Ukrainian POWs — WSJ*. https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/02/10/russian-prison-authorities-approved-widespread-brutality-against-ukrainian-pows-wsj-a87924
UNITED24 Media. *73-Year-Old American Teacher Brutally Tortured in Russian Prison After Capture in Ukraine*. https://united24media.com/latest-news/73-year-old-american-teacher-brutally-tortured-in-russian-prison-after-capture-in-ukraine-5742
Daily Mail. *Ukrainian mother describes how Russians stripped her naked, had 15 men rape her, and only stopped torturing her once she ‘screamed loud enough’*. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14247113/Ukrainian-mother-describes-Russians-stripped-naked-15-men-rape-stopped-torturing-screamed-loud-chilling-threat-daughter-five.html
Euromaidan Press. (2024, December 2). *Inside Russia’s secret concentration camp for Ukrainian civilians*. https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/12/02/russia-runs-a-filtration-camp-in-naroulia/
### Genocide and Child Deportation
U.S. Department of State. *The Kremlin’s War Against Ukraine’s Children*. https://2021-2025.state.gov/the-kremlins-war-against-ukraines-children/
CNN. (2022, May 27). *Leading experts accuse Russia of inciting genocide in Ukraine and intending to ‘destroy’ Ukrainian people*. https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/27/europe/russia-ukraine-genocide-warning-intl/index.html
Putin, Vladimir. (2021, July 12). *On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians*. President of Russia Official Website. http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/66181
Ukrainska Pravda. (2024, November 5). *Putin decides to “popularise” Russian language and literature in Ukraine’s occupied territories*. https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/11/05/7483042/
### Casualty Statistics and Infrastructure Damage
United Nations. *Civilian Harm and Human Rights Abuses Persist in Ukraine as War Enters Fourth Year*. https://ukraine.un.org/en/289667-civilian-harm-and-human-rights-abuses-persist-ukraine-war-enters-fourth-year
UN News. (2025, November). *Ukrainian civilian casualties rise 27 per cent compared to last year*. https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/11/1166343
Wikipedia. *Casualties of the Russo-Ukrainian War*. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casualties\_of\_the\_Russo-Ukrainian\_war
UNICEF. *The devastating toll of war on Ukraine’s children*. https://www.unicef.org/eca/press-releases/devastating-toll-war-ukraines-children
The Independent. *100,000 Ukrainian civilian deaths: Shocking toll of Putin’s bloody invasion*. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-war-anniversary-war-crimes-b2288037.html
World Health Organisation. (2024, February 7). *Ukraine witnessing increasing impact of attacks on health and education*. https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/07-02-2024-ukraine-witnessing-increasing-impact-of-attacks-on-health-and-education
United Nations. *Russian Federation’s Attack on Ukrainian Children’s Hospital ‘Not Only a War Crime’ but ‘Far Beyond the Limits of Humanity,’ Medical Director Tells Security Council*. https://press.un.org/en/2024/sc15761.doc.htm
United Nations in Ukraine. *Massive Attack on Ukraine’s Energy Infrastructure Damages and Disrupts Essential Services*. https://ukraine.un.org/en/286598-massive-attack-ukraine%E2%80%99s-energy-infrastructure-damages-and-disrupts-essential-services
UN News. (2025, February). *Ukraine: Post-war reconstruction set to cost $524 billion*. https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/02/1160466
The New York Times. (2025, June 25). *The Weapon That Terrorizes Ukrainians by Night*. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/25/magazine/ukraine-russia-war-drone-shahed-iran.html
### Historical Context and Appeasement
The National WWII Museum. *Appeasement and ‘Peace for Our Time’*. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/appeasement-and-peace-our-time
Encyclopedia Britannica. *Munich Agreement*. https://www.britannica.com/event/Munich-Agreement
Imperial War Museums. *How Britain Hoped To Avoid War With Germany In The 1930s*. https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/how-britain-hoped-to-avoid-war-with-germany-in-the-1930s
Wikipedia. *Munich Agreement*. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munich\_Agreement
The Diplomat. (2024, January). *The Munich Agreement: 3 Historical Lessons for the Taiwan Strait*. https://thediplomat.com/2024/01/the-munich-agreement-3-historical-lessons-for-the-taiwan-strait/
### Russian Aggression Patterns
Atlantic Council. *The 2008 Russo-Georgian War: Putin’s green light*. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/the-2008-russo-georgian-war-putins-green-light/
Wikipedia. *Russo-Georgian War*. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russo-Georgian\_War
Lumen Learning. *Russian Aggression in Georgia and Ukraine*. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-worldhistory/chapter/38-1-2-russian-aggression-in-georgia-and-ukraine/
### Strategic Analysis and Peace Negotiations
Centre for Strategic and International Studies. *Russia’s War in Ukraine and the Prospects for Peace*. https://www.csis.org/analysis/russias-war-ukraine-and-prospects-peace
Atlantic Council. *Dispatch from Munich: The lessons of appeasement for US lawmakers withholding support for Ukraine*. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/content-series/inflection-points/dispatch-from-munich-lessons-of-appeasement/
Ya Libnan. (2025, December 15). *If Ukraine is forced to surrender, Taiwan is next*. https://yalibnan.com/2025/12/15/174936/
Smithsonian Magazine. *How Ukrainians Are Defending Their Cultural Heritage From Russian Destruction*. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/ukrainians-defend-their-cultural-heritage-russian-destruction-180981661/
The Australian. (2025, August 4). *People posting clickbait about Gaza should focus on the real genocide happening in Ukraine*. https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/people-posting-clickbait-about-gaza-should-focus-on-the-real-genocide-happening-in-ukraine
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*This piece draws on documented evidence from international legal bodies, human rights organisations, and historical scholarship to argue that territorial concessions to Russia would validate documented atrocities and invite further aggression. The sources above provide verification for all factual claims made in this article.*
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** freedom, peace, standwithukraine, ukraine, warzone
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### [Ukraine (9)](https://www.passingthrough.net/ukraine-9/)
**Published:** July 27, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
20/7
Today was a heavier day as I interviewed two people for hours, both with intense experiences.
David was a young neurosurgeon who works in Dnipro hospital, one of the receiving hospitals for a lot of the frontline. He is doing a nightshift every second night and the work has been relentless. This was the first break he’d had. He told us he is doing at least 3 major brain or spine surgeries on soldiers per shift. They are major surgeries with pieces of shrapnel and bullets penetrating skulls and brains. One surgery took him 8 hours. Another man had to be operated on 4 times in one shift. He showed me some pictures and videos with chunks of metal inside young men’s heads… There are other neurosurgeons there too and he said they get around 12-15 young men with major head trauma per day and that there has been around 16000 since the war began. He said that he doesn’t know how much longer this can go on – that they were losing a generation of young men to this war, not just lives, but potential – men who wanted to go on to have families, build the economy, contribute to their country – and many who through their injuries would not be able to do any of this. He has been injured too – he is not sure how long he can keep this up – it has been emotionally brutal to see this day after day. Not to mention the physical toll of operating day and night endlessly. But to anyone who might suggest that they end this war through negotiation he has strong words. That evil must be stopped. That the world needs to understand that if it is not stopped it will not end here, and it won’t only be Ukraine’s sons and daughters who are sacrificed.
David the neurosurgeon saving lives of soldiers everydayHe can also fix the power cords when they fail!David had some great conversations with JohnOne of our group sessions on campDavid with one of the many soldiers whose brains have been shattered by shrapnel and artillery.David at workFootnote: since this time John has talked to a head neurosurgeon in the Australian military who may come and help him and do some upskilling with David- that would be great.
I then got to speak with Mark who is an army chaplain. I wasn’t sure if I would get to speak to him. I had noticed him initially as a quite, withdrawn guy in army fatigues who went everywhere with his gorgeous puppy. He looked like someone carrying a very heavy burden and I felt a really strong urge to speak to him, a real sense that he had something important to say. I was then introduced to him yesterday and told he was an army chaplain on the front lines. He didn’t speak English but through the interpreter I said I’d like to speak to him during the camp. He said he would see how he went as he might not have time – he had five funerals to go to in the next few days… He asked me a couple of questions including the meaning of my Ukrainian symbol earrings. It was like he was testing me out – I think I was passing so far…
Last night and today it kept bugging me that I needed to speak to him. I sent Rudi a message about it and I asked my interpreter to help me chase him down. We finally found him and he agreed to speak to me after some further questions he had for me that I must have passed… He brought his dog with him, his dog was named ‘Bakhmut’ – the place of the intense fighting with the Russians where the dog’s mother had been killed. The soldiers had adopted him but then had to move on to a more dangerous position so he took the dog on. He started to speak and tell me his story ( you’ll have to watch the doco for more details). But it was hard to watch. His heart was so heavy. Six of his unit had been recently killed in one hit. That was why he was attending so many funerals. I watched as tears rolled down his face and it occurred to me that at 27 he could have been my son and I just wanted to hug him. At one point I grabbed his hand and he grabbed mine back and didn’t let go – and just kept saying thankyou. He told me some amazing stories and some heart-wrenching stories. He has seen far more death and destruction than anyone should let alone someone so young. I asked him who was giving him comfort and he spoke of his deep love for God and how he seeks refuge in Him. Of how he was not afraid to die and that it was his honor to serve the people fighting for his country. He spoke of the need for the world to step up and fight evil and realise that if we don’t stop evil in it’s tracks now then it will only spread and the price becomes higher the longer we stay indifferent. They need so much more – more weapons, more equipment, more help. It was emotionally gruelling watching his pain. I thanked him so much for sharing this with me, with the world, with those who would listen. We took a photo and I saw the first sign of a smile as his dog licked his face. We exchanged contacts and then I couldn’t but help to give him a hug. He held me tight for what seemed like minutes and thanked me for caring about his country.
21/7
Something life-changing happened today. After another day of camp, sharing, relaxing, writing, exercising, we all gathered in the hall for the evening’s activities for the last night of camp. I had been keeping an eye out for Mark today and hadn’t seen him all day. I had been experiencing a strange feeling of dread – like I expected that sooner or later I would hear news that he had been killed. Not unexpected I guess given that he works on the frontlines. As we sat there waiting for things to start – Rudi came up to me and asked if Mark had told me some stories I could share. I said sure. But wondered why Mark wasn’t sharing them. For a second, I thought maybe he was going to speak tonight but has been held up but then I had a sick feeling. I asked “Is he ok?” Rudi said “Actually, he was killed in a car accident today, driving on the way to a soldier’s funeral.” I couldn’t say anything, I was shellshocked, tears welled up in my eyes, my heart sank into my stomach and over the next few seconds probably but what seemed like hours, I was hit with the realisation that I may have been one of the last people to speak to him and probably the last person he gave his story and message to – and I was so thankful I had had the chance to do this.
The rest of the evening of course was very sombre. There was a lot of gratitude for his life and example. I was able to share through an interpreter some of his last words with the group – and also my reassurance that we would use his words to share his message. A few people thanked me for this message and I am left with a responsibility to ensure the world hears his message that I believe I was meant to record…
Footnote: I was grateful to later learn that my videos had been passed on to his family and that this meant a lot to them. ❤️
Please consider our [fundraiser (updated to our most current one)](https://chuffed.org/project/empowering-health-heroes-in-ukraines/_Qld/RDAQ%20Quarterly/250830/RDAQ%20Quarterly%20August%202025%20FINAL.pdf)
**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** humanitarian, medical mission, non-profit, refugees, remote doctors, travel, ukraine, volunteer, war, warzone
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### [Healing Hands in Ukraine: A Therapist’s Story](https://www.passingthrough.net/healing-hands-in-ukraine-a-hand-therapists-story-of-hope-and-connection/)
**Published:** December 17, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Through healing hands and hopeful hearts, Australian allied health expertise brings light to Ukraine's frontlines - where every shared skill becomes a bridge to recovery.
**Content:**
1.4K\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]When Dr Anita Clerke first offered to help teach hand therapy to those helping wounded Ukrainians, she had no idea it would lead to a journey that would profoundly touch both her life and the lives of countless others. As she shares her story with me, her warmth and genuine concern for the people she met shine through every word.
# Healing Hands in Ukraine
A hand therapist with over 30 years’ experience, Anita’s path to Ukraine started with what seemed a straightforward offer to help. “They were so enthusiastic that I couldn’t turn them down,” she tells me, laughing as she recalls how quickly her simple offer transformed into concrete plans.
The reality on the ground was confronting. Working in neurophysiological hospitals across Ukraine, Anita encountered devastating injuries – complex head trauma, amputations, wounds that would challenge even the most experienced therapists. But what struck me most as she spoke wasn’t just the medical challenges – it was the profound human connections she formed.
Many of the therapists she worked with were at the start of their careers, practising a profession that only formally began in Ukraine in 2019. You can hear the pride in Anita’s voice as she describes their dedication and eagerness to learn. She wasn’t just teaching technical skills – she was helping build confidence, showing them how to see the whole person beyond the immediate injury.
The ingenuity required was remarkable. When standard medical supplies weren’t available, they got creative – felt instead of leather, hat elastic instead of medical-grade materials. “Stationery stores became my best friend,” Anita shares with a characteristically practical Australian approach to problem-solving.
What truly touched her were the medical student interpreters who volunteered their time, often travelling to different towns at their own expense. They’d stay extra days just to learn more, their enthusiasm infectious. As she describes these “young, inspiring people,” you can hear how moved she was by their commitment.
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/healing-hands-in-ukraine-a-hand-therapists-story-of-hope-and-connection/anita1/)Dr Anita teaching Ukrainian therapists
The backdrop to all this was the constant reality of war. Air raid alerts, checkpoints, and the heartbreaking stories of soldiers and civilians created a sobering context for the medical training. “Life looks normal on the surface,” Anita explains, “but underneath you’d hear ‘I haven’t heard from my son in three weeks’ or ‘I’m afraid my husband will be called up.'”
Yet amid this reality, Anita found moments of profound connection. She continues to support Ukrainian medical professionals through regular Zoom sessions, coordinating specialised lectures, and helping secure essential equipment. The needs are basic but crucial – from rubber bands for hand exercises to sewing machines for pressure garments.
“Ukrainians are really keen to learn,” she tells me, emphasising how meaningful it is for them to know that professionals from across the world care about their situation. Her voice carries both concern and hope as she describes the ongoing challenges they face.
As our conversation draws to a close, Anita shares that she’s still actively involved, organising online sessions and connecting Ukrainian medical professionals with specialists. She’s particularly keen to hear from professionals with expertise in head injuries and concussion syndrome: areas where the need for current, evidence-based practices is acute.
What stays with me after our conversation is not just the scale of the medical challenges in Ukraine, but the profound impact that individual connection and support can have. Through Anita’s story, we see how professional expertise, combined with genuine compassion, can bridge divides and bring hope in the most challenging circumstances.
For those inspired to help, Anita emphasises that support can take many forms. Whether it’s sharing professional expertise through online sessions or contributing to essential medical supplies, every bit of support matters. As she puts it, even just having a better understanding of what’s happening and why it’s happening shows Ukrainians they’re not forgotten.
Her experience reminds us that in times of crisis, it’s often the simple human connections – the sharing of knowledge, the moments of understanding, the practical problem-solving – that create the most lasting impact. It’s a powerful testament to how medical expertise, coupled with genuine care, can make a real difference in lives touched by conflict.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_column\_text css=”.vc\_custom\_1734320852675{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”\]Watch the full interview below:\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_video link=”https://youtu.be/q0uqYes2fbM” align=”center” css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]To donate to more programs like this or to provide medical aid and equipment\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_btn title=”DONATE” color=”sky” size=”lg” align=”center” i\_icon\_fontawesome=”fas fa-hand-holding-heart” css=”” add\_icon=”true” link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.passingthrough.net%2Fdonating|target:\_blank”\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]To get in touch with Dr Anita and contribute to her hand therapy teaching programs (rehab therapists, OT’s, orthopaedic surgeons etc. ) via zoom or providing materials email us at [**opt@passingthrough.net**](mailto:opt@passingthrough.net)
Update: you can also donate through her personal go fund me page [HERE](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/). (Update: Her GoFundMe is no longer active but if you want to contribute to her work – donate through us tax deductibly and mention you’d like it to go to Dr Anita’s work)
To enquire about participating in trips to Ukraine to share your skills in your area of health, fill out [**this form**](https://www.passingthrough.net/health-professionals-make-a-difference-in-ukraine/eoi-medical-mission/) and someone will contact you.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]
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**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Giving Back, Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** charity, humanitarian, medical mission, non-profit, remote doctors, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, ukraine, volunteer, war, warzone
---
### [Your donations are saving lives!](https://www.passingthrough.net/your-donations-are-saving-lives/)
**Published:** May 4, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Your donations are saving lives! Every bit helps! Please support at www.passingthrough.net/donating
**Content:**
# Your donations are saving lives!
We want to update you and say a very heartfelt thanks to those who donated to our appeal for an Ecoflow generator to power medical equipment and unmanned medical evacuation drone vehicles. We received a couple of big contributions, but every little bit helped our partners to get over the line. The equipment is already out there saving lives as you read this. THANKYOU SO MUCH!
We are very appreciative, and this will make a huge difference.
But the needs are immense and there is so much more we can do with your support.
Support that will literally save lives
[See THIS video for a personal thankyou from Ukraine.](https://youtu.be/ripKzRQsbZw?si=x8JHoAT3S4iQ_Q8m)
How you can help:
- **[Donate: ](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)**Visit our donation page at [www.passingthrough.net/donating](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/). Every amount, no matter the size, makes a difference.
- [**Engage:** Sign up to our blog and newsletters.](https://www.passingthrough.net/signup-to-blog-posts) Follow[ @onlypassingthru](https://www.instagram.com/onlypassingthru/) and @CMA.Ukraine on [social media](https://www.facebook.com/OPTOnlyPassingThru/) to stay updated on our progress and other ways you can help.
- **Spread the Word:** Share this email with friends and family. Awareness is a powerful tool in our collective effort.
Thank you again to those who heard the call to action. Your support has always been the backbone of our efforts, and together, we can keep making a significant impact.
Warm regards,
Lara
Managing Director -Only Passing Through – @onlypassingthru
**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Giving Back, Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** charity, Godslove, heroes, humanitarian, medical mission, non-profit, remote doctors, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, ukraine, volunteer, warzone
---
### [How Your Support is Transforming Lives in Ukraine:](https://www.passingthrough.net/how-your-support-is-transforming-lives-in-ukraine-the-journey-of-opt-and-our-ukrainian-partners/)
**Published:** November 18, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** In these challenging times, OPT's partnership with CMA-Ukraine and 'Fortress of Good' shines as a beacon of hope for Ukraine, combining efficiency, transparency, and deep community connections to deliver life-changing aid. Witness their impact: from the courageous volunteers are aiding bomb-stricken villages, and providing essentials like food, medicines, and much-needed equipment across Ukraine. Your contribution, tax-deductible for Australians, extends beyond mere donations. It's a powerful act of solidarity, offering tangible support in the form of essentials like warm clothing, medicines, food and life-saving tourniquets. Join us in this heartfelt journey of hope and healing, and see how every bit helps light up the darkest corners. Together, with your support, we can make a significant difference in Ukraine.
**Content:**
Pallets of medical aid get delivered to hard hit areas by CMA
This boy receives a gift in the ruins of his bombed house
# The Journey of OPT and our Ukrainian partners
In these challenging times, when every bit of help can light up hope in the darkest corners, our charity, OPT, is actively partnering with those who are bringing tangible, life-changing aid to the people of Ukraine. Our journey, with your support, has been made possible through a meaningful partnership with[ CMA-Ukraine](https://www.cmaukraine.com/) and [‘Fortress of Good’](https://www.facebook.com/blagodijnaorganizaciablagodijnijfond), beacons of hope amidst turmoil.
**Why CMA-Ukraine?**
Our choice to partner with CMA-Ukraine wasn’t coincidental. It stemmed from a profound admiration for their remarkable effectiveness, efficiency, transparency, and accountability. Witnessing their astounding ability to partner with a wide array of people and maximise efforts through collaborative endeavours, we knew they were the right choice. Their connections with local communities across Ukraine amplify our efforts, ensuring that aid reaches every nook and cranny in need.
**‘Fortress of Good’: Love in Action**
Our support extends to the incredible volunteers at the Banner of Love church in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine. I had the privilege of meeting and travelling with some of these selfless individuals, witnessing their dedication and bravery firsthand. Their work is nothing short of heroic – from providing aid in bomb-ravaged villages to running holiday and support programs for children affected by war. The church’s army chaplains deserve special mention, as they selflessly provide aid to soldiers and civilians on the front-lines, literally risking their lives in the process.
**Transparency and Accountability at Its Best**
What makes our partnership with these organisations even more special is their unwavering transparency. Every penny raised is accounted for and utilised judiciously, with detailed breakdowns of expenditures provided. Our operations are lean and volunteer-driven, ensuring that the maximum possible amount reaches those in need. We only take out the bank transfer fees, with all administrative costs borne by volunteers.
**Your Contribution: A Beacon of Hope**
For our Australian supporters, every donation above $2 is tax-deductible, making your generosity even more impactful. We understand that sacrificing even a small treat like a coffee or a soft drink can be a big ask, but such a gesture can bring immense relief and joy to someone in Ukraine – which is why we’re encouraging people to[ sign up to regular giving](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating) for the cost of a small treat once a week. Every little bit helps!
**The Impact: A Spectrum of Aid**
Your support has translated into a wide array of essentials: food, warm clothing, medicines, and even a vehicle for aid work. Through our partners the following have been supplied: medical equipment, mobile clinics, care for children in bombed villages, support for army chaplains, hygiene products, and crucial equipment like power generators and life-saving tourniquets. You have the option to direct your support to specific areas, ensuring your contribution aligns with your passions and concerns.
**Join Us in Making a Difference**
This is more than a call for donations – it’s an invitation to become a part of a movement that brings light to the darkness. Consider setting up regular giving or donate what you can. Every gesture, big or small, plays a crucial role in this journey of hope and healing.
**Together, let’s continue to make a world of difference in Ukraine.**
**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Giving Back, Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** charity, humanitarian, medical mission, non-profit, refugees, ukraine, volunteer, war, warzone
---
### [Russia's War Crimes in Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/russias-war-crimes-in-ukraine/)
**Published:** December 2, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine—targeting civilians, torture, and cultural erasure—highlight a fight for justice and humanity. Stand with Ukraine.
**Content:**
991\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[callout\]
***“The shooting lists were supposed to include teachers of the Ukrainian language, literature, history, ATO veterans, journalists, scientists, writers, priests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and other confessions who supported Ukraine, as well as public and political figures, heads of state and local government bodies,”*** *said Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine’s Military Intelligence Directorate.*
*According to Budanov, **before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russian occupiers were also briefed on where to place mass graves.***
*This is the reality that awaits Ukrainians if the war is lost, if our country is occupied. Such repressions are already happening on Ukrainian lands held by Russia. That is why we are fighting. Any peace agreement that has Ukraine cede its territories to Russia, or that would not provide sufficient security guarantees and deterrents in case of another invasion would open Ukraine up to Russian terror like this.*
(Anton Geraschenko – Former advisor to Internal Affairs Minister (2021-2023))\[/callout\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
# Russia’s War Crimes in Ukraine:
## A Landscape of Atrocities: Patterns of Russian War Crimes
The ongoing attack on Ukraine has been marked by widespread human rights violations and war crimes committed by Russian forces. From the deliberate targeting of hospitals to the forced deportation of children, these actions paint a disturbing picture of systematic abuse that goes far beyond the conventional bounds of warfare. As of September 29, 2023, Ukrainian authorities recorded 108,904 potential war crimes committed by Russian forces. This scale is horrific, and of course, there has been another year of escalating war crimes since that was reported. The atrocities in Ukraine form a deeply disturbing mosaic of human rights abuses and violations of international law, with civilians often bearing the brunt of the violence. This war on Ukraine demands global solidarity—not only to support Ukraine but also to uphold the principles of international law and human rights.
### **The Deportation of Ukrainian Children**
Perhaps one of the most shocking aspects of this conflict has been Russia’s systematic deportation of Ukrainian children. Thousands of children have been forcibly transferred from occupied territories to Russia, where they are placed in a network of camps and facilities. When I was in Ukraine last year [( ‘A Doctor’s Harrowing Journey into Ukraine’ ](https://www.passingthrough.net/journey-into-ukraine/) ) I met some of these children who had been rescued by [‘Save Ukraine](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://saveukraine.org/&ved=2ahUKEwjVs8eh7O6JAxWtUGwGHR9nIWMQFnoECB4QAQ&usg=AOvVaw1JgXGOVU5PAlBmDXKZ5Clx)‘. These children are subjected to “re-education” programs designed to erase their Ukrainian identity and instead instil Russian values and culture. Some are even put up for adoption by Russian families, effectively severing their ties to Ukraine permanently. And it’s not only children affected. These camps are reported to process hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians, often separating families and targeting individuals deemed a threat to Russian control.
AP sources reveal the existence of **“filtration camps,”** where Russian forces detained and interrogated Ukrainian civilians, often subjecting them to torture and inhumane treatment. The AP investigation in Izium identified ten such sites, including a police station with a basement reeking of urine and decaying food, a school, and even a kindergarten. These camps served as a mechanism to identify and separate individuals considered threats to Russian control, further demonstrating the systematic nature of the abuses.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has recognised the gravity of these actions, issuing arrest warrants for both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, for their roles in this scheme.
### **Attacks on Civilian Infrastructure**
From the first days of the invasion, Russia’s military has targeted civilian infrastructure, leaving hospitals, homes, schools, and cultural landmarks in ruins. Russian forces have conducted over 1,336 documented**[ attacks on Ukraine’s healthcare system](https://www.passingthrough.net/ukrainian-health-care/)**, targeting hospitals, clinics, ambulances, and medical personnel. These include the repeated bombing of the clinic I visited in Stanislav, Kherson which has been hit multiple times since my visit in 2023. The attacks injured a paramedic and destroyed an ambulance, further limiting the community’s access to critical care. Such assaults, including the bombing of**[ Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital in Kyiv](https://www.passingthrough.net/okhmatdyt-childrens-hospital-in-ukraine/)**, are clear violations of international humanitarian law, which explicitly protects medical facilities during conflict. These deliberate actions not only devastate communities but also cripple access to lifesaving care in some of the war’s most vulnerable areas. Donations to our organisation are vital in these circumstances, enabling the provision of essential medical aid and care to those enduring this relentless destruction. Your support helps rebuild what war seeks to destroy. (see **[HERE](https://www.passingthrough.net/heroes-in-a-humanitarian-crisis/)**)
The deliberate targeting of energy infrastructure (‘**[Attacks on Ukraine’s Energy’)](https://www.passingthrough.net/ukraines-energy/)**, dams, and power plants by Russian forces also constitutes a clear violation of international humanitarian law, categorising these actions as war crimes. These attacks are not merely military tactics; they are calculated measures to inflict widespread suffering on the Ukrainian population. By destroying critical infrastructure, Russia has plunged millions into darkness and cold, particularly during the harsh winter months which again are approaching, depriving civilians of heat, electricity, and clean water. The bombing of the Kakhovka Dam is a stark example, leading to massive flooding, ecological devastation, and the destruction of livelihoods. I witnessed farmlands and villages that no longer had access to water or power. Such actions are aimed at breaking the spirit of the Ukrainian people, exacerbating their vulnerability, and undermining their resilience. The systematic nature of these attacks reveals an intent to weaponise suffering.
### **Torture, Sexual violence and Inhumane Treatment**
Russia’s use of torture and executions on Ukrainian civilians represents some of the most harrowing violations of international law during the conflict. Numerous reports detail civilians being subjected to beatings, electric shocks, mock executions, and extreme sexual violence in Russian-controlled filtration camps and detention centres. In the Chernihiv region, Russian forces executed six men after forcibly removing them from their homes. In Bucha, a mass grave revealed civilians who had been tortured before their execution, with hands bound and gunshot wounds to the head. Survivors recount being held in basements, where they were deprived of food, water, and medical care for weeks, enduring psychological torment and constant fear of death. Civilians have been found bound and tortured. A pile of women’s bodies had been set alight to cover the fact that they had all been raped. An entire network of torture chambers were found in de-occupied areas. These acts, systematic in nature, appear to be part of a deliberate strategy to suppress resistance and instil fear in the population, aiming to terrorise, enforce submission, and break morale, making them unequivocal war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Russia’s use of sexual violence in Ukraine has emerged as a grim and systematic war crime, targeting some of the most vulnerable members of society. Reports have documented the rape of women, children, and even men in areas under Russian occupation, often as a means of terrorising and dehumanising communities. Accounts from Bucha and other liberated areas reveal widespread sexual violence, with survivors describing brutal assaults carried out in front of family members to amplify the psychological torment. Children have also been subjected to these horrific acts, leaving deep and lasting trauma. I have personally seen the body of a violated nine-year-old girl on top of a pile of bodies left in a basement after the Russian occupation of Bucha near Kyiv.
Russia systemically uses sexual torture on male Ukrainian prisoners, including rape, castration, rape and castration threats, electric shocks, genital beatings, repeated forced nudity, and sexualized humiliation. Russian forces systematically deploy sexual torture in “almost all” detention centres, with the UN documenting 236 cases against men and boys in under three years. Evidence shows sexual violence is used against two-thirds of male prisoners. UN data indicates the scale of male sexual violence in Ukraine is unprecedented in their 30-year global database due to systematic torture.
Such violence is not incidental but appears to be a deliberate tactic to instil fear, exert control, and inflict maximum suffering on Ukrainian civilians. Survivors recount unimaginable suffering while investigators struggle to access evidence in occupied territories, where the perpetrators operate with impunity.
The execution of civilians (**[‘The Forgotten War](https://www.passingthrough.net/the-forgotten-war/)**‘) by Russian forces has emerged as one of the most harrowing aspects of the war in Ukraine, with mass graves uncovered in towns such as Bucha, Irpin, Izyum, Lyman, and Kherson. In Bucha, Russian troops systematically went door-to-door, rounding up and executing civilians suspected of collaborating with Ukrainian forces. This chilling operation, referred to as “zachistka” (cleansing), relied on lists compiled by Russian intelligence, indicating a premeditated effort to eliminate perceived threats. For instance, in Zdvyzhivka, two villagers, Ihor Syrotkin and Yevhen Pohranychnyi, discovered the bodies of five men in the garden of a house that had been used by Russian officers. Some of the deceased had their hands and eyes bound, and the blood was fresh, suggesting recent killings. Similar atrocities have been documented in other towns and villages formerly under Russian occupation, such as Izium, where the AP identified ten torture sites used to detain and interrogate civilians.Evidence of mass graves in Mariupol is seen on satellite images but the true extent may never be known whilst it remains under occupation. In Bucha alone, investigators discovered hundreds of bodies, many showing signs of execution-style killings, including gunshot wounds to the head and hands bound behind their backs. Survivors from occupied areas recount systematic detentions, torture, and extrajudicial killings carried out by Russian soldiers targeting individuals perceived as resisting occupation or simply as acts of terror against the local population.
In many areas coming under occupation there were multiple firsthand accounts of Russians shooting at civilians trying to escape and killing them in their cars. Recent reports have come out of Kherson region in Ukraine that Russians are **[currently](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/10/31/kherson-ukraine-russia-drone-attacks/)** actively hunting civilians in cars, and on foot using FPV drones, filming themselves hunting and killing civilians.
### Executing Surrendering Unarmed Ukrainian soldiers
Russia’s execution of prisoners of war (POWs) and wounded Ukrainian soldiers constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law. Reports from liberated areas and battlefield investigations have revealed instances where Ukrainian soldiers, captured or incapacitated, were summarily executed by Russian forces. In some cases, these killings were filmed by the perpetrators, highlighting the calculated brutality of such acts. For example, Ukrainian POWs have been shot at point-blank range, often while bound and defenceless, in clear contravention of the Geneva Conventions, which guarantee humane treatment for all combatants, regardless of their status. Additional reports describe wounded Ukrainian soldiers being denied medical care and subsequently executed, further illustrating the disregard for international norms. These actions are not only war crimes but also part of a broader strategy to demoralise Ukrainian forces, amplify terror, and erode the resolve of those defending their country. Accountability for these heinous crimes is paramount to upholding the laws of armed conflict and ensuring justice for the victims.
### Indiscriminate Bombings
Indiscriminate shelling and airstrikes on civilian areas have become hallmarks of this war. The bombing of Mariupol’s maternity hospital and drama theatre, where civilians sought refuge ( and even wrote on the ground that there were children inside), exemplifies the callous disregard for human life. Such attacks violate the Geneva Conventions’ principles of proportionality and distinction, which prohibit targeting civilians.
The psychological toll on survivors is immense, particularly for children who face nightmares, anxiety, and interrupted education.
The bombing of civilian areas in Ukraine has become a near-daily occurrence, with Russian forces intensifying the frequency and brutality of their attacks. Entire residential blocks, markets, and cultural landmarks have been reduced to rubble, leaving countless civilians dead or injured. In many cities, schools and clinics are being built underground because the attacks are so constant. The scale of civilian injuries is huge, again highlighting the need for medical aid and the work of organisations like our partner CMA Ukraine.
This relentless targeting of non-combatants starkly violates international humanitarian law and demonstrates a deliberate strategy to terrorise and demoralise the Ukrainian population. In a chilling escalation, Russia recently allegedly deployed an intermediate-range ballistic missile (ICBM), striking the densely populated city of Dnipro. Described as a “test,” this weapon was used with full knowledge of the potential for mass civilian casualties. These types of weapons have a fairly wide range of error and are not what you would use to hit a specific target. The attack, which marked the first known use of an ICBM in conflict, underscores Russia’s disregard for human life and the boundaries of lawful warfare, signalling a dangerous willingness to escalate violence against civilians to achieve its objectives.
Additionally, the types of weapons used and the way they are used by Russia violates International law. Some examples are the use of cluster munitions, phosphorus and thermal bombs in civilian areas (**[which I saw myself in July 2023](https://www.passingthrough.net/journey-into-ukraine/)**), the recent use of shrapnel loaded warheads on shaheds in civilian areas of Sumy and the well-documented use of chemical weapons (with 3100 cases of chemical weapon use recorded just since December 2023).
## [](https://www.passingthrough.net/russias-war-crimes-in-ukraine/russia-s-use-of-_chemical-agents_-on-the-battlefield-2-1/)
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## A Pattern of Systematic Abuse
Beyond these specific crimes, a broader pattern of systematic abuse has emerged:
1. **Violence Against Civilians:** Russian forces have carried out summary executions, and civilians have been killed simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
2. **“Filtration Camps”:** Ukrainian civilians in occupied territories are forced through these camps, where they face interrogation and potential forced relocation to Russia.
3. **Forced Conscription:** In occupied territories, Ukrainian men are being forcibly conscripted into the Russian military, compelling them to fight against their own country.
4. **Suppression of Ukrainian Identity:** Russian authorities are actively working to erase Ukrainian culture and identity in occupied areas by imposing Russian language, education, and legal regulations.
5. **Destruction of civilian infrastructure** to destroy and demoralise Ukrainian society
Many of these tactics and patterns mirror those used by Russian forces in previous conflicts, particularly in Syria. The deliberate targeting of hospitals and civilian infrastructure, for instance, was a strategy developed and tested in Syria before being implemented in Ukraine. This suggests these actions are not random acts of violence but part of a calculated military strategy.
## **Evidence and Documentation**
One striking aspect of the conflict in Ukraine is the overwhelming amount of evidence documenting Russian war crimes. The sources repeatedly emphasize that this war is among the most documented in history, with a vast and growing body of evidence pointing to the culpability of Russian forces. This is despite the obvious difficulties of gathering evidence in an active warzone or areas under occupation.
This evidence comes from a diverse array of sources, including:
- **Investigations by Ukrainian Authorities**: The Ukrainian government has been meticulously documenting war crimes, interviewing survivors, and gathering forensic evidence.
- **Reports by International Organizations**: Bodies like the UN Human Rights Council, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and the International Committee of the Red Cross have conducted independent investigations and issued reports detailing violations of international law.
- **Independent Journalism**: Organizations like the Associated Press and Frontline have played a crucial role in exposing war crimes through in-depth investigations, interviews with survivors, and the analysis of open-source information.
- **Testimonies of Survivors and Witnesses**: First-hand accounts from those who experienced or witnessed atrocities provide powerful evidence and shed light on the human cost of the conflict.
- **Intercepted Communications**: Ukrainian authorities have released intercepted phone calls of Russian soldiers discussing killings, looting, and other illegal acts, offering direct evidence of criminal intent.
- **Surveillance Footage**: Videos from security cameras in places like Bucha have captured the movements of Russian troops and provided visual evidence of executions and other crimes.
## The Struggle for Justice: Barriers and Progress
Achieving accountability for these atrocities requires overcoming significant challenges. Despite the gravity of the crimes, justice remains elusive.
**Obstacles to Accountability**
1. **Jurisdictional Challenges**: Russia’s refusal to ratify the Rome Statute limits the ICC’s ability to prosecute high-ranking officials. While Ukraine has accepted ICC jurisdiction, it does not cover the crime of aggression, necessitating the creation of a special tribunal.
2. **Russian Non-Cooperation**: Russia denies accusations of war crimes and has not cooperated with international investigations, making it difficult to gather evidence and hold perpetrators accountable.
3. **Evidence Collection**: Active conflict makes gathering evidence difficult, particularly in Russian-occupied areas where investigators face restricted access. Many witnesses fear retaliation, further complicating efforts.
4. **Disinformation**: Russian propaganda spreads false narratives, undermining international support for Ukraine and obfuscating accountability. **[(‘Russian Disinformation: The Digital Threat to Democracy’)](https://www.passingthrough.net/russian-disinformation-the-digital-threat-to-global-democracy/)**
**Efforts to Overcome Challenges**
Despite these barriers, international and local efforts are underway:
- **Investigative Initiatives**: The ICC, UN Commission of Inquiry, and human rights organisations are rigorously documenting evidence of war crimes. Ukraine’s judiciary has also secured convictions against several perpetrators.
- **Universal Jurisdiction**: Countries like Germany and Spain are leveraging universal jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for crimes committed in Ukraine, regardless of nationality.
- **Humanitarian Aid**: NGOs, including “Save Ukraine,” are rescuing abducted children and supporting displaced families, offering vital psychological and medical care along with other NGO’s like our partners**[ CMA Ukraine](http://www.cmaukraine.com)**.
- **Special International Tribunal**: There is ongoing discussion and debate about establishing a special tribunal to address the crime of aggression against Ukraine specifically. This tribunal would focus on prosecuting the political and military leadership responsible for planning and launching the invasion.
While the road to justice may be long, these efforts are crucial for:
- Deterring future atrocities
- Providing justice for victims
- Upholding international law
- Preventing similar crimes in future conflicts
## **Personal Accounts: The Human Face of War**
The stories of those affected by the war reveal the staggering human cost of these atrocities. In my article about my visit to Ukraine [( ‘A Doctor’s Harrowing Journey into Ukraine’ ](https://www.passingthrough.net/journey-into-ukraine/) ), I shared the harrowing experiences of families in liberated areas. In Bilohirka, I met Sergei and Tanya, who live in a makeshift shelter, enduring daily shelling and mourning the loss of their pre-war lives.
In Stanislav, a grandmother displayed an X-ray of shrapnel lodged in her chest, a grim reminder of the early days of the invasion. Two weeks after my visit, the village was bombed again, killing a resident and destroying the recently repaired clinic. It has been hit several times since.
I met Andriy, an ex-soldier who had been tortured, who had witnessed Russians trying to deport children in his village and was now working to rescue deported children.
Children bear the scars of war most profoundly. At a school in Bila Krynytsa, I watched as soldiers taught children to recognise ordnance disguised as toys—a chilling necessity in a conflict that targets civilians indiscriminately. The laughter of children playing amidst the ruins was punctuated by distant explosions, emphasising the fragile nature of their joy.
And these atrocities add context to the words of a Ukrainian Military chaplain I met who said, “Our people do not fight because we hate them \[Russians\] but because we love the ones we are protecting.”
## The Global Stakes: Why Ukraine’s Fight Matters
Ukraine’s resistance is a battle for universal values—sovereignty, human rights, and the rule of law. The implications extend far beyond its borders:
- **Erosion of International Norms**: Russia’s blatant disregard for international law threatens to normalise aggression and undermine the global order.
- **Humanitarian Crisis**: The war has exacerbated food insecurity, disrupted energy markets, and displaced millions, with ripple effects felt worldwide.
- **Geopolitical Shifts**: Russia’s growing alliances with rogue states like North Korea, Iran and China underscore the global implications of unchecked aggression.
## Standing with Ukraine: A Call to Action
The world must unite to support Ukraine’s struggle for justice and freedom. This requires:
1. **Sustained Support for Investigations**: International bodies and NGOs must continue to document evidence, build cases, and prosecute perpetrators.
2. **Countering [Disinformation](https://www.passingthrough.net/russian-disinformation-the-digital-threat-to-global-democracy/)**: Efforts to combat Russian propaganda are essential to maintaining global solidarity with Ukraine.
3. **Humanitarian Aid**: Supporting organisations that provide food, shelter, medical and psychological care to survivors is crucial. (see **[HERE](https://www.passingthrough.net/heroes-in-a-humanitarian-crisis/)**)
“Ukrainians seek not soldiers but solidarity and the means to protect their freedom.” (Lara Wieland, 2023) Their resilience is a testament to the enduring human spirit, even in the face of unimaginable suffering.
### **A Shared Responsibility**
Ukraine’s fight is not only about defending its own sovereignty but also about upholding the principles of humanity and international law. The war has laid bare the fragility of these principles and the price of their neglect. By standing with Ukraine, the global community affirms its commitment to justice, human rights, and a world where such atrocities are never normalised.
### **What can you do?**
**Support Humanitarian Efforts**: Donate to trusted organisations providing essential aid to Ukrainians, such as medical care, shelter, and psychological support. Organisations like our partners directly deliver medical supplies and aid and assist families in war-torn regions. Every contribution makes a tangible difference no matter how small. You can donate **[HERE](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)** (tax deductible in Australia)
**Amplify the Truth**: Counter disinformation by sharing verified news and stories about the war. Raising awareness helps combat Russian propaganda and ensures global solidarity with Ukraine remains strong.
**Advocate for Justice**: Urge your governments to support international efforts to investigate and prosecute war crimes. Advocate for the establishment of a special tribunal to address the crime of aggression and pressure world leaders to hold perpetrators accountable.
**Provide Emotional and Practical Support**: Reach out to Ukrainian communities and refugees in your area. Offering assistance with housing, education, or emotional support can make a significant impact on those displaced by the conflict.
**Boycott Russian Goods**: Make ethical consumer choices by avoiding products and companies that benefit from or support the Russian regime. Economic pressure is a powerful tool to signal opposition to aggression. (some common examples of companies that continue to provide tax funds for Russia to use on weapons are Mars, Pepsi, Nestle, P&G, Coca Cola, Loreal – a more comprehensive list is **[HERE)](https://leave-russia.org/staying-companies?flt%5B147%5D%5Beq%5D%5B%5D=9057)**
**Stand in Solidarity**: Display symbols of support, such as Ukrainian flags or ribbons, to show your community and leaders where you stand. Public demonstrations and community events can also help sustain awareness and advocacy. (you can also buy earrings and jewellery **[HERE](https://www.passingthrough.net/opt-shop-for-good/)** that show your support for Ukraine and make great talking points)
To follow our blog and get updates sign-up **[HERE.](https://www.passingthrough.net/subscribe-to-blog-posts/)**\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_hoverbox image=”13451″ primary\_title=”” hover\_title=””\]
- ###### **“1,336 Attacks on Ukraine’s Health System Since Russia’s Full-Scale Invasion Demand Accountability: PHR – PHR”** https://phr.org/press/1336-attacks-on-ukraines-health-system-since-russias-full-scale-invasion-demand-accountability-phr/
- ###### **“A Look at the Laws of War — and How Russia is Violating Them | United States Institute of Peace”** https://www.usip.org/publications/2022/09/look-laws-war-and-how-russia-violating-them
- ###### **“A Thousand Days of War in Ukraine | Human Rights Watch”** https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/09/05/thousand-days-war-ukraine
- ###### **“Finishing off the defenseless: How the Russians execute Ukrainian soldiers”** https://kyivindependent.com/finishing-off-the-defenseless-how-the-russians-execute-ukrainian-soldiers
- ###### **“Hospital bombing was latest act in Russia’s war on Ukrainian healthcare – Atlantic Council”** https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/hospital-bombing-was-latest-act-in-russias-war-on-ukrainian-healthcare/
- ###### **“Investigation: Russians carry out systemic terror in occupied part of Kherson Oblast”** https://kyivindependent.com/investigation-russians-carry-out-systemic-terror-in-occupied-part-of-kherson-oblast
- ###### **“Make No Mistake: Destroying Hospitals Is Part of the Kremlin’s Strategy – The Moscow Times”** https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/02/20/make-no-mistake-destroying-hospitals-is-part-of-the-kremlins-strategy-a80281
- ###### **“R47762.pdf” – War Crimes in Ukraine** US Congress report.
- ###### **“Russia Forces Ukrainians in Occupied Areas into Military | Human Rights Watch”** https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/10/19/russia-forces-ukrainians-occupied-areas-military
- ###### **“Russia and the Mass Murder of Ukrainian PoWs – CEPA”** https://cepa.org/article/russia-and-the-mass-murder-of-ukrainian-pows/
- ###### **“Russia has committed 137,000 war crimes in Ukraine, Zelensky says”** https://kyivindependent.com/russia-has-committed-137000-war-crimes-in-ukraine-zelensky-says
- ###### **“Russia launches over 1,000 aerial weapons against Ukraine in a week, Zelensky says”** https://kyivindependent.com/russia-launches-over-1000-aerial-weapons-against-ukraine-in-a-week-zelensky-says
- ###### **“Russian Federation’s Attack on Ukrainian Children’s Hospital ‘Not Only a War Crime’ but ‘Far Beyond the Limits of Humanity’, Medical Director Tells Security Council | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases”** https://press.un.org/en/2024/sc15761.doc.htm
- ###### **“Russian proxies in occupied Kherson Oblast announce forced conscription of Ukrainians”** https://kyivindependent.com/russian-proxies-in-occupied-kherson-oblast-announce-forced-conscription-of-ukrainians
- ###### **“Russian troops suspected of executing Ukrainian POWs in Kursk Oblast, ombudsman says”** https://kyivindependent.com/russian-troops-suspected-of-executing-ukrainian-pows-in-kursk-oblast-ombudsman-says
- ###### **“Russians Made Us Dig Mass Graves to Cover up Crimes in Moura, Northern Mali”** https://www.thedailybeast.com/russians-made-us-dig-mass-graves-to-cover-up-their-crimes-in-moura-northern-mali
- ###### **“Russia’s attacks on health care in Ukraine are war crimes”** https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/magazine/magazine\_article/russia-ukraine-war-crimes-hospitals/
- ###### **“Statement of the MFA of Ukraine regarding the so-called “military conscription” by the russian federation of Ukrainian citizens in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine | Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine”** https://www.kmu.gov.ua/en/news/zayava-mzs-ukrainy-shchodo-tak-zvanoho-vijskovoho-prizovu-rosiiskoiu-federatsiieiu-hromadian-ukrainy-na-timchasovo-okupovanykh-terytoriiakh-ukrainy
- ###### **“UN Commission concludes that war crimes have been committed in Ukraine, expresses concern about suffering of civilians | OHCHR”** https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2022/09/un-commission-concludes-war-crimes-have-been-committed-ukraine-expresses
- ###### **“Ukraine: Apparent War Crimes in Russia-Controlled Areas | Human Rights Watch”** https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/04/03/ukraine-apparent-war-crimes-russia-controlled-areas
- ###### **“War Crimes As Warfare: Russian Conscription of Ukrainians Living Under Occupation – JURIST – Commentary – Legal News & Commentary”** https://www.jurist.org/commentary/2023/02/war-crimes-as-warfare-russian-conscription-of-ukrainians-living-under-occupation/
- ###### **“Warning Security Council of Civilian Death Spike Due to Escalating Attacks on Ukraine, Top Disarmament Official Says Weapons Transfers Must Comply with International Law | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases”** https://press.un.org/en/2024/sc15845.doc.htm
- ######
- ######
- ###### Anna, C. (2022, April 4). War Crimes Watch: A devastating walk through Bucha’s horror | AP News. The Associated Press. Retrieved December 15, 2023, from
###### ●AtlanticCouncil. (2022, December 9). Nobel Prize winner Oleksandra Matviichuk on human rights and Russian aggression \[Video\]. YouTube. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-x9-Xw2\_O8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-x9-Xw2_O8)
###### ●Biesecker, M., & Kinetz, E. (2022, November 17). Evidence of Russian crimes mounts as war in Ukraine drags on | AP News. The Associated Press. Retrieved December 15, 2023, from
###### ●Bowen, A. S., & Weed, M. C. (2023). R47762-1.pdf. Congressional Research Service.
###### ●Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect. (2024, November 20). Ukraine – Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect.
###### ●Hinnant, L., Maloletka, E., & Stepanenko, V. (2022, October 2). 10 torture sites in 1 town: Russia sowed pain, fear in Izium | AP News. The Associated Press. Retrieved December 15, 2023, from
###### ●Ine in Ukraine. (2023, March 27). Ukraine’s Mission to Bring Home 37,000 citizens kidnapped by Russia | Efforts, Challenges, and Advocacy – Ine in Ukraine.
###### ●Kinetz, E. (2022, December 19). ‘Kill everyone’: Russian violence in Ukraine was strategic | AP News. The Associated Press. Retrieved December 15, 2023, from
###### ●Kinetz, E. (2023, April 18). How Russian soldiers ran a ‘cleansing’ operation in Bucha | AP News. The Associated Press. Retrieved December 15, 2023, from
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**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** democracy, humanitarian, russia, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, war, war crimes, warzone
---
### [The How and Why of helping Ukraine in 2023](https://www.passingthrough.net/helping-ukraine/)
**Published:** September 22, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
So I’m not in Ukraine anymore, I am back home, but it’s not over yet. In fact you could say perhaps the journey is only just beginning. I will write more soon about what has happened in the days since I left Ukraine. But for now, let me just say that I have been inspired to help in what is probably the greatest crisis of our time. ( see below)
### ***How can we help?***
- Sharing reliable information is important in this era of ‘disinformation’. Russia actively deploys misinformation and disinformation as part of it’s war effort so be careful what you believe. I continue to work on ways to share the information from my firsthand observations and encounters with people I trust.
- [Donate](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/) – We are raising funds to support some of the amazing people I met in Ukraine -delivering much needed aid. This goes to refugees/displaced people, hospitals and clinics, de-occupied villages where people have lost everything, medics providing care to soldiers, providing care for children, orphans, army chaplains etc. All money we raise goes directly to where it’s needed – to NGO’s that were vetted by myself in person for accountability and efficiency and effectiveness. And thanks to our partnerships people can give to those NGO’s through us, getting a tax deduction in Australia, without cumbersome foreign transactions etc. We take only 1% admin fee for money transferred to CMA-Ukraine and 0% for all others.
- [Ask](https://www.oxfam.org.au/get-involved/campaign-with-us/writing-to-your-mp/) our governments to help Ukraine as much as they can.
- Buy any of the handmade limited edition [“Support Ukraine”](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-category/support-ukraine/) products and subscribe to our newsletter and socials to keep updated with new items and ways to help.
### ***Why is this all so important?***
Again, I may expand on this a bit more later but here are some key points:
**The Russian invasion of Ukraine has unleashed the largest movement of refugees since World War II**, according to UNHCR. Roughly one third of Ukraine’s population is reportedly displaced. Millions of people have lost everything.
**Global humanitarian impact:** The war has disrupted energy, food, and fertilizer supplies globally which has led to soaring global food prices, impacting living costs and risking humanitarian disasters, especially in developing nations dependent on imports. In addition Russia has been deliberately targeting grain stores and shipments from Ukraine – the biggest grain supplier to the World Food Programme. The interconnectedness of the energy and food crises, coupled with climate change, poses a fragile global situation.
**International Law – ripping up the rule book.** Russia’s re-invasion of Ukraine violated the UN Charter and international law. The UN Security Council can’t do anything as Russia holds a veto there. The documented war crimes of Russia are also mounting up. Targeted attacks of civilians, healthcare and humanitarian aid is occurring almost daily. The International Criminal Court (ICC) initiated a significant investigation, and the International Court of Justice demanded Russia halt military operations in Ukraine which of course they ignore. Dictators and autocrats of the world are becoming emboldened.
**New hopes for a new Ukraine** Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine has not only inflicted immense damage but also unified the Ukrainian nation, showcasing an unexpected resilience and unity. Despite substantial displacements and infrastructure damages, Ukraine has managed to function and move beyond its perceived role as Russia’s “lesser counterpart.”
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy transitioned from a TV comedian and businessman to a significant wartime leader, symbolizing Ukraine’s newfound strength and unity. His choice to stay with his citizens during the conflict and refuse foreign evacuation solidified his leadership stature.
Pre-Zelenskyy, Ukrainian politics was marked by distrust and corruption allegations. However, Zelenskyy’s 2019 election represented a shift from ethnic divides to values, European inclination, and anti-corruption sentiment.
Unique to Ukrainian politics, Zelenskyy comes from a non-oligarchical background, bolstering his credibility. Utilizing modern communication tools, he’s actively rallied global support for Ukraine while emphasizing the importance of rule of law and curbing corruption which has been well underway.
Christians and evangelical churches have been at the forefront of reforming their country and providing aid during war, with a desire to leave the values of the ‘old Soviet mentality’ behind.
**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Giving Back, Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** charity, humanitarian, medical mission, non-profit, refugees, ukraine, volunteer, war, warzone
---
### [From Dachau to the U.N. : Is it really "never again"?](https://www.passingthrough.net/dachau/)
**Published:** September 29, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** From Dachau to Ukraine: 'Never again' means acting now. Support our medical mission delivering life-saving aid while history repeats itself.
**Content:**
### A reflection from our journey to deliver medical vehicle to Ukraine
## The Theatre of the Absurd at the UN
27/9/25 It was absolutely gob smacking to watch Russia’s foreign minister get up and speak at the UN today. Here’s a country brutally invading and occupying a sovereign state that did nothing to provoke this—a country regularly committing war crimes, stealing and kidnapping children, running filtration camps, with evidence of mass graves, torture, sexual assault, civilian executions, regularly bombing and targeting civilians—and they get to speak at the UN like they’re some moral authority.
Where was the mass walkout? How is Russia even allowed this platform?
But it gets worse. Lavrov then spouts the usual Kremlin propaganda—most of which has been thoroughly debunked—while everyone sits there politely listening. The audacity was breathtaking: Russia lecturing about respecting sovereignty while actively invading a sovereign state, talking against colonisation while literally trying to colonise Ukraine.
Then came the real masterclass in projection. Russia accused Ukraine of persecuting the Ukrainian Orthodox Church—completely false. Ukraine simply restricted links to the Moscow church after many of their priests were caught working as spies for the very government that’s invading them. Seems reasonable, right?
They claimed Ukraine was banning people from speaking Russian. First off, Russian isn’t Ukrainians’ “native” language—many speak it only because it’s been the language of their occupiers and oppressors for centuries. Many Ukrainians are now deliberately returning to their actual native language, Ukrainian. And Russian isn’t banned anyway—I met plenty of Ukrainians speaking Russian with zero restrictions. It’s about official language, and frankly, it’s Ukraine’s way of decolonising (that thing Lavrov claimed to support) by moving away from the language of their current invaders.
The irony? Russia persecutes Christians and Protestant churches in occupied areas and actually punishes Ukrainians for speaking Ukrainian—where it truly is the native language being banned.
Oh, and my personal favourite: calling the “neo-Nazi Kyiv regime” colonisers of Ukrainian territory. Ukraine being neo-Nazi has been completely debunked, and Russia has far more neo-Nazi groups than most countries. The only colonisers in Ukraine are Russia, illegally occupying the east and Crimea.
## The Gaza Card
Then Lavrov pontificated at length about Israel displacing people in Gaza and bombing civilians—all while Russia does the exact same things. The gross hypocrisy was bad enough, but it made me even more suspicious that Russia might be fanning flames on both sides to distract from Ukraine. With horrific consequences for people there too. Quite successfully distracting, I might add.
## The Bitter Context
What made watching this propaganda performance truly unbearable was our timing. We were in a guesthouse, driving a medical vehicle to Ukraine for an NGO mission, and had just visited Dachau concentration camp on the way.
Walking through those barracks where people were imprisoned and tortured, seeing the gas chambers disguised as showers where thousands were murdered, reading about the medical experiments—the memorial’s words hit like a punch: *“May the example of those who were exterminated here between 1933-1945 because they resisted Nazism help to unite the living for the defence of peace and freedom and in respect for their fellow men.”*
Yet here we were, coming back to our room to watch this grotesque performance while heading to help people suffering the same patterns of oppression and torture. Right now. Today.
## What Happened to “Never Again”?
The parallels struck me hard at Dachau—the same ones that hit me at Auschwitz years ago. This wasn’t just a few evil men. It required mass complicity: camp commanders and guards who seemed to enjoy torturing and killing, citizens who lived nearby and knew what was happening, churches that supported the regime.
And the propaganda—years of dehumanising the “other” that made it acceptable for average Germans to let these horrors occur. Putin’s regime has done exactly this, adjusting Russian attitudes toward Ukrainians so that many soldiers have no conscience about executing or torturing them.
The power of this brainwashing was evident at the Dachau Nazi trials—so few expressed any remorse, continuing to defend and justify their actions.
Right now, Ukrainians are being tortured and detained in Russian prisons just for being Ukrainian. Ukrainian children are being deported to reeducation camps and taught to hate their own country. The most horrific tortures and oppressions are happening as I write this.
We’re happy to visit museums and shake our heads at historical evil—as long as it’s safely in the past and doesn’t require us to risk our comfortable lives.
## Our Medical Mission: Small Acts, Big Impact
Ukrainians are standing up to evil that echoes what we saw memorialised at Dachau. But this time, they’re largely standing alone. Their people are paying the price—losing loved ones, watching their children stolen, their cities bombed.
We’re doing something small in the face of enormous need: driving a medical van directly into Ukraine, working with local NGOs, and undertaking medical missions in areas that desperately need help.
**Our partnerships** with Ukrainian medical organisations like [Christian Medical Association of Ukraine](http://www.cmaukraine.com) mean every dollar gets multiplied. We work directly with Ukrainians who tell us exactly what they need. No bureaucracy, no overhead—just direct aid to people who are saving lives under impossible conditions.
The vehicle we’re driving will stay in Ukraine, becoming a mobile medical training unit that can take it to where it’s needed so everyone can access that support. It’s not glamorous work, but it’s the difference between someone’s mother, father, or child living or dying and supports those doing the work day in and day out.
## The Choice We Face
“*The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.*” Has always been one of my favourite quotes but Edmund Burke’s words have never weighed so heavily.
We have a choice: be the complicit citizens who “didn’t know” what was happening, or be the ones who acted when it mattered.
**How You Can Help:**
- [**DONATE for Medical Supplies**](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/) – Every $ can provide life saving aid
- [**Fund Vehicle Equipment**–](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/) $200 equips our mobile unit with essential medical and training tools
- [**Support a Medical Mission** ](https://chuffed.org/project/empowering-health-heroes-in-ukraine)– $500 funds fuel for a mobile clinic crew.
- **Share this story**– Sometimes awareness is the first step to action ( see share buttons below)
- [**Write to your politicians** ](https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Contacting_Senators_and_Members)– ask them to provide more support to Ukraine and to [stop Australia funding Putin’s war through our fuel purchases. ](https://www.passingthrough.net/stop-russian-oil-profits/)
This isn’t just charity—it’s a declaration that we won’t be bystanders to history. That “never again” means something more than words on a memorial wall.
Because when history asks what you did when it mattered most, let your answer be something you can be proud of.
---
*Support our medical mission to Ukraine.*
[**Donate Now** ](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)| [**Follow Our Mission Updates**](https://www.passingthrough.net/subscribe-to-blog-posts/)
### [Dachau Concentration Camp](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dachau_concentration_camp)
[ Perimeter fence at Dachau camp ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/br-1170x1389.jpg)
[ 'Arbeit Macht Frei' gate at Dachau camp ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG_2933s-1170x1205.jpg)
[ Prison bunkers at Dachau camp ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG_2939s-1170x1218.jpg)
[ 'Never again' they said ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG_2963-1-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Extent of sub camps of Dachau ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG_2970x-1170x971.jpg)
[ Grave of thousands of victims ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG_2998s-1170x1235.jpg)
[ Crematorium where bodies were burned ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG_3001-1170x1174.jpg)
[ Three bodies at a time in each furnace ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG_3009d-1170x1326.jpg)
[ Inscription at Dachau concentration camp ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG_3011s-1170x873.jpg)
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** charity, Dachau, freedom, humanitarian, medical mission, never again, Supportukraine, ukraine
---
### [Day of Ukrainian writing and language](https://www.passingthrough.net/day-of-ukrainian-writing-and-language/)
**Published:** October 27, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Excerpt:** Rediscovered after decades, ‘Under Black Banners’ recounts the Ukrainian Revolution and echoes today’s fight for freedom. Proceeds aid Ukraine in its current struggle.
**Content:**
# Day of Ukrainian writing and language
On **October 27**, the Day of Ukrainian Writing and Language, we reflect on Ukraine’s long struggle to preserve its language and culture, both often suppressed by occupying forces. Our upcoming book “Under Black Banners”, **written** originally in Ukrainian, highlights this fight. Set during the **Ukrainian Revolution (1917-1922)**, the novel portrays how using the **Ukrainian language was not just a cultural act, but a bold statement of defiance against oppression.**
> ### ****FROM OUR UPCOMING BOOK:
>
> ***“Ah, Fedosiy,” she sighed, “you’re familiar with anarchy, but you don’t know that the Ukrainian language is the language of a great nation, not just of peasants! You’re advocating for a global revolution, wanting to teach people how to live, but you don’t even know your own roots. You belittle our people by calling them peasants. The Tsarist regime forbade you from reading Ukrainian books, so you wouldn’t know our history, our nation’s sufferings, and so you wouldn’t rise for its liberation. That’s why you weren’t given Shevchenko to read, not because his language is ‘peasant-like’. Would you like to read ‘Kobzar’?” With that, Evdokia pulled an old book from her shelf. It was an 1895 edition of “Kobzar” which her father secretly read to his children on long winter evenings in the village.”***
## Historical Oppression of the Ukrainian Language
During the period covered in the novel, **the Ukrainian Revolution (1917-1922)**, Ukrainians were fighting not only for political independence but also for the right to maintain their language and culture. **Ukrainian language has been oppressed since the 17th (!) century.** The **Russian Empire** and later the **Soviet Union** imposed harsh policies of **Russification**, suppressing the Ukrainian language in schools, media, and public life. This suppression was designed to erase Ukrainian national identity, merging it into a “greater” Russian identity. Ukrainian-language publications were banned, and intellectuals promoting Ukrainian culture were persecuted. This theme remains relevant today as Ukraine continues to resist aggression and maintain its cultural and linguistic identity in the face of external threats. The language that was once repressed has now become a powerful symbol of Ukraine’s enduring fight for sovereignty.
This quote from “Under Black Banners” is great evidence of the banning of books in Ukrainian:
> ***“Before the revolution, the full publication of Shevchenko’s “Kobzar” was banned. With Shevchenko’s “Testament”, “Kobzar” was deemed a seditious book. Owning a copy could result in an administrative exile beyond the borders of Ukraine to “not so distant places.” Yet, despite its ban, “Kobzar” still found its way to Ukrainian readers. Proof of this was evident when news reached Dibrivka about the Tsar’s abdication. On that very day, his portraits were taken down, and in their place, portraits of T. G. Shevchenko were hung. From where and by whom these portraits came was a mystery. But one thing was clear – someone had secretly kept these rather large portraits. Elementary school students, from the second to fourth grades, began copying Shevchenko’s “Testament” the day after the portraits were displayed. It was unknown who first brought them to a particular school. What was known was that they were copied by students during breaks, indicating that it wasn’t the teachers who had introduced them to the school.***
>
> ***Within two to three days of the revolution, there wasn’t a single remote peasant school whose students weren’t familiar with the “Testament” and later, “Ukraine Has Not Yet Perished” (“Shche ne vmerla Ukraina.”)”***
## *Some facts about what Russians are doing on the occupied lands:*
**‼️** In the occupied territories, the Russians are implementing the Russification of educational institutions, with the elimination of the teaching of the Ukrainian language, Ukrainian literature, and the history of Ukraine.
**‼️** Russian troops in the temporarily occupied territories seize and destroy Ukrainian literature and textbooks on the history of Ukraine.
**‼️** On the territory of Crimea, the occupying Russian authorities in 2022 introduced so-called retraining camps for teachers from the Kherson, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhia regions with the aim of transferring them to “Russian education standards.”
**‼️** In the temporarily occupied territories, the Russians remove Ukrainian books from the collections of general and school libraries and burn them in boiler rooms.
**‼️** Abducted children are forced to learn Russian.
**‼️** And many other things, we only listed the facts known to everyone. Many crimes remain unpublished.
## Relevance to the Current War
The historical struggles in “Under Black Banners” mirror the present conflict in Ukraine, where Russia’s invasion threatens Ukrainian identity. In occupied areas, Ukrainian language and culture are suppressed, with Ukrainian banned in schools and towns renamed. Some Ukrainians have been imprisoned or killed for resisting this cultural erasure. In the face of these attacks, the Ukrainian people’s determination to protect their language is reminiscent of their revolutionary ancestors. Just as they did in the early 20th century, Ukrainians today continue to defend their right to exist as a nation, with their own language and culture intact.
The novel provides a compelling lens through which we can view the current war, illustrating that **Ukraine’s fight for linguistic and cultural survival** is not new but part of a long historical continuum. As Ukrainians are once again killed for speaking their language, the relevance of the themes in “Under Black Banners” becomes even clearer.
> ### ****FROM OUR UPCOMING BOOK (set in 1917-1921):
>
> ***Evdokia was deeply involved with the local “Prosvita,” an organisation that, at the time, was a hub for Ukrainian cultural and political life in Dibrivtsi, as well as in other villages and towns throughout Ukraine. Members of “Prosvita” wore yellow and blue badges featuring a trident in the centre. She explained to Fedosiy the emblem’s significance. In conclusion, she said: “If we all unite, recognising our ancestry and acknowledging our bonds, then with the strength of our entire nation, we can rebuild an independent Ukrainian State.”***
## **Debunking Stereotypes About the Ukrainian Language Imposed by Russian Propaganda**
**1. Stereotype: Ukrainian Originates from Russian
**Debunked:** This is a false narrative often spread by Russian propaganda. Ukrainian did not evolve from Russian. Both languages share a common ancestor in Old East Slavic, spoken in Kyivan Rus, but they diverged into distinct languages centuries ago. Ukrainian developed independently, with its own linguistic evolution, rules, and literary history. It’s a distinct language, not a derivative of Russian.
**2. Stereotype: Ukrainian is Just a Collection of Dialects or Surzhyk**
**Debunked:** Russian propaganda regularly undermines Ukrainian by labelling it as a collection of dialects or dismissing it as “Surzhyk,” a blend of Ukrainian and Russian. In reality, Ukrainian is a fully standardised language with its own rich literary and grammatical tradition, distinct from Russian. Additionally, the false claim that Ukrainian is merely a regional dialect of Russian ignores the fact that it is spoken by over 40 million people and serves as Ukraine’s official language in government, education, and media.
***So what is Surzhyk really? Firstly, Surzhyk is a derogatory name for all Ukrainian dialects. That is, this term denies even the possibility of the existence of dialects in Ukrainian language. According to his principles, Ukrainian language is a dialect of Russian and it is Surzhyk. Surzhyk emerged due to decades of forced Russification but does not represent the Ukrainian language.***
**3. Stereotype: Ukrainian is Essentially the Same as Russian
Debunked:** Ukrainian and Russian are part of the East Slavic language family, but they are not “the same.” While they share some vocabulary, Ukrainian has more in common with Belarusian and even Polish than with Russian. The grammatical structures, pronunciation, and many vocabulary words are quite different. Ukrainian, for instance, uses letters like “ґ,” “є,” “і,” and “ї” that do not exist in Russian, further demonstrating its distinct phonetic and written systems.
**4. Stereotype: Eastern Ukraine “Always” Spoke Russian
Debunked:** This myth is a result of Soviet-era Russification policies, where the Ukrainian language was suppressed, especially in urban areas of Eastern Ukraine. Historically, Ukrainian was spoken throughout Ukraine, including the east. Over time, Russian became more common in some areas due to forced policies, but Ukrainian was still widely used, particularly in rural regions. Today, Ukrainian is experiencing a resurgence, even in traditionally Russian-speaking areas, as people reclaim their national identity.
**5. Stereotype: Ukrainian is a “Peasant” Language**
**Debunked:** Russian propaganda has often labelled Ukrainian as a “peasant” language to diminish its value. However, Ukrainian has a rich literary and intellectual tradition, with writers like **Taras Shevchenko**, **Lesya Ukrainka**, and **Ivan Franko** shaping Ukrainian literature and national identity. Spoken by millions across all social classes, it is also the language of government, education, and culture.
Similarly, Russian is regularly portrayed as “superior” for intellectual expression, but Ukrainian’s literary depth, with contributions from **Ivan Kotliarevsky** and others, proves its capacity for sophisticated artistic and intellectual expression.
**6. Stereotype: Ukrainians Don’t Care About Their Language**
**Debunked:** The resilience of the Ukrainian language, despite centuries of suppression by the Russian Empire and Soviet Union, proves the opposite. Ukrainians have fought hard to preserve their language, even in the face of repression. Today, language is a key part of Ukrainian identity and a symbol of national pride and resistance. With the resurgence of Ukrainian-language media, education, and literature, it is clear that Ukrainians deeply value and care about their language.
**In summary**, these stereotypes, propagated by Russian disinformation, seek to delegitimise the Ukrainian language and undermine Ukrainian national identity. The reality is that Ukrainian is a fully developed, vibrant, and historically rich language, distinct from Russian, and deeply cherished by the people of Ukraine.
With the beginning of the full-scale invasion, for many, language became an element of separation between Ukrainians and Russians. Therefore, Russian is now perceived as hostile in many places. But it was like that before:
> ### FROM OUR UPCOMING BOOK:
>
> ***“It should be mentioned that the teachers of Dibrivka, all ten of them, were Ukrainians, and most were nationally conscious. Therefore, they saw Mitla, who spoke only in Russian, as a traitor to their nation.”***
**Thank you for your support, and for standing with Ukraine in its struggle for freedom and cultural preservation. Together, we can work to ensure that Ukraine’s story continues to be told and that its people are able to live and speak their language freely.**
## Sign up [HERE](https://www.passingthrough.net/under-black-banners/) to be the first to know when
## ‘[Under Black Banners’](https://www.passingthrough.net/under-black-banners/) is
## available for purchase!
### And please share and spread the word!
Mariia Pylypenko
[See Full Bio](https://www.passingthrough.net/author/pylypenko96/) [ ](https://www.passingthrough.net/author/pylypenko96/)
**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** charity, democracy, freedom, shchus, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, ukraine, under black banners
---
### [Stop Russian Oil Profits in Australia](https://www.passingthrough.net/stop-russian-oil-profits/)
**Published:** June 4, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** While Australia has imposed direct sanctions on Russian oil, a dangerous loophole remains: oil refined in countries like India and Turkey makes it's way here - and we are inadvertently funding Russia's war machine. What can you do about it?
**Content:**
## 🛢️ What’s Going On — and Why It Matters
While Australia has imposed direct sanctions on Russian oil, a dangerous loophole remains: **oil refined in countries like India — using Russian crude — is still being imported into Australia**. One of the biggest culprits is the Jamnagar refinery in Sikka Port, India, run by Reliance Industries, which refines huge volumes of Russian oil. On June 3rd alone, 130 million litres of fuel arrived in Western Australia from this refinery — and **up to 35% of it could be traced back to Russian barrels**.
This matters because every barrel of Russian oil sold includes **taxes and export duties that go directly to the Kremlin**, helping fund the war against Ukraine. It’s estimated that **Australian imports of such fuel have indirectly contributed over $5 billion AUD to Russia’s war chest** in the past three years. Despite being raised in Parliament and scrutinised in Senate Inquiries, **the government has failed to act**. Meanwhile, Ukrainian civilians continue to suffer the consequences.
This is not just a geopolitical issue — it’s a moral one. Australian motorists filling their tanks likely have no idea they could be **unwittingly financing war crimes**. We have options. There are dozens of refineries that don’t use Russian oil. There is no excuse for inaction. By closing this loophole, we can ensure our national values are aligned with our international stance — and make sure not a single Australian dollar is used to fuel Putin’s invasion.
[**Herald Sun article.** ](https://bit.ly/43ATcQr)
✉️ **Tell your MP to stop fueling Putin’s war.**
Use our pre-written letter to demand action on Russian oil imports disguised via Indian refineries.
**[📨 Download the letter & instructions here](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Letter-to-MP.docx)**
**[📮 Post or email it to your MP this week.](https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Members)**
🕊️ Every dollar not sent to Putin’s treasury is less attacks on Ukrainian civilians and a step to peace.
**Support Ukrainian lives. Take action today.**
## [Contacting Senators and Members of Parliament]()
At this website you can search for your senator or member and send them an email or find their postal address.
#### [Contacting Senators and Members – Parliament of Australia](https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Members)
### SOCIAL MEDIA SHARING
Follow our social media and keep an eye out for posts you can share on your platforms.
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[ Donate to Support Ukraine ](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating)
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** russian oil, standwithukraine, stop russian oil, Supportukraine, ukraine, war crimes
---
### [The Journey of a Lost Manuscript: ‘Under Black Banners’](https://www.passingthrough.net/journey-of-a-lost-manuscript/)
**Published:** October 31, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Rediscovered after decades, ‘Under Black Banners’ recounts the Ukrainian Revolution and echoes today’s fight for freedom. Proceeds aid Ukraine in its current struggle.
**Content:**
# Bringing ‘Under Black Banners’ to Life: The Journey of a Lost Manuscript
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/img_1879-2/)Author, Nikodym Plizckowsky in the 1930’s
In the 1960s, my grandfather, Nikodym Pliczkowsky\*, began writing what would become his life’s work—a 1,600-page book, “Under Black Banners – Feodosiy Shchus and the long fight for Ukrainian freedom” recounting the Ukrainian Revolution through the lens of personal experiences and family connections. The manuscript, named after Feodosiy Shchus, a cousin by marriage and insurgent leader, was more than a novel—it was an eyewitness account of Ukraine’s fight for freedom, filled with battle stories, humour, and deeply personal memories. After decades of being hidden and thought lost, this story has finally come to light. But through a series of fortunate discoveries and technological advancements, my grandfather’s work will soon be published. This is the journey of how *‘Under Black Banners’* came to life.
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/journey-of-a-lost-manuscript/fedor_shus-denoise-face-sharpen-upscale-2x/)Feodosiy Shchus Source:http://2000.net.ua/2000/aspekty/istorija/43676
### The Origins: A Childhood Steeped in Revolution
In his early years, my grandfather lived through a tumultuous time in Ukraine’s history. His village was home to insurgent leader Feodosiy Shchus, who fought alongside the anarchist Nestor Makhno against both Bolsheviks and Whites in the fight for Ukrainian independence. Shchus was not only a revolutionary figure but also my grandfather’s cousin by marriage.
My grandfather spent much of his childhood with his older sister, Evdokia, a teacher and head of the local Prosvita, a Ukrainian cultural organisation. Feodosiy Shchus would often visit Evdokia to recount his battle stories, and my grandfather, a young boy at the time, would listen in awe as he shared tales of insurgency, victories, and losses. These memories of sitting at the kitchen table, overhearing Shchus’s conversations, would form the core of the book my grandfather began writing in the 1960s, along with meticulous research and documents provided by others.
### A Childhood Rooted in Ukrainian Identity
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/journey-of-a-lost-manuscript/img_2185-denoise-face-sharpen-lighting-color/)The author with his granddaughter the editor
Growing up, I was incredibly close to my grandfather, whom I called “Dyeda” (a child’s pronunciation of the Ukrainian word for grandfather). My mother worked, and my father was a medical student, so my grandfather was the primary figure in my early life before my sister was born. He raised me with a deep connection to my Ukrainian roots. My first words were in Ukrainian, and even though I later lost fluency in the language, I never lost the sense of identity that he instilled in me. If I fell and scraped my knee, he’d tell me, “Get up, don’t cry—
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/img_1880-denoise-sharpen-face-lighting-upscale-4x-2/)The author and editor sharing honey and farmers cheese together
you’re a Cossack girl!” Of course, if I did cry, he would scoop me up in his arms and offer a comforting hug.
My grandfather filled his home with symbols of Ukraine, including the banned ‘tryzub’, the now national emblem of Ukraine, which was illegal in Soviet-occupied Ukraine but proudly displayed in his office. I grew up hearing about Ukraine’s poets, freedom fighters, and the horrors of the Holodomor—a forced famine that killed millions of Ukrainians. My identity was deeply tied to the stories he shared. Most of all, I heard stories about Feodosiy Shchus and his role in the fight for independence, which captured my imagination and fuelled my curiosity.
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/journey-of-a-lost-manuscript/img_7127/)Ukrainian ‘passport’ found in grandfather’s belongings from before there was such a thing.
### The Manuscript: A Lost Treasure
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/journey-of-a-lost-manuscript/img_7151-denoise-lighting-face-upscale-2x/)Growing vegetables together
In the late 1980s, after my grandmother passed away, my grandfather moved to Brisbane to live with me while I was attending university. We lived together in a small house, growing vegetables and watermelons in the backyard like ‘good Ukrainians’ and continuing the tradition of family storytelling. During those years, I watched my grandfather at the kitchen table, typing on his old manual Ukrainian typewriter, as he finished his novel—a book he had been working on for decades. In 1991, just as Ukraine declared its independence, my grandfather completed his book. This was a moment of great pride for him.
Sadly, on 24 August 1992—exactly one year after Ukraine’s independence—my grandfather passed away. My grandfather had saved what was then a significant sum of money to publish the book. However, publishing in the early 90s was a far more complicated and expensive process than it is today. My father had a contact through a Christian ministry who seemed trustworthy, who offered to print the book cheaply in what was then the USSR after my grandfather had passed away. This man, a Russian, took the manuscript and the money and disappeared. The book was gone, and I believed it was lost forever.
### The Miraculous Rediscovery
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/img_1023/)One of the packets of manuscript found in a box
Years later, during one of my mother’s several house moves that I helped with, my husband was helping clean out her shed. He found many old, unopened boxes that were ruined by moisture and rat nests. Many of the boxes had been untouched for decades, filled with childhood items, family papers, and documents from my grandfather. My heart skipped a beat when we found a box with an envelope addressed to “Dearest Nuchka” (granddaughter in Ukrainian) and “Lalichka” (my nickname). Inside the box was something extraordinary—a second, hand-typed copy of his book, yellowed with age but intact.
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/img_1025/)An excerpt of poet Shevchenko in the introduction to the book.
I couldn’t believe it. My grandfather had painstakingly hand-typed a second copy of the 1,600-page manuscript. This was an incredible discovery—a piece of family history I thought was lost forever had suddenly reappeared. Now, with technology more advanced than when my grandfather was alive, I was determined to preserve his work and make sure it was shared with the world.
### The Journey of Rediscovery and Technology’s Role
As time moved on, technology offered new possibilities. I thought, perhaps, now I could finally preserve the manuscript electronically. I bought a special scanner, one designed for delicate pages, and set to work, scanning each of the 1,600 pages of my grandfather’s manuscript one by one. It was slow, careful work, but I was hopeful that with the advancements in OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology, I could transform the manuscript into a usable digital text.
However, my heart sank when I saw the results. The text, typed on my grandfather’s old manual typewriter, was filled with crossouts, corrections, and handwritten notes. These made it almost impossible for OCR software to accurately recognise the words. I was left with a PDF version for safekeeping, but nothing more. After trying various programs, each with the same disappointing result, I realised that this path wasn’t going to work.
At that point, I considered paying someone to manually transcribe or translate the entire manuscript. But when I researched freelance services, the costs were astronomical, even from overseas. The cheapest quotes were still far beyond my reach.
During this time, technology was advancing rapidly. Google Translate had come into play, and I wondered if it could be the key to unlocking my grandfather’s manuscript. However, I quickly hit a roadblock: without an electronic text version, Google Translate couldn’t be of much help. That’s when my dad suggested an idea—what if we found someone in Ukraine who could transcribe the scanned pages into a Word document? Once in a digital format, the Ukrainian text could then be run through Google Translate for easier translation.
I thought it was a good idea, and just as I began looking into options, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022. Amidst the ensuing refugee crisis, I came across a Facebook post from a woman in Poland who had taken in a Ukrainian refugee. She was asking if anyone had remote work for her guest, a woman named Anna, to help support her while she was displaced.
This serendipitous moment led to a connection with Anna, who was from Kyiv. Over many months, Anna and I worked together. I sent her scanned pages of the manuscript, and she transcribed them into a Word document. It was an emotional process for both of us. For me, seeing the words my grandfather had typed decades earlier finally come to life in a format I could work with was overwhelming. For Anna, it was a way to connect with her heritage while displaced by war.
Once I had the transcribed Ukrainian text, I began running it through Google Translate. At first, the sight of the words unfolding in English was exciting—it was the first time I had been able to read my grandfather’s work. However, it soon became clear that Google Translate wasn’t going to be the easy solution I had hoped for. There were character limits, meaning processing 1,600 pages would take an enormous amount of time. Worse, the translations were crude, often requiring hours of work on each page to correct the grammar, research word meanings, and ensure the context was accurate.
On top of that, many terms didn’t translate correctly. I had to spend a great deal of time investigating historical references, local slang, and cultural nuances to make sense of the text. Additionally, many Ukrainian place names had changed over the years, so I needed to research their modern equivalents and add footnotes to ensure today’s readers would understand the geography and history.
As time went on, AI technology continued to improve. I was one of the early users of ChatGPT and immediately saw its potential to assist with the translation process. It was far more advanced than Google Translate, and as I reprocessed much of the manuscript through this new tool, the translations improved dramatically. Yet, it wasn’t perfect. Each page still required significant manual editing, checking for accuracy, and rewriting sections to ensure the narrative flowed properly. On multiple occasions, I discovered missing sections and had to go back to the scanned pages to locate them, a task made even more challenging by my limited knowledge of Ukrainian.
By this time, I had been teaching myself more Ukrainian, which helped immensely with placing sections and correcting the text in the Ukrainian version. Eventually, I paid someone to do a final edit of the Ukrainian version and I added the footnotes to ensure that the manuscript would be as accurate and informative as possible.
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/%d0%bf%d1%96%d0%b4-%d1%87%d0%be%d1%80%d0%bd%d0%b8%d0%bc%d0%b8-%d0%bf%d1%80%d0%b0%d0%bf%d0%be%d1%80%d0%b0%d0%bc%d0%b8)
During this process, I followed the book’s descriptions of place names and locations on Google Maps and Google Search. Often, the first results that appeared were news articles—villages my grandfather wrote about were once again being occupied, bombed, or liberated as Ukraine fought off the Russian invasion in real time. This eerie connection between the book’s century-old setting and current events was a strange and emotional experience. It became clear to me that this book, written decades ago, was more important and timely than ever. My grandfather had intended it as a way for Ukrainians to learn from their past, and now it would be released at a moment when the lessons of history were needed most.
### [](https://www.passingthrough.net/under-black-banners)A Legacy for the Future
The journey to get ‘Under Black Banners’ published has been long, hard, costly and often frustrating but also with moments of joy and discovery.
This is not just a family story; it’s a testament to the resilience of the Ukrainian people, a reminder that their fight for freedom stretches back generations.
As Ukraine continues to fight for its freedom, I feel a sense of urgency to see this book in print. Now, in October 2024, two and a half years after Russia’s invasion, and several years since I began this project, it is nearly ready for publication. I plan to channel all the proceeds from the book to aid Ukraine in its current fight for survival. I know that would have meant everything to my grandfather, and that my grandfather would be proud to see his work finally reach the world, and even prouder to know that its proceeds will support the very cause he spent his life fighting for. I cannot think of a better way to honour his memory.
### Update: Latest information on how to purchase the book will be available [HERE IN ENGLISH](https://www.passingthrough.net/under-black-banners-2/) and [HERE IN UKRAINIAN](https://www.passingthrough.net/%d0%bf%d1%96%d0%b4-%d1%87%d0%be%d1%80%d0%bd%d0%b8%d0%bc%d0%b8-%d0%bf%d1%80%d0%b0%d0%bf%d0%be%d1%80%d0%b0%d0%bc%d0%b8-%d1%84%d0%b5%d0%be%d0%b4%d0%be%d1%81%d1%96%d0%b9-%d1%89%d1%83%d1%81%d1%8c/).
### And please share and spread the word!
- *My grandfather’s name is originally in Cyrillic alphabet which means there are various interpretations of the English spelling. His name appears on the internet as Nikodym Pliczkowsky, Nicodemus Plichkovski, Nykodym Plichkovskyi, and Nichodem Pliczkowski amongst others. In fact that is not his real name as he had to change it and forge papers to avoid deportation back to the USSR and certain death or a gulag under Stalin and instead was able to immigrate to Australia.*
- Recent endorsement post of book: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GvaBoVgsM/
**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** charity, democracy, freedom, shchus, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, ukraine, under black banners
---
### [Ukrainian Heroes: From Battlefield Miracles to Forgotten Churches](https://www.passingthrough.net/ukrainian-heroes-from-battlefield-miracles-to-forgotten-churches/)
**Published:** December 24, 2025
**Author:** Ron Gillespie
**Excerpt:** A combat medic loses his leg but directs his own rescue. Churches feed refugees while the world looks away. These are the stories Ukraine needs you to hear.
**Content:**
## November 3: A Day with a Hero
Can’t remember exactly what we did that morning in Kyiv, but I do remember Lara had the best poppy seed roll from this bakery that was famous for them – just a short walk from our apartment. We were definitely going back there tomorrow morning before leaving the city.
I’ve got a video on my phone with air raid sirens blaring from our apartment at 10:00 am. Just another morning in Kyiv.
We picked up our friend Andriy from his rehab centre, where he’s recovering from his leg amputation. Andriy was a combat medic – Lara has written about him before ***[HERE](https://www.passingthrough.net/so-much-pain-over-here/)***– and we took him to lunch at a cafe by the water with forest paths all around. Spent the whole afternoon and evening with him, doing several rounds of this beautiful park, enjoying the autumn leaves and deep conversation with great company.
At one point, a young woman stopped as we passed to thank Andriy for his service. Later, we saw a grandmother pushing a baby stroller, singing a soulful Ukrainian song to her grandchild. These moments – they stay with you.
## Andriy’s Story
Andriy told us what happened to him at the front. They’d built their position with sandbags and wood. A drone chased them underground, but the last guy forgot to close the screen. A Russian drone flew right in, passed over the last guy’s head, and exploded at Andriy’s feet.
The explosion caused a lot of damage. Andriy was next to anti-tank mines that miraculously didn’t detonate. He lost his leg and suffered massive injuries. Here’s the thing – Andriy was the medic, but he maintained consciousness (barely) throughout. He directed the soldiers on how to treat his wounds and save his life.
They carried him out on a sleeping bag to be evacuated by a BMP (armoured vehicle). Then came a drone. The soldiers said it was one of theirs -but Andriy sensed no – it was Russian. He called out a warning so following standard procedure they left Andriy in the bag on the ground and retreated to the relative safety of the dugout He was lying there in the dark, calling out to the boys to shine a red light on him so the BMP wouldn’t run him over. But it kept coming. Andriy desperately peered out of his sleeping bag and the moonlight caught the vehicle’s tracks right toward him, he rolled away in his sleeping bag – despite being critically injured. The BMP passed exactly where he’d been lying seconds before.
At this moment the drone hit the BMP on path to exactly where he’d been lying moments earlier. Russians target the injured and maimed. Thankfully, it wasn’t an anti-tank drone, so the drivers and vehicle survived and could still evacuate him. But in that moment, sparks and metal fragments flew everywhere around him.
He remained conscious through pain beyond imagination. When he ‘was dying’ – and interestingly, he didn’t say “when he felt like he was dying,” he said “when he was dying” – he didn’t think about his life or family. He thought about a verse from David: “Better to have one day in your presence.” And Job 19:25-27: “I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God;”
Andriy’s life has taken an unexpected and challenging turn, but it’s not the end of his story…
## Power Out, Life Goes On
That evening, we headed back to the food market complex for dinner, but it was mysteriously closed despite being during opening hours. Power was out across the city, so we doubled back and ate at Shashlyk Pro under generator power. Generators were roaring everywhere. At one point, ours stopped, so they brought little battery lights to our table. Still had a lovely meal – best mushroom cheeseboat I’ve ever had.
## November 4: Leaving Kyiv
We left Kyiv with a tinge of sadness. Looked forward to our “opioid hit” from the poppy seed cake, but the complex was still shut. Maybe it was the power situation? Saw locks being changed on another complex – who knows what’s really going on.
On our drive out of Kyiv we saw lots of beautiful forest where people go to pick mushrooms. We were tempted to have a go at picking some. After all – someone had told us that it was easy to be safe and most mushrooms here were edible. Then at one rest stop there was a big sign showing all the poisonous mushrooms and I did note that not only were there a lot of them but some looked suspiciously like some edible ones! That was the end of any independent mushroom picking plans!
Drove out to see a lovely female doctor, who Lara met on her first trip. Amazing woman – volunteers with mobile clinics, cares for her dad, works at a lab, helps refugees from Eastern Ukraine. We came for coffee and got the full Ukrainian welcome: huge meal, homemade jam, homegrown apples, and a bottle of pickled mushrooms to take home.
Diana sounded despondent talking about what’s happened since Lara saw her in April. Every refugee who’d come to them was depressed or traumatised. Some had apparently recovered, but she thinks everyone in this country is deeply traumatised. Everyone’s trying to balance normal life with running to shelters, bombings, Shaheds, work, school, shelters again.
They’ve had recent Shahed attacks on a school and hotel close by. She showed us photos from her window – explosions and fire. When Lara asked if she was taking care of herself while caring for everyone else, her eyes moistened. She said she was able to get away for a one week break not long ago and at least she ‘sleeps now.’
## Through Deoccupied Territory
Driving to Korosten, we passed through badly damaged areas in the Kyiv region – deoccupied territories. Google Maps hadn’t updated that the bridge in Makariv had been destroyed early in the war. We drove past a massive industrial facility, completely destroyed, that Google still showed as operational. Russians occupied Makariv for one month in 2022 and destroyed 3,940 buildings. They’ve rebuilt 75%.
## November 5: The Shame and the Glory
The hotel in Korosten had been hit by a drone earlier in the war – Lara knew because they told her this on her last visit. Not many choices about, though the church would have happily hosted us, which they did on our return later, but at that time they were full of volunteers.
After grabbing breakfast and exploring I was taken by a monument to the potato pancake. Ukraine do indeed value and love their food, and so my connection with this wonderful country grows! That night Lara gave a talk to the Grace Korosten Centre team about depression and burnout management.
It was great watching Lara reconnect with the lovely team she’d worked with at the clinic back in April. Pastor Yura remembered her immediately – last time they’d had this deep conversation through Google Translate about his frontline chaplaincy work in the area where Lara’s grandfather’s village is. There was this heavy moment when Lara told him she knew what he’d shared with her – that the fighting had now reached her grandad’s village and it wasn’t safe to go there anymore. He said he visits the guys defending that area.
They took a photo together, and then Pastor Yura said he’d share the story about the vial of dirt Lara carries with her – actual soil from her grandfather’s land that he’d carried with him through war and all the way to Australia over 80 years ago. You could see what that meant to him, this connection between past and present.
Dinner at the church afterward was memorable. Seeing Christ’s love in action brought mixed emotions – inspiration and love, but also shame. Shame at the lack of international Christian support for Ukraine’s Christian community.
This church does everything – helps refugees, provides army chaplaincy, supports widows, military families, and orphans. They’ve seen firsthand how effectively the Gospel spreads when you help people in crisis, and this war has brought millions into extreme conditions.
Here’s what hurts me: Mainstream influencers raise millions for vehicles and drones. But solid Protestant churches in Ukraine trying to support widows, orphans, and refugees? They get very little, if anything.
These people see their job as being the hands and feet of Jesus to serve those suffering in this war – even though they’re suffering too. They do evacuations from frontline villages, provide humanitarian aid, make camouflage nets, support refugees, and so much more. They asked for nothing but prayer but it was plain that any help would be greatly appreciated.
We went to bed well-fed and well-humbled.
The world needs to know these stories. Not just about the military courage, though that’s important. But about the ordinary heroes – the churches feeding the hungry while generators roar, the doctors caring for the traumatised while traumatised themselves, the grandmother singing to her grandchild as sirens wail.
This is Ukraine. This is why they’ll win. And this is why we need to do better in supporting them.
Help us [**SUPPORT** ](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)them today.
[A squirrel we met on our walk around the park](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_6299-scaled.jpg)[A beautiful forest stroll with Andriy](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_6316-scaled.jpg)[Dinner by battery light in Kyiv](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_6322-scaled.jpg)[Beautiful Ukrainian hospitality](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_6343-scaled.jpg)[Dr D's family homemade compote drink](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_6344-scaled.jpg)[Dr D's homegrown apples](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_6348-scaled.jpg)[The beautiful church that Dr D's dad built himself. ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_6349-scaled.jpg)[Dr D with her dad and Lara](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_6356-scaled.jpg)[Monument to Yaroslav the Wise](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_6369-scaled.jpg)[The famous rich black chernozem soil of Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_6382-scaled-e1770508884782.jpg)['Not edible'! ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_6395-scaled-e1770506552463.jpg)[Deruny or potato pancakes](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_6419-scaled.jpg)[Ron excited to see a monument to food!(potato pancakes)](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_6427-scaled.jpg)[Teaching session with the clinic team ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_0007-scaled.jpg)[Park in Korosten](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_6438-scaled.jpg)[Pastor Yura and the vial of dirt from Lara's grandads village](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_6459-scaled.jpg)
Ron Gillespie
[See Full Bio](https://www.passingthrough.net/author/rgillespie/) [ ](https://www.passingthrough.net/author/rgillespie/)
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** humanitarian, medical mission, Supportukraine, warzone
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### [When Reality Pierced the Propaganda:](https://www.passingthrough.net/when-reality-pierced-the-propaganda/)
**Published:** December 17, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Putin awarded medals for "liberating" Kupiansk. Zelensky visited—1.15km from Russians. Their "fake" proof? Showed Ukraine's flag still flying.
**Content:**
The explosions were audible in the background. Not distant thunder, but the immediate percussion of war—drones, mortars, artillery. Volodymyr Zelensky stood beside Kupiansk’s bullet-riddled entrance sign on December 12th, the blue and yellow paint somehow still defiant against the scarred metal. Above him, anti-drone nets hung like industrial spider webs. In his hand, a phone, recording a message that would shatter weeks of carefully constructed lies.
1.15 kilometres. That’s all that separated Ukraine’s president from Russian positions. In modern warfare, that’s not a buffer—it’s an invitation to every drone operator, every artillery spotter, every sniper with a scope.
For over a month, Vladimir Putin had been awarding medals for capturing this city. On November 20th, he’d pinned Russia’s highest honour—the Hero of the Russian Federation—on Colonel General Sergey Kuzovlev’s chest for “liberating” Kupiansk. Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov had announced it formally, and Putin had worn his military uniform for only the fourth time since the invasion began. The theatre of victory, complete with gold stars and proclamations.
Except the city hadn’t fallen.
“The Russians kept going on about Kupiansk,” Zelensky said into his camera, explosions punctuating his words. “The reality speaks for itself.”
Commander Ihor Obolienskyi’s report was matter-of-fact: 200 Russian troops trapped inside the city, cut off, resupplied only by drones. The “liberators” had become the encircled. The villages of Kindrashivka, Radkivka, and Myrove—cleared by Ukrainian forces while Moscow celebrated fictional victories.
What followed was a masterclass in propaganda self-destruction. Within hours, Russian channels screamed “fake,” “AI-generated,” “green screen.” They rushed their own drones to film the sign, triumphantly sharing footage of new damage—missing letters at the bottom of “KUPIANSK” that weren’t damaged in Zelensky’s video.
“See?” they crowed. “Different sign! Proof of deception!”
Except their own footage showed the Ukrainian flag still flying. The same anti-drone nets, now torn and fallen. Even—and this detail matters—the exact same drone stuck in the netting, frozen in identical position. They had filmed their own frustration, their post-visit strike on the sign, and called it evidence of Ukrainian lies.
The mathematics here are simple: A president who could have sent any subordinate chose to stand within drone range. A military that claimed victory had to attack a road sign in impotent rage. A propaganda machine so eager to deny reality that it provided its own proof of that reality.
On Putin’s maps, Kupiansk had fallen. In Putin’s ceremonies, medals had been awarded. But on the ground, where truth is measured in metres not narratives, a different story emerged. Ukrainian forces advancing. Russian forces trapped. A president standing where he supposedly couldn’t. A flag still flying where it had supposedly been replaced.
I think about those 200 Russian soldiers, encircled in a city their leadership claims they control. Fed by drones because the supply lines their generals drew on maps don’t exist. Waiting for relief from an army that’s already celebrated their victory.
This is the arithmetic of modern warfare—not just in bullets and boundaries, but in the space between proclamation and reality. Every metre of the 1.15 kilometres between Zelensky and the Russian lines was a refutation. Every explosion in the background of his video, evidence that Ukraine still holds what Russia claims to have taken.
Putin invited international journalists to “come and see the surrounded Ukrainian army units.”
Zelensky came instead.
Sometimes, presence is the most powerful rebuttal. Sometimes, standing in a place is worth more than any statement. And sometimes, a damaged road sign—struck in frustration after a president’s visit—tells more truth than all the medals and ceremonies in Moscow.
The flag still flies in Kupiansk. The president stood where Putin said he couldn’t. And somewhere, Russian drone operators are sharing footage that proves, frame by frame, their own lies.
Stand With Truth
[Support Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating)
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** disinformation, Kupiansk, propaganda, ukraine, warzone, zelenskyy
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### [Bangladesh - medical mission](https://www.passingthrough.net/bangladesh-medical-mission/)
**Published:** January 7, 2019
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
So, I find myself with a bunch of twenty something medical students from the big smoke for four weeks in Bangladesh! Hmm. Well it’s interesting and I have to remind myself that I have nearly 25 years on most of them and maybe I was like them too but it’d be nice to think they’ll develop a little more resiliency and maturity before they hit the world as doctors… Thank goodness for the ‘Prof’ and my wonderful sister-in-law Deb who are here to be an old fuddy-duddy with and stay sane. 
Prof, Deb and the students walking down the street
Having said that they were generally lovely people and some were very lovely, it was good to meet them even if some of them did drive us ‘oldies’ a little crazy… might say more about us?
The trip was a real mix. We had days in Dhaka which is the crazy capital of Bangladesh. More people than you can imagine squeezed into a tiny space all jostling together for survival. Rickshaws, trucks, cars,autorickshaws, vans, double decker buses, CNG’s, bikes, pedestrians, hand drawn and horse drawn carts, cattle and even elephants (yes!) all vying for space 5-6 abreast on two lane roads. And if there’s more room on the other side – wellwhy not just drive down the wrong side of the road for a while too! There’s a reason that all the vehicles are covered in dints and scrapes – even our van didn’t escape getting scraped between two buses. 
Dhaka traffic
The damage to our vanDhaka mostly consisted of visits to hospitals. It has been nearly six years since I first visited Bangladesh as a master’s Public health student. Now I am back helping my former professor as he takes a bunch of medical students on this journey, hoping that not only can they learn but also that they/we can contribute in some small way to the work of the amazing NGO’s that work here like MCC and our hosts Symbiosis ([www.symbiosis-int.org](http://www.symbiosis-int.org))to alleviate poverty and suffering.
Before heading out to do our medical survey work, we have visited some hospitals again. Visiting a second time it has been heartening to see some major improvements in health status of children in this country. They have made some of the biggest leaps in the world in meeting the Millennium Development Goals – but they had a low base to start with!
The team at Holy Family Red Crescent hospital In MymensinghThe colourful rickshaws of BangladeshThe severe acute malnutrition with swelling and skin falling apart is now less common. The reduction in vaccine preventable diseases is remarkable. When I was here last some vaccines were being introduced for the first time and government vaccination programs were ramping up. Before we saw wards full of children with measles, horrifying cases of tetanus and other entirely preventable illnesses but we have ‘struggled’ to find these cases this time.
Similarly, other problems seem to be in decline due to government public health programs – for example blindness due to Vitamin A deficiency thanks to programs where children receive vitamin A capsules and reduction in iodine deficiency due to iodine fortified salt.
This has been encouraging to see. Sadly, much preventable suffering remains and there is still work to be done. Wards and villages were full of babies and children with irreversible brain damage and cerebral palsy due to difficulties in labour and birth and no skilled personnel at the birth to resuscitate babies in distress. NGO’s such as Symbiosis are working on training the Traditional Birth attendants that attend the majority of births in Bangladesh, but the task is huge and resources are few. 
The amazing Bani- Symbioss midwife- with her team doing upskilling in neonatal resuscitation with our nursesBut the other improvements show that public health programs CAN make a difference.
Coming to Bangladesh is an especially unique experience for Australians. As Bangladeshis frequently say to us “Bangladesh small country,big population: Australia big country, small population”. Nowhere is this more apparent than in its capital, Dhaka which is literally heaving with people, rickshaws,cars and trucks. Where traffic can mean a 2-hour drive for something you could probably walk in 20 minutes. In a place like this personal space is a luxury and is something an Aussie really needs to be prepared for when coming here – having people stand around you two inches from your face to stare at you (‘white’ foreigners are still an oddity here)can be quite disconcerting. But generally,people have been friendly and welcoming and our colleagues in the hospitals have been generous with their time and sharing their experiences. I wonder in amazement at how they cope with the constant flow of overwhelming misery, fully aware of their lack of resources to do the work they want to do yet they do some amazing work. There really are some amazing wonderful doctors here in Bangladesh. But like in so many countries, the more rural and remote one is the harder it is to access healthcare. And if you are poor and remote (which is much of Bangladesh) – forget it – getting to healthcare in a big town is mostly an unachievable dream. Improving access is important but more achievable in the short term is more concerted efforts towards prevention so that people have less need of health services. Both are important though.
The prof talking with a local doctor and the studentsA young mother with her baby receiving life saving treatment with our CPAP machineThe CPAP machine being demonstrated by our nurses to Professors at the major childrens hospital in DhakaIt was so exciting to see this inspiring Paediatricprofessor (Dr Whitehall) and the neonatal nurses introducing the CPAP machine that saves lives to the professors at the leading children’s hospitals in Bangladesh.So what is special about these? We use them in Australia but ours are beyond the reach of most Bangladesh hospitals, are expensive and require expensive oxygen. These can be made with a Chinese fish tank aerator pump and some tubing that all up costs $32 AUD (vs thousands for the commercial ones) and doesn’trequire oxygen! I got goose bumps to see it being accepted. I was involved in developing the first iterations of this machine with the Prof back in 2013 and it has been used in the smaller rural hospitals we left it in back then but exciting to see the acceptance by the bigger hospitals. Respiratory disease is one of the biggest killers of children in Bangladesh. Having the nurses with the expertise to train local staff in their use has been fantastic and hopefully we can put together some online resources for local staff to use atno cost to them in the near future.
Local street foodBeef anyoneStreet vendor selling snacksStreet vendor selling snacksStudent on streets of DhakaFresh green coconuts for saleRubbish is a real problem but people try make money by finding things to recycle amongst the rubbishA mill grinding turmericThen there was Mymensingh. A step down from Dhaka, still a little crazy but subdued compared to Dhaka. We were being hosted by Symbiosis([www.symbiosis-int.org](http://www.symbiosis-int.org))which is an inspirational NGO that does amazing grassroots community development work with the poorest of the poor in Bangladesh with an emphasis on empowerment of women and self-sufficiency of families. Their accommodation in Mymensingh was an oasis in a sea of chaos. Whilst there we visited a number a hospitals and whilst there were the amazing improvements mentioned earlier it was still confronting to see the level of need and the low level of resources. Whilst the cases were now hard to find we still saw a baby that died of tetanus at 10 days old because the mother was not immunised. We also visited inspirational institutions like the Damien Foundation Leprosy and TB hospital providing wonderful caring service and research led by a feisty battler of a woman who rules the place with love, compassion and advocacy.
These lovely gentleman with leprosy were happy for a photoOther great visits were had to equally inspirational NGO’s like Larche which providesa home and income generation for intellectually disabled young people including some they had found abandoned on the street or in orphanages. 
Students with Larche residentsDisabled workers weaving carpetsDisabled workers weaving carpetsThen there was Basha,a project of MCC (Mennonite Central Committee) that rehabilitates streetworkers who have often been sold into prostitution or were escaping violent relationships and teaches them how to make beautiful kantha blankets out of recycled saris that are then marketed all over the world. 
Kantha blankets made by ex street workersKantha blankets made by ex street workersThe brand run by ex street workersSome of the workers go on to be trained in business and help run the business side too or leave to setup their own businesses. It was encouraging to see the beautiful blankets for sale in an upmarket café in Dhaka and of course we bought some from the lovely ladies themselves.
The Professor and I then divided into two teams with the medical students. My amazing sister-in-law Deb with her public health and community development skills has been shared between the two teams. Each team has been through 12 villages each. The villages varied in remoteness with many being within throwing distance of the Bangladesh/Indian border and several only being accessible by foot. 
Me examining a patientBamboo bridge in a villageMen carrying bundles of rice stalksSchoolchildren on a Bamboo bridge to their villageFishing nets and Indian hills in the backgroundFishing nets and people carrying rice sacks and rice stalksOne of the bamboo bridges we crossed on the way to some of our survey sitesDoing ultrasound exams on childrenWoman carrying goods across the bridgeRice fields near the Indian borderRice fields near the Indian borderCarrying basket on her headBullocks used to plough the rice fieldsThe bamboo bridge we crossed several timesOur team carrying our survey gear to one of the villagesThe local team setting up in the village for our surveysOur local team of NGO staff with studentsGraves in a Garo tribal villageThe path to one of our survey sitesWe carried the gear in except for the ultrasound that wenton the back of the NGO worker’s scooter. Some villages were Garo tribal villages (Christian) and some were Bengali (Muslim) and others were a mix.
The people were lovely and friendly, welcoming us into theirvillages. In many cases people were opening their homes for us to use as a clinic . The differences in issues and health behaviours and cultures was interesting. One observation made by some locals was that Garo culture/religion dictates that food is shared equally and pregnant women get more food – whereas often Bengali women get less food and no extra when pregnant. This is reflected in the higher rates of malnutrition and poor health in the Bengali babies.Health education and changing perceptions of women in cultures is also important for health outcomes too.
Doing more ultrasounds on kidsSister in law Deb getting us all organised with the local team!Students checking the kidsMore ultrasoundsSome curious kids at one of our survey sitesOne of the pleasingly healthy babies we sawOne thing I found very concerning is that whilst the western world may be bringing advancements and benefits such as vaccination, we also seem to be sharing our problems and bad habits at a rate of knots too. It seemed that junk food snacks and sweets and soft drinks were on the rise as incomes very slowly rise and in the bigger towns and as conditions improve – diabetes and the lifestyle diseases are looming in their future. The tragedy is that people who were malnourished as children and then adopt a ‘western diet’ are more at risk.
When the teams split the Prof was at Joyramkura hospital – a wonderful institution established by the Baptist mission that includes a nursing training school and is run by the seemingly unstoppable Garo doctor couple Dr Tapos and Dr Lucy. They are truly inspiring, and we’ve been supporting them through Symbiosis since my visit in 2012. 
Our nurses doing some upskilling for nurses at Joyramkura hospitalThe other site where I was based was the Bhalokupara mission near Ghoshgoan – right near the Indian border. Another inspirational place – an old catholic convent over 100 years old still run by nuns. These sisters were just such loving, hardworking, giving women. 
The lovely Sister Bridget in her modest clinicChildren boarding at the missionHard work processing the rice harvestThreshing riceWinnowing riceOur daily spread of fresh food from their garden at the conventThe beautiful sister Agnes who is 75 & never stopsSome of the lovely boys boarding at the conventSister shontana in one of her classes
Boarding children in the grounds of the conventConvent children and staff with some of our teamSome of the buildings at the convent are over 100 years oldChildren at the old conventViews across to India from the top of the church towerTop of the church towerSunset in northern BangladeshEveryone working hard on the rice harvest at the old conventThere were four of them and they ran a boarding school for very poor village children, looked after visiting groups like us, ran a church, ran a clinic ( just one of them who was a nurse!)with very few resources that covered a large area of villages with no access to health care AND produced ALL their own food including rice fields they had to harvest and process. The last one we were aware of as it was rice harvest time and everyone, including the boarding kids was working super hard and piles of rice and rice stalks were everywhere. End of year exams were also on so the sisters were busy with that for the boarding kids and despite all this busyness they waited on us hand and foot and cooked us three beautiful meals a day of fresh homegrown food. And one of the sisters was 75 years old and kept working all day. The best part was they never stopped smiling!
Beautiful Bengali children playing with the bubblesDiagnosing congenital heart disease in the kids by ultrasoundDebrief and presentation of findings to the NGO partnersChildren lining up for the surveys at a schoolPerforming ultrasounds on Children in a Garo villageStudents measuring children in the surveysStudents measuring children in the surveysPerforming ultrasoundsA child suffering from malnutritionStudents conducting checksDuring our child health surveys, we were doing two things.One was collecting data on the children and the mothers which would be used for research that would help inform the local NGO’s about specific needs and help them in advocating for funding for particular programs. It will be worthwhile but the hours of data entry each evening was not something any of us enjoyed after a big day! We ended up surveying and doing checks on 3000 children and 1700 mothers. The other thing that happened was we were able to identify cases, mostly by ultrasound, of conditions like congenital heart disease that would eventually cause death without treatment. The tragic thing was some of the mothers knew something was wrong but couldn’teven afford the transport to a doctor to find out. Work is now ongoing to organise transport for these children to Dhaka and organise vital heart surgery. If you’d like to help with this please visit https://chuffed.org/project/ultrasound-machine-for-international-child-health-projects
Bangladesh is not on the ‘tourist trail’. Pretty much everyone assumes you are here for some other reason because tourism barely exists. The nice part about that is it’s somewhere you can travel without being hassled by touts. Yes people are in your face everywhere- but it’s because they are genuinely fascinated by you and just want to check you out not sell you stuff. Mostly people are really friendly and the stares are not rude just pure curiosity. A terror attack on a café in Dhaka many years ago put it on a no-go list for many which is a shame as I felt very safe whilst there and think my risk would have been far greater in the streets of Paris or London.
I have only been here for study and volunteer work and it’s not known as a tourist destination but I’ve heard there are some interesting destinations here like the tea plantations of Sylhet and the Sundarbans the world’s largest mangrove forest full of swamp tigers. The more remote areas we visited were more peaceful and beautiful and there are some wonderful NGO’s worth visiting in places like Mymensingh that I mentioned earlier. Certainly, it’s super cheap to travel around here. The food is delicious,but you have to be pretty selective about where you eat as hygiene knowledge and disease prevention still has a way to go and typhoid fever for example is still very common. 
Rice harvest piles of stalksGeese enjoying the rice harvest tooTraditional Garo fishing traps in the villageSetting fishing snagsBut if you want to see a country yet unspoiled by tourism where you can meet people who genuinely love to meet you and are as fascinated by you as you are by them then maybe it’s worth a visit if you’re in the area!
Playing with kids on the riverbank who live in the slumsSunset near the border photo by Ollie CharltonOn the streets of Mymensingh Photo by Ollie CharltonSunset over the bamboo bridgeNorthern Bangladesh
**Categories:** Asia, Bangladesh activities, Bangladesh Medical Mission, Travel
**Tags:** bangladesh, charity, medical mission, non-profit
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### [Day of Ukrainian Statehood 28th July](https://www.passingthrough.net/day-of-ukrainian-statehood-28th-july/)
**Published:** July 28, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
This day marks the continuity of the Ukrainian nation for over a thousand years and counters the hostile narratives of the Russians around Ukraine as a ‘fake’ state. It marks the baptism of Kyivan Rus (Ukraine) into Christianity by Volodymyr the Great in 988 AD)
The symbol of Ukraine from the 10th century- the trident of Volodymyr the Great
> 
A prayer from an army chaplain I met yesterday..( translated)
“Lord, protect and preserve our soldiers!
Pray, people of Ukraine
For those on the front lines
Pray for someone else’s son
To make you happy someday.
Those guys are not strangers to us,
Because our will is protected.
They don’t know
Will they ever come to their mothers alive? Lord protect them.”
Excerpts from an address by the President of Ukraine- Volodymyr Zelenskyy- on this second ‘Day of Ukrainian Statehood’. ( translated)
“We celebrate at the time of such a brutal war… and also after eight years of war in Donbas. But we will celebrate. Despite all. Because Ukrainians cannot be broken.
The Day of Ukrainian Statehood will assert the connection of Ukrainians living now with many generations of our people. The state-building experience of Ukrainians, our culture, our identity, Ukrainian character are more than a thousand years old.
Now, in many exploits of our warriors, in the wisdom of our people in battles, even simply in the conversations of ordinary Ukrainians about what is happening, we can see, we can hear and understand examples of the same characters but hundreds of years ago. We can see examples of the same bravery, the same attitude to life, and most importantly, the attitude towards Ukraine and the enemy.
Only those who do not know the truth of history and do not feel its meaning could decide to attack us. After all that our people have gone through, after all that we have learned over the centuries. Ukrainians will never give up their independence. And they will not break from the inside as has happened more than once. Not this time!
Preserving unity now, working together for the victory is the most important national task that we all will definitely fulfill.
And therefore, we will be able to do what previous generations could not do before. This applies to our defense in this war for independence, to our course towards a united Europe, towards full membership in the EU, and our ability to become one of the most modern states in the world.
There is no one now who would doubt this. There are only those who argue about how to achieve this. It will happen. This is a sign of faith in Ukraine – not only our own faith.
Even the occupiers admit that we will win. We hear it in their conversations – all the time, in what they tell their loved ones when they contact them.
Therefore, we do not slow down and, as every day so far, we are doing everything to inflict the greatest possible losses on the enemy and to gather as much support as possible for Ukraine.
This week there will be important visits of partners, there will be important negotiations, and most importantly, there will be the further advancement of Ukrainian positions. At the front, in diplomacy, in the economy.
I am grateful to everyone who defends our country!
And I wish all of us, all Ukrainians, a fruitful new week.
Glory to Ukraine!”
Let us remember those who fight for freedom and democracy, those who stand against tyranny and evil. Those who give their lives, their limbs, their sight, their livelihoods, their sons and daughters, brothers and fathers. Let us not only remember them but find every way we can to stand with them.
In memoriam
[https://chuffed.org/project/voices-of-hope](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)
**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** heroes, humanitarian, medical mission, refugees, remote doctors, travel, ukraine, volunteer, war, warzone
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### [Ukraine (13)](https://www.passingthrough.net/ukraine-13/)
**Published:** August 9, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Last night after getting back I was told that Pastor Oleg wanted to have dinner. He invited a young student from his church to translate for us...
**Content:**
28th July
Last night after getting back I was told that Pastor Oleg wanted to have dinner. He invited a young student from his church to translate for us. He had lots of questions and was dying to know what my impressions were of the trip and in particular the devastated village he’d taken me to. I said that my main impressions were: the resilience of the people, their generosity and kindness through adversity, and the fact that even after liberation there is so much work to be done for these people to get some semblance of their life back.
Pastor Dima dropped me off but sadly didn’t stay. He later told me via message that he was getting ready to drive over to Germany to retrieve his wife and young son that he hadn’t seen since the beginning of the war when they had fled to safety. It’s still not safe here but many families are taking calculated risks as the war drags on and they see there are many places ‘safer’ than others.
Army chaplain with his wife and son who have been in Germany up until now to be safe from the war whilst he visits the frontline
Dima getting to see his son for the first time 18 months after war started.
The student was a lovely girl of 18 who again seemed amazed that we had come to Ukraine and were trying to help. She even got me to feature in her Instagram story to her Ukrainian friends.
The next day I was on a bus back to Lviv. Again every bus station seemed to be swarming with soldiers coming and going, long lingering hugs with partners and children.. it seemed like it was an increasing number but who knows…
As we were driving through nice countryside that I thought was a fair way from any issues I was shocked to notice out the window- landmine warning signs on the road verges. I wonder how many years it will be to rid this country of all its mines..
landmine warning signs everywhere
The bus was supposed to arrive back around midnight but at one stop we seemed to have a bit of a problem with one guy not having the right paperwork to get on the bus his wife and kid did. I wondered if it was because this bus continued on to Poland and men of fighting age arent allowed to leave the country at the moment? Anyway that delayed us considerably and we ended up getting in at 2.30 in the morning . I was all ready to use my expanding language skills to negotiate the taxi home ( the local taxi app doesn’t work in the old town after midnight) as I was hit with an exorbitant quote ( in local terms)! I did get it down a bit but negotiations broke down when they reminded me that it would now be after curfew and they’d be risking a fine going into the old town at this time. And then I could hear Ron’s voice in my head saying “don’t argue about $10 alone at 2.30 a.m. in a foreign city – just get in the taxi!!”
29th July
Today I had put aside to do some shopping as I hadn’t had a chance to get anything to take home yet and I’d promised my sister and niece to get them something.
Ladies lined up making heavy hand embroidered traditional blouses. They cost a fortune but when you see the work in them you can see why.
Walking through town I saw a memorial to the soldiers of Olenivka who were prisoners of war captured in Mariupol and were killed in a mass murder deemed a war crime and Russia violated an agreement regarding their exchange.
 Soldiers who were taken prisoner and then murdered by the Russians
I was also determined to visit the main cemetery in Lviv to visit the graves of fallen soldiers from this area. The original part of the cemetery was also interesting and a tourist site as there were graves all the way from the 1600’s to present day.
Lychavisk cemetery
Lychavisk Cemetery
I wasn’t ready for the sea of flags that greeted me on the immense field of fresh soldiers graves. Each grave had been made in the style of a little living garden with a photo of the soldier and adorned with a Ukrainian flag floating in the breeze. Many also had flags of their battalions. Looking at their photos made it so much more real..: they ranged from babyfaced ‘kids’ of around 18-20 to 65 year old ‘grandads’. There were women too. One young man had been killed on his 21st birthday. What was striking was how many graves there were from such a short period. Many of them had died in the previous week or two. Around the cemetery there were families still finishing the garden on more recent graves. Parents tended to the graves of their sons and daughters. Wives came with small children in tow. One older boy sat at the grave of his father with his head in his hands. A young woman in her twenties was sitting by the grave of her partner the whole time we were there- just staring into space.
The new war graves at Lychavisk cemetery
The new war graves at Lychavisk cemetery
Just some of the many lives cut short too soon
Just some of the many lives cut short too soon
Just some of the many lives cut short too soon
Just some of the many lives cut short too soon
A boy mourns his father amongst the flags…
As I walked towards the back of the cemetery I could see rows of very fresh graves that hadn’t had their little gardens built yet but the flags and photos were there. Some were from the last couple of days. A gravedigger was there digging another one. I noticed he was an older guy and I had heard that older men from other professions had had to take over as younger men were now in shorter supply during war. It was also clear that they had allowed a lot more space for this cemetery to expand- I hope to not come back and see it filled…
I couldn’t help crying and crying and I think it was also a release of pent up emotions from the last four weeks. It seemed appropriate to just sit, meditate and pray and release these emotions here before I head home.
We walked home through the streets of Lviv which was lovely although Elsie struggled and I had to hold her up at times. It’s been a tough few weeks for her. We came across a small market in an old square that was like something out of an old Soviet movie. A few old people were selling vintage books and coins and medals that looked like they’d been pulled out of the back cupboard at grandmas. I’m sure if you knew what you were looking for there’d be some real treasures. I bought a 1990’s comic book in Ukrainian with traditional Cossack characters. Again we saw more beautiful buildings and forts and castles and churches that were hundreds of years old. One orthodox church that I stepped into smelled strongly of the sweet incense that they use liberally. I was overcome with emotion as it took me back to the smell of my beloved Ukrainian grandfather who was an orthodox priest. I like to think he’d be proud of what I was doing here…
 This little ‘babushka’ in her traditional embroidered clothes had just hugged this cross and was heading in to the church.
Villagers come in to the city with their bunches of homegrown flowers to sell.
Hlyniany Gate a fortress built in the 1600’s ,Lviv
“Victorious Ukraine”
Built in the 1700’s in Lviv, it’s now a restaurant
 stalls selling villagers’ homemade beekeeping products like honey, wax and candles were common.
More old ladies selling their flowers – flowers are very popular in Ukraine
streetside plant sellers
A little old ‘babushka’ sells her flowers in the city.
 A display of war paraphernalia to raise awareness and raise funds for equipment for the military – saw a lot of this…
part of the fundraising display showing a car hit by rockets
vintage book sellers market
 We got home exhausted and then Rudi suggested going out for dinner. Elsie wasn’t up for it so John and I went.
We had a great chat with Rudi about ways forward from here. There are needs everywhere that they are trying to meet but two critical needs are burns treatments and new 4wd ambulances. The burns treatments they have funding from a donor in Taiwan but they need advocacy to an Australian company to get a discounted rate which we’ll help with.
CMA logistics transporting humanitarian aid including hospital beds
CMA provides paramedic backpacks to combat medics
CMA providing medical supplies to people in de-occupied villages who can’t access medications
Baby supplies provided by CMA to refugees and de-occupied villages
Clinics provided supplies by CMA
Us with Rudi from CMA and one of the foreign legion fighters who has helped with movement of aid.
A tour of CMA and the amazing work they do – these medical students help with the logistics.
Rudi with John and I on our last night – the lady in the restaurant who took the photo asked if we were crazy coming to a warzone – Rudi said ‘yes!’
They also need to fundraise for more ambulances to replace the ones getting worn out with such intense use in rough conditions. Having been on some of those roads I can tell you they really do need something heavy duty. Rudi was telling us they’ve had an offer from Toyota to get them 4WD’s they can fit out for $35000 base cost which is amazing. They just need to raise the funds.
One of the ambulances CMA has been able to distribute but they need heavier duty ones.
If you’d like your donation to CMA to go to this please indicate it when you donate [HERE](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/).
After dinner Rudi asked a young girl there with her boyfriend to take our picture. It was quite funny cos she took ages getting it just right. Young Ukrainians are such posers compared to Aussies. Everywhere you go you see them striking a pose like a model, in the streets with boyfriends or friends taking photos of them.
She asked where we were from and then was amazed- she asked Rudi if we were crazy.. she said to him wasn’t it too scary for us to be here in a war? I just said ‘That’s what we’re here for.’ I did then make the comment that it wasn’t particularly scary right here and she seemed to be enjoying her romantic dinner and he laughed.
We had our goodbye hugs with Rudi and thanked him for all his help and hosting us. Again he kept thanking us which really just didn’t feel right. But as we hugged I think we all felt like this wouldn’t be our last meeting.
‘Going Ukrainian’ by striking a pose – see the young ones doing this all the time!
 Lviv nightlife
Old jewish quarter in Lviv
Night scenes in Lviv
Last night in Lviv
30th July
Today we spent our last day finishing up some articles and blog posts. John got his 5000 word article finished for an Australian magazine and I helped him with some data for it and a proof read.
John and Elsie don’t like going out for local food and I didn’t want to miss out on my last chance for a Ukrainian meal so I went out for dinner myself. It was a nice little cafe where I had Ukrainian dumplings with meat and with cherries and a redcurrant drink. The drink is a Compote style of boiled fruits kept in a jar and it’s a very traditional Ukrainian drink. The ‘bar’ had jars of bottled fruit compotes that looked more like they belonged in Grandma’s cellar.
Ukrainian fruit compote drink
Traditional fruit compotes at the bar
Two varieties of Ukrainian dumplings (varenyky) for dinner
As a farewell I was woken by one last air raid siren for our last night. It was an initial cross country one that then turned out to be for further east.
Air raid alert for the whole country on our last night.
 31st July
Ukrainian breakfast of fresh blueberries and wheat yoghurt drink
Elsie & John had befriended an Australian couple who had come there to pick up a surrogate baby.
I’d organised a driver online to take us over the border. It cost more than a bus or train but we were splitting the costs. We’d heard that the buses regularly get stuck at the border for up to ten hours at a time. The train is better but it means catching a train at 3 am that you then have to change again at 4.30 am over the border with all your baggage and John and Elsie had big bags. Turned out it was a good call. The drivers name was Luda and she was monitoring chats to work out which was the quickest border crossing. We managed to get across the border and both checkpoints in under 3 hours which is amazing. The worst part was bursting for a pee at the border and finding the only place to pee was where thousands of others had been in the bushes! As I pushed into the bushes I found I was surrounded by berries! Under any other circumstances I’d have been excited. But was a bit nervous about what they’d been ‘fertilised’ with! The whole journey all up was about ten hours but that included a stop at Mc Donald’s. Elsie and John were very excited to get their junk food fix.. ?
Line up at the border with Poland
Fields of sunflowers were a real feature of Ukraine
Elsie and John were so excited to get McDonalds – one thing we don’t have in common… (-:
Impressive storks and stork nests were everywhere
Plums and Berries at the ‘pee spot’
But what was interesting is that Luda was a Christian doctor; an obstetrician in fact, who drives on her days off. Apparently doctors pay isn’t that great.
Her husband is also a pastor who is passionate about Creation and makes incredible dinosaur and fossil models. I was able to help with some contacts from my dad at Creation ministries.
She told us about her adult kids working with NGO samaritans purse as drivers and translators at the field hospitals they help with closer to the front. Constantly translating the trauma and medical stuff has taken a toll and her kids have had a lot of health problems that have now been diagnosed as stress and they are on antidepressants. It sounds like it’s been tough on all of them. And that is after Covid where she nearly died and had an obliterated lung and then gave it to her parents and her mum died of it and she had to deal with that… She said at one point she asked her adults kids to leave and go somewhere safe, but they said ‘No mama, we need to stay and do our bit to help.’ They’d even had offers from American friends and they still said no. At times the staff there have been under rocket attack and one American doctor had a breakdown and had to leave. Under one rocket attack their GPS system stopped working and they lost navigation. It was very scary and they then saw on telegram ( a social media chat group very popular over here) that Russians were saying their soldiers should target Samaritans Purse vehicles and was spreading Mia information that the US was transporting military supplies in its ambulances and vehicles. As a result they had to remove all their logos and insignia and advise staff not to wear the uniforms. In Kyiv a rocket attack came within 300 metres of their office. It has taken a toll. At the beginning of the war when based in Lviv they had over 100 doctors. Currently they have none and only two are arriving this week but they’re not sure for how long.
She talked about how a lot of people ‘came to God’ in 1990-1992 through the collapse of the Soviet Union. She thinks it was because people started to think critically and question what they believe in, why am I going to this church (traditional ‘religious’ churches) etc – a lot more ‘why’ questions were being asked.
People became more convicted of their faith , there was more genuine faith. She sees this happening again now with the war and sees that many people are being strengthened and forged through the fire of suffering.
She said “Sometimes when I have fear and think about leaving I realise I don’t want to. I love my country – I don’t want to leave.”
**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** charity, Godslove, humanitarian, medical mission, non-profit, pack light, refugees, remote doctors, travel, travel light, ukraine, volunteer, war, warzone
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### [Ukraine (2)](https://www.passingthrough.net/ukraine-2/)
**Published:** July 13, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
3/7
CMA Ukraine showed us around their warehouse and office and it was inspiring to see what they are doing. They have grown from a small group of Christian doctors to a large organisation that the government trusts to help with logistics and humanitarian aid. Their story is quite amazing and I will share more of it as we put the documentary together. But let me say that their president Dr Rudi is nothing short of inspiring. He is so young yet manages this organisation with a wisdom and grace beyond his years. His approach is one of the greatest transparency and accountability and I have seen very few organisations that I would trust as much as this one. That is why I am happy to raise funds for them and to say without a doubt that every cent you send here will be well used to provide highly efficient, effective and accountable humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine. I accompanied their team on one of their mobile clinics to de-occupied areas ( later in the blog) and the gratitude of the people who have suffered under Russian occupation is quite moving to see. CMA also provides food, water, hygiene products, diapers, medical supplies, medical equipment, medical training, paramedic supplies for the frontline, ambulances and drivers to the frontline as well as their mobile clinics. Very inspiring and I would encourage you to give to them even if it is as little as the cost of a cup of coffee as they appreciate every little bit. Even if you can’t give right now – please share the page to others who might be able to. Regular giving of even small amounts that helps them plan is very much appreciated too. [GIVE HERE.](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)
 With some of the amazing medical students who help run the fantastic logistics of the humanitarian aid through Christian Medical Association Ukraine  An ambulance donated through CMA that will be driven by their frontline volunteer drivers.  Tables where orders get sorted and packed for humanitarian aid.  One of the trucks they use for distributing aid & medical supplies. 4/7
Off to Uzhhorod on the Ukrainian-Hungarian border to visit people providing aid to the war ravaged East and working with orphans and vulnerable children.The plan was to get a taxi to the train station for a 6 a.m. train. I went out early at 5 a.m. to be safe but there were no taxis or uber willing to come into the Old Town at that time of the morning. I calculated that if I walked, I could get there in time so had a nice 40 minute walk to the train. The train was solid but one of those old-style trains with hard seats that swayed from side to side making it hard to even stand up when it was going. The scenery as we approached the Transcarpathians was incredible. Beautiful forests and rivers, mountains and villages and farms that looked like they hadn’t changed in 100 years. The land was so bountiful too with acres of assorted vegetables and grains being hand-tended and fruit trees everywhere.
I then got to spend time with Leah learning about her work. She told me that the population has really grown with a massive influx of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s). This is one of the safest places to come during the war.
She works with government run ‘orphanages’. 80 per cent of orphans have one living parent with rights- that means they can’t be adopted. For their region it was 92 per cent before the war. Part of her job is to coordinate medical intervention.
It can take a long time to build relationship with the parents and get permission. Funding is also an issue. Less than 0.06% of government funding for institutions goes to medical care. They try to bridge the gap. They also aim to work with parents to help them be able to keep and care for their kids.
What often happens is a child is born with a medical condition- the family then wants to leave the child with orphanage to get better care as they don’t know what to do.All the kids develop a kind of ‘institutional autism’. Their organisation is invisible to the institution – it’s a personal relationship with the director that helps them to do their work. They partner with Rudi from Family of Christ – they get a lot of support from the USA. Ukrainians are innovative and creative but we bring that formalisation process and administration skills. It is important to have a system and help coordinate the team. They work with family of Christ because they are Ukrainians – it’s a two way relationship.
They are not registered in Ukraine yet so helps them be efficient and be low profile on the ground.
They want to open a resource centre outside of town as a place that families can come and get support to keep their child.
They also want it to be a hub for medical professionals that want to come. There are more than 200 people with medical needs under their roof- one of the institutions is for more complex needs. They are 3.5 hrs away on a rough road.
The war definitely has impacted things. When orphanages in the East were evacuated, the children were sent west. This meant many of the kids they had worked with who had changed so much with their care and relationships were suddenly moved out of the country to make room for the refugees and it broke her to see them go. Also the deinstitutionalising process was disrupted by the war. They had to reopen institutions to take the influx from the war zones. Kids were even more separated from any surviving parents.
The kids sent over the border for safety were most at risk of trafficking and they had to advocate for local organisations in the area to get involved and protect them.
The kids do have a high mortality rate. Mostly from a ‘broken heart’. Malnourishment, heart defects, undiagnosed problems, the ones with family do much better. Institution situation is fight or flight. They have no sense of childhood. The biggest medical need is paediatric therapy – bedridden need lots of allied health OT and Physio.
Caregivers don’t have the time to do much with the kids- they are overwhelmed one to like 16 high needs kids. There are no resources for individualised care.
Parents see institutionalisation as normalised from the Soviet era. It is culturally difficult to keep children with special needs. There is no government support for this- even less so now that there is a war.
It is truly inspiring to see the work that people are doing in these difficult times.
I then got dropped off to Becky who was catching the train back with me to Lviv. She was at a building site that she was supervising through her organisation.
She has been working in this region to introduce new building technologies that are quicker and cheaper to address needs. It has been a cultural shift as people here don’t think wood framing is quality and always want to build with concrete.
All the guys we saw on the site are Ukrainian Christian’s working on the building and they come from Apostolov which is in an area that has been hit hard by shelling and also now has no water since the destruction of the Khakhovka dam by the Russians.The buildings they are doing now are for a missionary to build a community of housing for IDP’s who have nowhere to live. Becky has trained them in this in 2008 and now they are able to do this and the guys ( church leaders) started their own construction business using these techniques and manufacturing their own local materials. Ukrainians are very creative. A lot of the builders left the country. The war prompted the Christian’s to get a frame construction factory going and all the building is now going to be local.
 Beautiful scenery of the Transcarpathians  Beautiful scenery of the Transcarpathians  Beautiful scenery of the Transcarpathians  Beautiful scenery of the Transcarpathians  Grandmas selling flowers on the footpaths  Leah McGowan of New Song International  Rudi of Family of Christ  Leah in the office   Ukrainian borscht for lunch   The new tech buildings being built by the Ukrainian crew Becky told me that the war has broken down barriers to churches working with government and getting bureaucracy to accept their solutions e.g. wood framed buildings and generators. Controlling, ex-communist hgovernment suddenly became much more open to churches and Christian’s. (Their has also been a change of government of course). The church in Apostolove gave local councillors the chance to work in their church when there was no power. Many of these people have become Christians including the acting mayor now. Now they have lots of open doors with government for humanitarian work.
Now the mayor is calling the Christian leaders to help with their water problem after the dam blew up. Taps have run out of water and as I was talking to Becky she got the message that the well digger had arrived. . They have 24 containers/ tanks that can be filled with water and distributed throughout the community. The builders on this project are from Apostolov and they travel 15 hours to stay here for a few weeks and then go back home again for a bit. One of the builders turned up with a bad complexion and it was because he hadn’t been able to wash in his home town with no water. He also came back with his wife’s washing as they could not wash clothes at home.
When these builders get home they get on to solving problems at home in the east too and these guys are helping with the well when they go home tomorrow.
Vlad said to me “We have to rely on ourselves and on God.”
**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Giving Back, Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** charity, humanitarian, medical mission, remote doctors, remote work, travel, ukraine, volunteer, war, warzone
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### [From Russia With Lies...](https://www.passingthrough.net/from-russia-with-lies/)
**Published:** November 30, 2025
**Author:** Ron Gillespie
**Excerpt:** My first visit to Ukraine revealed how Russian propaganda shapes global opinions. We're all more vulnerable to misinformation than we think.
**Content:**
## Russian Lies
My first visit to Ukraine—Lara’s third trip—has certainly given me a deeper understanding and appreciation of the situation and the people. It has also highlighted how affected we all are by our information sources. It is well known that Russia is a very effective producer of propaganda and misinformation for their own benefit. Sometimes subtle, sometimes not so. This has been true since well before the rise of our beloved internet, but what the Kremlin is achieving online now around the world should frighten everyone. From governments to communities to families to our children, the influence of the internet is all-pervasive. We have underestimated its power and influence to our peril.
The genesis of much fracturing around the world, at all levels, can often be traced, in no small part, to online influence. Yes, fracturing and turmoil have been a part of our human condition for most generations, but there is no doubt that this has accelerated thanks to us all being as “connected” as ever. This worldwide connectivity, many expected, would bring us all together in understanding, leading to one big peaceful global village. One important factor we overlooked in our rush into the revolutionary and exciting world of exponential information and idea sharing was the potential for influence from “undesirable” or “unfriendly” actors.
We are waking up to the harm social media is causing many of our children. The attitudes of young men toward women are being influenced by figures like Andrew Tate. All this is alarming indeed, but there are much bigger actors at play in our information spheres. Actors that, most dangerously, we are totally oblivious of. Actors who were quick to see the potential of working this global connectivity in their favour. Actors who do their best to hide their involvement in the genesis of theories, ideas, rumours, and doubts. Human traits have allowed these actors to often let us do their work for them. Once we start down a rabbit hole, our fellow warren dwellers or groupies can easily start creating our own narratives in the direction they were wrongly pointed. COVID is an example of an extreme blowout in rabbit holes and theories.
Well, we all know about the dangers of algorithms, I hear you say. Yes, great, we all need to be aware of the ability of algorithms to create bias and reinforce a particular view. Algorithms indeed are mostly a help to these “actors” once a person starts down a certain path. But it goes much deeper than algorithms—it goes to the information itself. Some actors use information, true, false, or a mix, to create or support a narrative. Now, the ways of this are myriad, but without a doubt, we humans can be led to almost any viewpoint if we are exposed to enough information surrounding it.
Enter the Kremlin. It is well known that the psyops program of the Kremlin is unparalleled. It was big before the internet, but has exploded since. They saw the potential for influence in this new technology, and how right they were. Many are aware of the Russian troll farms—Russian bots are everywhere, pro-Russian actors are everywhere, and they can often be picked by those who know, but sadly, many don’t know or don’t notice. Now this is challenging enough to deal with, but Russian psy-ops goes even deeper. It can go to the very “spirit” of the information we get. Very slight changes in information can result in a very different effect of the message. Seeds of doubt can have a significant impact on us. Clever “linking” of issues makes you feel like you see the link yourself, which leads further down the abyss. Straight-out lies are used, but this usually works most effectively on the already indoctrinated. This is a broad subject, and I encourage us all to become more aware of our online vulnerability. Many of us, I believe, would be horrified if we could shine the light of truth onto a map showing the beginnings and growth of what we currently hold as “facts.” Twitter has recently activated the ability for users to view the “country of origin” of other users. It shows an incredible level of “international” users impersonating within many “popular” movements.
Many terrible events happened in Ukraine during the six weeks we were there. I watched to see if any would make Australian news. Concerningly, none did until the shocking event of drones striking a kindergarten in Kharkiv, and even then, not many showed it. We know, without a shadow of a doubt, that this terrible event occurred. Now I have better things to do than fight the overwhelming flow of “lies” online. By the time you do what’s required to discount one, ten more have arrived. Even then, it seems that disproving it matters little. For example, the young boy who was supposedly crucified by the Ukrainian army in Donbas was quickly shown to be a total Russian fabrication, yet it still lives on ten years later.
I haven’t searched, but I’m sure there will be all kinds of misinformation circulating about this kindergarten strike. One that was shared quickly by a Russian influencer was that it was fake because the kids being carried out had clean clothes. Any takers on that theory? At first glance, this seems like a valid point. Annoyingly, with us humans, it seems to only take small seeds of doubt to change our views. This is an often-used Kremlin tactic—they’ve used it heavily since the invasion of Ukraine in 2014.
In Kryvyi Rih, we heartbreakingly witnessed tiny little kids being rushed back inside as the air raid siren went off. They’re especially sensitive with their kids in this city, as a missile hit a kids’ playground there in 2024, killing 35 children. They don’t just go inside, though—they go down into a bomb shelter, cellar, or stronger room. This is why most of the kids were clean on exiting the kindergarten in Kharkiv.
Firstly, though, I must ask why? Why does Ukraine have to defend itself against Russian propaganda and lies? When did Putin gain a level of trust or respect that makes him worth listening to? Russia’s atrocities and war crimes count—not just in Ukraine but also in Chechnya, Syria, and Georgia—make them ineligible for any favour, any leeway, any acceptance, any valued place in a civilised, just world. Russia’s determination to exterminate Ukrainian identity is not a new thing and has been very obviously in action during this invasion. History is a good teacher—research the Holodomor for starters, and no, it wasn’t a natural famine as Russia would still insist you believe, but a Russian-forced one inflicted on Eastern Ukraine, starving millions. Horrendous story. Russia has been shown to tick all the boxes to qualify as committing genocide on Ukraine during this invasion. There is no justification for, or room for acceptance of, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Russia’s documented and proven war crimes since 2014 and their treatment of civilians really put Putin’s army and the Kremlin near where Hitler’s Nazis were.
Russian targeting of non-military targets in Ukraine can never be acceptable, it is a very long, disgusting list of non-military targets. So many innocent lives taken or forever damaged. Where FPV drones are involved, you can, shockingly, often view the videos from Russian soldiers who regularly post them on channels like Telegram. The attitude shown in the Russian soldiers’ and civilians comments to these posts is deeply distressing and alarming also.
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russia has been sowing doubt about every one of their atrocities. Not only that, but they also often try to blame Ukraine in some way. The “fake news” path is a well-trod Russian narrative. It is heartbreaking to see how many Australians have been led down the path of negativity, even hostility, toward Ukraine by cunning Russian misinformation, and this comes not just from within the sphere of this invasion but also from within greater global theories and conspiracies.
Another common Kremlin tactic is, after seeding doubts or claiming the now-popular “fake news” ground around Ukrainian announcements on Russian horrors, they reflect their own atrocities back on Ukraine, calling out Ukraine for barbarous acts similar to what they did, which Ukraine didn’t do at all. It enrages the Russian population, keeping them supportive of the war, but also muddies the waters globally. By the time this is discounted or called out, the news cycle has moved on, fewer people care, it’s no longer “clickbait”, and often the damage remains done. Russians, thanks to their controlled media, remain none the wiser.
Since Ukrainian independence from the USSR, Ukraine has constantly faced Russian interference and has struggled valiantly to rid its society of the old, corrupt Soviet systems and way of thinking. They seem to be doing a commendable job peeling their country from Russian influence and the old Soviet corrupt ways, but it is an immense job, ingrained by years of Soviet rule—it is, after all, how the Soviet system works. Many believe that Zelensky’s government’s effectiveness in breaking free from Kremlin influence played a significant part in why Putin decided on the full-scale invasion in 2022. In Putin’s mind, Ukraine is not a country and has no right to exist. Putin could not tolerate his waning influence in Ukraine. A free Ukraine seeking EU integration was an abomination in his mind—he could not bear losing his dreams of the return of the empire.
The Ukrainian people make an impressive country. Very diverse, very resilient, very smart, very friendly once you break through that serious façade. Witnessing the suffering and plight of so many villagers was heartbreaking. Although they were financially poor, they generally lived happy and contented lives on their land within their communities. Many fled the Russian invasion with nothing. I spoke with an elderly village man who, while insistently sharing his beautiful homegrown grapes, told us how he chose not to flee but to stay, as he thought the Russians wouldn’t harm him. How wrong he was. He was grateful to have survived the invaders—his brother, who was his neighbour, did not. As he showed us the many relics and damage of war around his garden and shared his stories, he incredibly showed no sign of anger or hate toward the perpetrators, though he prays for them a speedy retreat from a victorious Ukraine. He now has no teeth and much damage to his body, thanks to the invading army.
I do not know the answer to stopping the interference of Russia and the like in our information sphere. The “horse has bolted,” so to speak. It would not matter what truths I presented, backed by facts and evidence, regarding Ukraine. Many people’s minds are well made up for an alarmingly diverse array of reasons. Many will be grinding their teeth reading this, I know. It is an alarming fruit of our online world that truth and justice can be so easily dismissed or drowned under half-truths, rumours, lies, and seeds of doubt. When you think about it, an event is created by a thread of single connected truths. It is easy to create many alternatives at each connection, burying the truth. As humans, we too easily join in on creating or reinforcing these alternatives to truth if we get “passionate” enough about something. Examples of the truth being buried abound. I find it very disheartening.
So from the start of this invasion, Ukraine has faced much unimaginable barbarism. Much of it is well-proven, which is why the ICC seeks to hold Putin accountable for justice to be served. I know just the mention of the ICC will get some people grinding their axes—I’m one to a degree. As a case in point, however, the views and theories of some people regarding the ICC are so deeply ingrained that they are highly unlikely to even acknowledge that flawed information may, just may, be behind their negativity towards the ICC, let alone lead them to re-examine their treasured foundations more deeply.
Dismissing the ICC may seem harmless enough. However, when foundations based on falsehoods cause us to be blind to injustice, or even outright evil, it becomes a potentially much bigger, more dangerous, and more urgent problem. Especially when an extremely high percentage of our population is forming their foundations around social media feeds, which are being so openly influenced by so many players with motives we would not accept.
Consider the wide variety of attitudes and beliefs about the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Foundational beliefs surrounding this are highly varied, which leads to a wide range of attitudes. For example: Ukraine is not our war, or Ukraine is to blame in some way, or the “West” is to blame, or it’s the military-industrial complex at work, or globalists, or BlackRock, or Russia’s invasion is justified, or Russia is standing for “family values” against a depraved woke West, or believing, as do most Russians, that Ukraine is evil and committing atrocities, or thinking Russian atrocities in Ukraine are just Ukrainian “fake news” propaganda. Tragically, this list could go on and on.
Never mind my personal experiences in Ukraine—if I share them framed positively around Ukraine or negatively around Russia, many automatically dismiss me as spreading Ukrainian propaganda or being blinded by MSM, blah blah. So much evidence, indisputable evidence, has been collected around Russian atrocities since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, and they continue. Russia has been continually caught spreading misinformation on a myriad of subjects around Ukraine. Yet somehow, Russia is not an international pariah. Australia even still buys its oil—go figure. America is almost treating them as equals, friends, and business partners. Who would have thought?
So, for those who think Ukraine should just surrender, you are wrong. This is not an option. Terror would envelop their lives, many would die, and all would suffer. They would finally cease to be the distinct culture and people that they are. Considering what they have faced throughout their history, the fact that Ukraine still are a distinct and proud nation is an incredible feat. The Kremlin have clearly and continually shown their abhorrent attitude and intentions since the beginning of their invasion of Ukraine, and this shouldn’t be acceptable on any scale or allowed in any civilised world.
We said after WWII, “never again.” Well, there are many parallels with Russia and Ukraine and Hitler and the Jews. We need to, at all levels, wake up and step up to this immense threat to the world.
I do not have the answers to the problems our connected “information” society faces. For now, all we can do is tread more wisely and carefully online, and not let ourselves be dragged down into unhelpful, even dangerous, rabbit holes. Regarding Ukraine, try and step outside the emotion of any narratives and just consider the immensity of injustice and evil Russia has inflicted on Ukraine. Simply see the clear right and wrong, black and white, good and evil this invasion represents—it is not rocket science. I think the abuse of the internet by dark players requires government intervention, but that in itself would be fuel for the likes of Russia to sow further disharmony in our country.
To our “democratic, freedom-loving” government: Stop being governed by concerns around polls and start doing what is right and just. Support Ukraine more—there are many ways we can. If Ukraine falls, blood will be on our hands. If it happens, I’m convinced that we would look back at the fall of Ukraine as a disastrous turning point in history we will very heavily regret.
To Russia with truth
Ron Gillespie
[See Full Bio](https://www.passingthrough.net/author/rgillespie/) [ ](https://www.passingthrough.net/author/rgillespie/)
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** propaganda, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, ukraine
---
### [Quick Updates No. 2: Ukraine, 3 Years of Full-Scale War](https://www.passingthrough.net/quick-updates-dispatches-no-2-on-the-third-anniversary-of-full-scale-russian-invasion/)
**Published:** February 24, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Three years into Russia’s brutal invasion, Ukraine still fights for survival. Stand with them, fight disinformation, and support urgent medical aid. 💙💛
**Content:**
1.3K\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
# **Ukraine: Three Years of War and a Fight for Survival**
Today marks the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine—a brutal and unprovoked attack that continues to inflict unimaginable suffering on the Ukrainian people. It is not just the physical devastation of relentless bombings and military aggression but also the psychological torment Ukrainians face daily. The uncertainty over continued support from their allies is a burden that adds to their struggle, as they grapple with the horrifying reality of what might happen if left at the mercy of an enemy that has shown a willingness to commit mass murder, torture, and rape.
Now more than ever, Ukraine needs unwavering support. The world must stand firm against tyranny and genocide. If you can, **[donate](http://www.passingthrough.net/donating)** to organisations such as ours, providing aid and assistance, and **pray for Ukraine**. The fight for freedom is not just theirs—it is ours too.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_video link=”https://youtu.be/Z9JTChEnvZI” align=”center” css=””\]\[vc\_separator css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
# **News Bites: Ukraine’s Ongoing Struggle**
## **Fact-Checking Misinformation**
Recent speeches by the former US President were filled with blatant falsehoods—many of which mirror Russian propaganda. Here are the facts:
- **Claim:** Zelensky has a 4% approval rating.
**Fact:** While his approval ratings have declined from 77% they remain far higher than Trump’s. After US President Donald Trump falsely claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s approval rating stands at a mere 4%, experts including Professor Olga Onuch of The University of Manchester have pointed to their polling which puts his approval rating at 63% – making him the most popular politician in the country.
- **Claim:** The US has provided twice as much aid to Ukraine as Europe.
**Fact:** Europe has actually given more aid than the US.[](https://www.passingthrough.net/quick-updates-dispatches-no-2-on-the-third-anniversary-of-full-scale-russian-invasion/picture1-3/)
- **Claim:** Zelensky doesn’t know where half of the donations have gone.
**Fact:** A significant portion of the aid has been used by donor nations to replenish their own stocks. Direct aid to Ukraine from the US stands at around $100 billion. Zelenskyy was making the point that a lot of the aid they’ve been told they’ve received was never sent.
- **Claim:** Ukraine started the war.
**Fact:** Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014 and escalated to a full-scale war in 2022.
- **Claim:** The US has provided $350 billion in aid to Ukraine.
**Fact:** The US State Department reports that military aid to Ukraine since 2022 is approximately $65.9 billion.
The spread of misinformation only serves Russia’s interests. The truth must prevail.
Some other good fact checking **[HERE.](https://edmo.eu/publications/trumps-lies-about-zelensky-us-aid-to-ukraine-and-the-responsibility-of-the-war/)**\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_separator css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
## **The US-Ukraine Minerals Deal: A Controversial Bargain**
The US is pushing Ukraine to sign a minerals deal granting American companies **50% of Ukraine’s revenue from rare earth elements, oil, and gas**—indefinitely. Ukrainian President Zelensky has resisted, citing a lack of security guarantees and the disproportionate nature of the agreement. Critics argue this deal could jeopardise Ukraine’s economic sovereignty, with Ukraine being asked to hand over vast resources into perpetuity while receiving vague (or even NO) promises in return.
Read more:
🔗 [Moscow Times](https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/02/22/zelensky-not-ready-to-sign-minerals-deal-with-us-source-a88123)
🔗 [Financial Times](https://www.ft.com/content/b4a64be0-7ca6-43f8-b402-af6193576e32?utm_)
🔗 [Le Monde](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/02/19/why-did-ukraine-reject-trump-s-mineral-resources-plan_6738323_4.html?utm_)\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_separator css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
## **Relentless Attacks: The Numbers Are Staggering**
Russia’s onslaught continues without pause:
- Over **1,250 bombs** and **750 drones** were fired at Ukraine in just one week in January.
- On **February 23**, Russia launched **267 drones** in one day—its highest attack count yet.
- Civilian homes, hospitals, and energy infrastructure are among the primary targets.
Ukraine’s medical needs are immense, and international aid is crucial in helping wounded civilians and soldiers. Please help us support these needs by **[DONATING](http://www.passingthrough.net/donating).** Every small amount helps!\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_separator css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
## **Upcoming Medical Mission to Ukraine – Supporting Those on the Frontlines**
As Ukraine’s hospitals struggle under the weight of war, we are preparing for our next **urgent medical mission** in partnership with the **Christian Medical Association of Ukraine**. Our team will be working alongside their incredible doctors and healthcare workers—**providing medical support, essential supplies, and vital education to strengthen their ability to care for those affected by war**.
💙 **Your support makes this possible.** Every donation helps equip Ukrainian medical teams with the training and tools they need to save lives.
🔗 **Donate today:** [chuffed.org/project/medical-mission-ukraine](https://chuffed.org/project/medical-mission-ukraine)
[](http://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/438089404_432740362575154_8587384564222190766_n.jpg)
Dr Rudi hands over an ambulance from the CMATogether, we can stand with Ukraine’s healers and help them continue their lifesaving work. 💛💙
\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_separator css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
## **Looting on an Unprecedented Scale**
Russia has looted over **33,000 artifacts** from Ukrainian museums in Kherson alone—marking the largest cultural theft in Europe since **Hitler’s looting in World War II**. High-ranking Russian officers and Crimean museum officials orchestrated the theft, with stolen treasures now reportedly in occupied Crimea.
🔗 [Kyiv Independent Report](https://kyivindependent.com/kyiv-independent-identifies-high-ranking-russian-officer-officials-involved-in-looting-of-museums-in-southern-ukraine/)\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_separator css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
## **Ukraine’s Population Crisis**
In 2024, Ukraine registered **495,090 deaths**—almost **three times the number of births**. These figures do not include the occupied territories, meaning the true toll could be even worse. The war is not only destroying infrastructure but also devastating Ukraine’s demographic future.
🔗 [Kyiv Independent Report](https://kyivindependent.com/almost-3-times-more-people-died-in-ukraine-than-were-born-in-2024-data-shows/?mc_cid=3e9709bd1e&mc_eid=e0dfaa7c1e)\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_separator css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
## **Russia’s New Propaganda: A Soviet-Style History Rewrite**
Echoing the tactics of Stalin and Hitler, Russia has introduced a **three-volume textbook for children**, rewriting history to justify its invasion of Ukraine. These books are part of a broader disinformation campaign aimed at brainwashing the next generation into supporting Russia’s war crimes.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_separator css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
## **Suspension of US Aid Hits Ukraine—and Beyond**
The US foreign aid freeze has had dire consequences:
- **Veteran rehabilitation programs in Ukraine have been suspended.**
- **Education projects have been halted** in frontline villages.
- **HIV and tuberculosis treatments** are now at risk, leaving thousands of vulnerable patients without care.
This pause in aid funding isn’t just affecting Ukraine but **millions of people worldwide**, particularly in impoverished communities that rely on US humanitarian programs.
🔗 [The Bulwark](https://www.thebulwark.com/p/what-usaid-really-did-in-ukraine-foreign-aid)\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_separator css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
## **Chemical Weapons: Russia’s Unchecked War Crimes**
Russia has used **chemical weapons against Ukrainian forces 5,389 times** since 2023. In December alone, there were **434 recorded cases**, with over **2,000 Ukrainian soldiers hospitalised** due to exposure.
🔗 [Kyiv Independent Report](https://kyivindependent.com/russia-used-chemical-weapons-434-times-in-december-ukraines-general-staff-says/?mc_cid=031c85b8c3&mc_eid=e0dfaa7c1e)\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_separator css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
## **A Lesson in History**
One particularly profound quote about this war resonates deeply with me:
*“If the people and politicians involved in this conflict knew their history, the aid and arms would be flowing uninterrupted to Ukraine.”*
History has repeatedly shown that appeasing dictators leads only to greater suffering. Will we learn, or will we repeat past mistakes?\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_separator css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css\_animation=”lightSpeedIn” css=””\]
# **Ukraine’s Fight is the World’s Fight**
The battle for Ukraine is a battle for democracy, human rights, and the fundamental principles of international law – and for Ukrainians it is for their very survival… The world cannot afford to waver. The Ukrainian people have shown unbreakable resilience, but they need more than words—they need action.
💙💛 **[DONATE](http://www.passingthrough.net/donating) if you can. Spread the truth. Ask your government to support. Pray for Ukraine. Stand with Ukraine.** 💙💛\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_btn title=”PLEASE SUPPORT NOW” color=”success” align=”center” i\_icon\_fontawesome=”fas fa-hands-helping” css=”” button\_block=”true” add\_icon=”true” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.passingthrough.net%2Fdonating|target:\_blank”\]\[vc\_separator border\_width=”5″ css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]**Sources:**
- [Kyiv Independent](https://kyivindependent.com/)
- [Moscow Times](https://www.themoscowtimes.com/)
- [Le Monde](https://www.lemonde.fr/)
- [Financial Times](https://www.ft.com/)
- [The Bulwark](https://www.thebulwark.com/)
- [University of Manchester](https%3A%2F%2Fwww.manchester.ac.uk%2Fabout%2Fnews%2Ftrump-is-making-false-claims-about-zelenskys-popularity%2F)
\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]
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**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** charity, freedom, Godslove, humanitarian, medical mission, non-profit, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, ukraine, Ukrainian doctor visit, volunteer, warzone
---
### [Ukraine (7a)](https://www.passingthrough.net/ukraine-7a/)
**Published:** July 24, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** A horrowing day at Hostomel as we travel through Ukraine.
**Content:**
15/7
A harrowing day at Hostomel. For those who don’t recognise that name- it’s the northern area of Kyiv not far from the Belarusian border where Russian troops invaded Ukraine on Feb 24, 2022- hoping to topple Kyiv and take Ukraine within 3 days. It is right next door to Bucha which is the other area that should now be well known to many as the site of mass murders, torture and rape of innocent civilians by Russians in the early days of Russian occupation before being liberated.
We were picked up by our hosts, an army chaplain called Ivan and ( a priest who goes to the frontline) and one of the volunteers with MuBudoma (we are home) Aleksander.
As we drove to Hostomel they told us how Russian tanks got within 3-5 km of Kyiv. It took six hours for the column to get here even though it’s not that far.
We drove through the areas they had come in and saw the suburbs and forests where Ukrainians held them off. It was mostly volunteers at this point as regular army were all in the east. Everyone we speak to says the same- that they either didn’t believe that Russia would actually invade ( again) or that it would come from the East. Nearly all of those who fought at this point were territorial defence or volunteers and cadets from the academy and some Azov battalion as the regular army were mostly stationed in the East.
They didn’t have heavy weapons at this point- they literally defended Kyiv with their lives. Many lives were lost here and many bodies still have not been found.
The roads here are rutted and wrecked by tank traffic.
There is still lots of military presence here in this area unsurprisingly. Checkpoints and soldiers are everywhere.
I was struck by how forests and parks that should be places of peace and beauty and recreation were turned into battlefields with trenches and bunkers and Czech hedgehogs on the roads. Trees are blown apart or their tops blown off and flags and memorials to the dead are dotted throughout the forest.
Tension is still high in this area.
Rubble from bombed buildings in Hostomel
Bombed buildings in Hostomel
Bombed buildings in HostomelBombed buildings in Hostomel
Bombed buildings in Hostomel
The Baptist seminary supports 17 ‘we-care’ centres ( a network of different organisations that do various things- humanitarian work, support refugees etc, ) all different NGOs that partner and get support from the seminary with information, organisation, admin, education etc and also a platform where civil society and the church can collaborate.
Volodmyr Kovad was one of the main guys we spoke to- he is a Christian builder and businessman who started up this charity before the war but it has expanded substantially after the war and they were at the forefront of the emergency response when the Russians first invaded.
Aleksander also works for them and Ivan the army chaplain is a partner as well.
Volodymyr showed us the warehouse he has bought to expand their humanitarian aid activities. His team were also preparing for a market day the next day to raise funds. When they do aid visits they are often given ‘mementos’ of rocket shells, bomb fragments etc and these were in the warehouse.
They, like so many of the other organisations we’ve met, do amazing work and done by people with big hearts and great bravery, willing to sacrifice a lot to help their country.
We also went to the Hostomel airport which of course is famous as the airport that the Russians wanted to take over to complete their invasion of Kyiv- with the objective of capturing it. The airport held strategic value as it was located less than 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) outside of the capital [Kyiv](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyiv "Kyiv"), which would allow Russian troops to [airlift](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airlift "Airlift") more troops and heavier equipment to directly threaten the city. The Russians captured the airport but it was damaged by the Ukrainians sufficiently to render it unusable by the Russians. And the Ukrainians repelled the ground attack just outside Hostomel in the trenches in the forest at the cost of many lives. We went to see the memorials dotted through the forest and got to walk in the trenches where these battles happened not so long ago. It was very emotional and as we drove through to these areas we saw trees blown apart by artillery and rockets and so many houses and buildings that had been shelled and bombed. Including schools and playgrounds…
Memorial to the people who have their lives to repel the Russian takeover of Kyiv
Remains of shells from the attack north of Hostomel
Trenches where battles were fought to repel the Russians from Kyiv in Feb 22
Trenches at the battle site north of Hostomel have been made into a memorial for the fallen he fought to repel the Russians from Kyiv in Feb 22
[https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/flow\_vid\_20230715\_130400\_02\_487.mp4](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/flow_vid_20230715_130400_02_487.mp4)
Hostomel airport – site of Russian invasion – in the background
We couldn’t get too close to the airport as it is highly militarised and even walking in the vicinity we were approached by soldiers who warned us not to take any photos.
Volodomyr had some crazy stories of those first days ( you’ll have to wait for the videos!) and showed us the video he took on his phone on that first day as they woke to Russian helicopters swarming in and firing at their homes.
After this big day we all went out to dinner and enjoyed traditional Ukrainian food and lots of chats. As with so many others they were both fascinated and touched by my story of my grandfather and my Ukrainian roots and of course always say afterwards that I ‘look Ukrainian’.
Traditional borscht and salo
Some of the MuVdoma team
Ivan kindly drove us back to Kyiv central then and on the way we got stopped at an other army checkpoint and he had to show his chaplain documents and explain that we were Australian doctors.
---
16/7
We had a day in Kyiv to go Rudi’s sister’s church. I couldn’t understand a lot of it except to understand that again so much of their thoughts are towards what is happening to their country and their need to pray for it and support it. I was able to sing some verses of How Great Thou Art in Ukrainian which was a beautiful feeling and I think surprised our hosts… After the service the lady next to me talked to me in broken English to ask what we were doing here. When I told her and mentioned the impact of war on the children she started crying and collapsed into my mums. She was a mum with two young children and she just said “yes it is many, many impact on children”. She was hugging me tightly and didn’t let go. I’ve noticed that the language of touch and hugs is one that can break through other language barriers and many a message has been conveyed through a heartfelt hug.
After church we had a bit of a look around Kyiv. I wanted to check out the Ukrainian National Museum of History to look for information related to my Grandfather’s book. Unfortunately many of the exhibits were packed away for safekeeping due to the war. However there were some very interesting exhibits that just totally undermine the lies of the Russians about the origins of Ukraine and who was here first… There were also some very moving dynamic exhibits about this current war showing some of the terrorist acts that have been committed and the sacrifices made ( and still being made). 
Streets of KyivSigns calling for the soldiers captured in the battle of Azovstal to be returned
The motherland statue in Kyiv
The national museum noting the founding of Kyiv over a thousand years ago with some of the foundations seen on the yard
Ancient pagan site from before the Christianisation of Kyivan Rus over a thousand years agoA new display of war shrapnel from this current war at the museum
Traditional male Cossack attire
Display in museum dedicated to those who lost their lives in the battle of Azovstal last year
There was display on one of many Russian atrocities uncovered so far..
Elsie went back to the hotel with Yulia and John and I went on to St Sophia cathedral which still has the foundations and many of the frescoes of the original built by the founder of Kyiv – Prince Vlodomyr the Great who Christianised Ukraine. The sarcophagus of his son Prince Yaroslav the Wise is in this church. It was first built in 1010 or thereabouts so is over a 1000 years old! We then saw the Golden Gate which is a restoration of the original medieval gate to Kyiv in the times of the Kyivan Rus.
St Sophia cathedral
The sarcophagus of Yaroslav the Wise- over a thousand years old
Many of these frescoes are from the 11th century
St Sophia’s cathedral Kyiv
A more recent addition from the 1800’sThe tower of Anna Yaroslava – daughter of Yaroslav the Wise
The monastery at St Sophia’s
St Sophia’s
Cathedral founded in 1011- before Moscow even existed…Model of Kyiv in the 10th century
Original foundations from the 11th century
St Sophia’s Kyiv
Replica of the Golden Gate- the original entrance to medieval Kyiv
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** charity, humanitarian, medical mission, refugees, remote doctors, travel, ukraine, volunteer, war, warzone
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### [Ukraine (6)](https://www.passingthrough.net/ukraine-6/)
**Published:** July 23, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
12/7
Another pre-sunrise start on a train for me, starting to get to know the route to the train station very well. I travelled to Ivano-Frankivsk with Yulia who is a lovely young lady working at the Baptist Seminary who has been helping us out with translation. Thankfully this was only a 2 hr ride. Our first visit was with an organisation called FILTER. This is another group of totally inspiring young Ukrainian Christians. They are from several different churches and have set up a resource centre for young refugees from the war. It includes a social enterprise café and a sewing social enterprise that sews and sells civilian clothes and donates quality military clothing to the soldiers. Amazingly they had things going within days of the war starting and refugees arriving. And now many of those refugees are also volunteering and helping. They also have a fantastic educational program that is about helping ‘change the mindset’ of society. So often we’ve heard people talk about the damage caused by the ‘Soviet mentality’. They want to work to undo this and instead instil values such as mercy, selflessness, giving, and love, as a bedrock for their nation into the future. Their dream is of a Ukraine driven by Christian values and the building of a new nation with a strong civil society free of the ‘scars of Soviet history’. Just a really fantastic group of people. You’ll have to check out some of the footage when we put all the video together.
Then we met with the American family that Becky had connected me with. The guy had spent a lot of his childhood in Ukraine where his father had been a missionary. He had married a Ukrainian and had five kids born in Ukraine. They lived in Kharkiv but fled when the war started. They had some interesting stories about those initial days and the impact on the kids’ friends and children that they knew. There was a lot of psychological trauma, nightmares, flashbacks, fear of loud noises, as well as physical manifestations of psychological hurt. They knew people from their old town that had lived in basements and subway stations to survive. A neighbour had been killed by shrapnel as he mowed the lawn. Sadly though, when I tried to ask them for messages to the world, their answers were strangely different to that of all the native Ukrainians with some ‘discussion’ about whether this war could be ‘justified’ if it wasn’t a ‘winnable war’, that Russians aren’t that bad, that it seems to be more about corrupt market traders making money out of war. I have no doubt some of those things happen but it doesn’t change the pure evil being perpetrated by Russia on their adopted country. Quite frankly some of it sounded like Russian talking points. It was good to hear the kids talk about their personal experiences of growing closer to God and realising the futility of material ties but I thought their comments about being ‘citizens of heaven’ first were easy to make given they had another country to run to (USA) if they needed and were about to go on a fundraising tour of Europe. All whilst citizens of Ukraine are left under Russian occupation, being raped, deported, tortured, their homes bombed with no other options to go elsewhere… Poor Yulia was so upset and angry and to be honest I became more upset the more I thought about this conversation. Later we were walking through town and going past rows of posters of dead soldiers and she got angry – “how dare they talk like that when these soldiers are dying for them and they can just go back to America any time they want.” Fair point. It just highlighted for me the dangers ahead for Ukraine and the vital importance of placing the future of their country firmly in the hands of Ukrainians themselves and not others regardless of how well meaning. We can support and contribute but they need to drive the way forward themselves.
We had a little time to kill before the train and so we went to a nice café that is run as a community enterprise and community radio station. Then back on the train to Lviv. At the station I heard a jet and didn’t think anything of it until I saw everyone looking and starting and then I remembered there are no commercial flights in Ukraine during this war. I looked up and it was a fighter jet. No wonder everyone was nervously watching. But all was okay for now.
Lviv train station at sunriseYulia in Ivano Frankivsk with posters of dead soldiers in the background
One of Filter’s social enterprisesSome of the amazing FILTER team
Filter employs refugees who sew clothes for selling and also for the military
13/7
So last night there was another air raid alert. It woke me up but it was clear fairly early on that it wasn’t really a problem for us in Lviv so didn’t rush off to shelter. Looked like the Russians were a bit peeved about the NATO summit as they really hit Kyiv hard last night as Zelensky arrived back. They also intensified the already intense shelling in other parts. It was sobering to look at the places that got badly shelled yesterday. One of them was Stanislav, the town where I’d just visited and interviewed all those brave ladies and that man who had lived through occupation. I hope they are okay.
John, Elsie, Yulia and I jumped on an 8 hour train to Kyiv. Compared to what I’ve been on lately it felt like absolute luxury – comfy seats, tray tables, toilets and power points. John and Elsie might think I was making up my tales of the other trains!
We arrived in Kyiv and as in all the other cities, the train station was full of soldiers coming and going to and from leave. Everywhere you go in Ukraine there are signs about joining the army, or building up the morale of the army or thanking the army for being their defenders and heroes. There is not one corner of this country, even the most peaceful corner, where you can forget that this country is at war and has been invaded.
Every station has the obligatory sign of being a bomb shelter
Fertile fields everywhere
Beautiful countryside seen from the train
Little old ladies (“Babusya’s” or grandmas ) come in from the villages to sell a few vegetables, berries, mushrooms or flowers for some small income.
Ad to join the new offensive14/7
Today was emotionally brutal. And that was just interviewing and listening to the stories so imagine what it is like to live these stories… We spent the day at Save Ukraine. An organisation set up by a Ukrainian that provides rescue and refuge for children from war ravaged/de-occupied areas/the frontline and also the few kidnapped/deported children who have been rescued/returned from Russia. Everyone has a story, even the staff. Many of the staff are themselves refugees or people who came to the shelter with their children. But all have a story. Even the manager who lives here, at one point said “Every child in this country is affected – millions of them. Even here where it not so affected – as a mother- every night I worry if a missile strike will come for my children. Every thunderstorm or loud car noise brings that fear.” The International Communications manager ended up talking to me a little after our initial interviews and as I asked about her family it turned out that her husband had PTSD and injuries from the first Russian invasion in 2014. It turned out a group of them were blown up by a mine and he was the only one who survived. Then she felt embarrassed about telling me this saying “You didn’t come to hear about that.” But all these stories are important. Now she works to rescue people affected by the second invasion.
At first I thought we might be intruding a bit, I’m sure they are busy. And I know there’s been a bit of media so maybe they’re a bit sick of telling their stories. But maybe because we were keen to interview people and hear stories – they seemed eager to tell them. They lined up interviews that kept us going for 7 brutal non-stop hours of videoing and traumatic stories of horror. There would have been more but quite a few of the people were too traumatised to speak and withdrew. There were gorgeous children running around everywhere. Most of the younger ones looked happy and reports were that they were responding well to the art therapy, play therapy and secure and safe environment. One of the babies still looked a little too reserved for a baby and his mother reported that he still gets very upset at loud noises after having lived under bombing. His mother had severe psoriasis which is a skin disease exacerbated by stress and she said that currently no treatments are helping at all. John asked her how she saw the future and she couldn’t talk more after that – she said she couldn’t think about that right now. It was too early to ask her- she’s only barely dealing with her present. Her house is destroyed, if not for this refuge that she found out about at the train station as she fled the bombing with her children, she would be completely homeless. What her future holds for now she doesn’t know. We didn’t speak each others language but we hugged, and she held me tight for a long time. It was a language we could both speak…
Another gorgeous little boy was wearing a camouflage army style outfit and John made a comment about him being a handsome little soldier. His mother just grimly said “I hope and pray he never has to be a soldier.”
Many other stories were shared about running from bombing and artillery, being hit with pieces of shrapnel. Hollow eyed people told about coming out of their building after missiles to find the bodies of neighbours in their yards. A 16 year old boy sat quietly as he listened to his grandmother cry as she told she was the carer of her grandchildren and had worked hard to build up an apartment for her grandchildren and now it was destroyed, they were homeless and she was old and had no way to provide for them anymore. The boy only managed a half smile when I commented how grateful he must be to still have her, such a loving grandmother. Otherwise his eyes just looked far away, like eyes that had seen things they should never have seen.
Save Ukraine refuge centre
Sad to see some of the images the kids drew but good to see how the themes changed with time and healing
An art therapy activity
The play therapy room
Refugee kids playing in the refuge
The director of the Hope and Healing centre
This gorgeous child has come from a war zone where her house was destroyed by bombs
[https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/flow\_vid\_20230714\_125119\_02\_433.mp4](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/flow_vid_20230714_125119_02_433.mp4)
One of the workers there, Andriy, told how he had been a soldier in the first invasion in 2014. Because of this, when the Russians arrived to his area they targeted him and arrested him. He was tortured and beaten for over a month and by some miraculous negotiations he was freed and able to join his wife and kids who had been rescued by this organisation. He now works tirelessly to help others here at Save Ukraine and is even still able to laugh. Our eyes connected many times throughout this translated conversation (which I was able to pick up snippets of before it was translated) and it was all I could do to not start sobbing. He also told how their village mayor had been bought out by Russians and collaborated with them (he has now fled to Russia). He was coming door to door encouraging families to send their children to ‘summer camp’ for a ‘rest’ in occupied territories. As he said “they arrest me and beat me and I will send my children to them?”. Thankfully his village were quite suspicious, and no one trusted their kids to this offer. He later heard about other villages that had and their children were essentially kidnapped and not returned. We now know some of the stories of how they are being brainwashed and manipulated by the Russians to become pro-Russian, anti-Ukrainian and the older ones undergo military training. The situation is complex and there is a lot of behind-the-scenes work going on to rescue what they think is around 20000 such children who have been deported to Russia from occupied territories.
Most of the mothers told of their children screaming in their sleep and experiencing ‘horrors’ and ‘hysteria’, frightened by any loud sounds or voices. But any that had been there a month or more also told of how much better their kids were now that they were safe and had been undergoing art and play therapy. We watched some of the play therapy and also the love shown to the people by the workers here – very inspirational. It is not officially a faith-based organisation but they kind of refer to themselves as that as almost all of them are from various Christian churches.
The interviews went non-stop and it was getting to evening. Even then, Anna, the lovely director didn’t seem to want to let us go and we talked some more, and hugged and shared. Yulia told her about my Ukrainian connections and how I had brought the Ukrainian soil from my grandmother and she became teary which then of course made me teary. It was all very emotional. You can see she has such a beautiful heart and a love for the people and the work she is doing. They all do. She kept thanking us for coming, for listening. She told us she thought we were heroes because we had left our safe, peaceful country so far away to come here and listen. Because she goes out to a neighbouring country for a meeting and still feels anxious every time she comes back into her country under bombardment. But yet she stays, and she helps – they are the real heroes.
After interviewing all day with no breaks or food we were hungry – Anna suggested a good place for local food which was on Maidan Square (the site of the Revolution of Dignity in 2014 where many Ukrainians were killed – for context I highly recommend watching ‘Winter on Fire’ documentary available on line for free – gives good context to this war also). We enjoyed a delicious traditional dinner of Borscht, Chicken Kyiv and Varenikyi ( dumplings).
Then we had a very sobering walk around Maidan Square – where the ‘Heavenly Hundred’ (those who sacrificed their lives in the Revolution were killed) are memorialised. For more context I would highly recommend the free documentary on YouTube or Netflix called ‘winter on fire’.
In addition , at the front of the square, on the lawn, were thousands of photos, mementos and flags – each flag bearing the name of a fallen soldier in this war. And these are just for those who could plant a flag here. Many families have lost soldiers in the far corners of Ukraine with no way to travel here. It was sobering and heartbreaking… how many more flags will be planted here before the war is over??
Maidan square in Kyiv- site of the Revolution of Dignity 2014
Yulia and I in Maidan square Kyiv
Maidan square Kyiv
Each one of these flags has a name of a soldier who died
Foreign soldiers have died too
Monument to the ‘Heavenly Hundred’ who died in the 2014 Revolution of DignityMaidan square Kyiv
Monument to the ‘Heavenly Hundred’
Czech hedgehogs turned into art
Czech hedgehogs used to stop Russian tanks entering KyivKyiv at dusk
**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** humanitarian, medical mission, refugees, remote doctors, remote work, travel, ukraine, volunteer, war, warzone
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### [Ukraine (4)](https://www.passingthrough.net/ukraine-4-xx/)
**Published:** July 15, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
7/7
This morning I felt a bit sheepish having added an extra region to my air raid alert app on my phone after last night’s missile attack – which meant I woke up my fellow travellers at 12.30 a.m. saying there was an air raid alert. As we had planned and discussed I headed down dressed and with our documents to the strongest part of the building at the bottom ( after being told to get going and not wait for the others). I then checked the app for details being the first time I had used it, only to see that it was another area! I went back up the stairs to the others who were still getting dressed (!!) and had to admit this. I felt so bad but they were very nice about it saying it was good to have a ‘drill’. Not sure about their ‘drill performance’ though?? I told my husband on the phone call that he should be happy to know that I could get out of bed and be down in the basement with all I need within about 15 seconds of an alert. Poor thing said he wasn’t sure how he should feel about that!
Later in the morning we met with our local contact to discuss arrangements. We also had a meeting with another amazing pastor who visits the frontlines and sits in the trenches with the soldiers to encourage them, pray with them, bring them gifts and supplies. He takes their numbers and promises to be there for them if they end up in the military hospital. Which he does and he has helped many of them get proper care for their severe injuries including transporting them to a higher level hospital with an ambulance they’ve bought. Sadly the military hospitals are so overwhelmed that he said a lot of young men are losing more limbs than they need to because they simply don’t have time to do more than amputate.
So he helps with getting them to private hospitals and paying for it. After our chat with the pastor I was going to get on a 17 hour bus to Odesa to join the CMA mobile clinic. That was a bit of a trial as no one spoke English, the information was very confusing, bus numbers didn’t match tickets and no one seemed to want to help. Anyway I finally got on what I hoped was my bus. It wasn’t too bad as long as one didn’t need to use the disgusting toilet. The long stop at Khelmintsky which I didn’t know was going to be a long one was oddly at a bus station that had no food or drink. The sceneray on the bus from Lviv to Odesa was mostly amazing though. Some of the bigger towns are ugly Soviet-style monstrosities of concrete block. But mostly it is green forests, golden fields of what, rows of barley and buckwheat, fields of corn and sunflowers, and quaint villages full of abundant vege gardens, cherry, peach, apricot, plum, and walnut trees everywhere. It reminds me so much of my Ukrainian grandfather who as a refugee to Australia amused his Australian neighbours by digging up his lawn and transforming it into a ‘village garden’ of apricot trees, grapes and vegetables. It looks quite idyllic here and how I imagine it has looked for a very long time. Except for the occasional giveaway piles of concrete blocks and army barricades and giant chunks of steel known as Czech hedgehogs designed to stop tank access. Theyre not currently needed where we are driving but it wasn’t that long ago that all these areas were very worried. The other sad thing is that almost every village cemetery that we passed has at least a couple of fresh grave flying full size Ukrainian flags. A sign of a grave of a soldier killed recently in this war.
I’m sitting at Khmelnitsky station waiting for the bus to continue to Odesa. I look out the window and I see a little girl crying on a bus looking out the window at her dad. She makes a heart sign with her hands and starts to sob uncontrollably. Is she being sent somewhere safer while her dad goes to fight? He looks like military age. Even if that is not their story – that is many a story here and it is heartbreaking to watch.
At 1 am in the morning we have another stop at a service station. There is a bus load of soldiers who look like they may have just come back from the front and it feels surreal to be jostling with them at the servo counter. A sobering moment when I head to the toilet and out of the men’s comes a young man in his early twenties on crutches, missing a leg up to his hip. I’ve heard so many young soldiers are losing limbs and suffering life changing injuries in this war.
8/7
Arrived in Odesa at 5 a.m. on the bus not having slept much. Walked to the pick up point for the CMA mobile clinic I was joining today. We loaded the van and I wasn’t sure if I should be worried that along with the medicines they were loading bulletproof vests and helmets. I guess they have to be prepared for anything. Half way into the very long drive they tell me they’ve changed clinic location because the place we were going to go to got shelled yesterday. It also meant we had to change the route. On the way there we could see smoke from shelling across the Dnieper River. My grandfather often spoke of the Dnieper and I never dreamed that my first sighting of it would be against a backdrop of bombs.
On the way home there was some smoke a bit closer on our side of the river and a field on fire from shelling…
[https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/flow\_vid\_20230708\_171053\_02\_220.mp4](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/flow_vid_20230708_171053_02_220.mp4)
Going both ways there lots of police and army checkpoints and roadblocks. For context we were going into de-occupied areas that had been under occupation by the Russians and suffered greatly during this time. This included having their homes bombed and flattened, people killed by shelling, tortured and murdered directly by Russians, children kidnapped, women and children raped, household goods stolen.. It was over the river from currently occupied areas and the front where there was ongoing shelling and fighting. As we drove there we drove through villages and cities that had been bombed. A lot had been repaired but there were still plenty of damaged buildings around.
Posters warning people not to swim due to the sea mines were on billboards around the city. On the drive home I saw my first military tank that was on the back of a truck.
**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Giving Back, Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** humanitarian, medical mission, remote doctors, remote work, travel, ukraine, volunteer, war, warzone
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### [Millions of Peaches...](https://www.passingthrough.net/millions-of-peaches/)
**Published:** August 12, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Thursday 2 Aug
Away from the mountains heading south to the warmer climes where they grow all the delicious summer fruits and to meet up with another dr down there.
Had an overnight stop in Kamloops to break the journey and went to the B.C. wildlife park which is a non profit that helps in rehabilitation and conservation of wildlife from British Columbia ( the state/province we are in).
Was better than we expected especially when you time your visits to the different animals with the unofficial feeding times. Got a great display from the Grizzly bears as the zookeeper was training the volunteers in how to feed them. We watched as they were let back in their pens to search for food that had been hidden under rocks and up trees.
They also have a ‘spirit bear’ – a black kermode bear from the the Great Bear Rainforest with a recessive gene that makes them white. The First Nations people revered them as spirits.
The coyotes put on a great display of howling for us too.
BC wildlife park- even here they love to show creatures on the wall
Coyote
Coyote
Stag elk
Female moose
Bison
A spirit bear ( kermode bear)
[https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/mvi\_2197.mp4](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/mvi_2197.mp4)
Love it!
As Ron and I love to do in our travels where we can – we checked out the Kamloops Farmers market. There were lots of yummy goodies and fresh produce. We were surprised at how many people bring their dogs to a food market especially when one did a massive turd right in the middle of the walkway! Uggh!
Next day drove through to Keremeos where we will be staying.
It is beautiful rural countryside with old gold mines, very historic looking log cabin farms, fruit orchards and vineyards. Some distant rain also treated us to a triple rainbow over the valley.
Rainbows in Southern BC
Views of Oliver, BC
Vineyards & orchards with wildfire in background
Historic old gold mines
Historic farms
The best cherries I ever tasted were here
Fruit everywhere in Okanagan-Similkameen region
The fruit and in particular the cherries here are amazing! I’ve eaten so many cherries my turds will look like a bear’s!
We have a rest day here and I will be catching up on some note taking so it’s great that it’s such a peaceful lovely place with a deck overlooking a creek. A great find on Airbnb. Although driving down the street we were a bit worried as it looked like something out of ‘Deliverance’! Bit worried for nothing as the host and his neighbours were lovely people.
Ron being support crew and cooking dinner while I type notes
Peaches for breakfast at our BnBHistoric buildings everywhere in Southern BC
Historic buildings everywhere in Southern BC
Southern BC is like stepping back in time
Great little coffee shop in a 100 yo farmhouse
Great little coffee shop in a 100 yo farmhouse
Great little coffee shop in a 100 yo farmhouse
Just another random lake!
Great spot to catch up on work
Had a great chat with a dr involved in rural health policy and politics. Yet another inspiring interview and he hooked me up with several more!
We had to take a different way to his house due to a bushfire that had been developing in the mountains. Thankfully the forest isn’t too thick here and there was no wind so unlikely to be a big issue. It was doused out by the helicopter water bombers by this evening.
The doctor and his wife I met in Oliver
Beautiful scenery and lots of summer holidaymakers out and about making the most of the cool lakes and rivers on this hot long weekend for British Colombia Day. The Peach Festival was on today at Penticton as well but we didn’t have time to do more than drive through.
River floating at the Peach festival
There are endless fruit stalls here so if you love your summer fruit (cherries and apricots are my fave!!) you will be in heaven here.
6 August
Left Keremeos driving through beautiful valleys full of orchards and vineyards with endless fruit stalls full of apricots, peaches and cherries and wineries everywhere. The cherries we got for breakfast were only beaten by the ones I ate yesterday as the best cherries I’ve ever eaten.
We’re driving almost along the border of US and Canada. The little desert and mountain towns along here are like something out of the movies with the old ’50s pickup trucks, log cabins and ranches that were built in the last hundred years or more.
Stopped in a cute little coffee shop that’s a 98 year old homestead in Rock Creek.
Drove through the mountains and through Grand Forks where there were quite a few deer in town enjoying the green grass. After a picnic lunch headed over into Nelson with a cute little deer crossing the road in front of us. Walked along the foreshore where flocks of Canadian geese were keeping the lawn mowed.
Deer inGrand Forks Quaint historic farmhouses Quaint historic farmhouses Quaint historic farmhouses
Nelson was on the beautiful Kootenay River. A pretty town but also had a bit of a wierd vibe to it. Lots of new agey hippy stuff and a ‘cannabis dispensary’ open on a public holiday. And lots of dodgy looking characters hanging out on the street looking intently at Ron as he walked past. Yes Ron has that look and has been pretty much offered or asked for drugs in every country we’ve been to. Hasn’t happened in Canada yet but thought it was going to happen here.
Had a lovely meal at the Library Lounge before driving off to find another nice car camping spot.
Our home for the night
Found a beautiful little rest area by another clear creek with tables in the forest and clean toilets. Perfect! Ron said you know when I was young this was the kind of place I’d go to get up to no good. Don’t be silly I said, it’s a Monday night and we’re too far out of town.
One other car with some travellers turned up to sleep as well but I drifted off to sleep soon after. Woke up and looked out and said to Ron- whoa everyone else decided to camp here too! “You don’t know the half of it!” Apparently there was drinking and fire juggling and all kinds of things going on last night and I slept through it all! Poor old Ron was right and it was a right ‘ole circus last night!
7 Aug
Lovely spot by yet another pretty pine-ringed lake was our breakfast and coffee stop. The columbian ground squirrels were very cheeky and clearly waiting for us to drop food.
Breakfast spot
Some wierd stuff was going on across the lake at the pullup there. If I didn’t know better I’d swear there were drug deals going on with the trucks and cars pulled up there. Not impossible given how close we were to the US border where apparently a lot of drug smuggling goes on?
Lovely to see the young people getting involved in the rural life- saw a teen riding her horse but as we went past we realised she was riding no hands looking at her smartphone!
Gemstones in Yahk
Outside a tiny rural town called Yahk we saw a log house with a sign advertising gemstones and being a bit of a rock collector from way back thought we’d check it out as seemed a bit in the middle of nowhere so maybe this was some fantastic little collection hidden out here in the forest. Wasn’t that kind of rock collection but as we came to the door an old guy came out shuffling across to unlock the cabin. He did have an incredible collection of gemstones and minerals made into jewellery and carvings. We were feeling bad knowing we’d be unlikely to buy – especially when he said he was a widower on his own for 7 yrs after 57 years of marriage and his pacemaker had given him a shock two days ago and he was sore all over from it and could barely walk. But he said it was all his hobby, he didn’t care if we bought stuff he just liked talking to new people and he didn’t need money anyway cos he reckoned he was going to die before he spent it anyway..):
As it turns out we did end up buying a gift for someone from there anyway. If you go past Yahk you should stop in and check it out.
Vintage cars on an old farm
Had a lovely picnic lunch at Moyie Lake and had a couple of swims on the way in random rivers. At this one I didn’t have my swimmers on hand and jumped in in my shirt and jocks as they needed a wash anyway and I figured they looked decent enough. No one was around anyway. But of course when I came back to the car – every tourist and their dog ( literally -in Canada!) had rocked up to use the toilet so I had to swallow my pride and play it cool -briskly walking past in my knickers acting like everything was normal.
Cooling off
Passing through Canal Flats we saw a sign for Ktunaxa nation interpretative centre and decided to check it out. It wasn’t terribly exciting but the log building was impressive and they had a great video that explained some of the First Nations history of the area and brought that all a bit to life.
Ktunaxa nation centre
The hoodoos that we saw later were part of their creation story.
Canal flats hoodoos
We swam near the icy source of what becomes the mighty Columbia River . Feels so good afterwards!!
An icy swim
We have to head to Saskatchewan for next round of meetings so we’ve got a fair distance ahead of us. Decided to go via a couple of slightly more out of the way Parks known for their wildlife sightings- still goals for Ron and I with grizzly still high on our list. Kananaskis country is known for its grizzly sightings on the road.
Got turned back at the Kootenay mountains as road had just closed due to fires. That added an hour to our drive which we’d timed for dusk viewing of wildlife so that was a bit of a spew.
But we still made it in to Spray Valley for dusk.
Along the way we saw an impressive example of beaver dams blocking the flow of water. Ron still really wants to see a beaver not just the nests or the dam.
Beaver dams
Examples of woodpecker holes where they dig for beetle larvae
Water snake near the beaver dam
Beaver dam
Saw a beautiful turquoise green spring coming out of the mountain at Spray valley but no wildlife.
Spring at Spray Valley
Slept in the forest being very ‘bear aware’! Strangely enough I had a dream about bears stalking us and eating Ron but it was polar bears! ( I had just watched the doco on the American lawyer who was stalked by a hungry polar bear and pulled out of his tent in the Torngat mountains.)
Drove out and through Peter Lockheed Park before dawn. This time we saw four elk, two mule deer, two moose ( or is that meece?) , a bighorn sheep and a snow shoed hare but NO grizzly bears!): We did however see two fresh big bear scats. But where o where were the owners!?
Elk
Snow shoed hare
Bear scat full of berries
Bighorn sheep at the roadworks stop
Spray valley reservoir
Sunset at Spray valley
Ron was pretty tired and had a big drive ahead so pulled over at another beautiful lake for him to have a sleep while I walked around and took photos of the early morning mountain reflections in Wedge lake.
Wedge lake
Wedge lake
Wedge lake
**Categories:** Canada/America, Canadian Road (Study) Trip 2018, Travel
**Tags:** adventure, camping, Canada, Canadian roadtrip, forest, hiking, road trip, rockies, travel, wilderness
---
### [The Betrayal of Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/the-betrayal-of-ukraine/)
**Published:** March 7, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Russia floods AI with propaganda and the betrayal of Ukraine. My grandfather battled Soviet lies with a typewriter; today's battle has gone digital.
**Content:**
# **The Betrayal of Ukraine: Putin’s Propaganda, Trump’s Policies, and the Fight for Truth**
In recent weeks, I’ve noticed a shift in my digital landscape that feels both subtle and alarming. My facebook feeds have suddenly become flooded with Russian propaganda, anti-Ukrainian rhetoric, and suggested profiles from Russian embassies and foreign ministries. This isn’t random – it’s a calculated infiltration of the algorithms that shape our perception of reality, happening precisely as Ukraine was making genuine headway against Russia’s aggression – particularly on the Eastern Front (an observation made by many fighting there presently).
## **The Frontlines of Truth**
People on the frontlines are witnessing a disturbing pattern. As Ukraine began pushing back on multiple fronts and Russia’s economy showed signs of collapse, Trump’s actions have increasingly aligned with Russia’s strategic interests. This isn’t coincidental timing – it’s a deliberate response to Putin’s growing desperation.
Let me be clear: **Russia started this war**. Russia continues this war with daily attacks on civilians. Russia has violated multiple agreements and ceasefires. Russian leaders have explicitly stated they have no intention to negotiate or implement a ceasefire – their sole objective is Ukrainian capitulation.
Yet somehow, in this distorted narrative being pushed across our screens, Ukraine is portrayed as the aggressor that must concede – territory, minerals, dignity – while Russia faces no consequences for its actions. **Has Trump even once mentioned the kidnapped Ukrainian children? Has he demanded the return of imprisoned civilians being tortured? No. The aggressor walks free while the victim is told to surrender.**
## **The Policy Shift That Benefits Moscow**
The policy changes have been swift and alarming. Trump has:
- Immediately halted all military support to Ukraine – stopping shipments midway
- Ended I[ntelligence sharing critical for air defence and early warnings](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/03/05/how-trump-left-ukraine-blind-without-us-intelligence/?WT.mc_id=e_DM528967&WT.tsrc=email&etype=Edi_Edi_New_Sub&utmsource=email&utm_medium=Edi_Edi_New_Sub20250306&utm_campaign=DM528967)
- Signalled willingness to lift sanctions on Russia
- Expressed openness to allowing Russia back into the G7
- Potentially nullified the 10-year security agreement signed with Ukraine
Without early warning systems and air defence, countless more innocent civilians will die in missile and drone attacks. This isn’t peace-building – it’s abandonment.
## **The Digital Battlefield**
My grandfather fought in an information war against Soviet propaganda decades ago. He wrote for underground anti-Soviet papers on his typewriter in Australia, smuggling leaflets into occupied Ukraine. He battled the original “Pravda” newspaper– the Russian word for “truth” – that he knew was nothing but lies.
What was once a fight with pocket knives has gone nuclear. A recent **[NewsGuard investigation](https://www.newsguardrealitycheck.com/p/a-well-funded-moscow-based-global?publication_id=2106147&post_id=158454200&isFreemail=true&r=1eg8i2&triedRedirect=true)** revealed a Moscow-based disinformation network – also named “Pravda” – deliberately infiltrating AI chatbots with pro-Kremlin falsehoods. Their strategy isn’t to target human readers directly but to corrupt the very systems we’re increasingly relying on for information.
The scale is staggering: 3.6 million propaganda articles in 2024 alone, published at a rate of over 20,000 pieces every 48 hours. This isn’t random content – it’s deliberately optimised to appear in search results and training data for AI models. As Moscow-based American fugitive John Mark Dougan boasted, “By pushing these Russian narratives from the Russian perspective, we can actually change worldwide AI.”
The effectiveness is chilling. NewsGuard found that leading AI chatbots repeated false narratives from this network 33 percent of the time. What my grandfather fought against with a typewriter now spreads through algorithms and neural networks, infecting our collective understanding at unprecedented speed and scale.
## **Regime Change and Power Politics**
Meanwhile, Trump appears to be orchestrating what his administration always accused others of doing – attempting regime change in a sovereign nation. He reportedly met with Zelensky’s opposition to push for elections during a temporary ceasefire, hoping to install someone more amenable to Russia’s demands.
The plan makes little sense beyond its obvious purpose – Zelensky maintains a commanding lead in polls, with the only close competitors being even more hawkish toward Russia. The Ukrainian people overthrew a Russian puppet government in 2014 during the Maidan Revolution. They won’t willingly return to subjugation.
Fortunately, the opposition leaders have publicly backed Zelensky and rejected elections during wartime, showing the unity Ukraine desperately needs.[](https://www.passingthrough.net/the-betrayal-of-ukraine/polls-ukr/)
Latest polling results for Ukrainian presidential candidates.
## **The Personal Toll**
Last night, I received a message that cut through the political analysis and struck my heart directly. A young man I met volunteering with Banner of Love church, helping children in de-occupied villages, sent me a simple greeting for the first time in a year. When I asked how he was, he responded with a photo of himself in a trench: “I’m at war. I’ve become a combat medic.”
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/the-betrayal-of-ukraine/photo_2025-03-07_09-46-57-denoise-face-sharpen-upscale-3-1x/)Andriy – from youth worker to combat medic
This gentle soul who worked so beautifully with traumatised children is now risking his life on the frontlines. He’s not conscription age – I can only guess he chose this path after witnessing the horrors in his hometown of Bucha, including photos of the basement filled with bodies and the violated body of a nine-year-old girl. He’s fighting to protect his family and friends from suffering the same fate.
And America is not only abandoning him and others like him but actively aiding those who brought this violence to his doorstep.
## **My Grandfather’s Warning**
My grandfather wrote a historical novel about Ukraine’s fight for independence in the 1920s, intended as a warning about the critical importance of unity.
In his prologue, he wrote: ***“I resurrected the heroes of this narrative from their bloody graves not for judgment or condemnation, not for praise or justification, but for historical truth — to caution the Ukrainian people against making mistakes in the subsequent struggles for the independence of the Ukrainian state.”***
In the book, the character Shchus warns: “And the fact that you’re anarchists is just a tragedy for our country! Right now, you’re fighting the Ukrainian government, but by doing so, you weaken both yourselves and the government, and a foreign government will take advantage and impose its own yoke and chains on you, which will be a hundred times heavier than the yoke of your own national government.”
Nearly sixty years after he began writing, his book has finally been published in both English and Ukrainian, with all profits supporting medical and humanitarian aid in Ukraine. The warnings from a century ago echo with painful relevance today. You can find out more about the book and how to purchase **[HERE. ](http://www.passingthrough.net/under-black-banners-2/)**
**And my Ukrainian friends – now more than ever you must remain united and not let disinformation try to sow chaos and division.[](https://www.passingthrough.net/under-black-banners-2/)**
> ### ***“I resurrected the heroes of this narrative from their bloody graves not for judgment or condemnation, not for praise or justification, but for historical truth — to caution the Ukrainian people against making mistakes in the subsequent struggles for the independence of the Ukrainian state.” Nikodym Pliczkowsky (1905-1992)***
## **Standing on the Right Side of History**
I don’t expect Ukraine to be everyone’s passion or primary concern, though given its global impact, perhaps it should be. But what I cannot accept is anyone cheering for Russia or condemning Ukraine based on deliberate disinformation.
We laugh at those who believed Hitler’s propaganda films showing Auschwitz as a holiday camp – yet many today are equally deceived by sophisticated digital manipulation. The tactics have evolved, but the moral imperative remains the same: to recognise truth amid deliberate distortion.
### **Be on the right side of history.**
### **Be on the side of right.**
[ SUPPORT NOW ](http://www.passingthrough.net/donating)
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** disinformation, freedom, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, ukraine
---
### [Ukraine’s War for Survival: A Global Crossroads](https://www.passingthrough.net/ukraine-war-a-global-crossroads/)
**Published:** March 12, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Ukraine’s battle isn’t just for survival—it’s a fight against tyranny, genocide, and disinformation. The world must stand firm, or risk emboldening evil itself.
**Content:**
1.1K\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
# **Ukraine’s War for Survival: A Global Crossroads**
As 2025 unfolds, Ukraine remains locked in a battle not just for its own sovereignty, but for democracy, truth, and human dignity. Nearly three years since Russia’s full-scale invasion, the war has intensified, with relentless attacks on civilians and escalating horrors in occupied territories.
Yet, at a time when Ukraine needs unwavering international support, troubling signs are emerging. Former U.S. President **Donald Trump has increasingly pressured Ukraine to capitulate**, **pushed for a settlement that would legitimise Russian occupation**, and **publicly sided with Putin over U.S. intelligence agencies**. His rhetoric and policies, echoed by his allies, threaten to undermine Ukraine’s ability to fight—and in doing so, they embolden not just Russia, but other authoritarian regimes watching closely.
Make no mistake: what’s at stake here is not just Ukraine’s land. This is a war of truth against disinformation, of democracy against dictatorship, of justice against genocide. The outcome will shape the world for generations.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_separator css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
## **Trump’s Dangerous Rhetoric: Capitulation to Tyranny?**
Since launching his 2024 campaign, Trump has repeatedly cast doubt on continued U.S. military aid to Ukraine, **signalling that he would abandon Ukrainian resistance and push for a “peace deal” on Putin’s terms**. He has mocked NATO allies for backing Ukraine, suggested cutting support entirely, and even hinted that he would let Russia “do whatever they want” to Ukraine and other European nations if they don’t “pay up” to the U.S.
Worse still, Trump **has openly sided with Putin’s false narratives**—questioning Ukraine’s right to exist, downplaying Russian war crimes, and amplifying Kremlin disinformation. His rhetoric directly contradicts **U.S. intelligence, global human rights watchdogs, and firsthand witness accounts**. His policies have included:
✅ **Freeze or cut U.S. military aid**, leaving Ukraine dangerously exposed.
✅**Cut off satellite access and intelligence support** leaving Ukrainian civilians at the mercy of Russian missiles
✅ **Pressure Ukraine to surrender territory**, effectively rewarding Russian aggression.
✅ **Undermine NATO solidarity**, emboldening Russia to threaten other nations.
✅ **Strengthen Putin’s global influence**, legitimising his imperial ambitions.
Trump **has a documented history of appeasing Putin**, from refusing to hold Russia accountable for election interference to attempting to extort Ukraine for political gain. His return to power has been catastrophic—not just for Ukraine, but for the entire democratic world.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_separator css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
## **Russia’s True War: Genocide, Torture, and [Religious Persecution](https://www.passingthrough.net/christianity-and-persecution-in-ukraine/ "Christianity and Persecution in Ukraine:")**
This is not just a conventional war—it is a war of extermination. Putin’s actions in Ukraine go beyond military conquest; they are a calculated attempt to **erase Ukrainian identity** through genocide, ethnic cleansing, and psychological terror. The evidence is overwhelming:
📍 **Mass Executions** – Russian forces have carried out mass killings of civilians in towns like Bucha, Irpin, and Mariupol. Thousands have been **executed, burned, or dumped in mass graves**.
📍 **Rape as a Weapon of War** – Investigations by human rights groups have documented **systematic sexual violence**, including rape of women, children, and even elderly victims. These are not isolated incidents but **a deliberate tool of war**.
📍 **Abduction and Russification of Children** – Over **20,000 Ukrainian children** have been forcibly deported to Russia, placed in re-education camps, and given new Russian identities. This is a direct violation of international law—**a modern-day kidnapping operation on a massive scale**.
📍[ **Religious Persecution**](https://www.passingthrough.net/christianity-and-persecution-in-ukraine/ "Christianity and Persecution in Ukraine:") – Putin has positioned himself as a so-called “defender of Christian values” while **systematically targeting religious leaders, burning churches, and banning Ukrainian Orthodox and Protestant denominations**. **Priests and pastors have been arrested, tortured, and even executed** for refusing to pledge allegiance to Russia.
📍 **Torture Chambers and Filtration Camps** – Survivors from occupied territories describe **brutal torture**, including electrocution, waterboarding, and forced confessions under duress. **Filtration camps**—reminiscent of Nazi concentration camps—have been used to screen, deport, or eliminate Ukrainians seen as threats.
These are **war crimes on an industrial scale**. To abandon Ukraine now would not just be a military failure—it would be a moral failure of historic proportions.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_separator css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
## **A War Against Lies: The Power of [Disinformation](https://www.passingthrough.net/navigating-the-maze-of-disinformation-the-role-of-social-media-in-modern-political-warfare/ "Navigating the Maze of Disinformation: The Role of Social Media in Modern Political Warfare")**
Russia’s military invasion is only one front in this war. The other, equally dangerous front, is **the war on truth** which I have covered before. The Kremlin has weaponised **propaganda, social media manipulation, and fake news** to sow confusion, divide democracies, and justify its atrocities.
Russian disinformation tactics include:
🛑 **Blaming Ukraine for Russia’s attacks** (e.g., falsely claiming that Ukraine bombed its own cities).
🛑 **Spreading conspiracy theories** (e.g., portraying Ukraine as a “Nazi state” despite its Jewish president).
🛑 **Using Western influencers to parrot Kremlin narratives**, including politicians, journalists, and social media figures and **now also using AI to spread their message!**
🛑 **Denying war crimes**, despite overwhelming evidence from satellite imagery, survivors, and international investigators.
[Disinformation](https://www.passingthrough.net/russian-disinformation-the-digital-threat-to-global-democracy/ "Russian Disinformation: The Digital Threat to Global Democracy") is one of **Russia’s most powerful weapons**—but it only works if people believe it. The best defence is truth. By sharing verified sources, exposing Russian lies, and refusing to accept propaganda at face value, we can **stand against the erosion of reality itself**.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_separator\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
## **Why Supporting Ukraine Is a Stand for Humanity**
This war is not just about borders or geopolitics—it is about the very **soul of the world we want to live in**.
🛑 **If Ukraine falls, it tells dictators everywhere that genocide works.**
🛑 **If Ukraine is abandoned, it tells oppressors that justice is optional.**
🛑 **If Ukraine loses, it tells the world that truth no longer matters.**
But if Ukraine **wins**, it sends a powerful message:
✅ **That no nation can erase another with violence.**
✅ **That democracy and human rights are worth defending.**
✅ **That the world will not be ruled by fear and lies.**
This is why standing with Ukraine is not just a political stance—it is a moral imperative. Every weapon, every humanitarian donation, every protest against Russian aggression is a step toward ensuring that **evil does not triumph**.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_separator css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
## **What Can You Do?**
Here’s how we can all help:
✔ **Contact your leaders** – Demand continued military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine and strong actions against funding of Russia’s war machine e.g. sanctions.
✔ **Expose disinformation** – Call out propaganda and share factual sources.
[✔ **Donate to trusted organisations**](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating) – On the ground charities like our partners providing lifesaving aid.
✔ **Support Ukrainian voices** – Follow and amplify Ukrainian journalists and activists.
This war will define our generation. Will we stand for truth, or let lies prevail? Will we defend freedom, or let dictators decide the fate of nations? **History is watching—and so are the victims of this war.**
Now is not the time for retreat. **Now is the time for resolve.**
# **Slava Ukraini. The free world must stand with Ukraine.**
\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_btn title=”PLEASE SUPPORT NOW” color=”success” align=”center” css=”” button\_block=”true” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.passingthrough.net%2Fdonating|target:\_blank”\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]
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**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** democracy, freedom, Godslove, humanitarian, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, ukraine, war, warzone
---
### [Boom Gates, Bomb Shelters, and Bedside Humanity](https://www.passingthrough.net/boom-gates-bomb-shelters-and-bedside-humanity/)
**Published:** December 7, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Mobile medical clinics near the Russian border, air defence lighting up the night sky, and a shahed shot down right in front of us. Ukraine's frontline reality.
**Content:**
# Frontline Medicine: Where GPS Says Peru and Hope Persists
Ron, Regina and I followed Dr Mykola through the darkened streets of Bohodukhiv, north of Kharkiv, pulling up to a building with no lights or signs. One of those classic ‘we’re in a bad movie’ moments—until the door opened and we discovered it was actually a hotel. Not exactly a booming hospitality market this close to the Russian border, but surprisingly comfortable.
Looking up the road, we could just make out [Czech hedgehogs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Czech_hedgehog) and a boom gate silhouetted against the night sky. That road headed north toward Sumy and active combat zones. The geography alone told the story: we were on the very edge.
Throughout the night, air raid alerts cycled relentlessly on and off. At intervals, we heard the rat-a-tat-tat of air defence systems engaging their targets overhead, each burst carrying the weight of what it meant if they missed.
## When Technology Meets War
The plan seemed straightforward: mobile clinic, translator pickup, get to work. Except Ron had to drive solo to Kharkiv—an hour away under normal circumstances, completely dependent on Google Maps. Here’s what happens to navigation technology in an active war zone: air raid alerts scramble GPS signals. Your maps collapse, stop working entirely, or confidently inform you that you’re actually in Lima, Peru.
Two hours and countless phone calls later, Ron finally connected with our translator. Meanwhile, back in the village, volunteers had transformed the local church into a makeshift medical facility—wooden cubicles painstakingly drilled together, folding tables arranged into examination spaces. Someone had invested hours of labor creating these temporary structures. I kept thinking: we desperately need to raise funds for lightweight, portable medical screens that don’t require this level of construction.
Our medical student translator arrived bearing the most generous gifts: an intricately beaded traditional necklace for me, and an air defence shell casing for Ron. Only in Ukraine would ammunition remnants become tokens of friendship.
## Refugees Seeking Refuge in a War Zone
The full day of patients revealed a paradox that still haunts me: even in this area under constant attack near the Russian border, many people were actually refugees from even more dangerous places like Kherson. They had fled somewhere so catastrophic that a town with perpetual air raid alerts felt safer by comparison.
The church hosting our clinic had become far more than a medical venue—it was a lifeline providing accommodation, food, clothing, and evacuations for thousands. The pastor told us that at one point, 7,000 refugees had passed through this small village. I’m fairly certain that exceeded the town’s entire population.
Nearly every patient I saw carried the crushing weight of stress, depression, or anxiety. Most older women had sons or husbands at war. Many had lost loved ones on the frontlines. Nearly everyone struggled to access basic healthcare, caught in the grinding poverty that conflict creates and perpetuates.
The pastor, also a trained counsellor, offered to spend time with patients who simply needed to talk. Nearly every patient I mentioned this to eagerly accepted. There’s a particular kind of trauma that comes from living under constant threat—it embeds itself in the body, the nervous system, the fabric of daily existence.
One woman quietly shared that all three of her sons were fighting. Another, deeply traumatised, described how Russians bombed her house in 2014 in the Donbas. Her baby was killed. A decade later, she’s never truly recovered. How does one recover from such loss?
Meanwhile, the night brought its grim accounting: six killed in Zaporizhzhia including two children. Four more in Kyiv. Two journalists.
My translator showed me footage from when her hospital—a major children’s facility in Kyiv—was hit. The operating room destroyed. She described a shahed landing nearby, the certainty that she was about to die. The video was viscerally confronting. The experience had clearly left deep scars that no amount of time would fully erase.
## The Second Day: Patterns of Trauma
Another clinic day in a different village brought more of the same overwhelming cascade of trauma—mothers with sons at war, people too impoverished for healthcare, lives shattered by relentless bomb threats. I conducted a teaching session for the clinic team, sharing what knowledge I could offer in a context where theoretical medicine constantly collides with desperate reality.
One woman’s story particularly stayed with me. Deeply traumatised, she recounted how Russians bombed her house in 2014 in the Donbas. Her baby was killed. She’s carried that loss for a decade now, the grief never quite processed, never quite past.
Dr Mykola later showed Ron a technical training facility that had been bombed in Bohodukhiv. He shared stories of times he felt divinely protected—bombs hitting places he’d just left moments before. There’s a particular kind of survivor’s guilt that comes with repeatedly escaping death by chance.
Packing up the makeshift clinic became an unexpectedly labor-intensive mission. Hours of unscrewing wooden frames, carrying piles of materials, disassembling what had taken so long to construct. With every bolt removed, I thought: we absolutely must raise funds for proper portable medical screens that simply fold out and up.
Eventually we ladies left the men to finish while Oksana treated us to a traditional Ukrainian sauna experience—alternating between intense heat and cold plunges, gathering around a small table with tea, snacks, and conversation. It was surprisingly lovely and restorative, a brief pocket of normalcy carved from relentless abnormality.
## When the Sky Explodes
We woke to more air raid sirens cycling through the predawn darkness. Checking my phone revealed they’d been sounding almost continuously through the night. Now there was a threat of an Oreshnik launch\*—thankfully unrealized. Still, ballistic missiles had hit Kyiv’s main power plant and more residential buildings. The casualties from other towns were too numerous to catalogue individually, but they accumulated every night into a relentless toll.
(\*The Oreshnik is a hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile system—essentially among the most sophisticated weapons of destruction currently deployed.)
Our translator needed to return to Kharkiv urgently for family reasons, so Ron and I offered to drive her back through three military checkpoints. We joked about how familiar Ron’s face must be to the soldiers by now—he’d been through so many times picking people up or helping out.
Heading back, critical alerts for Bohodukhiv suddenly lit up our phones. We pulled over. Ron heard air defence systems engaging. I started filming, just in case.
Then the sky lit up with a massive explosion.
We’d just witnessed a shahed drone being shot down directly overhead. Seconds later, the concussive boom reached us, shaking the air itself. More shaheds were reportedly incoming over Bohodukhiv, so we decided to wait it out on the roadside in the gathering darkness.
Suddenly, a vehicle emerged from the forest. We froze. Almost certainly military—would we look suspicious just sitting here? It pulled up right beside us. We were too frightened to look, waiting for someone to approach and demand explanation. But they just sat there. Finally, we peeked across: a pickup truck with mounted anti-aircraft guns used to shoot down shaheds. Ron whispered encouragement—”Go guys!”—though they couldn’t hear him. They turned around right in front of us and disappeared back into the darkness.
Suddenly remembering curfew, we hurried back as regular traffic evaporated and military vehicles materialized everywhere—trucks backing across roads, loading equipment, convoys forming. Later, from our hotel window, I watched tanks and armoured vehicles rumble north toward the combat zones.
Back at the hotel, no one had any idea that weapons of destruction had been intercepted overhead. Honestly, most seemed not to want to know. Later it made profound sense—probably not conducive to mental health, contemplating massive explosive devices raining down on your town as your children sleep.
## The Mathematics of War
Waking to more overnight alerts, I wondered how many other shaheds had been shot down without us witnessing them, invisible violence prevented in the darkness above sleeping civilians.
This is the machinery behind frontline healthcare: mobile clinics in churches, GPS systems that lose coherence under attack, refugees fleeing to war zones because their original homes have become even more lethal, and air defence systems working overtime while people attempt something resembling normal sleep.
Every patient carries impossible weight. Every night brings new casualties. The trauma is relentless, layered, intergenerational. And yet the work continues—doctors drilling wooden screens together with painstaking care, translators braving constant alerts to ensure communication, pastors counselling the traumatised, medical teams showing up day after day after day.
**Your d[onations](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/) don’t just fund medical supplies. They fund the possibility of dignity, of healing, of hope in places where hope has become the most radical and necessary act of resistance.**
The question isn’t whether to help. The question is whether we can bear to look away.
[Cute little cats at the village church](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_5216-scaled.jpg)[Team nurse receiving some donated tablets from OPT](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_5224-scaled.jpg)[Anna my translator and the necklace she gave me](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_5229-scaled.jpg)[Every day...](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_5252-scaled.png)[some of the team at the clinic](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_5269-scaled.jpg)[Ron helping dismantle the makeshift clinic](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_5299-scaled.jpg)[With CMA volunteer Dr Stas doing Ultrasounds](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_7750-scaled.jpg)[Every day...](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_5300-scaled-e1770506508761.png)[Some clothes and blankets we donated for refugees](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_5314-scaled.jpg)[With the clinic team in the van](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_5316-scaled.jpg)[Heading to the village clinic...](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_5322-scaled.jpg)[Yes- we were that close...](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_5332-scaled.png)[This lovely pastor opened his home to use as a clinic and shared his homegrown apples](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_5344-scaled.jpg)[Team lunch](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_5262-scaled.jpg)[Consultation with patient and translator](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_0496-scaled.jpg)[Clinic team](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_0466-scaled.jpg)[A patient tells us her devastating story..](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_0513-scaled.jpg)[Dr Stas doing USS](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_0485-5-scaled.jpg)[Dr Oksana seeing a patient](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_0503-4-scaled.jpg)
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** charity, humanitarian, medical mission, non-profit, remote doctors, Supportukraine, ukraine, volunteer, warzone
---
### [When Memory Becomes Monument: Teaching Hope In The Shadow Of War](https://www.passingthrough.net/teaching-hope-in-war/)
**Published:** December 14, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Teaching Ukrainian doctors amid war: From Bucha's memorials to inspiring sessions that brought tears. How medical education brings hope to the frontline.
**Content:**
# When Memory Becomes Monument: Teaching Hope in the Shadow of War
**Kyiv Region, October 2025**
“Everyone is mentally tired,” the CMA worker told me quietly as we drove from Kharkiv to Kyiv. “Most of us have turned off our phone alerts now. We’ve given up calling friends to check if they’re okay. We’ve stopped watching the news.”
She’d left medical practice, she explained, because she after seeing the mobile clinics she realised she couldn’t bear the relentless trauma—one horrific patient story after another at the mobile clinics. No space to breathe between them. No time to process before the next wave of suffering arrived.
This is what sustained war does. It doesn’t just destroy buildings. It quietly erodes the human capacity to feel.
## The Weight of Waiting
We had traditional Poltava cuisine for lunch in Poltava on the way (where Dr. Mykola knew the best spot).
We had arrived in Kyiv in time to catch a slot in a temporary exhibition that was on at the train station called “Ukraine WOW”. It was done by an NGO aiming to preserve the history and culture of Ukraine. There was a lot of history there – from ancient times through to more recent times. When I saw the videos of people celebrating in the streets in 1991 when they regained independence I felt quite emotional – thinking about the part my grandfather had played in that and what it had meant to him – one year before he died.
Later, over traditional Ukrainian food in Kyiv for dinner the conversation shifted to more immediate fears. Mykola’s mobile clinic operations were unravelling. One nurse’s husband had been mobilised—she might need to stay home with the kids. The other nurse, of conscription age, was facing issues with his educational exemption. If he ventures out, he could be picked up and sent to the army.
And Mykola himself? Already picked up for mobilisation. His Hashimoto’s thyroiditis might grant an exemption, but that’s “under discussion.”
“If I have to go, I’m ready,” he said simply. “I accept whatever God has in store for me.”
I thought about this later in our basement apartment in Kyiv—a blessing we didn’t take for granted, sleeping peacefully in what was essentially a bomb shelter. I thought about how hard it was for me to imagine these people I’d come to care about being sent to war. And then I realised: if it’s this painful for me after knowing them only briefly, how is it for Ukrainians whose friends, classmates, sons, brothers, colleagues, husbands, uncles could all be mobilised at any moment?
Many already have been.
I can’t even imagine it.
## Routes of Memory: Then and Now
Kyiv bristles with checkpoints, foxholes, trenches, and razor wire—reminders that Russia attacked from here, and they’re not actually very far away. Ron hadn’t seen the places of memory around Kyiv yet, so we took our car out to Bucha, Irpin, Hostomel, Borodianka.
But it felt different this time.
When I came in 2023, an army chaplain showed us around—someone who’d witnessed the invasion firsthand. These weren’t tourist sites then. They weren’t on any map. Shrapnel still littered the ground. Bits of Russian military paraphernalia lay scattered. Original trenches remained untouched. It was raw. Unprocessed. The horror still hung in the air like smoke.
Now they’ve been formalised into the “Routes of Memory”—a national project with plaques, QR codes, information boards. The sites have been cleaned, curated, made accessible for international delegations and journalists. It’s important work. These stories must not be forgotten or erased.
But something is lost when trauma becomes tourism.
Still, the truth remains unchanged: Bucha’s Yablunskaya Street, where over 70 civilians were executed and left on the roadways. The mass grave at St. Andrew’s Church where 119 bodies were discovered. Irpin’s destroyed Romanivsky Bridge—the “Road of Life”—where thousands crossed under fire, carrying children and whatever they could manage.
Hostomel’s devastated airport, where the battle for Kyiv was truly won or lost. The remains of the Mriya—the world’s largest aircraft, the “Dream”—still sitting under its skeletal hangar, nose torn off, fuselage riddled with holes. An aviation marvel reduced to monument.
Borodianka’s gutted apartment blocks, revealing wallpaper in different colors on each exposed floor.
These places tell stories that should never be forgotten. Stories of how bedroom communities became battlegrounds. How Ukrainian defenders stopped a superpower’s assault on their capital. How civilians endured unimaginable brutality.
## An Evening They Wouldn’t Forget
That evening at the FRIDA NGO headquarters, I was scheduled for a “small group session” with some volunteer doctors. It started with one male professor testing me out with cynical questions. (Always a fun challenge.)
By the end, he was my best friend—taking selfies, offering to help promote my grandfather’s book, the whole works.
As the allocated time came and went, people kept asking questions. We ordered pizza. The discussions deepened. When someone mentioned I had Ukrainian roots, a whole new conversation opened up about my grandfather’s involvement in Ukraine’s 1991 independence.
The boss, who normally wasn’t in the office, popped in to listen. He interrupted to give a speech about how wonderful and important my teaching was for Ukraine, then came out to shake Ron’s hand: “You have a wonderful woman in there!”
One student started crying, saying how much the evening had inspired her—she’d never forget this night. A doctor approached me afterward, tears in her eyes, saying this had been a night she wouldn’t forget for the rest of her life.
“Thank you for your wife,” Roman told Ron later. “What she is sharing is very important and wonderful.”
## Why This Matters
Here’s what I’m learning on these missions: War doesn’t just need medical supplies and equipment. It needs hope. It needs people to show up and say, “You matter. Your work matters. What you’re facing is not forgotten.”
These Ukrainian medical professionals are working in impossible conditions—treating patients in bomb shelters, managing clinics while their colleagues get mobilised, teaching students who may themselves be drafted before they finish their training.
But they’re still showing up. Still learning. Still believing their work can make a difference.
Our medical training vehicle—the converted ex-school bus that your donations made possible—lets our partners bring education directly to these frontline communities. The online platform we’re developing will create sustainable access to training that doesn’t depend on whether someone can make it through checkpoints or air alerts.
Every mission, every teaching session, every conversation is an investment in Ukraine’s future healthcare capacity. When this war finally ends, these doctors and nurses will be the ones rebuilding their communities.
But first, they have to survive it.
[Bohodukhiv in Kharkiv region](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_5382-scaled.jpg)[Ancient Cossack boat at exhibition](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_5438-scaled.jpg)[Taras Shevchenko - Ukrainian poet and activist.](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_5450-scaled.jpg)[One of many murals with meaning ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_5414-scaled.jpg)[Bucha - before and after](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/647db81c40bf000019fa2bd9.jpg)[Irpin, north of Kyiv](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_5493-scaled.jpg)[One of the many damaged buildings in Morshyn village](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/DSCN1063-scaled.jpg)[The blasted trees from fighting have all been cut off around Morshyn. ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_5582-scaled.jpg)[A bombed building in Irpin](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/DSCN1034-scaled.jpg)[Irpin cultural centre](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/DSCN1025-scaled.jpg)[Irpin cultural centre](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/DSCN1023-scaled.jpg)[The bombed culture centre in Irpin](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_5532-scaled.jpg)[The car cemetery in Irpin](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/img_5508-scaled.jpg)[A child plays in a bombed building](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/DSCN1050-scaled.jpg)[St Andrew’s church in Bucha where mass graves were found](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/DSCN1052-scaled.jpg)[One of the signs at Kyiv places of memory](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_5562-scaled.jpg)[Dedicated to those who defended Kyiv here in 2022](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_5598-scaled.jpg)[A traditional Ukrainian snack of salo.](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_5666-scaled.jpg)[The coffee factory that was bombed whilst we were in Kyiv](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_5667.JPG)[My med student translator and I at a teaching session](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_5661-scaled.jpg)[Some of the family doctors I was teaching](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_5653-scaled.jpg)[This news story came out around this time](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_5636-scaled.png)[Can’t come to Ukraine without having borscht and salo](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_5609-scaled.jpg)[Ron and Dr Mykola](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/photo_2025-12-01_11-01-13.jpg)
*Support our ongoing medical education missions to Ukraine. Your donations fund fuel for the medical training vehicle, equipment for teaching sessions, and development of the online platform that will provide sustainable access to training for Ukrainian healthcare workers. Every contribution directly supports those showing up every day despite unimaginable circumstances. You can also donate to our winter appeal, medical aid or humanitarian aid.*
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** charity, humanitarian, medical mission, non-profit, remote doctors, Supportukraine, ukraine, volunteer, warzone
---
### [Trading Justice for Profit: Betraying Ukraine’s Victims of War Crimes](https://www.passingthrough.net/trading-justice-for-profit/)
**Published:** December 4, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** While Ukrainians are tortured & murdered in a documented genocide, Trump's envoys negotiate Arctic mining deals & pipeline sales with sanctioned Russian oligarchs.
**Content:**
***While Russia systematically commits war crimes, torture civilians, and steals children, American businessmen negotiate billion-dollar deals with the Kremlin***
In October 2024, three powerful men huddled over a laptop at a Miami Beach waterfront estate, ostensibly to draft a peace plan for Ukraine. Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s special envoy; Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law; and Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund and Vladimir Putin’s handpicked negotiator, were charting what they claimed would be a path to end the war.
But according to documents reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, the full scope of their project went far beyond peace. They were privately mapping out a strategy to reintegrate Russia’s $2 trillion economy into global markets—with American businesses positioned to profit ahead of European competitors. The leaked 28-point plan included proposals for US-Russian investment projects using $300 billion in frozen Russian assets, joint exploitation of Arctic mineral wealth, rare-earth mining partnerships, and even a potential Mars mission with SpaceX.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk offered a pithy summary: “We know this is not about peace. It’s about business.”
As these men negotiated Russia’s commercial rehabilitation, the bodies were still being counted.
—
**The Reality They’re Negotiating Away**
The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin and five other Russian officials.\[^1\] The UN Commission of Inquiry has concluded that Russian authorities have committed crimes against humanity through systematic torture and enforced disappearances.\[^2\] Over 14,500 Ukrainian civilians have been verified killed—a figure the UN explicitly states significantly undercounts actual deaths.\[^3\]
This is not contested territory or “both sides” conflict. This is what genocide looks like in the 21st century.
The Bucha massacre revealed the systematic nature of Russian atrocities. When Russian forces withdrew in late March 2022, Ukrainian authorities discovered 458 bodies—civilians shot execution-style, many with hands bound behind their backs, evidence of torture including burn marks, broken bones, and mutilation.\[^4\] The European Union’s High Representative stated: “The word ‘Bucha’ now stands for horrific atrocities committed by the Russian army.”\[^5\] A New York Times investigation identified perpetrators from Russia’s 234th Air Assault Regiment.\[^6\] Satellite imagery proved bodies lay in the streets while Russian forces still occupied the city, destroying Moscow’s claims of Ukrainian fabrication.\[^7\]
Mariupol’s destruction was a methodical annihilation. The siege killed an estimated 20,000 to 87,000 civilians over three months. On March 16, 2022, Russian aircraft dropped two 500-kilogram bombs on the Drama Theatre where 500-1,200 civilians sheltered—the word “ДЕТИ” (Children) painted in giant letters visible from the air.\[^8\] Human Rights Watch documented the systematic targeting of civilians in Mariupol.\[^9\]
Systematic torture has been confirmed as Russian state policy. The UN Commission of Inquiry concluded in October 2024 that torture by Russian authorities “amounts to crimes against humanity”—a coordinated state policy implemented across all occupied territories.\[^10\] Documented methods include electrocution (including on genitals), carving words into flesh, mock executions, and beatings so severe that victims died during sessions. Human Rights Watch documented cases where torture was used to coerce false confessions and intimidate populations in occupied areas.\[^11\]
The ICC issued arrest warrants in June 2024 for Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov specifically for systematic attacks on Ukraine’s civilian energy infrastructure—charging them with war crimes and crimes against humanity.\[^12\] Russia destroyed or heavily damaged all thermal power plants, leaving only one-third of pre-war electricity generating capacity functional.\[^13\]
These are the realities as Witkoff, Kushner, and Dmitriev discussed Arctic mining concessions and Mars missions.
—
**“Everybody’s Prospering”: The Business-First Doctrine**
“Russia has so many vast resources, vast expanses of land,” Witkoff told The Wall Street Journal. “If we do all that, and everybody’s prospering, and they’re all a part of it, and there’s upside for everybody, that’s going to naturally be a bulwark against future conflicts there. Because everybody’s thriving.”
This isn’t diplomacy. It’s the language of a real estate deal—applied to war crimes.
The approach treats Russia’s territorial conquest as merely the backdrop for commercial opportunity. According to people familiar with the talks, Dmitriev was pushing to use the roughly $300 billion of frozen Russian central bank assets for US-Russian investment projects. American and Russian companies could jointly exploit Arctic mineral wealth. The rival space industries that raced during the Cold War could pursue a joint Mars mission with Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
Multiple American businessmen close to the Trump administration positioned themselves to profit. Gentry Beach, a college friend of Donald Trump Jr., entered talks to acquire a stake in a Russian Arctic gas project if sanctions were lifted. Stephen P. Lynch, another Trump donor, paid $600,000 to a lobbyist close to Trump Jr. to help secure a Treasury Department license to buy the sabotaged Nord Stream 2 pipeline from a Russian state-owned company. Exxon Mobil met with Rosneft to discuss returning to the massive Sakhalin gas project.
Sanctioned Russian oligarchs from Putin’s St. Petersburg inner circle—Gennady Timchenko, Yuri Kovalchuk, and the Rotenberg brothers—sent representatives to quietly meet American companies to explore rare-earth mining and energy deals, according to European security officials.
The message to the Kremlin was clear: commit war crimes, seize territory, and American business will still be there to help you profit.
—
**Genocidal Intent: What the Business Deals Legitimise**
The evidence of genocidal intent is not inferential—it is explicit, documented in hundreds of statements by Russian officials and state media.
Putin’s July 2021 essay “On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians” declared: “There is no historical basis for the idea of the Ukrainian people as a nation separate from the Russians.” On the eve of invasion, he called Ukraine an “illegitimate invention” and threatened to show what “real decommunization would mean for Ukraine.”
On April 3, 2022—the same day bodies were discovered in Bucha—RIA Novosti published Timofey Sergeytsev’s article “What Russia Should Do with Ukraine.” It called for the “liquidation” of Ukraine’s political elite, demanded punishment for the “significant part of the masses” who are “passive Nazis,” and outlined a program of “de-Ukrainization” requiring “at least one generation” involving “ideological repression,” forced labour, imprisonment, and the death penalty. Yale historian Timothy Snyder assessed it directly: “Russia has just issued a genocide handbook.”
Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev stated: “We must not stop until the current inherently terrorist Ukrainian state is completely dismantled. It must be destroyed completely. Or rather, so that not even ashes remain from it.”
These weren’t idle threats. They were implemented as policy:
Cultural genocide is being systematically executed in occupied territories. Human Rights Watch documented in 2024 that Russian authorities imposed the Russian curriculum and language while suppressing Ukrainian identity in over 500 schools, affecting approximately one million children.\[^14\] Parents face explicit threats: “If you do not send your kids to the school, the kids will be sent to an orphanage.”\[^15\] Russia’s Education Ministry announced plans to fully eliminate Ukrainian language instruction by September 2025.\[^16\]
The forced deportation of children constitutes genocide under Article II(e) of the UN Genocide Convention. Yale University’s Humanitarian Research Lab documented over 19,000 Ukrainian children deported to Russia across 210 facilities stretching from Crimea to Siberia.\[^17\] Only approximately 1,236 have been returned.\[^18\] Putin signed decrees expediting Russian citizenship and adoption for Ukrainian children.\[^19\] The ICC issued arrest warrants for Putin and Children’s Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova specifically for these deportations.\[^20\] As of late 2024, Ukrainian officials confirmed at least 19,000 Ukrainian children remain in Russia.\[^21\]
This is the regime that Witkoff described as offering “vast resources” and “upside for everybody.”
—
**The Moral Bankruptcy of the Miami Negotiations**
The leaked 28-point plan drew immediate protests upon its release. Leaders in Europe and Ukraine complained it reflected mostly Russian talking points and bulldozed through nearly all of Kyiv’s red lines. European intelligence agencies distributed reports in Manila envelopes detailing the commercial plans the Trump administration had been pursuing with Russia, including jointly mining rare earths in the Arctic.
The diplomatic process itself revealed profound disrespect for traditional allies and democratic norms. Witkoff worked outside traditional channels, often bypassing the CIA, State Department, and Treasury’s sanctions office. Career officials at Treasury sometimes learned details of Witkoff’s meetings with Moscow from their British counterparts. The traditional Ukraine envoy, Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, was “frozen out” and left the government.
Meanwhile, Dmitriev—sanctioned by the Treasury in 2022 as running a “slush fund for Vladimir Putin”—received a special waiver to travel to Washington. He arrived at the White House on April 2, 2025, and presented a list of multibillion-dollar business projects the two governments could pursue together.
The approach fundamentally reframes Russia’s war of conquest as a business opportunity rather than the greatest threat to international law since 1945.
—
**The Territorial Theft Being Legitimised**
Russia has illegally seized or claims approximately 137,000 square kilometres of Ukrainian territory—22% of the country, an area larger than Greece. This constitutes the largest territorial conquest in Europe since World War II.
Following sham referendums conducted in September 2022—with armed soldiers accompanying “election commissions” door-to-door, no secret ballot, and claimed approval rates of 87-99%—Putin signed accession treaties for four oblasts.\[^22\] UN General Assembly Resolution ES-11/4 condemned the annexations with 143 votes in favour. Only Belarus, North Korea, Nicaragua, Syria, and Russia voted against.
Witkoff’s August 2024 understanding with Putin would have required Ukraine to surrender the remaining roughly 20% of Donetsk province that Russia had failed to conquer, while Moscow would have “forfeit” its claim to Zaporizhzhia and Kherson provinces. European officials were confused: was Putin promising to withdraw troops from these provinces, or merely promising not to conquer the thousands of square miles that remained in Ukrainian hands after years of bloody fighting?
Either way, the proposal rewards territorial conquest. It tells every authoritarian regime that nuclear blackmail works, that international borders can be redrawn through violence, and that patient aggression will eventually be legitimised through “peace deals.”
—
**The Human Cost While Businessmen Negotiate**
As Witkoff, Kushner, and Dmitriev charted commercial opportunities, the humanitarian catastrophe deepened:
Civilian casualties continue rising. The UN verified 14,534 civilians killed (including 745 children) and over 35,000 injured since February 2022—figures the UN explicitly acknowledges significantly undercount actual deaths.\[^23\]\[^24\] The first ten months of 2025 saw 27% more civilian casualties than all of 2024.\[^25\]
Displacement has uprooted nearly a quarter of Ukraine’s population. Currently, 5.7 million Ukrainian refugees remain abroad, with another 3.7 million internally displaced.\[^26\] As of November 2025, the UN reported that over 14 million people have been forced to flee since the invasion.\[^27\]
Entire cities have been erased. Bakhmut, once home to 70,000 people, has been “wiped completely off the map.” Over 236,000 residential buildings have been damaged or destroyed—13% of the nation’s total housing stock.\[^28\] More than 4,000 educational institutions and 1,554 medical facilities have been hit.
Economic devastation will burden Ukraine for decades. The World Bank’s February 2025 assessment estimates total reconstruction costs at $524 billion—2.8 times Ukraine’s 2024 GDP.\[^29\] Direct damages and losses exceed $152 billion.\[^30\]
Long-term trauma may be the most devastating legacy. WHO estimates 25% of Ukrainians have PTSD. Save the Children reports that 1.5 million children are at risk of PTSD and depression. Ukraine is now the most mine-contaminated country in the world, with 174,000 square kilometres requiring survey—full clearance will take “generations.”
This is the backdrop against which American investors explored Nord Stream pipeline acquisitions and Arctic gas projects.
—
**What “Peace” Through Business Actually Means**
The fundamental premise of the Witkoff-Kushner-Dmitriev approach is that economic integration creates peace. “If everybody’s prospering… that’s going to naturally be a bulwark against future conflicts,” Witkoff told the Journal.
But this ignores a critical question: prosperity for whom?
Not for the families in Bucha who found their relatives in mass graves.
Not for the children tortured in Russian filtration camps.
Not for the 19,000 Ukrainian children stolen from their families and subjected to forced Russification.
Not for the residents of Mariupol, where 20,000 to 87,000 civilians were killed and 93% of buildings destroyed.
The prosperity envisioned flows to American investors snapping up Russian energy deals, to oligarchs from Putin’s inner circle resuming Arctic mining operations, and to the Kremlin regime that orchestrated the largest illegal territorial seizure in Europe in 80 years.
This isn’t “Art of the Deal” diplomacy. It’s the abandonment of principle in pursuit of profit.
—
**The Precedent Being Set**
History will judge whether this approach ended the war or merely emboldened aggressors worldwide.
The message being sent is unmistakable: if you possess nuclear weapons and sufficient natural resources, you can:
– Commit systematic war crimes with impunity
– Torture prisoners on an industrial scale
– Kidnap thousands of children for forced assimilation
– Illegally annex territory the size of Greece
– Target civilian infrastructure deliberately
– Publicly articulate genocidal intent
And American businessmen will still negotiate billion-dollar deals with you. The International Criminal Court will issue arrest warrants, the UN will document crimes against humanity, but in the end, “vast resources” and “upside for everybody” will prevail over international law.
China is watching this precedent as it eyes Taiwan. Every authoritarian regime is learning the lesson: the post-1945 international order exists only until someone powerful enough decides to ignore it, and Western business interests will eventually accommodate even the most egregious violations if the commercial opportunities are lucrative enough.
—
**The International Legal Response**
The international legal response has been unprecedented—yet enforcement remains the critical challenge.
The ICC issued arrest warrants for Putin and Lvova-Belova in March 2023 for the war crime of unlawful deportation of children.\[^31\] Four additional warrants followed in 2024.\[^32\] The UN Commission of Inquiry concluded in October 2024 that Russian torture constitutes crimes against humanity “perpetrated pursuant to a coordinated state policy.”\[^33\]
Multiple countries have formally recognised Russia’s actions as genocide: Ukraine, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Canada, the Czech Republic, and Ireland. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a resolution stating the forced deportation of children “matches with the international definition of genocide.”
Yet as courts issued warrants and findings, Witkoff was in Moscow receiving gifts from Putin, Dmitriev was presenting commercial proposals at the White House, and American investors were exploring Russian pipeline acquisitions.
—
**The Moral Test of Our Time**
The documentation is not ambiguous. Russia has committed war crimes on a massive scale. Russian leaders have publicly articulated genocidal intent. Russia has illegally seized territory larger than many European nations. The humanitarian catastrophe will reverberate for generations.
Any “peace” negotiation that rewards this aggression with territorial concessions, sanctions relief, and normalisation of commercial relations does not end the war—it validates the method.
When Witkoff says “everybody’s prospering and they’re all a part of it,” he’s not describing peace. He’s describing how American businesses profit from genocide.
The Kremlin’s own words reveal their ultimate objective: not Donbas, not Crimea, not “buffer zones”—but the elimination of Ukraine as a nation. Medvedev’s statement that Ukraine must be destroyed “so that not even ashes remain” is not rhetoric. It is policy, evidenced by mass graves, torture chambers, stolen children, and flattened cities.
What happens in Ukraine will determine whether the post-1945 international order survives or whether we return to an era when powerful states simply take what they want. The evidence presented here—drawn from the United Nations, the International Criminal Court, the World Bank, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and verified investigations by dozens of credible institutions—establishes beyond reasonable doubt the nature of Russia’s war.
The only question remaining is whether the world will act on that evidence or whether “business” will once again trump human rights, international law, and the lives of millions.
History will not look kindly on those who chose Arctic mining deals over justice for genocide victims.
Please show your support for Ukraine today… [**DONATE HERE**](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)
### References
\[^1\]: \[International Criminal Court – Ukraine Situation\](https://www.icc-cpi.int/situations/ukraine)
\[^2\]: \[OHCHR – Ukraine: Torture by Russian authorities amounts to crimes against humanity\](https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/10/ukraine-torture-russian-authorities-amounts-crimes-against-humanity-says-0)
\[^3\]: \[Global Security – Civilian deaths in Ukraine surge past last year’s toll\](https://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/ukraine/2025/11/ukraine-251120-unnews01.htm)
\[^4\]: \[Wikipedia – Bucha massacre\](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bucha\_massacre)
\[^5\]: \[EEAS – Marking the third anniversary of the liberation of Bucha, Ukraine\](https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/marking-third-anniversary-liberation-bucha-ukraine\_en)
\[^6\]: \[Wikipedia – Bucha massacre\](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bucha\_massacre)
\[^7\]: \[EBSCO – Bucha massacre\](https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/military-history-and-science/bucha-massacre)
\[^8\]: \[Wikipedia – Mariupol theatre airstrike\](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariupol\_theatre\_airstrike)
\[^9\]: \[Human Rights Watch – Ukraine Country Page\](https://www.hrw.org/europe/central-asia/ukraine)
\[^10\]: \[OHCHR – Ukraine: Torture by Russian authorities amounts to crimes against humanity\](https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/10/ukraine-torture-russian-authorities-amounts-crimes-against-humanity-says-0)
\[^11\]: \[Human Rights Watch – World Report 2025: Ukraine\](https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2025/country-chapters/ukraine)
\[^12\]: \[ICC – Arrest warrants against Sergei Kuzhugetovich Shoigu and Valery Vasilyevich Gerasimov\](https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/situation-ukraine-icc-judges-issue-arrest-warrants-against-sergei-kuzhugetovich-shoigu-and)
\[^13\]: \[Human Rights Watch – World Report 2023: Ukraine\](https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2023/country-chapters/ukraine)
\[^14\]: \[Human Rights Watch – Ukraine: Forced Russified Education Under Occupation\](https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/06/20/ukraine-forced-russified-education-under-occupation)
\[^15\]: \[Amnesty International – Children’s futures under attack\](https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/12/ukraine-russia-childrens-futures-under-attack-as-russian-aggression-in-ukraine-continues-to-restrict-schooling/)
\[^16\]: \[Meduza – Russian authorities move to fully ban Ukrainian language from schools\](https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/06/26/the-geopolitical-situation-has-changed)
\[^17\]: \[Yale School of Public Health – Ukraine’s Stolen Children\](https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/ukraines-stolen-children-inside-russias-network-of-re-education-and-militarization/)
\[^18\]: \[Yale Daily News – YSPH research reveals relocation and re-education of Ukrainian children\](https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2023/02/22/ysph-research-reveals-relocation-and-re-education-of-ukrainian-children/)
\[^19\]: \[Yale Medicine – Russia’s systematic program of coerced adoption and fostering\](https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/russias-systematic-program-of-coerced-adoption-and-fostering-of-ukraines-children/)
\[^20\]: \[ICC – Statement by Prosecutor on arrest warrants against Putin and Lvova-Belova\](https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/statement-prosecutor-karim-khan-kc-issuance-arrest-warrants-against-president-vladimir-putin)
\[^21\]: \[Yale Medicine – Fact Sheet: Russia’s Kidnapping and Re-education of Ukraine’s Children\](https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/fact-sheet-russias-kidnapping-and-re-education-of-ukraines-children/)
\[^22\]: \[Al Jazeera – Mapping the occupied Ukraine regions Russia is formally annexing\](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/9/21/mapping-the-ukraine-regions-voting-on-joining-russia)
\[^23\]: \[Global Security – Civilian deaths in Ukraine surge past last year’s toll\](https://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/ukraine/2025/11/ukraine-251120-unnews01.htm)
\[^24\]: \[OHCHR – Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict — October 2025\](https://ukraine.ohchr.org/en/Protection-of-Civilians-in-Armed-Conflict-October-2025)
\[^25\]: \[Global Security – Civilian deaths in Ukraine surge past last year’s toll\](https://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/ukraine/2025/11/ukraine-251120-unnews01.htm)
\[^26\]: \[Global Security – Civilian deaths in Ukraine surge past last year’s toll\](https://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/ukraine/2025/11/ukraine-251120-unnews01.htm)
\[^27\]: \[Global Security – Civilian deaths in Ukraine surge past last year’s toll\](https://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/ukraine/2025/11/ukraine-251120-unnews01.htm)
\[^28\]: \[The Conversation – Unmarked graves, violent repression and cultural erasure\](https://theconversation.com/unmarked-graves-violent-repression-and-cultural-erasure-the-devastating-human-toll-of-russias-invasion-of-ukraine-223337)
\[^29\]: \[UNDP – Updated damage assessment finds $524 billion needed for recovery in Ukraine\](https://www.undp.org/ukraine/press-releases/updated-damage-assessment-finds-524-billion-needed-recovery-ukraine-over-next-decade)
\[^30\]: \[UNDP – Updated damage assessment finds $524 billion needed for recovery in Ukraine\](https://www.undp.org/ukraine/press-releases/updated-damage-assessment-finds-524-billion-needed-recovery-ukraine-over-next-decade)
\[^31\]: \[ICC – Arrest warrants against Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova\](https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/situation-ukraine-icc-judges-issue-arrest-warrants-against-vladimir-vladimirovich-putin-and)
\[^32\]: \[ICC – Ukraine Situation\](https://www.icc-cpi.int/situations/ukraine)
\[^33\]: \[OHCHR – Ukraine: Torture by Russian authorities amounts to crimes against humanity\](https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/10/ukraine-torture-russian-authorities-amounts-crimes-ag
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** democracy, freedom, Genocide, putin, russia, Supportukraine, ukraine
---
### [Life Returns...](https://www.passingthrough.net/life-returns/)
**Published:** November 17, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Watermelons grow again in fields once full of mines. Life returns to a devastated Ukrainian village. Here's what I saw on my return visit.
**Content:**
**October 16th – Kherson Region, Ukraine**
The drive changed the moment we crossed into the deoccupied areas of Ukraine.
We were heading out for the day with the Fortress of Good NGO church team to visit a devastated but liberated village in the Kherson region. Our driver was Andriy, a volunteer and local farmer whose childhood home was in one of these villages we were visiting. As we drove, he told us how his sunflower crop had failed this year due to drought—there’s no irrigation here anymore, not since Russia bombed the Kakhovka dam in 2023.
Then the landscape shifted. Severe damage to houses became the norm. And everywhere—absolutely everywhere—white ticker tape tied to vegetation. The density was hard to fathom: markers every square meter in some places.
At first, I was curious about the tape. Then I learned the truth: each piece marks where a landmine has been found.
This doesn’t mean the area is clear. It’s more of a warning that landmines *have been* found here, which means uncleared areas still commonly exist. We watched specialised demining equipment working through agricultural fields. Andriy himself had paid to have his paddock cleared. After the clearance, he worked his field with his tractor and dislodged a mine. Seven more were found later. He was thankful he didn’t get blown to pieces, but as he said, an element of doubt will remain for years—in some areas, forever. Mushroom picking in certain forests will likely never happen again. Landmines are banned in many countries for very good reason.
## A Village I’d Been Praying For
This particular village had been in my thoughts and prayers since I’d visited with Pastor Oleg back in July 2023. I could still recall the names of all the villagers I’d met. I’d even [**written about them in The Weekend Australian.** ](https://www.passingthrough.net/journey-into-ukraine/)Back then, it had only been a few months since people had returned to their houses—or what was left of them.
This area had been the site of fierce battles. Russia invaded and occupied it in March 2022. For around a month, most residents were trapped in their basements under fire, fearing for their lives, until eventually they were able to evacuate under very dangerous conditions. Ukraine counterattacked, and many Ukrainian heroes lost their lives liberating this land. Residents felt tinged joy to have their stolen land returned. Hope grew that some semblance of their lives might be rebuilt—though this was obviously going to be a mammoth task.
When I first visited in 2023, they’d barely just begun. They still lived in rubble and under tarps, cooking outside. Their fields were full of mines, war debris, and unexploded ordnance.
Entering again in 2025, the damage was still hard to fathom. In the cities, Ukrainians are legendarily quick at cleaning up after Russian attacks—it’s like they refuse to let the visual effects linger any longer than necessary. But in the villages, with such widespread devastation and loss, this just can’t be done as quickly. I’d shared photos with Ron from my visit two years earlier, but he said nothing could have prepared him for being there in person.
## Life Returns, Despite Everything
But life *was* returning, regardless of everything, though threats still remain courtesy of Russia. Some destroyed houses were still waiting to be cleared and deemed safe due to unexploded ordnance and landmines. Reconnaissance drones fly overhead. An explosion occurred not far away—we think it may have been artillery fire, but no one seemed sure, or even that interested.
Yet five or six houses were being or had been rebuilt, thanks to international NGO Razom’s help. The legendary Kherson watermelons were being grown again out of a cleared paddock. There was a sense of community still, even though it was a skeleton of the past. The recovery path for this village is yet to be seen—they have a long way to go and have experienced severe trauma. But they are there, restarting their lives. Quite an outstanding testament to human resilience and determination.
On the way, we went through two checkpoints where we got questioned about what we were doing. One checkpoint was covered in drone nets, which I found curious—I’d thought (hoped) we were well out of drone range there.
At one point during the day, we heard an explosion and looked to the horizon to see smoke rising. Lola, one of the Ukrainian team, looked at us shocked and asked, “Aren’t you scared?”
I didn’t quite know what to say. Ukrainians ask us that all the time, but *they* live here. And it’s still a lottery, like everything else that can kill you. Driving the highway in Australia is a lottery. While very few people particularly like exposing themselves unnecessarily to risks, I guess it comes down to what you see as necessary. If death or disability comes to me compliments of russia, I can currently see no better reason than standing up to such clear brutality and barbarism beside a people who didn’t ask for it. My faith leads me to know that it’s more important what you do with your life than how long you live.
## The Sting of Exploitation
As we drove, Andriy warned us not to take photos. I was curious about this—when I visited in 2023, they were almost begging me to film and photograph everything. Then I learned something that broke my heart.
This village, but Tania and Serhei in particular (perhaps because they lived at the entrance), had been deeply hurt by exploitative journalists and photographers intruding on their lives, taking photos, and then leaving without any care for the people who lived there.
Serhei seemed particularly scarred and didn’t stop to say hello—either because he was too traumatised or because he was busy working on his house, maybe both. But Tania greeted me with a hug and gratefully accepted the warm jackets we’d brought, assuring me that both she and Serhei remembered me.
What seemed particularly special was seeing that they were now growing watermelons again. When I came in 2023, their fields were full of mines and they couldn’t grow their famous, award-winning watermelons. Tania wanted to give the melons to us, but it was a great pleasure to support the return of their business by buying some.
## Stories That Need to Be Heard
We joined in a little church service in one of the renovated cottages, with singing and prayer. One of the old ladies who’d been laughing and telling jokes suddenly looked more serious as she shared the horror of their time under battles and occupation. Another lady shared how she and her husband ended up trapped in a basement for a month with a car on top of the entrance, sleeping on sacks of potatoes in their cellar and fearing that the cellar would become their tomb.
Another old lady, Valya, remembered me well and seemed thrilled that I still had photos on my phone from my visit to her house in 2023. In typical Ukrainian generosity, they cooked a simple but generous and delicious meal for us in their home. She then showed me around her house, trying to show me both what they’d rebuilt and repaired since my last visit and the remaining bullet holes and damage.
I commented on the rosehips she had drying on a table. Next thing I knew, she was insisting on giving me a bag of them and wouldn’t take no for an answer!
I ended up providing some medical advice for Valya and her husband Grisha. It turned out that Grisha had serious disability of his arm because of a problem that probably could have been fixed, but they were too frightened to go into the city because of the missiles and also couldn’t afford the tests needed. They happily accepted the warm jackets we’d brought too.
## Small Victories
I saw Ira and her son Sasha. Last time, Sasha was so traumatised that he could barely look at us. This time, he took my gifts and smiled, showed me his cats and their names, and proudly showed me his simple room. Ira proudly showed me the simple but comfortable house they’d been able to rebuild out of the rubble I’d seen before.
There were still landmine signs around. Demining machines were still working there.
## The Ripple Effects Continue
As we drove home, the team shared more stories. After the Russians destroyed the Kakhovka dam in June 2023, the water in Kryvyi Rih went from being drinkable from the tap to being so brown they couldn’t even wash or cook with it. Now they buy filtered water at stations that have been set up around the town. The water looked like herbal tea. The bore levels dropped, and those who could afford to had to dig deeper bores—down to 60 meters!
We went back to our apartment and wrapped ourselves in our blankets as there was no heating and much of the time no power. This was all thanks to russia’s bombardment of power and gas stations. It was so cold and winter is not even here yet – it is going to be such a **[tough time for Ukrainians this winter….](https://www.passingthrough.net/urgent-winter-campaign/)**
## Why This Work Matters
The next day, I had a meeting online with Australian doctors about Ukraine aid and got an incoming KAB bomb alert, so I had to continue the meeting from the hallway closet. Thankfully, air defense got it.
Later, I taught a family doctors group at the church. What an incredible group of doctors—super motivated to help their patients and improve their health system even while living in a city bombarded almost daily by the Russians. I was moved almost to tears when, after our great interactive session, the doctors said that this had given them more motivation and strength “to stay.”
These doctors are brave and resilient. They choose to stay to help their country. Knowing I could play a small part in encouraging them meant so much. We’ve established connections and will continue collaborations into the future. They’re excited about our upcoming medical education platform that will provide ongoing support.
And as is so often the case—even though they’re the ones going through so much—they gave me some lovely gifts.
---
*This work continues because of people like you who believe that standing beside Ukraine matters. The medical training vehicles, the supplies, the education platform—all of it is possible because of donor support. If you’d like to help these brave doctors stay and serve, or support villages like this one as they rebuild, [you can contribute here](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating).*
[Driving through Kherson region with the team](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img_4330-1-scaled.jpg)[Medical assessment of dear Grisha in the village](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img_8751-1-scaled.jpg)[Even the animals are friendly in the village](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img_8759-scaled.jpg)[Catching up With Ira and her son and seeing their progress](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img_8763-scaled.jpg)[Farming equipment comes with a landmine warning](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img_8766-scaled.jpg)[The team with Ira and Sasha-great to see them again](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img_4394-1-scaled.jpg)[Failed sunflower crops](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img_4352-scaled.jpg)[Some remnants still remain in Ira's garden](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img_8761-scaled.jpg)[Valya shows her repaired home and shares her rose-hips](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img_8755-scaled.jpg)[Some small relief for Valya in the village](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img_8747-scaled.jpg)[The team with Valya and Grisha](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img_4382-scaled.jpg)[Eating the watermelons that are now grown in the mine cleared fields@](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img_7447.jpg)
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** charity, humanitarian, medical mission, non-profit, remote doctors, Supportukraine, ukraine, volunteer, warzone
---
### [Urgent Campaign As Record Cold Winter Approaches...](https://www.passingthrough.net/urgent-winter-campaign/)
**Published:** November 14, 2025
**Author:** Ron Gillespie
**Excerpt:** Families across Ukraine face winter without homes or heating. We saw the crisis firsthand — your help can bring warmth and safety to those displaced.
**Content:**
Hello Fellow Australians!
It is the time of year when many families in Ukraine should be starting to prepare and hunker down for the winter. Safe in the house, with the fireplace or heating, and a larder full of the season’s excess and preserves. Tragically, a much more dire reality faces an increasing number of families and people.
During our 6 weeks in Ukraine, we have witnessed firsthand the internally displaced people crisis in Ukraine. While moving about a broad area of the country, we were involved with many different medical and humanitarian outreach clinics. All of these clinics were run by Ukrainian volunteers. The staff, who were mostly medical, were supported by local churches and NGO’s (many our partners) in different ways. While being involved with these clinics, we witnessed more of what these churches were doing within their communities.
All were involved with helping internally displaced people in various ways. If you’re not aware, these are people who have been displaced as a result of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Sadly, they are coming in greater numbers at this moment in time because of the more populated areas Russia is currently creeping their destructive and deadly reach into.
These people are having to leave their homes and often everything they’ve ever owned or known in life. Some have never travelled outside their home districts. Many have lost family members to the war.
One man, who had returned to his deoccupied village in 2023 highlighted to us how good life was in his village. Yes, it was hard at times, but they had everything they needed to survive. They had gardens, animals, and a house. There was a great sense of community, happiness and contentment in the village. “What were the Russians “liberating” us from?” he asked with exasperation. ( A reference to Russia’s claim that they are “liberating” Ukrainians.) Many of these deoccupied villages have a long road to full recovery. Some were completely devastated and may never be rebuilt. This man was one of the fortunate ones who was able to return after Russia were pushed back after their initial major invasion push. Russia is pushing forward again, though at a much slower rate this time.
To pour more depth of pain into civilian life and break their will, Russia has been persistently targeting anything energy related in Ukraine as winter approaches. With less military support for Ukraine at the moment more missiles and drones are getting through the air defences, putting Ukraine into a massive energy crisis for this winter.
People will suffer, some will freeze to death, especially the elderly and infirm. We experienced just a week without heating in one of these large concrete apartments, and I can tell you it was tough, and winter is not even here yet. It will get much, much colder. Electricity supply will be extremely limited in most of Ukraine for at least this winter. Clinics we worked in had no power or running water. Almost every, or nearly every, thermal power plant is currently out of action due to Russian strikes.
In a country at war, the strain of providing the necessities for safety and some comfort for winter to all these displaced people is truly immense. These people need international help, our help. The churches source donated goods, but also use donations to buy what is required. And we have the direct connections to make sure every cent of your donations goes to power packs, generators, warm clothing and supplies. Ukraine’s own charity giving rates are amongst the highest in the world, but this is not enough for this unfolding emergency. 100% of your donation will go directly to those helping these refugees. Your money will be used to provide the most basic of needs, helping to reduce the danger and suffering many of these people will face this winter.
An Australian dollar goes a long way in Ukraine so any donation amount will help. Please, the dread of an especially cold and deep winter is closing in. Help bring comfort and safety to these innocent and traumatised people urgently. We are in Ukraine now and can ensure your donations are utilised immediately. Please give a [***tax deductible donation***](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating) today!
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-13-215454.png)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-13-215250.png)
Ron Gillespie
[See Full Bio](https://www.passingthrough.net/author/rgillespie/) [ ](https://www.passingthrough.net/author/rgillespie/)
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** charity, humanitarian, Support ukraine, Ukraine winter
---
### [Borscht and 4-Minute Warnings](https://www.passingthrough.net/borscht-and-4-minute-warnings/)
**Published:** November 10, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** A cemetery, a prayer meeting, and a 4-minute warning. One week in Kryvyi Rih revealed the reality behind headlines—and why hope still survives.
**Content:**
Some moments hit you like a freight train.
We took a wrong turn leaving the cemetery in Kryvyi Rih. What we found next wasn’t on any map—a massive archway under construction, leading to a field where thousands of new blue and yellow flags rippled in the wind. Each one marking a Ukrainian soldier’s grave.
Many from Russia’s 2014 invasion of Ukraine in the main cemetery but thousands more in this new cemetery since Putin’s full-scale invasion. A few from just days ago. Fresh holes being dug for tomorrow’s fallen.
Then I saw her—a young woman kneeling at her husband’s grave, speaking to him as if he was just there. Nearby, a mother placed flowers on her son’s final resting place. That’s when the tears came.
**The Reality Behind the Headlines**
It’s easy to forget Russia has been killing Ukrainians since 2014. Walking through that cemetery, seeing engraved photos of soldiers who looked like your neighbour, your colleague, your friend—it strips away the abstraction. These weren’t combatants. They were gentle, ordinary people who should be fixing cars, teaching maths, picking their tomatoes or complaining about the weather.
But here’s what the statistics don’t capture: the extraordinary resilience woven through everyday life.
**Freezing Apartments and Warm Hearts**
That night, Lola – our volunteer translator from Fortress of Good NGO (Banner of Love church) invited us for dinner. Despite everything—despite Russian strikes on gas stations postponing the heating season by a month, despite her own family in Russia parroting Kremlin propaganda and cutting her off entirely—she served homemade borscht, horse meat sausage, home-cured jamon, and preserves that tasted like summer.
We sat in her warm kitchen while she shared how family relationships she’d trusted for decades evaporated overnight when Russia invaded. “They started saying completely bizarre, untrue things, no matter what we tried to tell them of our experiences and were in complete denial that their country had invaded us” she explained. “Now I wonder what was ever real about our relationships.”
Pastor Oleg said something profound over dinner: “Zelenskyy represents young, modern Ukraine—beyond the Soviet slave mentality that we tried to oust with Yanukovich.”
The apartment we returned to was freezing. We piled on every jacket we’d brought, wrapped ourselves in blankets, and drank endless cups of hot tea. (Who needs CrossFit when you can shiver for cardio?) But the humour fades when you think about the elderly and infirm facing winter without heat—a brutal Russian strategy that’s killed countless civilians in past years. Central heating in this town has been postponed for at least a month for now as Russia has been hitting the gas supplies that heat the water. And daily power outages meant there wasn’t an electric option either. Again, thanks to relentless bombing of power plants by Russia which continue.
**Four Minutes to Impact**
Day three brought a surreal notification: “Gliding bombs headed your way. 4 minutes till impact.”
Four. Minutes. To get to the concrete shelter.
Even if you become a bit inured to this it has to take it’s toll eventually.
**The Work That Matters**
The church-run NGO we support here in Kryvyi Rih (Fortress of Good) does extraordinary work most news cycles miss:
- Running missions to de-occupied villages with food, water, and programs for traumatised children and families.
- Providing chaplaincy support in hospitals and on frontlines and frontline villages
- Military chaplaincy for soldiers facing unimaginable circumstances
- Connecting isolated communities with mobile clinics (connecting these guys with the other NGO we support – Christian Medical Association of Ukraine)
On day two, we walked past cute little kindergarteners playing in a schoolyard. Their teacher suddenly rushed them inside seconds before the air raid siren wailed. The reason? Not long ago, Russia targeted a playground full of children in this very city, killing 35 kids. The missile was specifically loaded with shrapnel for maximum damage.
The teacher wasn’t taking chances. Neither would you.
Ron went to a prayer meeting at the church and I spoke to a group of wonderful, motivated and engaged family doctors at their meeting. I had met one of them at the Lisbon conference and they invited me to teach something at their group. We discussed clinical reasoning and communication skills while air raid sirens punctuated our conversation and they’d brought candles in case we lost power again. These physicians—working without reliable power, under constant threat—told me something I’ll never forget: “Your visit gives us strength to stay and serve in Ukraine.”
I went to give support. They gave me perspective.
No power during the night again and so many air raid sirens. I cannot imagine being exposed to this for nearly 4 years.
That’s what we witnessed everywhere—people refusing to be broken, maintaining dignity under circumstances that would crush most of us. Every air raid siren (and there were many through those sleepless nights) is met not with panic, but with practiced resilience. But it takes it’s toll. (see [“Scare Raids”](https://www.passingthrough.net/scare-raids/))
**How You Can Help**
This grassroots work—connecting medical professionals, supporting war-traumatised communities, providing basics like heating and food—doesn’t make headlines. But it’s keeping Ukraine alive.
Every contribution matters:
- Funds mobile medical clinics reaching de-occupied villages
- Supports hospital visits for injured soldiers
- Provides programs helping children process trauma
- Supplies basics when Russian strikes target civilian infrastructure
These aren’t just statistics. They’re the young woman at her husband’s grave. The doctors choosing to stay despite four-minute warnings. The kindergarten teacher protecting her students. The grandmother facing winter without heat.
**The Bottom Line**
I’ve worked in challenging environments for decades. But witnessing daily life under siege—where homemade borscht and four-minute warnings coexist, where hope persists despite betrayal and bombs—that changes you.
Support isn’t abstract. It’s tangible strength for people who’ve already given everything and somehow keep giving more.
[Women picking field mushrooms](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/dscn0971-scaled.jpg)[Ukrainians ride their bikes through the fields.](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/dscn0977-scaled.jpg)[A family picking field mushrooms - the little boy told me the mushrooms were not for me! ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/dscn0969-scaled.jpg)[Borscht dinner with Lola and Sveta - volunteers](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img_4245-scaled.jpg)[Borscht dinner with Lola and Sveta - volunteers](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img_4250-scaled.jpg)[Homemade spicy borscht](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img_4242-scaled.jpg)[Typical Ukrainian pantry ( mine looks like this!) ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img_4254-scaled.jpg)[Ordinary people killed in war](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img_4210-scaled.jpg)[First Ukrainian woman to be killed in action](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img_4196-scaled.jpg)[Recent graves...](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img_4176-scaled.jpg)[Recent graves near Kryvyi Rih](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img_4220-scaled.jpg)[The new expanding graveyard near Kryvyi Rih](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img_4231-scaled.jpg)[Regular night in Ukraine these days](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/img_4325-2-scaled-e1761908580280.png)[Babusia's chatting outside their apartment](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img_4238-scaled.jpg)[Soviet era cellars for the apartments](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img_4241-scaled.jpg)[Thankyou from our partner FOG](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/e513c6dd-83dc-4e0b-964f-74a25ad411e6-scaled.jpg)[Teaching Doctors in Kryvyi Rih](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img_8718-scaled.jpg)[Teaching Doctors in Kryvyi Rih](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img_8721-scaled.jpg)[Beautiful Autumn view outside our apartment](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img_4263-scaled.jpg)
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** charity, humanitarian, medical mission, non-profit, remote doctors, Supportukraine, ukraine, volunteer, warzone
---
### ['Scare Raids'](https://www.passingthrough.net/scare-raids/)
**Published:** November 2, 2025
**Author:** Ron Gillespie
**Excerpt:** Living under daily air raid sirens in Ukraine: some run, some stay defiant, some have become fatalists. All bear the scars of four years of terror.
**Content:**
While we are in Ukraine, in nearly all cities at least one daily air raid siren blares, very often more, though this definitely depends on the city and what part of the terror cycle Russia are in. Explosions sometimes follow. Whether it is your turn this time to end up under a shahed drone, gliding bomb or missile must be a common thought. Some seek shelter immediately or eventually, but many don’t.
I want to initially speak of my own experiences/emotions under an air alert before trying to capture in some small way the wide variety of reactions and attitudes to these amongst Ukrainians I talked to.
We downloaded both of the main Air Raid Alert apps in Ukraine. You can set them up for different scenarios and just for your immediate area. Air raid, missiles, shelling (for some border regions), guided bombs (CABs), drones, all clear, are the different alerts available. At first this seemed like a good idea, and it was, but we soon realised, surprisingly, that it seemed we were in the minority.
My first night in Ukraine which was in the far western city of Lviv, known as the safest and quietest city in Ukraine when it comes to russian attacks, and it saw its biggest attack since the full scale invasion started in 2022. We ended up in the basement of our section of the high rise apartment complex with probably about 30 Ukrainians. I’m unsure of the percentage of the people from this complex that sought safer shelter, but I’m guessing about one third, possibly as high as two thirds. The ground literally shook from a nearby missile strike on an electrical substation, more people arrived after this. Five hours it went on for before we got the all clear. More civilian deaths were recorded just in Lviv this night, a whole family of four included.
Our air raid app alerted us but was of little use in the basement as there was no signal. People were sneaking upstairs for reception to try to find out information and receive the all clear.
We soon started working out the air raid alert system which had become more refined since Lara was here a few months ago. It seemed that if enemy planes were in the air the whole country received an “air alert”. This is because they may have missiles. Missiles, especially the hypersonic type, travel quickly and until fired they cannot know where they may be headed. Often this ended up just a “training run” from the enemy planes and an “ all clear, stay safe” alert would usually follow within the half hour or so. I think naval vessels carrying missiles can also trigger this alert.
“Missile alert” was sent out once incoming missiles were confirmed. My understanding is that as quickly as Ukraine can calculate that your area is not at risk from these missiles you will receive an “all clear”. I was told in the city of Kharkiv that explosions from missiles have beaten the air raid alert because they are so close to the border. Missiles do not leave anyone, anywhere, much time.
“Guided bombs” alert was my most disliked for some reason. Probably because they pack such great explosive power. These were a threat more to the border regions but while we were in Dnipro ruzzia launched its first newly developed jet powered versions with significantly increased range. So for the first time, while we were there, Dnipro was targeted by these. We actually received a 4 minute till impact message which was kind of a surreal countdown. We were outside walking at the time and sought shelter in one of the regularly placed small above ground concrete shelters. We were not the only people inside, all people with children seemed to heed the threat, but many continued life. Thankfully air defence intercepted them enroute, we heard one of the booms. As I write this CABs are on the way to Dnipro again, but we’re now in Kyiv.
Shahed type drones are another thing altogether. Because they travel slower across the country you generally get plenty of warning. Their path can change though. Drones can hang around and prolong the air raid period significantly. Drone alerts were the ones that I began to not seek shelter for unless it was convenient or I could hear the drones or explosions.
As we travelled around the country we sought as safe, as possible, accomodation. Underground is ideal, and yes, this is often an option. Shops and businesses are going underground if possible in many Ukrainian cities for obvious reasons. Higher floor apartments are in less demand amongst Ukrainians as these are more vulnerable in attack but also more stairs when power is lost. By the end of our trip our experiences were such that we would not stay in the upper levels of a high rise apartment unless absolutely necessary. Few Ukrainians have this luxury though.
For sure though a high percentage of people each weighs up the incoming risk and so must decide on an action, or not. Where do I go? To the bath, to the hallway, to the basement, to a bomb shelter, or just keep trying to sleep, or flick Putin the bird from wherever I am? Do I rush my kids out of the playground, do I rush out of the store, do I get off the street, do I follow safety advice and stop driving my car, should I get off this train as they’ve been targeted more recently? Shrapnel kills, and Russia often load their weapons with wicked shrapnel. They say, as a minimum, to be behind at least two walls to protect yourself. Playgrounds have been hit, many children have been killed while playing. Many hospitals and clinics, supermarkets, apartment blocks, hardwares, markets, universities, the list goes on, basically you can never be 100% sure you’re safe unless you are underground or in a very solid shelter.
Making decisions like these, often multiple times a day, takes its toll. I heard it said, “I refuse to let Putin chase me from my house”. It is hard to argue with this sentiment, but oh what a price you may pay for not seeking safety. But oh what a price your life pays for reducing the risk of every threat, such little sleep, so much disruption to life. **Forms of trauma wait whichever way you turn.**
A well educated young Ukrainian woman talked of many people having developed a “fatalist” mentality. No doubt this is a broad spectrum. But she did certainly not think it was positive. Would we become “fatalists” after 4 years of this? I think it depends. Children and family add weight, people’s circumstances and personalities vary. People’s beliefs vary. But of course, most of us will take greater risks if needful, but some people are very risk averse. What is constant for all people in Ukraine is the accumulating trauma from these events.
Unsurprisingly I guess, I’ve seen a wide spectrum of human emotions and strategies around dealing with air raid sirens.
What struck me most is how little everyday life seemed to change as the air raid siren first sounds. No doubt this is different for different cities. People, especially with children, reacted most. Watching tiny little kindergarten kids be ushered off the playground quickly was heart wrenching. Generally though most people didn’t flinch. Like me they were likely processing something in their heads but certainly rarely showed it. I’m sure though that many had indeed become “fatalist” and entering any consideration of the sirens implications just wasn’t going to happen, it just couldn’t anymore, for various reasons most likely.
I understand now why people may choose to not have the air raid apps on their phones. I heard them called “scare raid” alerts as people felt that’s what they did more of, scare people. But surely most had some source of information at their disposal, as to have no idea what’s going on, what’s coming, seems unlikely.
It was a real spectrum of people, from the very obviously damaged to the downright almost aggressively defiant, to the seemingly totally ignorant and the just plain tired. All, though, I’m sure, bore scars from this, how could you not. Four years is too long to face constant regular threats to your life, no matter how small. The toll this alone will take on Ukraine is high, but coupled with the trauma from the frontline, it is immense.
Ukraine deserves and needs our help to limit the damage this invasion is inflicting on them.
My faith that God is ultimately in control of all does not mean that I would not seek safety if appropriate. Though I met many of faith who would disagree with me. Even though I’m ready to die, I have no plan to risk my corrupted free will to tempt God into hastening this event. If needful though I would go where led and I would try to not worry and trust God for whatever may come.
For me the first thought is “What is the cause of the air raid siren?”. This is important for me as missiles are different to gliding bombs, are different to shahed drones. Our location in the country changed my approach. A missile alert while nearer the border of Russia saw me become a bit of a fatalist as the time before impact would likely see me not find a shelter in time anyway. Gliding bombs were more frightening to me for some reason and I usually acted. Drones, though still frightening, almost became annoying as they could hang around for lengthy periods.
There is no “right” way to respond to the constant threat of death falling from the sky. Each Ukrainian has found their own path through this impossible reality—some pragmatic, some defiant, some weary, all forever changed. What I know for certain after witnessing this firsthand is that the world cannot afford to grow numb to Ukraine’s suffering simply because it has lasted so long. Four years of air raid sirens is four years too many. Every person I met in those basements and shelters, every child ushered off a playground, every weary soul who chose defiance over fear—they all deserve more than our distant sympathy. They deserve our sustained support, our advocacy, and our refusal to let their struggle fade into the background noise of global affairs. The sirens may have become routine for them, but our response to their plight must not.
Ron Gillespie
[See Full Bio](https://www.passingthrough.net/author/rgillespie/) [ ](https://www.passingthrough.net/author/rgillespie/)
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** charity, humanitarian, medical mission, non-profit, remote doctors, Supportukraine, ukraine, volunteer, warzone
---
### [Oct 2025 Medical Mission Ukraine Pt. 1](https://www.passingthrough.net/medical-mission-1/)
**Published:** September 30, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Your donations became hope on wheels for Ukraine's brave medical workers
**Content:**
### From Lisbon Inspiration to Swiss Adventure
Some journeys begin with hope and end with laughter – though not always in the order you’d expect.
The World WONCA 2025 conference in Lisbon delivered exactly what I’d hoped for: transformative connections that will strengthen both my Australian practice and our Ukrainian partnerships. But the real revelation came through the young Ukrainian women I met – some fresh from homeland soil through the Ukraine Swiss project, others long-expatriated yet still fiercely committed to their country’s healing.
These remarkable women embodied a choice that humbles me daily: to remain and rebuild while air raid sirens wail, or to channel their skills from abroad toward a homeland in desperate need. Their quiet determination illuminated why our medical training vehicle matters so profoundly.
**The Swiss Adventure (Or: How to Turn Vehicle Collection into Extreme Tourism)**
Then came the notification: our donated medical training vehicle – a sturdy ex-school minibus – awaited collection in Switzerland. What followed reads like a comedy.
Picture this: 4 AM departure, missed connections, mysterious platform changes, and a driver who spoke three words of English navigating us through rain-soaked Swiss countryside toward what we thought was “around the corner” but turned out to be an hour’s journey into darkness. The closed tunnel requiring frantic multilingual phone calls (including Russian, which although it is the spoken language of many Ukrainians just added to the whole picture) felt like something out of a bad movie.
The climax? A pitch-black car lot, an owner in a headlamp appearing like something out of a bad movie and us driving away in the rain wondering if we’d just completed the world’s most elaborate/dodgy vehicle handover.
Swiss parking regulations – requiring special discs and 7 AM deadlines – ensured no sleep-ins. Because apparently, even humanitarian work must observe proper municipal etiquette.
**The Beautiful Truth**
Beneath the travel chaos lies something profound: this vehicle, funded by your sacrificial donations, represents hope rolling on wheels. Crawling through basement thrift shops for blankets and pillows (which will journey onward to Ukrainians facing winter without power and will also allow us to sleep in the van if needed) reminded me that every contribution creates ripple effects beyond imagination.
Your generosity didn’t just purchase transportation – it bought dignity, training opportunities, and tangible hope for communities rebuilding from devastation. Each dollar stretched further than expected, each prayer felt deeply by our Ukrainian partners who understand the preciousness of international solidarity.
**Looking Forward**
This medical training vehicle will serve communities where such resources can mean the difference between isolation and connection, between basic care and comprehensive treatment. Doctors like the young Ukrainian women I met in Lisbon will be among those who benefit – continuing their brave work with better tools, stronger networks, and knowledge that the world hasn’t forgotten them.
Your support makes these connections possible. Every contribution, whether sacrificial or comfortable, becomes part of a larger narrative of human resilience and international compassion.
Sometimes the journey toward meaningful impact involves missed trains, mysterious car lots, and Swiss parking regulations. But the destination – hope on wheels, delivered where it matters most – makes every misadventure worthwhile.
*Continue supporting Ukraine’s medical training initiatives. Your generosity travels further than you imagine.*
### Medical Mission Ukraine Pt 1
[ Heading off from Cairns ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_2167-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Some of the lovely Ukrainians at the conference ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_2531-1170x1646.jpg)
[ Presenting at conference ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_2312-1170x878.jpg)
[ Late night car pickup ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/da68f824-f3e9-40cd-8803-80be5b54d716-1170x878.jpg)
[ Leaving Switzerland ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_2726-1170x878.jpg)
[ ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_2762-1170x1560.jpg)
[ The van! ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/bfdc0c22-3f8d-40e9-bbce-20f9cf1ce1ae-1170x878.jpg)
[ Roadside stop for a view ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_2790-1170x878.jpg)
[ Beautiful scenes in Switzerland ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_2760-1170x878.jpg)
[ Roadside picnics to save $$ ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_2777-1170x878.jpg)
[ Driving through Switzerland ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_2825-1170x878.jpg)
[ Checking the oil ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_2809-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Sharing the road Swiss-style ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_2876-1170x878.jpg)
[ Sharing the road Swiss-style ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_2874-1170x878.jpg)
[ Germany ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_2893-1170x878.jpg)
[ Scavenging apples ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_3013-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Danube river ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_3024-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Ferry leaving Germany ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_2903-1170x1560.jpg)
[ In Czech republic ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_3036-1170x878.jpg)
[ Hotel picnics save $ ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_3040-1170x1560.jpg)
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** charity, Godslove, humanitarian, medical mission, remote doctors, Supportukraine, ukraine, volunteer, warzone
---
### [Supporting Ukraine - July 2025 Update](https://www.passingthrough.net/supporting-ukraine-july-2025-update/)
**Published:** July 30, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** July 2025 update on Ukraine: see how local organizations supported by Australia are working and how your donations make an impact.
**Content:**
The past few months have been devastating for Ukrainians. April was the deadliest month for civilians since 2024, and then May and June were even worse. I’ve seen firsthand how these attacks are affecting children, families, and hospitals across the country. Missiles, drones, and guided bombs are falling almost daily. Thousands have been injured, hundreds killed. Russia is deliberately targeting residential areas and critical infrastructure. The scale of violence is escalating, but it’s dropping out of the headlines. That’s why I’ve recorded this short update: to cut through the noise and show you what’s really happening, what our Ukrainian partners are doing, and how your donations are making a difference. 💚 100% of your support goes straight to trusted Ukrainian medical and humanitarian teams. 📺 Please take a few minutes to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dR2QfCxias 🔗 You can donate or get involved here: **[passingthrough.net/support ](http://www.passingthrough.net/support)** Thank you for continuing to stand with Ukraine.
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** charity, humanitarian, medical mission, non-profit, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, ukraine, warzone
---
### [Ukraine Update: Situation Overview – Nov ’23](https://www.passingthrough.net/an-update-and-overview-of-the-situation-in-ukraine-november-2023/)
**Published:** November 16, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** An update on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, focusing on critical developments, strategies, and the human toll.
**Content:**
The war in Ukraine has reached a critical juncture, marked by intense battles, escalating attacks on civilians, and a complex web of disinformation campaigns. Let’s get into an overview of the situation in the conflict, highlighting the human cost, the strategic moves by both Russia and Ukraine, and the broader implications of the war.
**A Bloody Price: The Battle for Avdiivka**
The city of Avdiivka has become the epicenter of the fiercest battle in the ongoing war. Despite reduced media coverage, the situation on the ground is dire. Russian forces have launched numerous assaults, managing minor advancements in Eastern Ukraine at a considerable cost. Conversely, Ukraine has achieved breakthroughs in the South. The conflict continues to exact a heavy toll on both sides, but with Russian losses outnumbering Ukraine’s 5:1 as Putin sacrifices his people in what they are calling ‘meat waves’ as to keep alive the myth that there is a stalemate and that the West must stop supporting Ukraine.
**Civilian Casualties and Targeted Attacks**
Russian forces have intensified their attacks on civilians, using heavy ordnance capable of demolishing entire buildings. The New York Times reports that the frequency and intensity of these bombardments have escalated, with over 120 settlements being shelled in a single day, the highest number this year. This escalation suggests a deliberate strategy to overwhelm Ukrainian defenses and infrastructure and much of it constitutes war crimes where civilians are not just ‘collateral damage’ but are deliberately targeted.
**The Assault on Ukraine’s Energy Infrastructure**
In early November, Russia targeted the energy infrastructure across eight Ukrainian regions. This strategic move, aimed at crippling Ukraine’s power supply as winter approaches, reveals a cynical tactic to break the spirit of the Ukrainian people. The attacks have been meticulously planned, with intelligence suggesting Russia’s intent to cause maximum disruption during peak electricity consumption in cold weather.
**Cultural Heritage and Educational Facilities Under Siege**
Russia’s campaign extends beyond military targets. Cultural heritage sites, including art museums and libraries, have been deliberately targeted. Schools and medical facilities are not spared either, with repeated attacks causing significant disruption to essential services and deepening the humanitarian crisis.
**The Human Cost: Stories from the Ground**
Inna Kholodnyak, director of Kherson Regional Children Hospital, speaks of treating children with severe injuries from the attacks, highlighting the devastating impact on the youngest and most vulnerable. These accounts underscore the harsh reality of a war that spares no one, not even children.
**Russia’s Disinformation Campaigns**
The war is also being fought on the digital front. Russia, and other state actors like China and Belarus, are actively engaged in spreading disinformation through social media platforms. These efforts aim to manipulate public opinion, downplay Russia’s responsibility, and sow discord in the international community. Research indicates that platforms like TikTok can expose users to false information about the war within minutes of signing up, demonstrating the alarming efficiency of these disinformation campaigns.
**The Global Ramifications of Russian Actions**
Russia’s actions extend beyond Ukraine, impacting global dynamics. Its support for far-right parties, election meddling, and disinformation campaigns are part of a broader assault on democratic values. The country’s tactics in bypassing sanctions and securing military equipment reveal a determined effort to sustain its offensive capabilities. Nothing but the complete defeat of Russia will stop their widening influence and development into an ‘axis of evil’ as they increase ties with regimes like North Korea, China, Iran ( and by extension Hamas etc).
**Russia continues to be a hypocritical liar hellbent on destroying democracy.**
On Gaza “Russia’s cynicism in all of this is self-evident. At the U.N., Moscow called for an [emergency session](https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/uae-russia-request-emergency-un-security-council-meeting-after-israel-strikes-gaza-hospital/3023910) over the attack on a hospital in Gaza — **never mind that it has spent 20 months bombing residential buildings and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.** Yet in countries roiled by anger and anguish over Israel’s military actions in Gaza, Russia’s criticism plays well into preconceived notions about Israel and its Western backers. **Amid a tribalization of pain, the fissures between the developing world and the West are widening. Russia will not waste the chance to deepen the rift further.” (NYTimes)**
**War Crimes**
The UN has reported widespread and systematic use of torture by Russian forces in Ukraine, classifying these actions as war crimes. High-profile Russian figures, including Putin and Medvedev, have made statements indicating a desire for the complete annihilation of Ukraine, further highlighting the severity of the situation and their genocidal intentions.
**The Tragedy of Child Abductions**
One of the most heart-wrenching aspects of this conflict is the abduction of Ukrainian children by Russian forces. Reports suggest that hundreds of thousands of children have been taken to Russia, subjected to re-education, and deprived of their cultural identity. Efforts are underway in Kyiv to reunite these children with their families, amidst a backdrop of immense psychological and cultural trauma, we met some of the people doing this work. But it is very difficult and only a handful of the many thousands have been rescued. Russia has recently introduced legislation to make it almost impossible for parents and rescuers to come into the country to find their children.
**What must be done**
“The immediate steps to achieve Russia’s strategic defeat [are clear](https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/democratic-countries-interest-in-decisive-russia-defeat-in-ukraine-by-anastassia-fedyk-et-al-2023-10). First, Ukraine should be provided with all the weapons it needs, including warplanes and long-range missiles, without any conditions. After all, destroying Russian weapons plants is much more efficient than destroying Russian weapons on the battlefield.
Second, [sanctions](https://fsi.stanford.edu/working-group-sanctions) must be tightened and enforced more strictly. Russia should be completely isolated. This includes cutting it off from receiving [equipment](https://fsi9-prod.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2023-07/sanctions_working_group_-_russian_import_of_critical_components-7-9-2023_final.pdf) and [software](https://fsi9-prod.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2023-04/russia_sanctions_working_paper_7_it.pdf), ordering businesses that still remain in Russia to [exit](https://leave-russia.org/), and recognizing Russia as a terrorist state that belongs on the Financial Action Task Force [Blacklist](https://sanctionscanner.com/knowledge-base/fatf-blacklists-and-greylists-171#:~:text=The%20FATF%20Blacklist%2C%20also%20known,economic%20sanctions%20by%20member%20countries.).
Since Russia has many more people whom it can send to kill and die in Ukraine, we don’t have “as long as it takes.” Ukraine needs much more support now. During World War II, the democracies supported Stalin to defeat Hitler, although Stalin’s regime rivaled Hitler’s in brutality. In Ukraine, the distinction between good and evil is clear. Anything short of Russia’s strategic defeat will make more war inevitable.” (The Kyiv Independent)
In conclusion, the war in Ukraine is not just a regional conflict but a global crisis with far-reaching consequences. The human cost is immeasurable, and the international community’s response will shape the course of global politics in the years to come. It’s crucial to remain informed and vigilant against the multifaceted strategies employed in this conflict, from the battlefield to the digital realm.
Sources:
- New York Times: [Coverage on the Ukrainian conflict](https://www.nytimes.com)
- Foreign Policy: [Analysis of disinformation campaigns](https://www.foreignpolicy.com)
- Just Security: [Collection of Russian eliminationist rhetoric](https://www.justsecurity.org/81789/russias-eliminationist-rhetoric-against-ukraine-a-collection/)
- Japan Times
**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** charity, Godslove, humanitarian, medical mission, non-profit, refugees, remote doctors, ukraine, volunteer, war, warzone
---
### [Russia Attacks Ukraine’s Energy: Civilian suffering](https://www.passingthrough.net/ukraines-energy/)
**Published:** June 7, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Ukraine's energy infrastructure continues to suffer under relentless Russian attacks, leaving millions without power and essential services.
**Content:**
# Attacks on Ukraine’s energy
As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine drags into its third year, Russia has increasingly targeted Ukraine’s energy facilities and power grid, aiming to inflict maximum suffering on civilians. These attacks are deliberate attempts to break the spirit of the Ukrainian people. By crippling energy supplies, Russia aims to make daily life unbearable, hoping to erode support for the Ukrainian government and force concessions.
### The Human Cost of Energy Attacks
As of May 2024, the UN had reported that Russia had destroyed more than 80% of their thermal power plants and 50% of their hydroelectric. And that was before they critically damaged the Dnipro hydroelectric power plant -Ukraine’s largest-on June 2nd, 2024 in an attack that also injured 20 civilians.
This is of particular concern not only because of the impact on power production, but the fact that if this dam fails it could affect 900000 people in the cities of Nikopol, Zaphorizhia and Kherson with massive flooding. It could also threaten the Zaphorizhian nuclear power plant. The Russians have hit this dam twice in the last two months- repairs were still ongoing.
This strategy of hitting power infrastructure has led to widespread blackouts, leaving millions without electricity, heat, or water. The impacts are devastating: hospitals struggle to operate, schools are unable to function, and basic services are disrupted. The attacks are designed to break the resilience of the Ukrainian people by turning everyday life into a struggle for survival.
Reports from Ukraine show that power outages and shutdowns are increasingly frequent across the whole country, and that they are already relying on emergency supplies from surrounding countries. It is now summer, but the damage will take years to repair and by year’s end they could be facing a worse winter without power than in 22/23 causing a further humanitarian crisis.
These conditions are particularly harsh for vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children, and those with medical needs. The psychological toll is immense, as the constant power outages adds to the stress and trauma of living in a war zone.
### The Broader Implications of Russia’s Strategy
Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure are part of a broader strategy to destabilise the country and undermine its sovereignty. By targeting civilian infrastructure, Russia aims to create chaos and weaken the Ukrainian government’s ability to function. This tactic is not only a violation of international law but also a moral outrage that demands a strong response from the global community.
The international ramifications of these attacks are significant. Allowing Russia to succeed sets a dangerous precedent, encouraging other authoritarian regimes to use similar tactics against civilian populations. It is crucial that the world stands united against such blatant violations of human rights and sovereignty.
### The Current Situation: A Dire Need for Support
Experts warn that only enhanced air defences can save Ukraine from a complete energy collapse this winter. As the cold season approaches Ukraine’s energy crisis could lead to a humanitarian disaster if immediate measures are not taken to protect and restore its infrastructure. Already, I regularly see warning notices and reports from friends and contacts of daily blackouts across the country of hours each day, whilst some cities have no power at all.
### Supporting Ukraine: A Call to Action
In the face of such adversity, the resilience of the Ukrainian people has been nothing short of remarkable. However, they cannot stand alone. The international community must step up its support to help Ukraine. Here are several ways we can support Ukraine:
1\. **Humanitarian Aid**: Provide immediate assistance to those affected by the energy crisis. This includes supplying generators, heaters, medical supplies, and other essential items to help civilians cope with the harsh conditions. Our partners are doing an amazing job with a lot of these. You can [DONATE](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/) to help this work.
1. **Financial Support from our Governments**: Countries can contribute to funds that support the reconstruction of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. This financial aid is crucial for repairing damaged facilities and ensuring that the country can restore power to its citizens. Financial support for those providing aid is also critical.
2. **Political and Diplomatic Pressure:** Advocate for stronger international sanctions against Russia to hold it accountable for its actions. Diplomatic efforts should also focus on isolating Russia and garnering widespread condemnation of its tactics.
3. **Enhanced Air Defences**: Urgently support the deployment of advanced air defence systems to protect Ukraine’s energy infrastructure from further attacks. This is essential to prevent additional damage and ensure that repairs can be carried out effectively.
4. **Awareness and Advocacy**: Raise awareness about the situation in Ukraine and advocate for continued support from governments and international organisations. Public opinion can play a powerful role in shaping policy decisions and ensuring that Ukraine remains a priority on the global agenda.**[ Follow our blog/newsletters](https://www.passingthrough.net/subscribe)** and share.
Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure are a calculated move to inflict suffering on civilians and undermine the country’s resolve. The international community must not stand by as innocent people endure these hardships. By providing humanitarian aid, financial support, and applying political pressure, we can help Ukraine withstand these attacks and emerge stronger. This is not just a fight for Ukraine’s freedom but a stand against tyranny and oppression worldwide. Let us unite in solidarity with Ukraine, recognising that their struggle for liberty and democracy is also our own.
## UPDATE 13/6/24 –
*“President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking on Tuesday at a conference on the reconstruction of Ukraine, said Russia had destroyed half of his country’s electricity-generating capacity, since it began pummelling its energy facilities in late March.*
*Residents in the capital Kyiv, with a population of three million, are facing some of the most significant power shortages. The hum of generators reverberates though the city, while at night streets are now often coated in darkness.*
*Families with young children living on the top floors of apartment blocks have been left without working lifts, leaving them to walk up dozens of flights of stairs.*
*Ukraine is buying energy from the European Union to try to cover its shortfall. Its energy ministry said it was planning on Wednesday to import its largest amount of power to date. However, this is not enough to make up its deficit, meaning nationwide power cuts have been planned during an eight-hour window, from 3pm to 11pm, in order to protect critical infrastructure such a hospitals and military facilities.”*
*“If Russia continues to attack power plants, the worst-case scenario is that **come winter Ukrainians could be spending up to 20 hours a day without power and heating**, according to Ukraine’s largest private energy company DTEK. Part of the issue is that Ukraine’s thermal and hydroelectric power stations are difficult and expensive to* fix. “
**Please consider a tax-deductible donation to our partners providing critical aid in Ukraine at this time.**
[PLEASE DONATE HERE ❤️🌻🙏](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)
Sources:
[Ukraine extends blackouts as Russian bombing continues](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0xx5vd4l2do)
[The Kyiv Independent](https://kyivindependent.com/governor-ukraines-largest-hydroelectric-power-plant-in-critical-state-following-russian-strike/)
[Atlantic Council](https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/only-enhanced-air-defenses-can-save-ukraine-from-winter-energy-collapse/)
[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/01/world/europe/russia-ukraine-air-attacks.html?campaign_id=301&emc=edit_ypgu_20240601&instance_id=125135&nl=your-places%3A-global-update®i_id=124018314&segment_id=168454&te=1&user_id=1c4dcec6d6575832f6405282d0b701b1)
Personal correspondence
**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** charity, Godslove, humanitarian, medical mission, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, ukraine, war
---
### [Operating in Ukraine: An Australian Surgeon’s Experience](https://www.passingthrough.net/okhmatdyt-childrens-hospital-in-ukraine/)
**Published:** July 13, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Read our interview with Australian surgeon Dr Ryan Winters who has been operating in Okhmatdyt Children\'s hospital in Ukraine, his insights into the medical situation and how you can help.
**Content:**
1.2K\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]OPT’s managing director Lara Gillespie (Wieland), interviewed Assoc. Professor Dr Ryan Winters, a Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon currently based in Newcastle, NSW, Australia. He has not long returned from his second surgical mission to Ukraine with plans to return again later in the year. He had been operating and teaching at several hospitals in Kyiv and Lviv, including the Okhmatdyt Children’s hospital in Ukraine, that was destroyed just two days ago by Russian Khinzal missiles [\[1\]](#endnote1) in a massive missile attack across Ukraine that killed over 40 and injured over 170 and rising[\[2\]](#endnote2), and from where he still awaits news of some of the colleagues he had been operating with[\[3\].](#endnote3)
Read his story here…\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_gallery type=”image\_grid” images=”12332,12345″ img\_size=”full” css=””\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]Lara: What inspired you to volunteer for this medical mission in Ukraine?
Dr Ryan: I have been very fortunate to be able to incorporate medical relief work, both domestic and international, as a significant part of my career and have worked in a number of different countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America in this regard over the years, and with a variety of NGOs. I am a very active member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery’s Face to Face Program and sit on the organising committee. I am particularly passionate about relief work that builds local capacity, training and working with in-country surgeons to improve care available full-time in the countries I travel to. That is the underlying goal with these Ukraine trips: to build local capacity for complex craniofacial reconstruction for victims of war violence, and thus I was very excited to be able to contribute. I was approached by some friends and mentors who are also Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons in the US and Canada to join them on their second trip to Lviv, Ukraine, last year with the principal goal of training two Ukrainian surgeons in free tissue transfer and other complex facial reconstructive techniques. Even in countries with quite well-developed health systems, such as Ukraine, war or other disasters create significant technical and logistical, as well as personnel, challenges. My most recent trip to Lviv and Kyiv was really an extension of this underlying goal of up-skilling some of the already very talented Ukrainian surgeons, this time under the auspices of CMA \[[OPT’](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)s lead charity partner in Ukraine [www.cma-ukraine.com](http://www.cma-ukraine.com)\] and [Razom](https://www.razomforukraine.org/) for Ukraine (two wonderful NGOs very active in the Ukrainian crisis).\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_single\_image image=”12333″ img\_size=”medium” alignment=”center” css=”.vc\_custom\_1720740819511{border-color: #81d742 !important;}”\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]Lara: How did you prepare for the trip, both personally and professionally?
Dr Ryan: Professional preparation is important, and the realities of operating and caring for patients in situations and medical systems with more limited resources than we enjoy here in Australia cannot be understated. The first line of my “introduction” packet from my first field mission with Medecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders many years ago is very close to my heart and guides me:
*“Be patient. Be very patient. Be very, very patient.”*
I am in awe every time I go and work in such settings, and especially once I return, of just how much can be done safely and effectively with comparatively little in terms of personnel and equipment, when a dedicated team of people (Ukrainians first and foremost, but also all the international volunteers) seek to achieve the same goal. It is truly inspiring, and honestly rekindles my passion for my career in medicine in general. Service and volunteerism is very good for the soul.
Preparing personally has become easier, and more so when returning to a place I’ve been and worked before and with a group of people with whom I’ve worked (though there are always new teammates, Ukrainian and international).Preparing my family for each of these trips has also become a bit easier, in that they’re no longer surprised by my desire to work in conflict zones after all of these years, but it is the most stressful part. I’ve yet to meet a parent who is excited their child is off to a war zone, and that includes mine! Assessing the risk pre-trip as best we can helps assuage some of these concerns, but it is still the most difficult part: explaining this passion for service to my family and friends who are all very (understandably) worried. Having NGOs such as Razom and [CMA](http://www.cma-ukraine.com) is really crucial, as they can best assess the in-country risk and facilitate our work and our safety as much as is possible.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
Dr Winters meeting Ukrainian colleagues
Lara: Can you describe the role of the Christian Medical Association of Ukraine and Dr Rudi Myhovych in organising your trip?
Dr Ryan: **[Dr Rudi and CMA](https://www.passingthrough.net/heroes-in-a-humanitarian-crisis/)** were absolutely instrumental. As described above, they greatly facilitated security assessment and procurement of some supplies. More importantly, they facilitated contact between the Ukrainian teams and ours, as well as handling licensing and credentialing with the various hospital and medical authorities. They facilitated patient recruitment (together with Razom). We truly would not have been able to make a meaningful impact without them. One common folly in international work, specific to disaster and war zones, is an overabundance of ‘good will.’ People mean well and want to volunteer and help and can even turn up to such areas without any plans in place or contacts, and this can actually worsen an already tense and complex logistical situation. Dr Rudi and CMA made sure this did not happen; plans were in place, licenses and permissions were granted, and that we could actually contribute in a way that benefits Ukraine. I’d like to add that despite CMA’s name it was not necessary to have any kind of religious affiliation to join this team, just a willingness to help and share the needed skills and teaching.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]Lara: Can you describe some of the complex cases you worked on during your time there?
Preparing my family for each of these trips has also become a bit easier, in that they’re no longer surprised by my desire to work in conflict zones after all of these years, but it is the most stressful part. I’ve yet to meet a parent who is excited their child is off to a war zone, and that includes mine! Assessing the risk pre-trip as best we can helps assuage some of these concerns, but it is still the most difficult part: explaining this passion for service to my family and friends who are all very (understandably) worried. Having NGOs such as Razom and CMA is really crucial, as they can best assess the in-country risk and facilitate our work and our safety as much as is possible.
Reconstructing both blast and major facial injuries nearly always requires multiple operations. The nose, mouth, jaws, and eye sockets are complex anatomical structures with a variety of functions that must be restored. For major injuries where large amounts of tissue are missing, such as after blast injuries or other major penetrating trauma, Tissues from the patient’s own body must be brought in and used to re-sculpt and rebuild the missing elements. This is “free tissue transfer,” or more colloquially in the medical world “free flap” surgery. It is analogous to a kidney transplant; where an organ is taken, together with it’s blood supply, and sewn into a recipient. Rather than a donor kidney, it is a piece of the patient’s own tissues, which can be skin, muscle, bone, fat, fascia, or really any combination thereof, that has a defined artery and venous supply. This is taken from a non-injured part of the body such as the torso (which may have been armour-protected, or an un-injured arm or leg), and sewn into blood vessels to re-vitalise it in the injured area of the head and neck. These tissues are then re-sculpted into a jaw, eye socket, midface, etc, depending upon the injury. This is an operation that takes many hours, often with two teams of surgeons, and is always challenging.
Surgeons operating
\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]Lara: What were the most challenging aspects of performing surgeries in a war zone?
Dr Ryan: I think I’ve covered a good bit of this prior, but the main challenges now are in getting material/supplies. You cannot order or ship things to Ukraine easily. There are no regular commercial cargo flights and no commercial passenger flights. So getting ANY equipment and/or people to the sites of utmost need is extremely difficult and costly. Even supplies destined for Ukraine that are ordered and delivered to neighbouring Poland or Romania require Herculean efforts to retrieve them and bring them across the border. And they’re subject to delays of hours to days or weeks if we’re talking commercial quantities. Even something as mundane as sending money to an internationally-recognised charity or NGO working in Ukraine is subject to extreme scrutiny, due to sanctions on organisations with any ties to Russia or the conflict. The costs for everything are therefore astronomical. In this latter way, OPT ([www.passingthrough.net/](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)donating) can make huge inroads. It is a safe, secure, legal, and risk-free way to donate money for desperately-needed supplies, and essentially 100% of any **[donation to OPT](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)** goes directly to medical and social relief efforts, not weapons, in Ukraine.[\[4\]](#endnote4)\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]Lara: How did the local medical teams and facilities support your efforts?
Dr Ryan: Simply put: they are AMAZING. While Ukraine was already blessed with a highly-educated and trained medical and surgical workforce, those nurses, physicians, surgeons, physiotherapists…every medical profession…that remain and are still working can scarcely be commended highly enough. It is an understandable yet unfortunate reality, that in times of great conflict in any location, many highly-educated people with desperately-needed skills will seek to leave for the sake of themselves and their families. This is understandable. We all want our families to be safe. This ‘brain-drain,’ of some very skilled individuals, especially in the healthcare field, yields acute shortages in medical knowledge that are at great risk of becoming chronic. We all want our families to be safe and prosperous. It is therefore SO important for us, as a global society, to support those professionals, whether they be doctors, nurses, engineers, teachers…those professionals who could go elsewhere but choose to stay and to maintain and build Ukraine in such a crisis time. They’ve already made the hardest decision: to stay and make things better. Our group’s mission to help improve complex craniofacial reconstruction is a drop in the ocean of the medical needs of Ukraine. Our Ukrainian colleagues have emerged as EXTREMELY talented trauma and reconstructive surgeons, intensive care teams, and all the other milieu that is required to care for the consequences of a conflict such as this, even whilst it’s ongoing. I would encourage EVERYONE to look into the Unbroken project;( ) a masterpiece plan of re-integration of veterans, accessibility and care, and medical and urban planning championed by the mayor of Lviv.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]Lara: Can you share a particularly memorable or impactful moment from your trip?
Dr Ryan: The continuity of care has been quite inspiring. We all meet via Zoom or WhatsApp to discuss the next stages of surgery for patients, and to address any challenges or complications. Easily the most memorable and inspiring aspect has been seeing the first two Ukrainian surgeons we went there to help train now start to build a complex facial reconstructive service of their own at the hospitals in Lviv. This strange ad hoc model of a ‘fellowship,’ combining international team visits like ours with short-term observerships in other countries (as of now the US and Canada) in-between, has borne fruit in the form of a nascent surgical service run by these Ukrainian surgeons, for Ukrainians. My home hospital, John Hunter Hospital was EXTREMELY supportive of me bringing one of these surgeons here to observe with me but they could not get a visa in time last year before they had to deploy back to the front lines. It is a testament to the drive and dedication of these Ukrainian surgeons, as well as to the generosity of Americans, Canadians, and Australians in this time of true crisis.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_single\_image image=”12336″ css=””\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]Lara: What do you believe was the most significant impact of your team’s work in Ukraine?
Dr Ryan: Easily the most significant impact has been the nascent craniofacial reconstruction team in Lviv. Run by Ukrainian surgeons, for Ukrainians. This is the goal, and it’s been amazing to see the first steps of this!
Lara: Are there any ongoing or future plans to continue supporting the medical efforts in Ukraine?
Dr Ryan: Yes. I will be going back to Lviv to further support and to potentially teach some additional free flap types to further expand the capabilities they have. I had initially planned on going back to Kyiv to do some major paediatric facial reconstruction, but this was to be done at the hospital that was just catastrophically damaged by the recent Russian missile strike. I am in contact with some of my colleagues there (the ones who I know are OK and alive and uninjured) but the fate of the hospital remains in limbo for now.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]Lara: What would you like readers to know about the situation in Ukraine and the need for medical volunteers?
Dr Ryan: I think we are all better citizens of the world when we look outward as to how we can help others. Locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. If this is something you are interested in, in this instance Ukraine, please contact **[OPT ](https://www.passingthrough.net/home/about-opt-only-passing-thru/get-in-touch/)**(if in Australia) or [CMA](http://www.cma-ukraine.com), and we can help anyone find the best way to contribute given their specific skill set and situation. Above all, thank you all for reading this far and taking an interest. This is truly the first step.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_video link=”https://youtu.be/gcM3zkRW3cg” align=”center” css=””\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]Lara: Anything else you would like to add?
Razom for Ukraine () is another EXTREMELY worthwhile Ukrainian NGO where nearly all donated monies go to help. They work hand-in-hand with CMA and Face to Face, among other organisations. They are also (like CMA) really, REALLY, good at providing the “nuts-and-bolts” of disaster relief. The non-sexy stuff like laundry detergent, dishsoap, infant formula, and all the other things that we all take for granted in stable environments but that are necessary for our lives. Dr Rudi was kind enough to show me around the CMA warehouse, which is a super-impressive operation, and a huge portion of it was dedicated to providing these basic necessities. [They are true heroes in this regard.](https://www.passingthrough.net/heroes-in-a-humanitarian-crisis/)\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]Lara: What final thoughts or reflections would you like to share about your experience?
Dr Ryan: Well, dear readers, if you’ve made it this far I hope you’re at least peripherally interested. Here is the point where I’m sure you’re expecting some sort of a “call to action,” and I don’t want to dissuade you of this.
**Please. Get involved. [Donate to worthy causes such as OPT, CMA, Razom](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/).**
Contact your representative in parliament or congress or equivalent, depending on where you’re reading this from.
But the message I’d like most to leave you with is not from me, but rather from my esteemed Ukrainian colleague who is on the ground after the most recent hospital attack.
This is from our esteemed colleague Christina Pohranychna, from Razom Ukraine, who was one of our “on the ground” fixers and admin people on this last trip with CMA and Razom. The following are her powerful words, edited for clarity due to translation:\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]**“*All world media, of course, will write and show how Russian terrorists attacked a children’s hospital. All the horrifying photos and videos of children and destruction will be everywhere. \[The Russian forces seem\] pleased with the killing of children, everything is hopeless here. Therefore, the Russian government arranges these attacks – to please their own orcs on the one hand, and on the other hand, try to influence ordinary residents of Western countries to make them scared and think about how to appease Russia with a piece of Ukraine. We are now living in anticipation of \[a 1938-style\] Munich conspiracy.
The photos and videos of wounded children are more like documenting Russian crimes. And simply broadcasting all Ukrainian suffering is justifying the expectations of Russian terrorists and spreading fear of their terror. For journalists, this dilemma has long been known – on the one hand, you cannot not show the consequences of a terrorist act. And on the other hand, you are helping terrorists spread their propaganda. And the difficult question is, what should be done then?
In my opinion, in addition to showing the consequences of these attacks, we must definitely show how hundreds of Kyiv residents mobilized to manually clear the rubble of the hospital within a few hours. How people brought water and food. How they moved children to bomb shelters during the threat of another attack.
Let’s show the world that we not only suffer, but we save our own, we mobilize to overcome the consequences of Russian terror. I think this is the main thing right now.*”**\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]Her last few sentences really hit me hard. The focus on the obvious atrocities claims headlines, for better or worse. The world is admittedly complex, and even nuts at the moment. One atrocity shouldn’t have to ‘compete’ with any other; but predators prey on the distracted as much as on the weak. We, globally, cannot ignore what is going on here. The stories of the truly heroic and almost instinctive response of everyday Ukrainians to such events is not as widely reported. Videos of blood-soaked civilians and passers-by clearing rubble in a bucket-brigade from the ruins of the hospital exist, but don’t get the airtime they should. These are people doing everything and anything they can in a horrific situation.
**Let’s be like them.**\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_cta h2=”Please help our heroes save lives!” txt\_align=”center” color=”green” add\_button=”top” btn\_title=”DONATE” btn\_color=”green” btn\_size=”lg” btn\_align=”center” css=”” btn\_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.passingthrough.net%2Fdonating|target:\_blank”\]\[/vc\_cta\]
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[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]1\. Note the UN and other investigators have now declared that this was a deliberate strike by more than one precision guided Russian Kh-101 missile and was the intended target.
2\. Civilians killed or injured in multiple strikes across Ukraine on July 8th as of 10th July – these numbers may rise.
3.Dr Winters has since received confirmation that the colleagues he operated with are alive.
4\. 100% of all donations made to OPT for Ukraine are sent to Ukraine with OPT volunteers absorbing the cost of fees and arranging transfers and all paperwork involved. Donations over $2 are tax deductible in Australia.
\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]
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**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Giving Back, Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** charity, Godslove, humanitarian, medical mission, remote doctors, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, ukraine, volunteer, war, warzone
---
### [Russian Disinformation vs. Democracy](https://www.passingthrough.net/russian-disinformation-the-digital-threat-to-global-democracy/)
**Published:** August 16, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Russian disinformation and their digital war threatens global democracy. Uncover the shocking tactics, see how Ukraine suffers, and learn to defend truth.
**Content:**
1.2K\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]In the shadow of tanks and missiles, another war rages—one fought with pixels and algorithms rather than bullets and bombs. This is the war of Russian disinformation, and its battleground is the minds of citizens worldwide. At the forefront of this conflict stands Russia, wielding a sophisticated arsenal of digital weapons -‘Russian disinformation’- that threaten not just Ukraine, but the very foundations of democracy across the globe.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
## The Evolving Threat
Russian disinformation is not a new phenomenon. Its roots trace back to Soviet-era propaganda, and indeed, I recall this being a repetitive theme in my grandfather’s tales told to me as a child. These were of Soviet-era Ukraine and his involvement in the fight against ‘Soviet propaganda and lies’, which he continued until he died in 1992. However, the digital age has transformed it into a far more potent and pervasive threat. Today, social media algorithms amplify false narratives at an unprecedented scale and speed. And artificial intelligence and deepfake technology are enhancing these falsehoods with visual ‘authentication’ that is ever more convincing and harder to distinguish from the real thing.
Ukraine’s national security adviser, Oleksiy Danilov, warns that Russia has developed AI tools that allow for “exponentially greater” meddling in elections across Europe and beyond. This technological leap has enabled the creation of dedicated units for each country holding an election. It demonstrates the targeted and strategic nature of these campaigns.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_gallery interval=”3″ images=”12738,12739,12740,12741,12742,12743,12744,12745,12746″ img\_size=”full” css=”.vc\_custom\_1723769631364{margin-top: 100px !important;margin-right: 100px !important;margin-bottom: 50px !important;margin-left: 100px !important;border-top-width: 10px !important;border-right-width: 10px !important;border-bottom-width: 10px !important;border-left-width: 10px !important;border-color: #a5d682 !important;}”\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
## The Scale of the Problem
The sheer volume of disinformation is staggering. Research organisation @TopLeadEU found that Russian propaganda accounts for approximately 166 million social media posts weekly. These posts aim to discredit officials, demoralise the public and armed forces, and sow discord among populations.
This flood of falsehoods isn’t confined to distant shores. In Australia, I have personally observed pro-Russian commentary in the comments sections of major newspapers like ‘The Australian’ since the beginning of the war. The profiles occasionally change names but maintain consistent messaging styles.
These observations align with findings from a study by Cardiff University’s Crime and Security Research Institute. They uncovered evidence of 32 prominent media outlets across 16 countries being targeted via their reader comments sections. This included major publications like The Daily Mail, Fox News, and Der Spiegel. The researchers identified 242 stories where provocative pro-Russian or anti-Western statements were posted, which were then used as the basis for stories in Russian-language media outlets.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[separator\]\[vc\_hoverbox image=”12754″ primary\_title=”Fake Twitter accounts and bots” primary\_title\_font\_container=”color:%231e73be” hover\_title=”Fake Twitter Accounts and bots” use\_custom\_fonts\_primary\_title=”true” css=”.vc\_custom\_1723804836922{border-right-width: 20px !important;border-left-width: 20px !important;padding-right: 150px !important;padding-left: 150px !important;border-color: #95d666 !important;}”\]Those of us writing about Ukraine find ourselves being followed and trolled by fake ‘X’ accounts – often randomly generated names and numbers with pictures of attractive young women enticing one to ‘follow me’ back.
Often the ‘followers vs following’ on these accounts is unrealistic.
They are likely to have been created very recently (or at least in the last two years) and frequently have no posts (as opposed to the more sophisticated fake accounts).
The user handle will often be a girl’s name followed by a bunch of random autogenerated numbers.\[/vc\_hoverbox\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
## Tactics and Targets
Russian disinformation campaigns employ a wide array of tactics:
1. **Historical Revisionism**: False narratives about Ukraine’s history and sovereignty are spread to undermine its legitimacy as a nation.
Interestingly, my grandfather, a Ukrainian immigrant to Australia, wrote a manuscript based on eyewitness accounts from the period when Ukraine fought for independence from Russia in the early 20th century. This firsthand historical document, written before he passed away in 1992 and only recently rediscovered, provides additional evidence debunking Russian myths about Ukrainian history and its struggle for independence and freedom. The imminent publication of this book will contribute to the historical record and provide a personal connection to the events often misrepresented in Russian disinformation campaigns. Please [***sign up to our newsletter*** ](https://www.passingthrough.net/subscribe)to be amongst the first to be notified of its publication.
2. **Exploitation of Social Divisions**: Campaigns target specific communities, particularly minority groups, to exacerbate existing tensions.
3. **Undermining Trust in Institutions**: Efforts to erode faith in mainstream media, democratic processes, and government officials are persistent.
4. **Deepfake Technology**: AI-generated videos of both foreign celebrities and domestic officials spread false messages, exploiting public trust in familiar faces.
5. **Coordinated Bot Attacks**: Social media users in Ukraine report being overwhelmed by waves of Russian bots, creating a hostile online environment for genuine discourse.
The impact of these tactics is profound. They can suppress voter turnout, polarise societies, and even incite real-world violence. In the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, they serve to weaken international resolve and support for the embattled nation.
For instance, in the lead-up to the 2016 U.S. election, the Internet Research Agency (IRA), a Russian troll farm, deployed voter suppression tactics targeting the Black community while simultaneously stoking fears of voter fraud among right-leaning audiences. On election day itself, IRA accounts engaged in harassment and fear-mongering, with one account sending “dozens of tweets harassing a variety of Jewish reporters and other (real) Twitter users with content about how Trump was ‘warming up an oven’ for them.” Whilst most Russian propaganda is pro-Trump, it also seeks to stir up division and hate on ‘all sides’. Current themes seem to be focused on making people think that there should be ‘civil war’ in Western democracies.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[content\_box animation=”spin” title=”FAKE ACCOUNTS- don’t be fooled!” color=”#bad6a7″ animation\_delay=”500″\]
There are plenty of articles about this, but even in my own personal experience I have found that the number of fake Social Media accounts is growing and that there seems to be a certain pattern to them.
Mostly they:
- Have been created since the pandemic in 2020 and many were created just after February 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine.
- Many were sharing covid conspiracy theories and suddenly pivoted to anti-Ukraine material in February 2022.
- Are posting almost non-stop, and the content is almost always anti-NATO, pro-Russian, pro-Trump, anti-Ukrainian – basically anything that fits with the narratives of Putin’s Kremlin.
- The icons they use are often American flags, crosses and guns, and they very loudly promote their affiliation with Trump, MAGA, “America First”, ‘conservative values’, anti-covid conspiracies, and often state they are white, nationalist, patriotic, gun-toting, and Christian.
- As a believer I find this particularly disturbing, especially when these supposed ‘conservative Christians’ then go on to promote, and encourage me to follow, multiple accounts of what look like MAGA-style porn stars posing seductively in skimpy bikinis with breast implants and pumped-up lips, spouting hate and conspiracies or images that could be described as soft porn – e.g. voluptuous, skimpily-dressed models posing seductively with AK47’s and MAGA hats.
- They often share or promote cryptocurrency (the currency of choice of terrorists, criminals and the ‘shadow’ operations of autocratic regimes like Russia).
- They regularly share debunked conspiracy theories about Ukraine and the USA.
- They are regularly promoting similar accounts and pushing people to follow as many of those as possible.
- Occasionally, a bunch of them that are seemingly unconnected will start all sharing the same Russian-backed messages.
- Like the bot accounts, they usually have a string of random numbers in their twitter handle but with a real-sounding name.
- Sometimes the profile pictures are AI generated, sometimes they change (for example ‘Brother Wallace’ here was initially a black man, whose profile picture later changed to be an AI-generated blue-eyed blonde baby), sometimes they can be reverse searched and be found to be someone else’s picture.
\[/content\_box\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
## Ukraine: Ground Zero
While the threat is global, Ukraine stands at the epicentre. The country has been subjected to a relentless barrage of disinformation, from false claims of neo-Nazi infiltration in its government to fabricated atrocities. These lies serve not only to justify Russian aggression (including a routine policy of targeting areas designed to maximise civilian casualties) but also to undermine global support for Ukraine.
The human cost of this information war is all too real. As Ukrainians fight for their sovereignty on the ground, they must also battle a tide of falsehoods designed to break their spirit and isolate them from their allies. I cannot even imagine how soul-destroying this must be in addition to all they are enduring.
One particularly insidious tactic has been the creation of deepfake videos featuring Ukrainian officials. These fabricated videos depict Ukrainian leaders making false statements, including calls for Ukrainians to fight among themselves. Such tactics aim to create confusion, erode trust in leadership, and potentially incite civil unrest during a time when national unity is crucial.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
## A Threat to Global Democracy and Freedom
The implications of Russian disinformation extend far beyond Ukraine’s borders. By interfering in elections, sowing doubt in democratic institutions, and exacerbating social divisions, these campaigns pose an existential threat to democracies worldwide.
Microsoft’s research indicates that Russia-linked accounts are already disseminating divisive content aimed at U.S. audiences ahead of the 2024 election, criticising American support for Ukraine. This demonstrates how the conflict in Ukraine is being weaponised to influence political outcomes in other nations.
The tactics employed are diverse and evolving. For example, Russian operatives have created a global ad campaign using deepfake videos with fake quotes of U.S. celebrities calling for an end to Ukraine assistance. This exploitation of celebrity influence and advanced technology represents a new frontier in disinformation campaigns.
Moreover, the spread of these campaigns is not limited to the West. Russian-backed media has also targeted the Middle East and Africa. Shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the post frequency of RT (Russia Today) Arabic and Sputnik Arabic on Twitter increased by 35% and 80% respectively. Some of RT Arabic’s most popular tweets amplified false narratives about secret biological weapons laboratories in Ukraine.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[content\_box animation=”spin” title=”PUTIN’S LIES: FACT-CHECKED” color=”#bdd6ad” animation\_delay=”500″\]”Selling disinfo narratives to sow outrage within Western audiences is Tucker Carlson’s business model and no-one offers such a pre-packaged, divisive, outrage-inducing set of narratives like the Kremlin.”
\[/content\_box\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
## The Road Ahead
Combating this threat requires a multifaceted approach:
1. **Technological Solutions**: Developing AI-powered tools to detect and counter disinformation, particularly deepfakes.
2. **Media Literacy**: Educating the public on identifying false information and understanding the tactics used to spread it.
3. **International Cooperation**: Sharing intelligence and best practices among democracies to create a united front against disinformation.
4. **Support for Independent Journalism**: Strengthening fact-based reporting to counter the flood of false narratives. Encouraged by historian Timothy Snyder’s comments on this and its importance in the fight against tyranny, I have subscribed to independent news outlets in Ukraine.
5. **Platform Responsibility**: Holding social media companies accountable for the spread of disinformation on their platforms.
\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
## What You Can Do
As individuals, we are not powerless in this fight:
**Be Sceptical**: Question sensational claims, especially those that provoke strong emotional responses. For instance, be wary of extreme accusations against political figures, such as claims about vast child trafficking networks or sudden extravagant purchases of mansions and yachts.
**Verify Sources:** Seek out reputable, diverse news sources and fact-checking organisations. Be particularly cautious about content from unfamiliar news sites, as Russian actors have been known to create fake websites mimicking legitimate news outlets.
**Think Before Sharing:** Consider the impact of spreading unverified information. It’s too quick and easy to click ‘share’ on social media without thinking.
**Support Ukraine**: Understand that standing with Ukraine means resisting the false narratives that undermine its struggle for sovereignty. This includes being aware of historical revisionism that attempts to delegitimize Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty.
**Engage in Respectful Dialogue:** Bridge divides by engaging in open, fact-based discussions with those who may have different views. Remember that some of the most divisive content you encounter online may be part of a deliberate campaign to sow discord.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
## Conclusion
The war against Russian disinformation is not just Ukraine’s fight—it’s a battle for the integrity of democratic and freedom-loving societies worldwide. By understanding the threat, supporting those on the front lines, and remaining vigilant in our consumption and sharing of information, we can all play a part in defending truth and preserving liberty and democracy. People everywhere should be able to choose those who govern them, not have rule forced on them by artillery, missiles, money and deception.
As we face this invisible enemy, let us remember that the pen—or in this case, the keyboard—truly is mightier than the sword. In the digital age, an informed, alert and critical-thinking citizenry is our strongest defence against those who would manipulate us through lies and deceit.
The stakes could not be higher. Our support for the people of Ukraine and our resistance to disinformation are not separate causes—they are two fronts in the same war. A war for truth, for democracy and liberty, and for the right of all people to determine their own futures free from foreign interference and control. Many of us have ancestors who fought to defend our freedom from tyranny. Who gave their lives to prevent a world controlled by autocrats and evil dictators like Hitler and Mussolini. Do we want a world controlled by nations like Russia, North Korea and Iran – where every aspect of our lives is dictated by ruthless autocrats, where people are tortured and imprisoned for their beliefs or for speaking the truth? Do we want to squander the freedoms, liberty and peace that our ancestors bought with their blood? I know the Ukrainians don’t. Right now, Ukrainians stand as the bulwark between tyranny and the free world, battling not just with artillery shells and missiles, but also in a digital war more insidious than the physical destruction of their cities.
In the words often attributed to Thomas Jefferson, “*Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty*.” In the face of Russian disinformation, this vigilance must extend to every post we read, every video we watch, and every piece of information we encounter. We must stand up for **truth. Much of what we hold dear depends on it…** \[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_btn title=”Please donate to provide medical and humanitarian aid to Ukraine” color=”green” align=”center” i\_icon\_fontawesome=”fab fa-gratipay” css=”” add\_icon=”true” link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.passingthrough.net%2Fdonating|title:SUPPORT|target:\_blank”\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]
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[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_hoverbox image=”13451″ primary_title=”” hover_title=”References” el_class=”“green-background-title“”]- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2023). Disinformation and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. [www.oecd.org](http://www.oecd.org)
- Innes, M. (n.d.). High-profile Western media outlets repeatedly infiltrated by pro-Kremlin trolls. Cardiff University. Retrieved from
- Ball, T. (2024, February 27). Putin has new cyber-tools that threaten democracy, Ukraine warns. The Times.
- Reuters. (2024, April 18). Microsoft finds Russian influence operations targeting U.S. election have begun.
- O’Sullivan, D. (2018, December 17). Russians sought to recruit ‘assets’ through social media, Senate told. CNN Business.
- Roache, M. (2022, March 3). Russian Disinformation Tracking Center. NewsGuard.
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### [Ukrainian Neurosurgeon in Australia: A Transformative Visit](https://www.passingthrough.net/a-transformative-visit-ukrainian-neurosurgeon-davyd-staryk-in-australia/)
**Published:** November 27, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Ukrainian neurosurgeon visits Australia, bridging expertise and hope. Organised by Only Passing Thru with CMA Ukraine, sponsored by an Aussie neurosurgeon.
**Content:**
## A Transformative Visit: Ukrainian Neurosurgeon Davyd Staryk in Australia
Dr Davyd Staryk, a young neurosurgeon from Dnipro, Ukraine, recently completed a transformative visit to Australia, offering a rare opportunity for skill-sharing and respite amidst the ongoing war in his homeland. Davyd has been working tirelessly on the medical frontlines of the conflict, performing spinal and cranial surgeries to remove shrapnel and bullets from the brains and spines of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians. His harrowing experiences and unwavering commitment to his country’s fight for survival made this visit both meaningful and impactful.
I first met Davyd at a retreat for the Christian Medical Association of Ukraine near Kyiv when I was visiting Ukraine (read the article about my trip [**HERE**](https://www.passingthrough.net/journey-into-ukraine/)). It was a sobering setting, where the weight of war hung over everyone present. During our conversations, Davyd described gruelling shifts, often stretching over 14 hours, as he navigated the chaos of war medicine. Despite these challenges, he expressed a profound desire to develop his expertise in spinal neurosurgery, not only to provide better care for his patients but also to train and support his colleagues. His dedication, even in such dire circumstances, was deeply inspiring. (See the video **[HERE](https://youtu.be/F1a_eLpuF7Q?si=W1r8T8zcPR94Dt56)**)
When Dr Rudi Myhovich of the Christian Medical Association of Ukraine visited Australia in early 2024 for a speaking and networking tour, an extraordinary opportunity arose. (Read about the visit **[HERE](https://www.passingthrough.net/dr-rudi-myhovychs-visit/?preview=true&preview_id=10586&preview_nonce=8aae36a52b&frame-nonce=fa84496eb8)**) A highly respected Australian spinal neurosurgeon Dr Toby Loch-Wilkinson generously offered to organise Davyd’s visit and thanks to donations it was able to be arranged. This invitation opened doors for Davyd to collaborate with some of Australia’s leading neurosurgeons, attend specialised courses, and gain hands-on exposure to advanced techniques and state-of-the-art equipment unavailable in Ukraine. All of this was thanks to the time and generosity of spirit of people like Dr Toby, Liam O Droma and the team and surgeons at LifeHealthcare and the team at Globus Medical who sponsored the course.
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Beyond the operating rooms, Davyd experienced the warmth of Australian hospitality. Colleagues opened their home to him in Brisbane, providing not only a place to stay but also a cultural immersion getting to visit Enogerra Dam and Moreton Bay Island. Then later in Sydney, my colleague, Dr John Whitehall, and his wife, ensured Davyd explored Australia’s unique wildlife, including the chance to pat kangaroos and koalas—experiences that provided brief but welcome relief from the emotional toll of his work in Ukraine.
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Davyd’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of international solidarity and cooperation. By welcoming him and providing opportunities for professional growth, Australian surgeons and supporters have directly contributed to the recovery and resilience of the Ukrainian people. Such partnerships underscore the shared humanity that transcends borders, as skilled professionals unite to address global crises.
Looking ahead, there is immense potential for more initiatives like this one. Many talented Ukrainian medical professionals would benefit greatly from similar opportunities to upskill and recharge. For those inspired to contribute, donations or sponsorships for these programs are invaluable. Additionally, we encourage doctors and surgeons in Australia and beyond to consider hosting future visits to foster these critical exchanges.
You can donate **[HERE](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)** or contact us at
In the coming weeks, I plan to share a more detailed interview with Davyd, capturing his reflections on the visit and his aspirations for the future. For now, his journey demonstrates the power of collaboration in rebuilding lives and nations. Together, we can continue to support those working tirelessly to heal a country and its people, one surgery at a time.
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### [Navigating Disinformation: Social Media in Political Warfare](https://www.passingthrough.net/navigating-the-maze-of-disinformation-the-role-of-social-media-in-modern-political-warfare/)
**Published:** February 10, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Russian disinformation exploits social media to sow global discord, impacting politics and democracy. Be aware and on guard.
**Content:**
1.1K\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
## The Rising Tide of Disinformation
In an age where social media has become the town square of global discourse, its role in shaping political narratives cannot be overstated. As recent events have shown, the insidious spread of disinformation through these platforms continues to threaten democracies worldwide. I’ve previously addressed this issue ([HERE](https://www.passingthrough.net/russian-disinformation-the-digital-threat-to-global-democracy/)), but it’s worth revisiting as the problem has worsened. Disinformation now influences global events and politics, and it subtly shapes individual thinking, which, in turn, impacts political landscapes. This pervasive reach affects almost everyone, often without their awareness. I am seeing this increasingly in my friends, colleagues and aquaintances.
In the lead-up to the U.S. presidential election, BrandeisNOW initiated a series of expert analyses, highlighting crucial issues that are shaping the country’s future. A central theme that emerged was the pervasive and evolving nature of disinformation campaigns, fuelled by advances in digital technologies and geopolitical tensions.
**The Russian Disinformation Playbook**
Central to this discussion is the role of Russian pseudo-state operations. Entities like the Internet Research Agency, financially backed by Putin’s allies and operating out of St. Petersburg, have been instrumental in manipulating public opinion globally. These operations, often employing “troll farms” and automated bots, and increasingly now including AI-generated images and videos, craft and disseminate disinformation, targeting not just the United States but regions worldwide, including South America, Africa, and especially the former Soviet Bloc countries like Ukraine. More recently Russian interference via social media has been uncovered in Romanian and Moldovan elections.
**Targeting the United States: A Cacophony of Campaigns**
The United States has not been immune to these tactics. In the run-up to the 2016 presidential elections, a myriad of campaigns—ranging from pro-Trump propaganda to hoaxes about Thanksgiving turkeys, anti-vaccination rhetoric, and even organising both pro-Trump and anti-Trump protests—have illustrated the diverse and often contradictory nature of these efforts. This strategy seems less about convincing and more about creating a cacophony of noise, blurring lines between truth and fiction and creating chaos and division.
**Targeting Australia: Russian Influence in Australian Indigenous Rights Referendum**
Even in Australia, smaller and further away, Russian disinformation efforts have manifested through individuals like Simeon Boikov, known as the “Aussie Cossack.” Operating from the Russian consulate in Sydney (where he fled the federal police who want him on assault charges), Boikov has leveraged social media platforms to disseminate anti-Western rhetoric and conspiracy theories. During Australia’s Indigenous rights referendum, he actively promoted the “No” campaign, organising rallies and spreading misleading information to influence public opinion. Experts suggest that such activities align with broader Russian strategies to exploit societal divisions and undermine democratic processes in Western countries.
**The Propaganda Machine: From Noise to Distrust**
This strategy was starkly visible in the Russian internal propaganda surrounding events like the downing of a Malaysian Airlines flight over Ukraine in 2014. Multiple fictional narratives were pushed, fostering a climate where the public starts to question the very existence of objective truth. The end goal: erode trust in institutions, media, and fellow citizens, thereby weakening the fabric of democracy. Russia financed campaigns to sow distrust and spread disinformation about Ukraine and events in Ukraine in the lead up to the invasion so as to influence the reaction of other countries.
**US Senate Reports: Unveiling the Extent of Russian Influence– Christians and minorities targeted**
Recent reports for the US Senate, including those from Oxford University’s Computational Propaganda Project and social media research firm New Knowledge, offer comprehensive insights into Russia’s tactics. These reports trace the origins of Russian online influence, highlighting the tailored messages based on geography, political interests, race, and religion to manipulate American voters, with Christians and minorities known to be particularly targeted. A few years ago, an investigation found that the top 19 Christian Facebook groups in the USA were actually run by Russian-funded ‘troll farms’.[\[1\]](#_ftn1)
John Mark Dougan, NewsGuard’s 2024 Disinformer of the Year, has become a key figure in Russia’s disinformation machine, generating false narratives that reached over 67 million views and influenced U.S. congressional debates. He is known to particularly target conservative audiences and disillusioned populations. A former Florida deputy sheriff turned fugitive in Moscow, Dougan operates as part of a Russian influence operation linked to the GRU, creating fake local news sites and AI-generated content. His fabricated stories included baseless claims of Ukrainian bioweapons labs and false accusations of sexual abuse against U.S. politicians, with these narratives being cited by figures such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance. Despite publicly denying Kremlin ties, Dougan has appeared alongside Russian officials and boasted about influencing U.S. politics, even claiming credit for swaying Congress to defund Ukraine. As his network targets Germany’s upcoming elections, Dougan’s methods—AI-generated videos, staged whistleblowers, and fake news sites—show how disinformation campaigns can manipulate public opinion and destabilize democracies on a global scale.
**The Complicity of Tech Platforms**
A significant concern highlighted in these reports is the passive role played by tech companies in countering these influence operations. The delayed response of these platforms is a crucial factor in the success of such disinformation campaigns. Some platforms are active participants in Russian disinformation.
**Russia’s Domestic Propaganda: A Tool for Control**
Within Russia, the state-controlled media serves as a potent tool for domestic propaganda, fuelling military hysteria and creating a perceived need for internal and external enemies. This methodology, reminiscent of historical propaganda techniques, is used as a weapon of war, controlling the populace and supporting the government’s agendas.
**The Evolution of AI-Driven Disinformation**
The rise of generative AI technologies has revolutionised the production of disinformation. Tools capable of creating realistic images, videos, and audio—commonly known as deepfakes—have become increasingly accessible. This accessibility allows malicious actors to produce deceptive content at scale, undermining public trust in media and institutions. A 2024 survey highlighted the dual role of generative AI in both creating and detecting fake news, emphasising the need for comprehensive strategies to address this issue.
**More Recent Incidents Highlighting the Threat**
The 2024 U.S. presidential election witnessed sophisticated disinformation campaigns employing AI-generated content. Notably, deepfake videos impersonating public figures emerged in multiple countries, raising concerns about election interference and character defamation. Between July 2023 and July 2024, deepfakes impersonating public figures surfaced in 38 countries, underscoring the global nature of this threat.
In 2024, Romania’s presidential election was annulled after intelligence reports revealed that Russian-backed operatives had used TikTok to promote far-right candidate Călin Georgescu, significantly influencing the election outcome.
In another instance, a deepfake operation targeted U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, where perpetrators impersonated a Ukrainian official during a video call. This incident underscores the growing use of AI by malicious actors to deceive political figures and the public.
**Global Disinformation Campaigns**
State actors have increasingly leveraged AI to conduct disinformation campaigns. China’s “Spamouflage” network, for example, has used AI-generated content to impersonate American voters on social media platforms, aiming to sow discord ahead of elections. These operations often involve creating fake personas and disseminating divisive narratives to manipulate public opinion.
Similarly, Russia’s disinformation machine has evolved, employing AI to produce counterfeit news sites and social media bots that spread false information. I have written about this before and been a target of fake accounts whilst trying to raise funds for aid in Ukraine on social media.
These tactics are designed to create confusion, erode trust in democratic institutions, and influence political outcomes.
**The Role of Social Media Platforms**
Social media platforms have become conduits for AI-generated disinformation. The ease with which AI tools can produce and disseminate content has led to an influx of misleading information online. For instance, AI-generated images and videos have flooded platforms, making it challenging for users to distinguish between authentic and fabricated content. This phenomenon, often referred to as “AI slop,” underscores the need for improved content moderation and user awareness. AI generated content and in particular images appear to have been in used in pro-Hamas, pro-Gaza campaigns among others.
**Countermeasures and Policy Responses**
Addressing the challenges posed by AI-driven disinformation requires a multifaceted approach. Governments and organisations are implementing policies to counteract these threats. The European Union, for example, has introduced the Digital Services Act to scrutinise data related to electoral influence and hold platforms accountable.
Additionally, the U.S. has imposed sanctions on entities involved in AI-generated election disinformation, signalling a commitment to combating foreign interference in democratic processes.
**The Path Forward**
As AI technology continues to advance, the potential for its misuse in disinformation campaigns grows. It is imperative for policymakers, technology companies, and civil society to collaborate in developing robust strategies to detect and counteract AI-generated disinformation. Enhancing digital literacy among the public, investing in detection technologies, and enforcing transparent policies are crucial steps toward safeguarding democratic institutions against the rising tide of AI-driven disinformation. Many of these things are out of our control, but in the meantime, especially those in target groups such as Christians, minority groups or influential areas in elections, we can be wise and consider carefully what we believe and share.
###### [](#_ftnref1)
\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_custom\_heading text=”Sign up to receive more blog posts” font\_container=”tag:h2|text\_align:center” css=””\]\[vc\_btn title=”SUBSCRIBE” color=”success” align=”center” i\_icon\_fontawesome=”fas fa-rss” css=”” add\_icon=”true”\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]Other recommended reading:
[**On Disinformation**](https://bigthink.com/the-learning-curve/on-disinformation/)
[**The Handbook of Russian Disinformation Warfare** ](https://www.ndc.nato.int/news/news.php?icode=995)\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_hoverbox image=”13451″ primary\_title=””\]
- ###### Business Insider. (2024). *ChatGPT denied 250,000 requests to generate deepfake images of candidates in the month before the election*. \[online\] Available at:
- ###### (2024). *How the Benefits—and Harms—of AI Grew in 2024*. \[online\] Available at:
- ###### (2024). *An AI Deepfake Could Be This Election’s November Surprise*. \[online\] Available at:
- ###### (2024). *The Most Dangerous People on the Internet in 2024*. \[online\] Available at:
- ###### (2024). *The Year of the AI Election Wasn’t Quite What Everyone Expected*. \[online\] Available at:
- ###### (2024). *Disinformation in the Russian invasion of Ukraine*. \[online\] Available at: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disinformation\_in\_the\_Russian\_invasion\_of\_Ukraine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disinformation_in_the_Russian_invasion_of_Ukraine)
- ###### (2024). *Doppelganger (disinformation campaign)*. \[online\] Available at: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doppelganger\_(disinformation\_campaign)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doppelganger_(disinformation_campaign))
- ###### (2024). *AI-Generated Fake News Is Coming to an Election Near You*. \[online\] Available at:
- ###### (2024). *AI Isn’t Our Election Safety Problem, Disinformation Is*. \[online\] Available at:
- ###### (2024). *How to Protect Yourself from AI Election Misinformation*. \[online\] Available at:
- ###### (2024). *The US Election Threats Are Clear. What to Do About Them Is …*. \[online\] Available at:
- ###### (2024). *Big Tech is Missing the Point on AI Election Misinformation*. \[online\] Available at:
- ###### (2024). *States Scramble to Block AI Election Meddling*. \[online\] Available at:
- ###### (2024). *Microsoft Warns Foreign Disinformation Is Hitting the US Election From …*. \[online\] Available at:
- ###### (2024). *Microsoft’s AI Chatbot Replies to Election Questions With …*. \[online\] Available at:
- ###### (2024). *Tech Firms Fall Short on Election Security, Rights Groups Say*. \[online\] Available at:
- ###### (2024). *Russian information war against Ukraine*. \[online\] Available at: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian\_information\_war\_against\_Ukraine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_information_war_against_Ukraine)
- ###### (2024). *Cyberwarfare by Russia*. \[online\] Available at: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberwarfare\_by\_Russia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberwarfare_by_Russia)
- ###### (2024). *Anonymous and the Russian invasion of Ukraine*. \[online\] Available at: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anonymous\_and\_the\_Russian\_invasion\_of\_Ukraine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anonymous_and_the_Russian_invasion_of_Ukraine)
- ###### (2024). *Media portrayal of the Russo-Ukrainian War*. \[online\] Available at: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media\_portrayal\_of\_the\_Russo-Ukrainian\_War](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_portrayal_of_the_Russo-Ukrainian_War)
- ###### (2024). *Russian disinformation*. \[online\] Available at: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian\_disinformation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_disinformation)
- ###### (2024). *Centre for Strategic Communication and Information Security*. \[online\] Available at: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centre\_for\_Strategic\_Communication\_and\_Information\_Security](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centre_for_Strategic_Communication_and_Information_Security)
- ###### (2024). *Center for Countering Disinformation*. \[online\] Available at: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center\_for\_Countering\_Disinformation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_for_Countering_Disinformation)
- ###### (2024). *Category:Disinformation in the Russian invasion of Ukraine*. \[online\] Available at: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Disinformation\_in\_the\_Russian\_invasion\_of\_Ukraine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Disinformation_in_the_Russian_invasion_of_Ukraine)
- ######
- ######
\[/vc\_hoverbox\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
###### [\[1\]](#_ftnref1) A **troll farm** is an organised group that uses fake online profiles to manipulate public opinion and disrupt online communities. These groups post provocative or misleading content on social media platforms, forums, and comment sections to incite conflict, spread misinformation, or promote specific agendas. Troll farms may be state-sponsored or privately funded, and they operate by coordinating their activities to amplify certain narratives, giving the illusion of widespread support or dissent.
\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]
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**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** democracy, freedom, Russian disinformation, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, war
---
### [Close the Oil Loophole: Stop Funding Putin](https://www.passingthrough.net/close-the-russian-oil-loophole/)
**Published:** June 30, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Russian oil still reaches Australia through refineries in India & China. Learn how this loophole funds Putin's war & how to demand government action.
**Content:**
**A ship carrying fuel refined from Russian oil is arriving at Port Botany this Friday, July 4th. It’s time for Australia to act.**
While most Australians believe we’ve cut ties with Putin’s war machine, the devastating truth is that Russian oil is still flowing into Australia through a massive legal loophole. Every litre of this fuel we import helps fund the bombs falling on innocent Ukrainian families in their sleep. And these bombs are becoming more frequent every day.
**The Shocking Reality**
In the first six months of 2024 alone, Australia imported more than 1.4 million tonnes of refined oil products from at least three refineries that use Russian crude. These refineries in India and China are essentially laundering Russian oil, refining it and selling it to us as “clean” fuel.
According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, there remains a loophole that allows sanctioning countries to import products made from Russian crude oil refined in third countries. This isn’t a minor oversight—it’s “a huge glaring loophole in the sanctions itself, because it allows these revenues to flow directly back to Russia.”
**The Numbers Don’t Lie**
The scale of this problem is staggering:
- In 2023, there was a 44% year-on-year increase in sanctioning countries’ imports of oil products, by volume, estimated as being produced from Russian crude
- EUR 8.5 billion of price cap coalition countries’ imports of oil products between December 2022 and December 2023, were made from Russian crude
- The Jamnagar refinery, 26 per cent of its runs are on Russian crude. The New Mangalore refinery, 41 per cent of its runs are on Russian crude
**Europe Is Leading—Where Is Australia?**
While Australia drags its feet, Europe is taking decisive action. The EU’s proposed 18th sanctions package includes “a ban on the import of refined products based on Russian crude oil” to prevent Russian crude from reaching EU markets “through the back door.”
President Macron stated the package will “impose an embargo, notably on imports of Russian crude oil refined in third countries, which is a strong signal” and represents “unprecedented ambition” in targeting Russian revenue streams.
**This Friday: A Test of Our Values**
**Friday, July 4th**, a ship carrying fuel from a refinery that uses Russian oil will dock at Port Botany’s BLB1 terminal before being shifted to Kurnell 1, operated by Ampol. This shipment represents everything wrong with our current approach—we’re allowing Putin to profit from Australian consumers while Ukrainian children hide in bomb shelters.
**Government Excuses Don’t Hold Water**
The Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet’s response to the Senate Inquiry’s Recommendation 8 claims ships cannot be tracked. This is demonstrably false. Multiple Government agencies are mature users of such systems, and ship information is readily available from public and commercial services. We will be tracking this week’s shipment to prove the point.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is currently considering issues relating to imported oil and grease products transformed from Russian crude oil—but “considering” isn’t enough when people are dying.
.
**The Moral Imperative**
Every dollar we spend on Russian-derived oil products helps fund:
- Missiles targeting Ukrainian hospitals and schools
- The destruction of entire cities
- War crimes against innocent civilians
- Putin’s broader imperial ambitions
Dr Anton Moiseienko from the Australian National University warns: “If it were possible for companies to buy refined Russian oil simply because it passes through a third-party jurisdiction and is refined there, then that would undermine the robustness of the Australian sanctions regime.”
**What You Can Do Right Now**
The solution is clear and achievable. “The most effective step would be to ban the importation of oil products produced from Russian crude oil. This would enhance the impact of the sanctions by disincentivizing third countries from importing large amounts of Russian crude and help cut Russian revenues.”
**Take Action Today:**
1. **Email Your Local MP and Key Ministers** – We’ve prepared a template email below that you can send directly to decision-makers – you can use the link, the text here or write your own.
2. **Share This Information** – Most Australians don’t know about this loophole. Help spread awareness
3. **Demand Transparency** – Ask why our government can track ships for customs and security but claims it can’t track oil origins
✉️ **Tell your MP to stop fueling Putin’s war.**
Use our pre-written letter to demand action on Russian oil imports disguised via Indian refineries.
**[📨 Download the letter & instructions here](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Letter-to-MP.docx)**
**[📮 Post or email it to your MP this week.](https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Contacting_Senators_and_Members)**
🕊️ Every dollar not sent to Putin’s treasury is less attacks on Ukrainian civilians and a step to peace.
**Save Ukrainian lives. Take action today.**
**The Time Is Now**
As EU Commission President von der Leyen stated: “this war must end. We need a real ceasefire, and Russia has to come to the negotiating table with a serious proposal.” Until then, we must ensure every available lever is used to pressure Putin’s regime.
Australia claims to stand with Ukraine, but our actions tell a different story. We cannot continue to fund the very war machine we publicly condemn. The Russian oil loophole must be closed immediately.
**Share this post, email your representatives, and demand action. Ukrainian lives depend on it.**
**Another Template Email to Send to Ministers**
**Subject: URGENT: Close the Russian Oil Loophole – Stop Funding Putin’s War**
Dear \[Minister’s Name\],
I am writing to demand immediate action to close the Russian oil loophole that allows refined petroleum products made from Russian crude to enter Australia.
The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air reports that Australia imported over 1.4 million tonnes of such products in the first half of 2024 alone. This directly contradicts our stated position of supporting Ukraine and sanctioning Russia.
While the EU moves forward with its 18th sanctions package to ban these imports, Australia continues to allow Russian oil to reach our shores “through the back door.” This is morally indefensible and undermines our sanctions regime.
I call on you to:
1. Immediately ban imports of oil products refined from Russian crude
2. Increase transparency in oil supply chain tracking
3. Align Australia’s sanctions with our EU and G7 allies
Every day we delay, we continue funding Putin’s war machine. The time for “consideration” is over—Ukrainians need action now.
I await your urgent response on what concrete steps you will take to close this loophole.
Sincerely, \[Your Name\] \[Your Address\] \[Your Contact Details\]
**Send to:**
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:
- Foreign Minister Penny Wong:
- Resources Minister Madeleine King: [Madeleine.King.MP@aph.gov.au ](mailto:Madeleine.King.MP@aph.gov.au)
- Your Local Federal MP: [FIND HERE ](https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Contacting_Senators_and_Members)
The **AFUO** also has a campaign [HERE](https://afuo.org.au/community/australia-slaps-more-sanctions-on-russia-but-the-work-isnt-done/)
*This article will be updated with links to petition campaigns as they become available.*
[ Donate Today ](#)
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** charity, humanitarian, russian oil, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, warzone
---
### [Beyond ‘Realism’: Lithuania on Ukraine’s Future](https://www.passingthrough.net/realistic-solutions-become-moral-failures/)
**Published:** August 15, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** The difference between 'de facto' and 'de jure' occupation means nothing to victims. We need moral courage, not semantic games.
**Content:**
#### Refugees who fled Russian invasion of Donetsk and shared their stories with me and the Ukrainian dr caring for them.
In the sterile corridors of international diplomacy, where maps are redrawn with the stroke of a pen and human suffering is reduced to acceptable losses, a voice cuts through with startling moral clarity. Gabrielius Landsbergis, Lithuania’s former Foreign Minister, has written something that should make every Western leader pause in uncomfortable recognition.
His latest piece isn’t just political commentary—it’s a profound meditation on how quickly we abandon our principles when faced with inconvenient realities. As someone who has witnessed firsthand the human cost of conflict, I find his words carry the weight of lived experience that our sanitised policy discussions desperately need.
## The Dangerous Comfort of ‘De Facto’ Solutions
Landsbergis confronts us with a chilling reality: Western leaders are increasingly suggesting that Ukraine should accept “de facto” Russian occupation of its territories. The term sounds clinical, diplomatic—almost reasonable. But as he reminds us with devastating precision, this semantic distinction means nothing to a woman being assaulted in front of her children. She cannot comfort them by explaining their trauma is merely “de facto, not de jure.”
This observation pierces through layers of political abstraction to reveal something profound about how distance from suffering allows us to rationalise the unthinkable. Having worked in areas of high trauma myself, I recognise this pattern—how quickly human tragedy becomes acceptable when viewed through the lens of geopolitical necessity.
## The Weight of Historical Memory
What makes Landsbergis’ perspective particularly compelling is his intimate knowledge of occupation’s reality. When NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte suggests that “de facto” occupation worked out “eventually” for the Baltic States, Landsbergis offers a brutal correction: it wasn’t “a fact of life,” but “a fact of death.”
His country’s history illuminates the true cost of such arrangements:
- Decades of deportations and systematic terror
- Violent attempts to erase national identity
- Being “crushed under Gorbachev’s tanks while western leaders pleaded with us to give up our fight for freedom”
This isn’t abstract historical analysis—it’s a nation’s lived memory speaking truth to power’s comfortable amnesia.
## The Architecture of Abandonment
Perhaps most powerfully, Landsbergis refuses to let the West escape responsibility. “If Ukraine has no choice but to accept ‘de facto’ occupation,” he writes, “that’s because WE failed.” Not because Ukrainians failed, not because of mysterious geopolitical forces, but because of our collective choice to ignore warnings, repeat historical mistakes, and avoid difficult decisions.
This accusation should sting because it’s accurate. How many times have we heard variations of “we’re doing everything we can” while systematically constraining what “everything” means? How often have we celebrated our restraint while others pay the price for our caution?
## Beyond the Headlines: Human Stories That Demand Witness
Landsbergis grounds his argument in devastating human detail—like Viktoriia Roschyna, the journalist whose body was returned after two years in Russian hands, her brain and eyes removed. These aren’t statistics to be managed or acceptable losses to be calculated. They are individual human beings whose suffering reveals the moral bankruptcy of treating territorial occupation as a technical problem to be solved.
As someone who has sat with families destroyed by conflict, I understand why Landsbergis insists that policymakers “talk to victims of Russia’s aggression and learn a little bit more about the ‘reality on the ground.'” There’s a particular kind of clarity that comes from witnessing human dignity under assault—one that cuts through the comfortable abstractions of diplomatic language.
## The Path Forward: Choosing Courage Over Convenience
Landsbergis’ piece is ultimately a call for moral courage in the face of political expedience. He’s asking whether we have the strength to defend basic principles with honor, or whether we’ll continue inventing “semantic tools that reduce our responsibility, reward the aggressor and erase the victim’s humanity.”
This isn’t just about Ukraine—it’s about what kind of world we’re willing to accept. When we normalise aggression through diplomatic language, we’re not being realistic; we’re being cowardly. When we ask victims to accept injustice for the sake of stability, we’re not promoting peace; we’re enabling violence.
## A Voice That Deserves Our Attention
Gabrielius Landsbergis writes from a place of profound understanding—both historical and personal—about what’s at stake in Ukraine. His insights at [landsbergis.com](https://landsbergis.com) consistently cut through diplomatic noise to reveal uncomfortable truths about Western responsibility and moral courage.
**[Read his full article here](https://landsbergis.com/the-shameful-plan-to-betray-ukraine-de-facto-but-not-de-jure/)** to experience the full force of his argument—it’s essential reading for anyone trying to understand not just what’s happening in Ukraine, but what our response reveals about who we are as societies.
## Standing With Ukraine: Beyond Words to Action
Landsbergis’ call for moral clarity demands more than nodding agreement. If we recognise the bankruptcy of “de facto” solutions, we must support real alternatives. This means sustained, meaningful assistance to Ukraine and its people—not just until it becomes politically inconvenient, but until justice is restored.
For those moved by these arguments, practical support remains urgently needed. Medical and humanitarian aid continues to save lives and preserve human dignity in the face of ongoing aggression. Every contribution represents a choice to stand with those who refuse to accept that might makes right.
##### *The difference between de facto and de jure occupation, Landsbergis reminds us, “matters only to politicians discussing paper agreements that they know will not work.” The rest of us must decide whether we’ll accept this semantic sleight of hand or demand something better—for Ukraine, for ourselves, and for the principles we claim to defend.*
[ Support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine HERE ](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating)
### ***…because* moral clarity must be matched with moral action.**
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** democracy, freedom, humanitarian, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, ukraine, warzone
---
### [The Stolen Generation of Ukraine: A War Crime in Progress](https://www.passingthrough.net/the-stolen-generation-of-ukraine-a-war-crime-in-progress/)
**Published:** March 18, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** A stolen generation of Ukrainian children torn from home, family, and identity in Russia's erasure campaign.
**Content:**
*Since writing this blog post- in a huge blow to efforts to address this issue, the USA has ceased funding the Yale research centre that has been assisting in the rescue of these deported children.* 16/3/2025
# Stolen Generation Of Ukraine: A War Crime in Progress
**Their small voices fade into silence as they cross borders against their will—Ukrainian children torn from home, family, and identity in a systematic campaign that goes beyond the physical battlefield.**
## **The Faces Behind the Numbers**
July 2023, under the weight of summer heat and the heavier burden of war, I stood in a small office in Kyiv. The walls were covered with photographs—hundreds of children’s faces looking out at me with eyes that seemed to ask a singular question: *When can I come home?*
This was the headquarters of Save Ukraine, an organisation working tirelessly to reunite families torn apart by Russia’s systematic abduction of Ukrainian children. A volunteer showed me a map marked with red pins indicating locations where children had been taken. The pins spread like a disease across Russia’s vast territory—each one representing not just a geographic point, but a severed connection to homeland, family, and identity.
“This is not collateral damage of war,” the volunteer told me, her voice steady but her hands trembling slightly as she pointed to the map. “This is deliberate. This is strategic. This is genocide happening before our eyes.
## **Deception Veiled as Compassion**
The stories I heard that day continue to haunt me. I met a man—I’ll call him Oleksandr—who had escaped from occupied Donetsk with nothing but the clothes he wore and the weight of what he had witnessed. His weathered face crumpled as he described Russian officials coming to his village, clipboard in hand, offering what sounded like sanctuary.
“They came smiling, speaking of safety for our children,” he recalled, his voice barely above a whisper. “A holiday camp for a few weeks, they said. Just until things calm down.”
Oleksandr was one of the few who refused. He later learned that many children who boarded those buses never returned. Now, he works with underground networks to locate and rescue abducted children, risking his life to cross dangerous territories and boundaries that should never have existed between parent and child.
## **The Architecture of Erasure**
What makes this crime particularly insidious is its careful design. This isn’t chaos—it’s calculation. The Yale Humanitarian Research Lab has identified at least 43 facilities specifically designed for the political re-education of Ukrainian children. Inside these centres, young Ukrainians are systematically stripped of their language, history, and cultural identity.
An 11-year-old boy described to researchers how he pleaded to remain with his mother during a filtration process. His cries fell on deaf ears as Russian soldiers physically separated them. In that moment, a childhood ended and a struggle for identity began.
In March of this year, a particularly chilling video circulated showing a woman proudly telling President Putin that she had “adopted” a 4-year-old Ukrainian girl from Kherson to “replace” the son she lost fighting against Ukraine. Putin smiled approvingly—a telling reaction to what international law clearly defines as a war crime.
## **Militarising Innocence**
Perhaps most disturbing is the transformation of these children from victims into potential weapons. In camps across occupied territories and within Russia itself, Ukrainian children as young as 14 receive military training. They are dressed in Russian uniforms, taught to handle weapons, and indoctrinated with hatred toward their homeland.
I’ve seen photographs that should never exist: Ukrainian teenagers in Russian cadet uniforms, their expressions vacant as they participate in ceremonies celebrating the very forces that destroyed their homes and scattered their families. This isn’t just cultural erasure—it’s the weaponisation of childhood itself.
## **The Weight of Numbers**
While Ukraine has officially documented approximately 19,000 cases of child abduction, Russian officials themselves claim figures as high as 750,000. Additionally, an estimated 1.5 million Ukrainian children remain under Russian occupation, vulnerable to the same fate.
Each number represents a child like the one from Mariupol, who was illegally adopted by Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights—an act so brazen it contributed to International Criminal Court arrest warrants for both Lvova-Belova and Putin himself.
Or children like Svitlana Markina’s two daughters, who were sent to a “temporary” camp in Crimea, only for Russia to refuse their return. The psychological trauma of such separations is immeasurable—young minds forced to navigate loss, confusion, and systematic attempts to rewrite their very sense of self.
## **A Demographic Weapon**
Beyond the immediate humanitarian crisis lies a calculated demographic strategy. Russia faces population decline, particularly in regions bordering China. By forcibly transferring and “Russifying” Ukrainian children, the state aims to address its demographic anxieties while simultaneously weakening Ukraine’s future.
This strategy has historical precedent in Soviet-era deportations, and indoctrination of Polish children in Nazi camps, but its modern execution—supported by digital databases, biometric identification, and sophisticated propaganda—represents a new frontier in demographic warfare.
## **Bearing Witness**
As I left Ukraine in the summer of 2023, I carried with me the weight of these stories and the responsibility of bearing witness. International condemnation, while important, has yielded minimal practical results. Organisations like Save Ukraine have facilitated some reunifications, but these represent a fraction of the children still held.
The international legal system moves slowly—too slowly for a child whose identity is being systematically erased day by day. The ICC warrants for Putin and Lvova-Belova mark an unprecedented step, but practical enforcement remains elusive while these children grow older in a system designed to make them forget who they are, and even worse, to hate and fight against their own country.
## **The Path Forward**
What can be done in the face of such systematic evil? First, we must refuse to look away. These abductions must remain at the forefront of international discourse, not as an abstract policy issue but as an ongoing crime against the most vulnerable. It should be at the forefront of the minds of all involved in current (at time of writing) ‘peace negotiations’.
Second, support for organisations working on identification, documentation, and reunification efforts must be strengthened. These groups operate under extraordinary pressures with limited resources.
Finally, there must be no normalisation of relations with a state engaged in the systematic abduction of children. Accountability cannot be negotiated away at future diplomatic tables.
## **A Promise to Remember**
As I write this, somewhere in Russia, a Ukrainian child is being told to forget—to forget their language, their parents, their homeland. They are being told that they are no longer loved, that their past is a fiction and their future belongs to Russia.
Our collective responsibility is to ensure that these children are not forgotten by the world, even as attempts are made to make them forget themselves. Their stories—and the systematic crime they represent—must remain in our conscious memory until each child has the opportunity to reclaim their identity and return home.
Because a child’s right to remember who they are and where they come from isn’t just a matter of international law—it’s a fundamental human dignity that no occupation, no indoctrination, and no geopolitical ambition should ever be allowed to erase.
*For those seeking to support efforts to reunite families and advocate for abducted Ukrainian children, resources and donation opportunities can be found through verified organisations such as Save Ukraine.*
[ PLEASE SUPPORT ](http://www.passingthrough.net/donating)
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** abducted children, charity, deported children, freedom, humanitarian, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, warzone
---
### [Quick Dispatches: Ukraine & Our Partners in Action No.1](https://www.passingthrough.net/quick-dispatches-ukraine-our-partners-in-action-no-1/)
**Published:** January 29, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Quick dispatches on our NGO partners and from around Ukraine.
**Content:**
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## **Supporting Ukraine: A Glimpse into the Life-Changing Work of CMA Ukraine**
One of our key partners, the[ **Christian Medical Association of Ukraine (CMA Ukraine)**](http://www.cmaukraine.com), continues to make a profound impact amid the challenging circumstances of war. They tirelessly manage loads of donated medical equipment and medicines, ensuring they reach those who need them most. However, their greatest current need is support for the immense accounting, logistics, and distribution efforts required to ensure these supplies save lives efficiently. If everyone who reads our blogs and newsletters [gave at least $2.50 a week on a **regular basis** ($5-$10 a fortnight)](https://www.passingthrough.net/swapsips) it would make a world of difference in supporting the important work they do and allowing them to get on with it rather than spending time trying to raise funds and attract donations. **[www.passingthrough.net/swapsips](https://www.passingthrough.net/swapsips)** And THANKYOU so much to those who do give regularly – it means so much more than you know!\[/vc\_column\_text\]
## **Recent Achievements**
- **Ambulance Distribution**: CMA Ukraine distributed ambulances donated by Mighty Convoy to areas in critical need. [Watch the video here.](https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1GUcjXHqR1/)
- **Burn Care Alliance**: Partnering with global leaders, CMA Ukraine organised an **International Burn Conference** with experts from Europe and Taiwan, offering 300 Ukrainian doctors two days of invaluable education and equipment support. [Learn more about the Burn Care Alliance here.](https://www.instagram.com/burn_care_alliance)
## **Bridging Borders for Healthcare**
CMA Ukraine fosters global healthcare collaboration through initiatives like:
- Hosting a **Ukrainian neurosurgeon in Australia** for advanced training. **[Read the full story here.](https://www.passingthrough.net/a-transformative-visit-ukrainian-neurosurgeon-davyd-staryk-in-australia/)**
- Facilitating surgeries and teaching by [**American and Australian medical teams in Ukraine**.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/interactive/2024/ukraine-soldiers-facial-reconstruction-russia/?fbclid=IwY2xjawH5sXJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXLmyJU4UQmJ8AQUWkUQMjZMq587FSmFBYYYxCkNvdkmjDRKk_9XdSaTbA_aem_fvxXKk6RCmce4JlfyDEn6Q) **[Read a blog about one of the surgeons here.](https://www.passingthrough.net/okhmatdyt-childrens-hospital-in-ukraine/)**
- Sending **Dr Anita Clerke, an Australian hand therapist**, to Ukraine to train local therapists and continue her remote education support**.** [**Read about Dr Clerke’s journey here.**](https://www.passingthrough.net/healing-hands-in-ukraine-a-hand-therapists-story-of-hope-and-connection/)
- Training by **Taiwanese doctors**, who shared expertise with Ukrainian professionals, and supporting exchanges where **Ukrainian ophthalmologists learned in Estonia**.
## **More Than Medical Aid**
CMA Ukraine’s work extends beyond medical care to areas such as:
- [**Save A Life** ](https://www.cma-ukraine.com/save-a-life)first-aid education programs.
- Mental health training for chaplains.
- Hosting [**healthcare conferences** ](https://www.facebook.com/reel/939890031413132)that strengthen local medical systems.
\[vc\_single\_image image=”14404″ img\_size=”medium” add\_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]CMA Ukraine embodies resilience and compassion in the face of immense challenges. Supporting their vital mission helps save lives and rebuild communities in Ukraine.
To learn more about their work, visit [**CMA Ukraine**](http://www.cmaukraine.com) and/or follow our [**BLOG**](https://www.passingthrough.net/subscribe). If you’d like to contribute, you can make a tax-deductible donation through **[Only Passing Thru](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating)**. Together, we can make a real difference.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_custom\_heading text=”QUICK DISPATCHES” css=””\]\[vc\_separator color=”green” border\_width=”3″ css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
## “Is Zelensky becoming a dictator?” – a recent headline I saw in one newspaper…
### **Why Ukraine’s Election Delay Reflects Democracy, Not Dictatorship**
Recent claims labelling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a dictator due to the postponement of elections ignore critical context. Elections are suspended under martial law—a constitutional safeguard enacted since Russia’s 2022 invasion. This ensures national security during wartime.
Support for the delay is strong among Ukrainians. A September 2023 Razumkov Centre survey found 64% opposed elections during conflict and only 15% support them, citing safety concerns, displaced voters, and occupied territories.
Zelenskyy has signalled readiness to resume elections after the “hot phase of the war” ends, emphasising infrastructure for displaced and overseas voters. This decision upholds democratic principles during crisis rather than signalling authoritarian intent.
Sadly this narrative of Zelensky being a dictator because he is not holding elections is one being pushed by Russia to undermine support for Ukraine. Of course it is widely known that Putin has never participated in free and fair elections and is an authoritarian dictator.
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## **Australian teacher fighting in Ukraine captured and feared executed by Russia**
Oscar Jenkins has been captured whilst fighting in Ukraine. Many are commenting that he is a mercenary like those who fought for ISIS and should be left to his fate. However there are some key differences. Firstly, he is not a mercenary – foreign fighters sign up and are official members of the Ukrainian military. Secondly, Ukraine is not a terrorist organisation, it is indeed an ally of ours that we support and many experts agree that if Ukraine can win this war it reduces the risk that we will all be dragged into a world war down the track and lose the freedoms we so cherish. Oscar – like many other Australians- just wanted to help with that. As of writing, it has not yet been confirmed whether Oscar has been killed or not – all that is known is that there is a video of him in Russian captivity – his captor is seen abusing him and hitting him in violation of the Geneva Conventions which do apply to him. Men who fought with him claim to have seen his body and been able to identify tattoos that he had. The Australian government is awaiting confirmation.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_separator color=”green” border\_width=”3″ css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
## MISSILE AND DRONE ATTACKS
From the Kyiv Independent ( I highly recommend subscribing) January 19th:
“Today, Russia hit the city with a two-wave attack, sending the drones first and then topping it with missiles, all between 4 and 6 a.m.
The special trick was that the missiles arrived right after the drone-related air raid alert had ended — meaning that those who took shelter had just gotten out. Ballistic missiles are exceptionally fast, and today they hit before the second alert came on, signalling people to hide. On top of that, the attack took place soon after curfew ended (it’s from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.), meaning that there were people in the street.”
Nearly every day there are reports of Russian missile and drone attacks that kill and injure civilians. Only occasionally do the worst ones make it to Western media outlets.
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/quick-dispatches-ukraine-our-partners-in-action-no-1/images-2/)One of many missile attacks on Ukraine
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/quick-dispatches-ukraine-our-partners-in-action-no-1/a-2/)19th January missile attack on Kyiv
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## Peace Negotiations
There have been lots of talks about peace proposals and negotiations. Again, Russian narratives spread through social media and news outlets that imply Ukraine is unwilling to discuss peace. Firstly, I think people need to remember that it was Russia that attacked Ukraine unprovoked ( all the contrary theories around this have been widely debunked and can be easily found) and Putin has always been clear about his intentions to subjugate Ukraine and consider it part of Russia. At times, the rhetoric has even been genocidal. So why is it that Ukraine has to be the one to make concessions and ‘negotiate’. Is Putin interested in peace? Many experts say it is clear that he is not. And what does he cite as conditions for even a ceasefire or any kind of peace negotiation?
Well, according to Atlantic council, amongst others, the peace formula currently being promoted by Kremlin officials would be more likely to pave the way for the next stage in Putin’s campaign to erase Ukrainian independence entirely.
He is asking for complete neutrality and demilitarisation of Ukraine, concession of all territory they currently hold ( and at times he has insisted on more territory in the four oblasts he wants the most). He insists on no NATO membership for Ukraine ever, nor ANY military alliances with ANY Western powers. This is in fact a call for Ukraine’s complete capitulation, designed to leave Ukraine unarmed and unable to defend itself against any future attack. And we mustn’t forget that ‘ceding territory’ means abandoning Ukrainians to Russian occupation, where increasingly brutal war crimes are being reported and documented, including torture, rape and religious persecution.
Putin himself has repeatedly made clear that he denies Ukraine’s right to exist and is determined to extinguish Ukrainian statehood. Unless he is defeated, any compromise agreement would merely set the stage for the next phase in Russia’s campaign to wipe Ukraine off the map.
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## A Russian airline bomb plot?
Recent intelligence reports and official statements indicate that Russia has been orchestrating a series of sabotage operations targeting international air transport, particularly through the placement of incendiary devices on freight planes. In July 2024, incidents at DHL logistics hubs in Germany and the UK involved packages containing electric massagers rigged with magnesium-based flammable substances, which ignited and caused fires. These packages were traced back to a coordinated Russian operation aimed at testing methods for planting bombs on cargo planes bound for North America. Subsequent investigations led to arrests in Lithuania and Poland, where individuals were charged with participating in sabotage activities on behalf of Russian intelligence agencies. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk highlighted these actions as part of Russia’s broader hybrid warfare strategy against Western nations. “I will not go into details, I can only confirm the validity of fears that Russia was planning acts of air terror, not only against Poland but against airlines around the world,” Donald Tusk told a news conference on January 15. The increasing seriousness of the problem was underscored further by reports that U.S. intelligence officials intercepted communications from Russian military intelligence officials discussing the bomb plot and that President Joe Biden had instructed two top national-security advisers to warn off Russian officials.
What I don’t understand is why we still see a country that plans such terrorist campaigns, not to mention all the now well documented war crimes, as a state to be negotiated with and not as a terrorist state?
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Ready to dive into this extraordinary chapter of Ukrainian history?
## “Under Black Banners: Feodosiy Shchus and the Long Fight for Ukrainian Freedom” is now [available directly from our store HERE. ](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-category/support-ukraine-products/book-black-banners/)
This meticulously preserved manuscript, written as a novel, offers unique insights into Ukraine’s fight for independence that resonate powerfully with current events.
From [**Sean Patterson**](https://www.nypl.org/blog/2022/11/14/nypl-researcher-spotlight-sean-patterson), author of *[Makhno and Memory: Anarchist and Mennonite Narratives of Ukraine’s Civil War, 1917–1921 :](https://uofmpress.ca/books/detail/makhno-and-memory)*
*“**Under Black Banners** is an immersive retelling of Ukraine’s years of revolution and struggle for independence in the early 20th century. While fictional in form, the author’s status as an eyewitness lends gravity to the events he describes. Told through the eyes of the famous Makhnovist anarchist Feodosiy Shchus, a complicated and ultimately tragic story is delivered with passion and purpose. Pliczkowsky probes questions of local and national identity, autonomy, and ideology. As Ukraine once again faces an existential struggle along the very same front lines the reader encounters in Under Black Banners, the book’s publication is as timely as it is thought-provoking.”*
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/quick-dispatches-ukraine-our-partners-in-action-no-1/img_3169/)Print copies now available in English and Ukrainian
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/?attachment_id=14629)Ukrainian print versions ready for distribution
Print copies can now be ordered directly through our [STORE,](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-category/support-ukraine-products/book-black-banners/) with 100% of proceeds supporting medical aid in Ukraine through our established NGO partnerships. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, interested in Ukraine’s ongoing struggle for sovereignty, or simply want to make a difference, your purchase helps preserve Ukraine’s history while supporting its future. Also available as an ebook and through major retailers worldwide. Visit [**HERE**](https://www.passingthrough.net/under-black-banners-2) to learn more about this remarkable historical account and more about its journey to publication [**HERE.**](https://www.passingthrough.net/journey-of-a-lost-manuscript/)
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# Thanks for reading, following and all your support](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating)
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**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Giving Back, Posts About Ukraine
---
### [A Doctor's Harrowing Journey into Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/journey-into-ukraine/)
**Published:** December 17, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Join Dr. Lara Wieland in her profound journey into Ukraine, unveiling untold sufferings and the resilience of its people amid war.
**Content:**
### Story of my trip to war-torn Ukraine first published in [The Weekend Australian Magazine on Dec 9th, 2023](https://www.theaustralian.com.au/weekend-australian-magazine/into-kherson-australian-doctors-sobering-testimony-from-kherson-and-wartorn-ukraine/news-story/94f509e54ea05dfb861611d182b91947)
## [Into Kherson: a doctor’s sobering testimony](https://www.theaustralian.com.au/weekend-australian-magazine/into-kherson-australian-doctors-sobering-testimony-from-kherson-and-wartorn-ukraine/news-story/94f509e54ea05dfb861611d182b91947)
### I have worked in remote communities for decades, and I have seen and experienced traumas and horrific things that many have not. But nothing had prepared me for this.
By Lara Wieland
From [The Weekend Australian Magazine](https://www.theaustralian.com.au/weekend-australian-magazine/into-kherson-australian-doctors-sobering-testimony-from-kherson-and-wartorn-ukraine/news-story/94f509e54ea05dfb861611d182b91947)
December 9, 2023
13 minute read
Venturing deeper into the de-occupied Kherson region of war-torn Ukraine, through forests and fields that had been battlefields months earlier, we followed a road transformed. Potholes revealed themselves to be the scars of artillery fire. Trees lay shattered and splintered. Remnants of the village of Bilohirka, largely obliterated, loomed ahead. The blackened fields around us were littered with the debris of shattered machinery, remnants of homes, landmines, unexploded rockets, and eerie traces of the bodies of Russian soldiers pressed into the dirt. This scene will forever haunt me.
It’s a long way from the Aboriginal communities in Cape York where I usually volunteer and work as a doctor. I jumped at the chance when John Whitehall, a pediatric professor colleague from Sydney, proposed a mission: working with the Christian Medical Association of Ukraine (an NGO that our charity now partners with) for five weeks in July and August to understand how war is impacting Ukraine’s children. I was there to bear witness and hear their experiences. The haunted eyes of those affected by war tell a story more heartbreaking than I could have imagined. As a doctor working in remote communities for decades, I have seen and experienced traumas and horrific things that many have not. But nothing had prepared me for this.
Bilohirka, once a peaceful village of around 200 people, sits in the south of the country and was among the first taken by the Russians when they invaded their neighbour in February 2022, shocking the world. Pastor Oleg Ivanov and others from his church in the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih have led us here; it’s one of many villages he has been providing support and aid to since it was liberated by Ukrainian forces in September last year.
Ukraine War: ‘No place is too sacred for an air strike’
He is a lean, swarthy man with kind eyes and a cheeky sense of humour. I am shocked to think that people are living here among the rubble, trying to rebuild their shattered lives. As we approach, we see remnants of parachutes attached to devastating 500kg bombs hanging from trees. Blobs of phosphorus from thermobaric bombs lie across the fields; a molten tractor engine shows their devastating effect.
Pastor Oleg takes me to visit one of the families he has been providing aid to. When we are sitting with Sergei and Tanya, a farming couple in their sixties, in a makeshift shelter of timber scraps and UN-donated tarps, there is a loud explosion. I take a deep breath and glance at our hosts, their faces etched with fear and exhaustion. There’s a second explosion that sounds closer, and Tanya jumps; her eyes fill with tears and her hands shake. Clearly, she is deeply traumatised. I’m later told these explosions happen several times most days.
Sergei’s house in Ukraine. Picture: Christian Samorodov [@Samoristian](https://web.telegram.org/k/#@Samoristian)
The pull of Ukraine is deeply personal for me. My grandfather, Nikodym Pliczkowski, affectionately known as Dyeda, was a Ukrainian dissident born in 1905 under the heavy hand of Russian oppression. He grew up on forbidden verses of the great Ukrainian poet and national hero Taras Shevchenko, and whispered tales of ancestral Cossack freedom. The harrowing 1930s Holodomor – a man-made famine – saw many of his family starve to death. Others were exiled to Siberian gulags or executed by Stalin’s regime. Despite having to come to Australia as a refugee with his wife, Wassa, and my mother, Vitya, Dyeda’s spirit remained indomitable, advocating tirelessly for Ukraine’s independence.
Living with him during my student years, I was deeply influenced by his vivid stories of Ukraine’s landscapes and its resilient people with their desire for freedom and independence. While I had longed to visit, I feared that the real Ukraine might pale in comparison to Dyeda’s tales. But my profound connection to him eventually overpowered any reservations.
Down the road from Bilohirka, the home of a younger couple, Sasha and Irina, bore witness to another horror: a shed filled with cluster munitions. Ten of the bombs had been recovered from their own yard. “Russians want to kill us,” Sasha said with chilling simplicity. They graciously welcomed us into what remained of their home – a room with one wall and half a roof. A salvaged picture of a galloping horse, symbolising freedom, was hung there defiantly.
The couple and their young son hid in a dirt bunker for a month under Russian shelling, waiting for an escape route. Sasha’s makeshift defences against rockets – a series of concrete-filled drums – miraculously held. Their traumatised son, whose eyes spoke volumes of the horrors he’d witnessed, found little solace in a gifted train set from Pastor Oleg. Sasha’s once simple and joyful life, marked by his garden and home, lay in ruins. “Why did they do this?” he lamented. The aftermath of the destruction of the nearby Kakhovka Dam by Russian bombs brought a different kind of devastation: the stench of dead fish and livestock, intermingled with that of the abandoned bodies of Russian soldiers.
Shelling damage to Sasha’s bunker, where he, his wife Irina and their young son hid for a month under Russian shelling. Picture: Lara Wieland
Ukraine is nearly two years into a war with Russia. Bilohirka – or what’s left of it – has been liberated, but many other villages are still under occupation and there is a raging frontline not far from where we are now, across the Dnipro River. There is also an informational frontline, where pro-Russian narratives spread globally. Using digital platforms, trolls and fabricated journalist profiles, this relentless propaganda seeks to degrade Ukraine’s morale, question its sovereignty, misrepresent its actions, undermine global support and sow chaos.
Throughout our journey, we aimed to discern the truth. After being introduced to and interviewing diverse Ukrainians – including refugees, doctors, soldiers, NGO workers, hospital workers and frontline workers – we realised how skewed some narratives were.
One was the notion that Russian-speaking Ukrainians desired Russian integration. In fact, while it’s common to hear Russian spoken here, it’s almost always a colonial remnant from the Soviet era, not a sign of loyalty. My grandfather’s stories of having to speak Ukrainian in secret mirrored what I heard of what was happening in occupied areas. The Ukrainian language, long suppressed, is now being embraced; people are desperate to learn to speak only Ukrainian, as the Russian they’ve spoken all their lives is now a language associated with oppression. Pastor Oleg himself – born in Ukraine to a Siberian father and Russian mother – spoke only Russian for 57 years. Yet the conflict ignited an identity shift, and he now communicates solely in Ukrainian.
I accompanied a medical convoy to the recently liberated village of Stanislav, which sits near the mouth of the Dnipro River. Clouds of smoke from artillery shelling could be seen as we drove for many hours through checkpoints to this remote village in Kherson district.
In the clinic, I talked with shell-shocked survivors. An elderly woman showed me an X-ray of the shrapnel that had been lodged in her chest since the early days of the invasion. Others told me tales of friends and neighbours who were murdered in cold blood, women who were assaulted and people killed by artillery strikes. Two weeks after I left this village it was shelled again. A month after that, the clinic itself was bombed. Two months later it was bombed again, and 30 villagers’ homes were damaged. How much more does this place, and so many like it, have to endure?
I met refugees from Russian-occupied Donetsk in Ukraine’s east, who bristled at the notion that a majority of people in that area wish to join Russia. Ukrainians met the predominant Russian narrative of “liberating” them from “Nazi leaders” with sarcastic quips. “Liberating us from a good life?” they would say as they gestured to bomb-damaged homes. These Russian-speaking Ukrainians had no desire for what Russia offered, a position made clear by their act of defiantly planting Ukrainian flags amid the ruins.
Refugees from Russian-occupied Donetsk in Ukraine’s east. Picture: Lara Wieland
So far in this conflict, Ukraine has had the backing of many western countries. But in the US, President Joe Biden now faces opposition from some Republicans in Congress who seek to block his latest military aid package. And in positioning himself for another run at the presidency in 2024, Donald Trump has refused to commit to providing support to Ukraine. At a meeting of NATO held in Brussels last week, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba denied that his country and Russia had reached a “stalemate” and rubbished the suggestion Ukraine should pursue a ceasefire with Russia.
The Ukrainians I met were staunchly opposed to ceding territory to Russia. A refugee from occupied Donetsk summed it up by saying it would be better to die than to allow Russia to unleash “ethnic cleansing” and turn Ukraine into a “concentration camp”. Locals fear that the occupation’s grim realities will only fully emerge upon liberation, as they did in Bucha, the now infamous area north of the capital Kyiv. And most Ukrainians believe that Putin’s colonialist, genocidal ambitions extend far beyond Ukraine – a notion grasped by many other former Soviet states, too.
David Staryk, a young neurosurgeon from Dnipro, recounted how he would perform three to four major brain surgeries per shift, removing bullets and shrapnel from the skulls of young men. One surgery took him eight hours. Another man had to be operated on four times in one shift. He showed me some pictures and videos of chunks of metal inside young men’s heads. At Dnipro Hospital staff see 13-15 such cases daily. “We realise just what a high price we are paying for our independence, for our rights, for our freedom,” Staryk told me. “But we understand that we must do everything.”
Staryk said he does not know how much longer this can go on. Ukraine is losing a generation of young men to this war – men who wanted to go on to have families, build the economy, contribute to their country. As well as the dead, many are so badly injured that they will not be able to do any of this. Staryk is not sure how long he can keep this up; it has been emotionally brutal, not to mention the physical toll of operating day and night endlessly.
David Staryk with Lara Wieland. Picture: Lara Wieland
My conversations with Mark Kupchenenko, a 27-year-old military chaplain who worked on the battlefields of Bakhmut, haunt me still. I had noticed him initially as a quiet, withdrawn guy in army fatigues who went everywhere with his gorgeous puppy, named Bakhmut because its mother had been killed in the fighting there. The soldiers had adopted the puppy but then had to move on to a more dangerous position, so he took the dog on. Mark looked like someone carrying a very heavy burden. Weighed with grief, he had attended five funerals that week for his unit’s soldiers. Despite witnessing unspeakable horrors, Mark’s passion burned bright. He stressed that ignoring injustice only emboldens oppressors, and insisted that we all bear responsibility to confront the spreading evil. Tragically, Mark lost his own life the very next day; he was killed in a car accident on the way to another soldier’s funeral. I recall some of his final words. “When you see the corpses, the body parts, the rape, torture and violence, you understand – we cannot let humanity lose. Despite the bloodshed, we cannot negotiate with this evil, we must cut off its head no matter the price … or our children will pay in slavery. Freedom is worth any price.”
A boy mourns his father, in Ukraine. Picture: Lara Wieland
Foreigners have chosen to stand alongside Ukrainians, volunteering to fight with them, including several young Australians who have lost their lives. The commanding officer of one unit, a man from Sweden, told me: “We are here to fight for the freedom of the world.”
Western Christians are particularly targeted by Russian propaganda portraying Ukraine as a persecutor of Christians and Putin as waging a “holy war”. Contrary to this, many Ukrainians proudly integrate their Christian ethics into daily life, striving to move beyond the Soviet era corruption. I observed churches spearheading humanitarian operations, from sheltering refugees to assisting soldiers and supporting orphans. Ukraine’s Christian community stands as a beacon of hope, increasingly recognised by the broader population.
Iryna Hodenko and her church volunteers from Kryvyi Rih have brought joy to countless young souls scarred by conflict, providing vacation programs for kids in de-occupied, devastated villages like Bila Krynytsa. Amid the ruins, laughter resonated on school grounds scarred by shelling, with a war-damaged school bus bearing testimony to the horror. The lack of running water – due to the Russians destroying the dam – only added to the adversity. The children’s laughter was accompanied by the not-so-distant thud of explosions. Ukrainian soldiers who were training nearby came to educate these innocent souls on the dangers of ordnances, some of which eerily resemble toys. It was harrowing to watch children learning to dodge death in their own playgrounds.
Irina’s kid’s camp with rocket holes visible in the school lawn. Picture: Lara Wieland
The deep psychological wounds the war has inflicted on children are apparent everywhere. Nightmares, anxiety and disrupted education are their daily battles. A Kyiv-based NGO named Save Ukraine shared chilling stories of children taken to Russia for indoctrination or subjected to unimaginable atrocities. Institutions in western Ukraine overflow with traumatised orphans and state wards evacuated from war zones.
Volunteers bridge the chasm of loss, offering love, therapy and medical care to kids haunted by what they’d experienced. Picture: Lara Wieland
Ukrainians, fuelled by compassion, are stepping up. Churches provide sanctuary, while NGOs like Voices of Children use therapeutic art to help children navigate their trauma, with the art transitioning from war scenes to serene landscapes. Save Ukraine is instrumental in evacuating and supporting vulnerable families, and rescuing abducted children. Andriy, a former soldier who was tortured by the Russians, was reuniting with his family via Save Ukraine; he now aids others in finding safety and solace.
I saw that Russia relentlessly attacks civilian sanctuaries – churches, schools, hospitals and homes. Andriy, a young man from Bucha, recounted the harrowing image captured by a friend, revealing the depths of the aggressors’ brutality: a basement filled with victims, among them a violated nine-year-old girl. Another gut-wrenching tale came from an elderly woman who saw a young Russian soldier executed by his superior for protesting against the atrocities on women.
Pastor Oleg reflected on the intensifying cruelty of the Russian forces, noting their deepening disdain for everything Ukrainian. Yet the struggle of reconciling faith with war remains, as many wrestle with the ethics of self-defence. The poignant words of Pastor Dmitru, another army chaplain, stayed with me: “They don’t kill enemies because they hate them; they kill them because they love those they protect.”
Aftermath of combat in Myroliubivka, a village liberated from Russian occupation in Kherson, Ukraine. Picture: Getty
Aftermath of combat in Myroliubivka, a village liberated from Russian occupation in Kherson, Ukraine. Picture: Getty
Some might argue that the conflict is purely a regional issue, questioning the rationale behind international support for Ukraine. Russian disinformation further fans these sentiments, targeting those countries struggling with their own hardships. While the monetary figures associated with military aid for Ukraine seem staggering, they are a tiny fraction of global military expenditures and mostly used to replenish outdated equipment given to Ukraine. Many recognise that any assistance is a vital investment against unchecked imperialism and a deterrent to other potential threats that we are now seeing unfold.
Through all the first-hand stories I heard in Ukraine, it became clear why its people know they cannot negotiate peace – and even amid the trauma their spirit shone, emphasising humanity over hatred. Conversations often circled back to common themes: Ukrainians’ aspiration for a nation grounded in Christian values of love, compassion and forgiveness. Another clear message emerged: they want only to be equipped to protect themselves and stop evil in its tracks. Ukrainians comprehend the gravity of their stand against tyranny and its global implications; they merely desire a less devastating and brutal path to the objective.
Kid’s camp volunteers at a deoccupied village in Ukraine. Picture: Lara Wieland
Back in the de-occupied village of Bilohirka, sitting beneath a tree among the rubble with village elders Valya, Grisha and Nadia, my translator conveys Nadia’s words: “I see your kind heart, you truly care for us.” Holding back tears, I’m reminded of the profound grace of the Ukrainian people. I’ve done nothing; they seek not charity, but solidarity.
I found a Ukraine that went beyond stereotypes and defied propaganda; I found the resilient spirit that my grandfather once spoke of – a spirit that melds fierce Cossack pride with heartwarming warmth. The haunting tales of Hitler and Stalin from my youth, and my visit as an adult to Auschwitz, solidified the vow of “never again” in my heart. History’s warnings are clear. We must pierce through the veil of deceit and misinformation and stand unwaveringly with Ukraine, recognising that the liberty and democracy they fiercely defend is not just their cause, but also ours – a freedom too many of us accept as a given. b
[Dr Lara Wieland runs a charity](https://www.passingthrough.net/about) that supports vital causes in Ukraine. Tax-deductible donations can be made through the Australian-registered charity at **[passingthrough.net/donating](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating)**
Please consider becoming one of our [200 heroes of change](https://www.passingthrough.net/join-our-goal-200-heroes-of-change/) and giving up a small weekly treat for our **[Swap Sips for Support](https://www.passingthrough.net/swap-sips)** campaign.
Also please[ **sign up to the blog** ](https://www.passingthrough.net/subscribe-to-blog-posts/)and share with your networks.
**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Giving Back, Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** charity, Godslove, heroes, humanitarian, medical mission, non-profit, refugees, travel, ukraine, volunteer, war, warzone
---
### [The Unrelenting Storm: Ukraine Under Attack](https://www.passingthrough.net/ukraine-under-attack/)
**Published:** March 11, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Ukraine under attack: Ukraine faces relentless attacks (Dec 2023-Mar 2024), showing unbreakable spirit amid devastation. #StandWithUkraine
**Content:**
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# The Unrelenting Storm: Ukraine Under Attack
8th March, 2024
In the shadow of an almost forgotten conflict, the daily life in Ukraine has been punctuated by the roar of missile and Shahed drone alerts, a stark reminder of a war that, despite slipping from the headlines, relentlessly ravages on. The reality of this conflict hit me again personally around December 2023, as I observed a disturbing dissonance: the frequent missile alerts on my phone versus the outside world’s dwindling awareness of the ongoing war. This prompted me to start documenting the missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, a task that soon proved overwhelming due to their sheer number. Despite the gaps as I lost momentum – this is still a short chronicle of the terror unleashed upon its civilians in the final month of 2023 and the opening days of 2024, (NB there are many others that I missed and as time of writing it was ongoing) and a reminder that our **[support of Ukrainians](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating)** must not waver as they continue to be terrorised.
### **\###December 2023: Ukraine under attack. A Month of Unyielding Assault and Records Broken**
**December 14th**: Ukrainian air defences downed 14 Shahed-131/136 drones, an S-300 missile, and a Kh-59 missile. Amidst this, Russian forces launched three Kinzhal missiles at locations including Kyiv, with Ukrainian forces successfully neutralizing one over Kyiv Oblast.
**December 16th**: A barrage of nearly 100 air attacks rocked Ukraine within 24 hours. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported the downing of 104 out of 112 Shahed “kamikaze” drones by Ukrainian forces over the week.
**December 17th**: A drone strike on a private residence claimed one life, marking a grim continuation of the assault.
**December 18th**: Russia dispatched 30 drones across 11 regions, leading to the damage of residential homes and one fatality.
**December 23rd – 25th**: The festive period offered no respite, with a large-scale attack on Kherson on December 23rd, followed by the launch of 31 Shahed drones and two Khinzal missiles on Christmas Day.
**December 26th – 29th**: The relentless attacks continued with the destruction of humanitarian aid bases and a railway station in Kherson. December 29th, my birthday, witnessed ***the largest missile attack on Ukraine so far,*** and the ***biggest hypersonic missile attack in history*** with widespread devastation and loss of life across multiple cities. **The Dec 29 attack lasted five hours.**
### **\###January 2024: The Siege Intensifies**
**Early January**: A massive hypersonic missile assault on Kyiv and Kharkiv marked the onset of 2024, resulting in numerous casualties and extensive damage.
Around January, I lost track and became disheartened at documenting – only picking it up again in February.
### **\### February 2024: Tragedy and Resistance**
First two weeks of February: Over 1,500 attacks targeted more than 570 towns and villages, causing significant civilian casualties, as reported by the UN Human Rights Monitoring Commission.
**February 7th:** Kyiv and Kharkiv faced the second largest combined drone and missile attack, with weaponry from North Korea.
**February 23rd & 29th**: A residential building in Dnipro was struck, killing three, followed by 250 attacks on settlements in the Zaporizhia region, underscoring the indiscriminate nature of the violence. On the 29th Pastor Yurii Klimko was killed as he was praying in the Pentecostal church in Kupiansk.
### **\#### March 2024: Continued Courage Amidst Carnage**
**March 2nd & 3rd**: Odesa suffered devastating drone attacks on residential buildings, resulting in the deaths of 12 individuals, including five children aged from 4 months to 10 years, and the destruction of numerous homes.
**March 6th**: The town of Nikopol witnessed the obliteration of a shopping centre and significant damage to infrastructure due to shelling.
**March 7th**: another drone attack in Odesa that landed within metres of the convoy of Ukrainian president and Greek Prime Minister and killed 5 civilians.
**March 8th:** Ongoing attacks on Kharkiv and Kherson, multiple injured including children. Nine storey residential building, bus station, shops, cars destroyed.
In the face of this unyielding onslaught, the spirit of the Ukrainian people remains undiminished. As one example, schools in Kharkiv have been moved underground to bunkers, ensuring the continuation of education and a semblance of normalcy amidst chaos. A recent opinion poll reveals a resilient and hopeful population, with nearly 90% believing in Ukraine’s victory if Western support is forthcoming.
This is just a glimpse into the resilience of a nation under siege, a call to acknowledge and support their struggle for sovereignty and peace. As the world watches, the people of Ukraine withstand constant bombardment and terror. We should be doing all we can to help. #StandWithUkraine #SupportUkraine [DONATE ](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating) to our Ukrainian partners with a tax deduction in Australia.
###### Sources:
######
###### [https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-15-2023#\_edn975afe402095fa3a496d6e6e5c55077217](https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-15-2023#_edn975afe402095fa3a496d6e6e5c55077217)
######
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**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Posts About Ukraine
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---
### ["I Wept Reading This 1920s Ukrainian Epic...](https://www.passingthrough.net/i-wept-reading-this-1920s-ukrainian-epic/)
**Published:** August 30, 2025
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Excerpt:** "A haunting Ukrainian historical epic that mirrors today's war. I cried reading it—the parallels to our current struggle are painfully real."
**Content:**
English version of blog about book.
*by Mariia Pylypenko, Kharkiv, Ukraine*
## *“And why is Nestor Ivanovych leading the ship when he is not a sailor…”*
Indeed, who was supposed to lead the Ukrainian people then—and where?
This is a first-hand account of the difficult and pivotal events of those times. The book provides a sweeping analysis of the Ukrainian peasantry in the early 20th century: Why did they become what they were? How did they live? What did they believe in? And why did the Ukrainian revolution ultimately fail?
The author also offers a detailed description and analysis of the insurgents’ actions—the Makhnovists. After reading this book, you’ll be familiar with nearly every geographical location involved in this movement. These are historical events, and almost all the characters are people who actually existed at the time. The book completely shatters the notion that the Makhnovist movement was built around Makhno’s figure and his anarchist ideas alone. Everything was much deeper and more complex than that.
## A Mirror to Our Present
This story led me into deep, prolonged reflection. The plot compels me to draw parallels between the events of that era and what’s happening now. It’s about who we are as a nation and what we must become to win. Unfortunately, we share many similarities with the rebels’ mistakes today. But when you read history from the outside, it becomes easier to understand what should have been done differently and why it would have been better. This is an invaluable learning experience that I believe every Ukrainian should undergo.
The crown jewel of this text lies in its dialogues, political reflections, and the personality growth of the protagonist (F. Shchus) from the beginning of his life to its end. Through these literary techniques, the author systematically demonstrates that the rebels made three fatal mistakes:
1. They chose Makhno as their leader, despite seeing his shortcomings and knowing
there were more promising candidates.
2. They fought against the national movement of the rest of Ukraine’s population, even
though they themselves possessed strong national consciousness but stubbornly
ignored it.
3. They allied with and showed tolerance toward the communists—the very people who
would ultimately destroy them.
I see many more problems with the insurgents that would be valuable for us Ukrainians to
understand now. But I won’t describe them here, as that would turn into a political manifesto.
## Poetry in Pain
Pliczkowsky describes the landscape beautifully, poetically, and with tangible love. You can feel his deep attachment to the land. He shows remarkable empathy for the villagers’ experiences, as if he understood everyone’s pain.
> *“The peasants were finishing their harvest. Death had not finished harvesting its own.”*
> *“And after Shtepa, a half-ripe ear of wheat shed early dew, as if mourning the fate of a Ukrainian farmer who had no one to guide him in his struggle for his destiny.”*
Through the protagonist’s story, the author captures all the political upheavals that many people were experiencing at the time. The new reality presented challenges and rejected simple answers. It was no longer possible to remain an ordinary farmer building life purely around the field, but being a good warrior wasn’t enough either. The Ukrainian people were as confused about their political ideas as Shchus was about women.
## A Personal Connection Across Time
It was especially symbolic that I read about Shchus’s death on July 4, 1921, exactly on July 4, 2025 (this isn’t a spoiler—it’s a historical event). To be honest, I cried at that moment. It’s a touching story about a man who finally found his political path at least one day before his death and declared it firmly. It was powerful; it gave me goosebumps. It felt as if I had travelled this journey with him across the years.
This entire story serves as a pure example of natural, spontaneous democracy that emerged at that time simply from the masses—an extraordinary and unique phenomenon. The author frequently references the Cossack heritage here. And that’s who we are now: Ukrainians are true bearers and champions of democratic principles, not only at home but throughout the world. We lost then, but the spirit lives on.
> *“We will beat the whites until they turn red, we will beat the reds until they turn black!”*
> — the Makhnovists’ slogan.
## A Necessary Warning
I want to mention the story’s shortcomings here—not to discourage readers, but to prepare them for these aspects, because they don’t diminish the book’s value.
Most importantly, understand that this book has its own [difficult publication history](https://www.passingthrough.net/journey-of-a-lost-manuscript/). The story didn’t have time to follow the traditional path from writing to professional editing and publication. The writer’s family completed all of this work without significant external help. The text received only basic corrections, so there are errors, repeated paragraphs, and some confusing sections. Some events are cut short without resolution—perhaps the author didn’t have time to finish them. The text is also overloaded with characters and descriptions of terrain and battles, all of which could have been simplified and condensed.\*
None of this affects the overall plot, but it can make certain moments and events harder to follow.
Despite these technical imperfections, this book remains a powerful testament to a crucial period in Ukrainian history and a profound meditation on leadership, identity, and the price of freedom.
```
*Editor's note: Most of these technical issues were ironed out in the English version so it is possible they only remain in the Ukrainian version.
```
Read more about the book and where to buy it [HERE. ](www.passingthrough.net/under-black-banners)
Read reviews at Goodreads [HERE.](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221951595-under-black-banners?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=XYDIvJ0RD8&rank=3)
UKRAINIAN VERSION
## *«А чому Нестор Іванович корабель веде, коли він не моряк…»*
Справді, хто ж тоді мав вести український народ — і куди?
Це свідчення з перших вуст про важкі й переломні події тих часів. Книга подає широкий аналіз українського селянства початку XX століття: чому воно стало таким, як жило, у що вірило, і чому українська революція зазнала поразки?
Автор також дає детальний опис та аналіз дій повстанців — махновців. Прочитавши цю книгу, ви знатимете майже кожне географічне місце, що було залучене до цього руху. Це історичні події, і майже всі персонажі — люди, які справді існували того часу. Книга повністю руйнує уявлення про те, що махновський рух будувався навколо постаті Махна та його анархістських ідей. Усе було набагато глибшим і складнішим.
## Дзеркало нашого сьогодення
Ця історія занурила мене у глибокі, тривалі роздуми. Сюжет спонукає проводити паралелі між подіями тієї епохи та тим, що відбувається зараз. Це про те, хто ми як нація і якими маємо стати, щоб перемогти. На жаль, ми маємо багато спільного з помилками повстанців сьогодні. Але коли читаєш історію зі сторони, стає легше зрозуміти, що треба було робити інакше і чому це було б краще. Це безцінний досвід навчання, який, я вірю, має пройти кожен українець.
Перлиною цього тексту є діалоги, політичні роздуми та особистісне зростання головного героя (Ф. Щуся) від початку його життя до кінця. Через ці літературні прийоми автор послідовно демонструє, що повстанці зробили три фатальні помилки:
1. Вони обрали Махна своїм лідером, попри те що бачили його недоліки і знали
про існування більш перспективних кандидатів.
2. Вони воювали проти національного руху решти населення України, хоча самі
мали сильну національну свідомість, але впирто її ігнорували.
3. Вони союзували та виявляли толерантність до комуністів — тих самих людей,
які врешті-решт їх знищили.
Я бачу ще багато проблем у повстанців, які було б цінно зрозуміти нам, українцям, зараз. Але не описуватиму їх тут, бо це перетворилося б на політичний маніфест.
## Поезія у болі
Плічковський описує ландшафт красиво, поетично, з відчутною любов’ю. Відчуваєш його глибоку прив’язаність до землі. Він виявляє надзвичайну емпатію до переживань селян, наче розумів біль кожного.
> *«Селяни доканчували жнива. Смерть не докінчила жати свого врожаю.»*
> *«І впав після Штепи напівстиглий пшеничний колос ранньою росою, наче оплакуючи долю українського хлібороба, якому не було кому керувати у боротьбі за свою долю.»*
Через історію головного героя автор відтворює всі політичні потрясіння, які багато людей переживали того часу. Нова реальність ставила виклики і відкидала прості відповіді. Більше не можна було залишатися звичайним селянином, будуючи життя суто навколо поля, але й бути хорошим воїном теж було недостатньо. Український народ був настільки ж розгублений у своїх політичних ідеях, як Щусь — у жінках.
## Особистий зв’язок крізь час
Особливо символічно було те, що я читала про смерть Щуся 4 липня 1921 року рівно 4 липня 2025 року (це не спойлер — це історична подія). Чесно кажучи, я плакала в той момент. Це зворушлива історія про людину, яка нарешті знайшла свій політичний шлях принаймні за день до смерті і твердо його проголосила. Це було потужно; у мене пішли мурашки по шкірі. Здавалося, наче я пройшла цю дорогу разом з ним крізь роки.
Ця вся історія слугує чистим прикладом природної, спонтанної демократії, що виникла того часу просто з мас — надзвичайного й унікального явища. Автор часто згадує тут козацьку спадщину. І ось хто ми зараз: українці — справжні носії та захисники демократичних принципів не лише вдома, а й у всьому світі. Ми програли тоді, але дух живе.
> *«Будемо бити білих, доки не почервоніють, будемо бити червоних, доки не почорніють!»*
>
> — гасло махновців.
## Необхідне попередження
Хочу згадати тут недоліки книги — не щоб відлякати читачів, а щоб підготувати їх до цих аспектів, бо вони не применшують цінності книги.
Найважливіше — розуміти, що ця книга має свою [складну історію видання](https://www.passingthrough.net/journey-of-a-lost-manuscript/). Історія не встигла пройти традиційний шлях від написання до професійного редагування та публікації. Родина письменника завершила всю цю роботу без значної зовнішньої допомоги. Текст отримав лише базове коригування, тому є помилки, повторені абзаци та деякі заплутані місця. Деякі події обриваються без розв’язки — можливо, автор не встиг їх завершити. Текст також перевантажений персонажами та описами місцевості й битв, що можна було б спростити та скоротити.
Ніщо з цього не впливає на загальний сюжет, але може ускладнити розуміння певних моментів та подій.
Попри ці технічні недосконалості, ця книга залишається потужним свідченням про вирішальний період української історії та глибоким роздумом про лідерство, ідентичність і ціну свободи
 Author, Nikodym Plizcskowsyi in the 1930's
 Nikodym Plizcskowsky
Mariia Pylypenko
[See Full Bio](https://www.passingthrough.net/author/pylypenko96/) [ ](https://www.passingthrough.net/author/pylypenko96/)
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** freedom, Makhno, ukraine, Ukrainian revolution, warzone
---
### [Our Annual Report 24_25 is available](https://www.passingthrough.net/our-annual-report-24_25-is-available/)
**Published:** August 26, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** OPT-Only Passing Thru may be a small volunteer-run charity, but its impact is rooted in strong partnerships and #loveinaction. Check out our Annual Report.
**Content:**
OPT-Only Passing Thru may be a small volunteer-run charity, but its impact is rooted in strong partnerships and #loveinaction. Every dollar donated goes directly to programs that bring hope and practical help to those who need it most.
Here’s what we’ve achieved this past year:
🇺🇦 Ukraine
– Partnered with Християнська медична асоціація / Christian Medical Association of Ukraine, delivering medical supplies, equipment, and medicines directly to hospitals, NGOs, and frontline volunteers.
– Ran mobile medical clinics; partners provided first aid training for civilians and military, and supported burns treatment and patient rehabilitation projects.
– Delivered Advanced Life Support training and lectured in medical universities to equip Ukrainian doctors for wartime healthcare challenges.
– Supported Fortress of Good and Banner of Love volunteers delivering food, water, and aid to frontline villages.
🌍 Medical Missions
In April 2025: six mobile clinics, two ALS trainings, education at three medical universities, and teaching at a medical conference in Ukraine — all while delivering essential medical equipment to partners.
🇦🇺 Australia (Kowanyama Community)
Completed a church/public toilet and volunteer accommodation project.
Continued youth boarding support and videoconference training for remote communities, reducing isolation and connecting families.
🇧🇩 Bangladesh
Supported Symbiosis International, transforming lives through education, health, and economic development for marginalised groups.
📊 Impact in Numbers
91% of expenses went straight to programs (well above charity benchmarks)
$113,000 direct to Ukrainian aid
$42,000 earmarked for future missions and equipment
3,173 website visitors (up from 1,675 last year!)
💛💙 Your support keeps this work alive. Together, we’re proving that small actions can make a big difference.
📖 Read the full report:
🙏 Donate tax-deductibly: [www.passingthrough.net/donating](www.passingthrough.net/donating)
🌐 Other ways to support: [www.passingthrough.net/support](http://www.passingthrough.net/support)
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** annual report, charity, humanitarian, medical mission, non-profit, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, ukraine, volunteer
---
### [Alaska Inside Passage finale to the Canadian Journey](https://www.passingthrough.net/alaskan-inside-passage-finale-to-the-canadian-journey/)
**Published:** September 2, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
# Alaska Inside Passage finale to the Canadian Journey
22-29 August
‘North to Alaska…’ the old song was playing in my head as we headed north to Anchorage, Alaska. The investigation phase of my Churchill fellowship is over and we have one week before heading home. I booked a cheap cruise down the inside passage of Alaska because it should be beautiful, and because everyone recommended a wind down after two months of full on interviews and travelling. I wanted some time to gather my notes and thoughts for the report. Additionally some of the surveys that other drs were sending me who couldn’t meet in person were still rolling in. Ron also needed some recuperation time before heading back to our hectic lives after his long days of driving. This seemed perfect.
I was on a roll with airport security it seems- first it was the knife( see previous post) and today I stood there clueless whilst the security guard unearthed a blacksmith made iron nail from my bag which had been given to me at the Ukrainian heritage centre by the blacksmith and I forgot I’d chucked it in my bag!
The bus drive to the boat was fantastic and about the nicest day we’d had for a while weather wise. Driving past we saw a magnificent moose with antlers standing in a swamp with a glacier covered mountain in the background. If the bus could have stopped I reckon I could have got a magic photo! But great to see nonetheless.
Drive anchorage to Whittier
[Preview Changes (opens in a new tab)](https://www.passingthrough.net/alaskan-inside-passage-finale-to-the-canadian-journey/?preview=true)
Glacier on drive anchorage to Whittier
Weather after that was miserable and foggy which apparently can happen at this time of year which is why the specials are on. Best time is June and July.
But despite the cloudy weather and fog obscuring the scenery still got to see some amazing glaciers and lots of otters, seals, porpoises and some whales.
I also got to spend lots of time working on my notes and report which is great because it’s going to be a huge job to write up when getting back home to our full on life.
Cruising through Glacier bay was a bit of a bummer because it was the foggiest day of all and we didn’t get to see much except three glaciers we sailed in close to and even much of those were obscured by fog. Apparently that’s not uncommon.):
Hubbard glacier
Hubbard glacier
Glacier ice
Hubbard glacier
Glacier berg bits
Glacier berg bits
Glacier berg bits – Glacier bay
The Hubbard glacier was impressive and we saw and heard some calving of the glacier. The constant moving and cracking sounds like loud thunderstorms.
Marjerie glacier is meant to be even more active but we didn’t see it calve today.
Lampulgh glacier was also beautiful . The blue of the compacted ice was magic and even the little pieces or ‘berg bits’ floating past us were pretty.
Lampulgh Glacier
Lampulgh Glacier
Lampulgh Glacier
Sea otter Glacier bay
In this area we saw loads of sea otters just floating around in the sea on their backs looking oh so cute! Ron even saw a raft of otters hanging out together. We also saw seals and Dall porpoises.
One day was at port in Skagway. We took a tour which we booked independently ( don’t ever book tours from the boat!) that took us over the Canadian border and into the Yukon which was great. We saw beautiful waterfalls and incredible scenery. This little taste makes me want to come and explore Alaska some more – it’s such wild beauty!
Yukon scenery
Railway built through Yukon in gold rush days
Yukon mountains
Bridal veil glacial falls
Yukon tundra and emerald lakes
International falls goes to Canada and Alaska
We drove over a fault line between the pacific and North west tectonic plates – we had to go over a special suspended bridge that allowed for movement of the fault line which is moving quite regularly apparently. Alaska has had some big quakes that have caused devastating tsunamis in the past.
Yukon fault line bridge
We also saw the International waterfalls at the border which branch into two – with one branch flowing into Alaska and the other into Canada!
The tundra and the lakes were beautiful. We dropped into a First Nations community that had set up some shops and tourism but most things were closed because it was a Sunday. It used to be called Caribou crossing and then they shortened it to Carcross so now it sounds like the ferry crossing and much less appealing but I guess it’s shorter …
Yukon scenery
Yukon scenery
Yukon scenery
Yukon tundraYukon tundra
Yukon tundra
Yukon tundra
Yukon waterfall
First nations totem
First nations totem
Car Ross First Nation community
Carcross ‘retiremenr home’?
Car Ross First Nation community
Car Ross First Nation community
Car Ross First Nation community
Is this where tiny home movement started? Guy lived in this for ten years!
We stopped for lunch at a place called Cariboo ( different spelling!) crossing. They have a dog sled team that races in the Iditarod which is a crazily gruelling dog sled race in Alaska. The teams were there pulling summer dog carts as part of their training and there were very cute sled dog puppies. Although they weren’t so cute when they jumped all over me with muddy paws and started tearing my scarf to pieces.
Alaskan sled dog puppies
Alaskan racing sled dog
The place also had a wildlife museum full of taxidermied animals. Normally I would find that kind of revolting and we’d certainly already had our fill of stuffed animals in Canada – mostly mounted on businesses walls! But this place was simply amazing. It is an incredible collection of huge wildlife including some reconstructed ice age animals. Some animals such as mammoth have been found in the glacial ice here. The animals were the most lifelike I’ve ever seen and included the world’s largest mounted polar bear. They did assure us that the animals weren’t hunted for display but had died for other reasons?
Muskox
Caribou
Bighorn sheep
Moose
Musk oxen
Bison
Caribou and arctic wolf
Bison
Grizzly ( the bear not me)
Brown beats ( grizzlies)
Polar bear
Brown bear
Wolverine
Mountain goats
Wolf
Dall sheep
Caribou skin arctic clothing
Caribou skin arctic clothing with traditional sled
Bison
Antlers
A bad hair day
Alaskan style
Moose antlers
Wildlife museum
Worlds smallest desert near Carcross
The weather was a bit cloudy again by the end -Emerald lake was still amazing colours but would have been even more amazing if it was sunny.
Emerald lake
We were talking about bears and the driver mentioned that in Alaska cyclists are called Meals on Wheels! Apparently cyclists are at particular risk because they are more likely to surprise a bear at speed which they don’t like. In fact we read about a mountain biker in Canada who accidentally ran into a grizzly around the corner and the grizzly smashed him to pieces. Note to self- no biking in grizzly territory.
Walked around Skagway for a while – it’s a quirky little town- very touristy but it’s pretty cool how they’ve kept the Gold rush era feel of the town. Learning the history of the Klondike gold rush and Skagway’s role as the main gateway to it was interesting. Wow people really will risk everything to make it rich. Some of the tales of hardship were incredible with people trekking over gruelling mountain passes in -30c with gear on their backs having to do the trip several times to carry their supplies in. Some who chose the harrowing inland route all the way took more than two years to reach the Klondike by which time the rush was over! But then the crazy thing is how much of their fortunes many spent on the saloons , brothels and gambling dens – who seemed to be the ones who made the most out of the whole thing.
Skagway
Skagway 100 year old house covered in driftwood
Skagway 100 year old gold rush bar replica
Klondike gold rush
Traversing the Chilkoot pass on the gold rush era
The snow plough for the white pass railway in the days when it used to run in winter
Klondike gold rushKlondike gold rush
Alaskan RV
Skagway, AlaskaSkagway is full of lots of free historical information and little museums with amazing old photos. Worth checking out.
Back onto the boat where Ron looked out for whales and I did more work on my report.
Next day was a stopover in Juneau. Caught a bus to the Mendenhall Glacier and on the way the bus driver was telling us you can buy your pistols at the same checkout as your steak- “That’s Alaska!”
Juneau is the capital of Alaska which is interesting as it has no road into it. You have to catch the car ferry to get anywhere by ocean. It’s history as a boom gold mining town in gold rush days is how it became the capital.
Juneau, Alaska capital
Float planes , common transport here
Juneau cruise ship port
As we got out the bus at the glacier we walked over to the creek first and straight up we saw a beautiful black bear with two gorgeous little cubs walking past us into the forest. Then we looked over to the creek and saw the bright red sockeye salmon making nests and spawning.
The salmon were splashing all over the place and it was fascinating to watch the males fighting and competing to mate with the nesting females.
Nesting sockeye salmon
Black bear cubs
Black bear cub
Mendenhall Glacier
Mendenhall Glacier
Mendenhall Glacier , I’ve used to extend right to where this pic was taken from
Ripples of spawning sockeye salmon run
At one spot you could see the remains of a spawning salmon that had been eaten by a bear on the bank. Other people there has seen a bear catch a salmon earlier.
Leftover bear salmon feast
Don’t take my nuts
As part of an amazing cycle of life the fish remains that bears take into the forest act as fertilising nutrients for the forest floor.
We also saw a cinnamon black bear with two little cubs go and sit in the forest near us and suckle her cubs! Wow so amazing!
Cinnamon black bear suckling cubsCinnamon black bear suckling cubs
The glacier was impressive too but quite shocking to see how much it’s melted in such a short time. A lady on the bus confirmed that she had been there in 1965 and could almost touch the glacier from the visitor Center and now it was across a wide lake and heading behind a rock a couple of miles away. The park ranger said the town has actually been having meetings about what to do as it recedes out of sight of the visitor centre and is no longer the tourist drawcard. They are doing up contingency plans to possibly move the centre or start up electric boats that take you over the lake to where you could view a receded glacier. Tidewater glaciers do normally recede and advance in cycles but apparently many of these glaciers at the Juneau Icefields (& many around the world) are receding at an unprecedented rate.
Back to the boat for more report writing.
Ron was watching out and spotted whales for us so we got to see loads of humpback whales as we sailed out of Juneau. One literally popped out from underneath the boat in front of us as if it had been given a fright by the boat poor thing!
Humpback popped out from under boat
Glacier cruising out of Juneau
Berg bit with birds outside of Juneau
View leaving Juneau
Glacier berg bit
View leaving JuneauRon whale spotting
Cabin life Juneau
Next day we had a few hours in Ketchikan. This was a lovely little town where again they are trying to maintain the historical feel of the town.
Ketchikan
Ketchikan
Ketchikan, Creek st used to be dodgy part of town in gold rush era and most buildings are still original
Ketchikan
Ketchikan
We went to the bridge in town near Creek st and straight up saw the salmon running. These were the pink salmon- different to the sockeye salmon run in Juneau. And the king ( or chinook) salmon run has just finished. Until I came to Canada and Alaska I didn’t even realise that there were different types of salmon let alone that they had different runs in different months.
There were also harbour seals hanging around the bridge. Talk about an easy dinner.
We followed the creek up through the town and up to the salmon hatchery.
Spawning salmon
Salmon that’s been partly eaten
Spawning salmon nest
Dead king salmon who’d finished spawning
Dead spawned salmon caught up with the tide
Gulls like the salmon spawning
Spawning pink salmonArtwork at the salmon hatchery
Deer mountain salmon hatchery, Ketchikan
Ketchikan
Tree fungus
Ketchikan park
The salmon spawning was an incredible sight that we had both really wanted to see.
You could see the king salmon that had previously spawned and then died ( which is what they do) and now the much more numerous pink salmon were going to do the same. Locals apparently do complain a bit about the stink which I imagine must be unbelievable ! What was the most amazing was watching the salmon jumping up the rapids to get to the spawning grounds. I knew they did that but until you see it it’s hard to comprehend what a fantastic feat it is for them to power their way up multiple roaring rapids- what a sight!
Salmon run rapidsCreek black with schools of spawning salmon
The hatchery was really interesting and worth doing. It was free and the staff there were happy to answer lots of questions and were full of information. It turns out that back in the 70’s Alaska banned fish farming and the commercial fishermen agreed to pay a levy to support a hatchery that helps replenish wild stocks which was quite forward thinking. It seems the Alaskan salmon fisheries are far more sustainable than elsewhere.
Tsunami route Ketchikan
The signs for a tsunami escape route were serious because this area has had two big tsunamis, the last one being in 1964. The area sits on some major fault lines.
The museum and discovery centre were really great and the locals seemed to appreciate that we were looking at those things rather than going with the “touts shoving tours in your face” as one put it.
Back to the ship where Ron spotted some more whales and porpoises and I did some more report writing.
We had a full day of sailing which was a great chance to do lots of work.
So I thought this was the end of the story as the remaining days of going to the airport and flying back home would be too boring to report on. But turns out we did have some drama on the flight home. An older gentleman collapsed with chest pain and was likely having a heart attack. They called for doctors. I figured I should at least make myself known given that not all doctors have the right experience and I had both emergency and aviation medicine experience. Anyway I ended up looking after this guy with another GP and two lovely junior doctors all from Brisbane. I ended up doing the liaising with the onground support Medlink in Phoenix , Arizona and had to go in the cockpit with the pilots! We ended up being diverted to Honolulu where the patient was offloaded in a stable condition and we headed on to Brisbane where another flight was arranged for us.
All of us doctors got upgraded to the more comfy seats so we got a better sleep for the last eight hours.
Whilst most unfortunate for the poor gentleman and his wife ( and all of us missing our connecting flights) it seemed kind of an appropriate way to end this journey. As I helped manage this emergency with a very experienced city Doctor and two very bright capable junior doctors I became aware how versatile and useful being a remote doctor makes you. On an aircraft we have no nurses or paramedics to support us as they do in the hospital or city setting and it became clear that my colleagues were not comfortable or even able to do some of the basic things that a nurse would normally do but I was able to put my hands on all the equipment in the packs, use all the equipment, work comfortably within confined and awkward spaces and with limited equipment and medication. Because sometimes that’s what you have to do in limited resource settings. In fact dare I say in this situation I was probably more useful than an urban emergency physician.
This realisation rounds off a journey across Canada where I learnt so much and was invigorated and inspired by the contact with my fellow remote professionals and reminded of the calling we have and what we have to offer. And working with those lovely junior doctors as I thought about all that I’m reminded how much I want to pass this on and encourage the next generation of young doctors.
Now all that’s left is to finish my report and do something good with the information I’ve garnered. Stay tuned!
**Categories:** Canada/America, Canadian Road (Study) Trip 2018, Travel
**Tags:** adventure, Alaska, Canada, travel, wilderness, wildlife
---
### [When Courts Speak for the Voiceless:](https://www.passingthrough.net/when-courts-speak-for-the-voiceless/)
**Published:** July 14, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** European Court's historic Ukraine ruling documents systematic violations. Moving from proclaimed justice to practiced compassion for those still suffering.
**Content:**
## **Justice in Plain Sight: Why These Court Rulings on Ukraine Matter**
After seeing trauma up close in hospitals across different continents, I’ve learned this: numbers often hide the real stories. Legal documents especially can feel distant—full of sterile language that masks human suffering. But every now and then, a ruling cuts through.
In July 2025, the European Court of Human Rights ruled on Ukraine and the Netherlands v. Russia. Legal experts are calling it the biggest case in ECHR history. But here’s what really matters: it formally recognised what so many survivors already knew. Their pain is real. What happened to them was wrong.
Yet I only saw a one-line mention on the national news.
## **Why That Matters**
The court’s findings weren’t just legal verdicts—they were snapshots of trauma:
- **Sexual violence as a weapon of war**: The court called it what it is—torture. These aren’t isolated incidents; they’re deliberate attacks aimed at crushing people and communities.
- **Children stolen from Ukraine**: The ICC issued arrest warrants for Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova over the deportation of Ukrainian kids. They’re not just “taken”—it’s an attempt to erase culture and future generations.
- **Forced labour**: Prisoners made to clear mines—“dangerous labour,” the court said. It’s not just inhumane, it’s life-threatening.
- **Erasing Ukrainian identity**: Bans on language and destruction of culture show how deep the efforts go to wipe out an entire sense of self.
- **Bombing civilians**: Thousands killed or injured in just six months. Hospitals, power grids, homes—basic needs turned into targets.
- **Torture as the norm**: 97% of Ukrainian POWs reported torture. That’s nearly all of them. Mock executions, electric shocks, sexual assault—this isn’t rogue behaviour. It’s a system.
## **Why It’s Bigger Than Courtrooms**
These rulings give weight to survivor stories. No more “alleged” this or that. It’s fact now. And by proving how widespread and coordinated the violence was, the courts show this wasn’t chaos—it was policy.
Twenty-six countries and international organisations backed Ukraine in court. That solidarity sends a clear message: what happens in Ukraine affects all of us.
## **But Law Isn’t Lived Experience**
Legal documents can’t show what it feels like to live through this. I’ve met people in war zones choosing humanity despite the horror:
- A grandmother hiding children from Russian soldiers.
- A dad turning rubble into a playground.
- A nurse working 18-hour days just to stay sane and help others do the same.
This is the kind of resilience courts can’t measure—but it’s real.
**Justice Is a Process, Not a Punchline**
These rulings matter. They call out lies and affirm truth. But justice delayed is still suffering extended. Survivors need more than recognition—they need help now.
Every aid delivery, every trauma counsellor, every reunited family matters. It’s not just humanitarian—it’s proof we stand with truth, not denial.
**The Heart of It All**
The facts are harsh. The legal outcomes are important. But what sticks with me is this: despite everything, people keep choosing compassion.
That’s what makes justice possible.
And if we want this recognition to mean something, we have to act like it does. Not someday—now.
\#LoveInAction
1 John 3:18
For a more detailed report on the court’s findings [CLICK HERE.](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/International-Court-Findings-on-Russian-Human-Rights-Violations-in-Ukraine.pdf)
### **Moving Beyond Documentation**
***The court findings provide crucial foundation, but they also create obligation. Documented systematic targeting of hospitals, schools, and energy infrastructure isn’t just historical record—it’s ongoing reality requiring immediate response.***
Medical and humanitarian aid becomes more than emergency relief; it’s a tangible expression of the international community’s commitment to the principles these courts have affirmed. Every medical supply delivered, every family reunited, every trauma counsellor deployed represents a choice to stand with documented fact against systematic denial.
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** charity, freedom, Godslove, loveinaction, optcharity, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, war
---
### [Medical Mission in Ukraine 2025 (1)](https://www.passingthrough.net/medical-mission-in-ukraine-1/)
**Published:** April 21, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Working with local doctors on our medical mission to Ukraine, we shared skills and stories while adapting to air raid sirens and power outages in the makeshift clinics.
**Content:**
893\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
The journey to Ukraine began before we even crossed the border. Our driver Luda, a lactation specialist from Lviv, shared heartbreaking stories as we travelled from Warsaw. The war has created a maternal health crisis – stress, PTSD, and depression have left countless women unable to breastfeed. Many of her patients are refugees from eastern Ukraine, displaced and traumatised.
“The birth unit and NICU are now underground,” she explained matter-of-factly. “So we don’t have to evacuate during air raid sirens.”
When Luda heard about our medical mission, she was overwhelmed with emotion and thanked us for coming. “There is so much pain and death,” she said through tears. “It’s so hard to deal with.” Her children still carry secondary trauma from interpreting for frontline medical workers.
She spoke of a friend fighting near Kursk. “Every day I wonder if he will be alive. He tells stories of how 20 men moved forward and only four survived.”
What struck me was her reflection on faith. Before the war, she said it was “easy believing.” Now, they’re forced to develop a deeper understanding of God as they grapple with death and suffering daily.
\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_separator border\_width=”2″ css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
## The Pull of Ancestral Lands
We hadn’t even crossed into Ukraine when I felt it – that inexplicable tug at my heart seeing those Eastern European landscapes. The forests, farmlets, birch trees, and rows of freshly tilled soil stirred something in my blood.
I know it sounds corny (and I would have done some eye-rolling myself hearing someone else say this), but crossing the border brought a surge of connection that’s hard to put into words. These fields of Ukraine somehow felt like home.
Our border crossing was surprisingly swift.
We checked into our flat and slept soundly.
The next day we were met by Tania from CMA, a former graphic designer now training as a combat medicine instructor, complete with a tourniquet pack on her back – a stark reminder of the reality here.
Driving through Lviv, we passed the cemetery I’d visited in July 2023. We later went to visit it and it had doubled in size and was being further extended. Heart-wrenching.
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/img_5726-3/)The Field of Mars cemetery
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## Medical Training Amid Air Raid Warnings
At the medical school’s simulation centre, the director casually advised us: “If there’s an air alarm, move to the shelter. It’s only been about once a week lately. Oh, and be quick – a hypersonic missile can reach us ten minutes after launch.”
The equipment wasn’t the best, but we’d make it work. These students desperately need these skills to keep their healthcare system functioning during war. Dr Chris brought a heap of extra equipment for us to practice with and put together a great program. We ran through simulations and theory sessions. It was greatly appreciated. We did two days of this with the second day being with the trainers so they could upskill and continue to pass the skills on.
\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[penci\_image\_gallery images=”15432,15433,15435,15436,15437,15438,15439,15440,15441,15422,15431,15430″ penci\_img\_size=”penci-slider-full-thumb” penci\_img\_type=”square” heading=”ALS training in Lviv” responsive\_spacing=”eyJwYXJhbV90eXBlIjoicGVuY2lfcmVzcG9uc2l2ZV9zcGFjaW5nIiwic2hvcnRjb2RlIjoicGVuY2lfaW1hZ2VfZ2FsbGVyeSIsImRhdGEiOnsidGFibGV0Ijp7fSwibW9iaWxlIjp7fX19″\]\[vc\_separator border\_width=”2″ css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
## Medical Aid Warehouse
We then had a tour of the warehouse where medications and equipment and supplies are sent as donations and then CMA sorts and distributes to where it is needed most. The CMA warehouse manager who was new since I’d last been here July 2023, shared her motivation: “In these times, we can’t say we won’t work weekends. We have to keep going and think about what our people are going through.” She emphasised how donors hesitate to support anything “military” – not understanding that in Ukraine, the military are their friends and family. Without them, they wouldn’t be here.
“The injured numbers are much greater than we think,” she confided, “including mental injuries.” She described visiting a hospital treating wounded soldiers, many suffering phantom pain. Teachers are heroes too – trying to educate children between air raid shelter runs. They’re building underground classrooms so education can continue.
Medical staffing is critically short, with many sent to military service. Others fear training in medicine might send them to the front. “Russians specifically hunt medics,” she explained. “They figure one medic might save ten soldiers, so it’s a good score.”
\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[penci\_image\_gallery images=”15425,15423″ penci\_img\_size=”1536×1536″ penci\_img\_type=”square” gallery\_columns=”2″ heading=”CMA Medical Aid Warehouse” responsive\_spacing=”eyJwYXJhbV90eXBlIjoicGVuY2lfcmVzcG9uc2l2ZV9zcGFjaW5nIiwic2hvcnRjb2RlIjoicGVuY2lfaW1hZ2VfZ2FsbGVyeSIsImRhdGEiOnsidGFibGV0Ijp7fSwibW9iaWxlIjp7fX19″\]\[vc\_separator border\_width=”2″ css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
## From Lviv to Odesa: Life Goes On
After two days of advanced life support training in Lviv, we took an overnight train to Odesa, where I reunited with a translator I’d met during my previous visit.
The Ukrainian resolve to maintain normalcy amid war is remarkable. For many, they try to continue life as normal even despite the repeated air raid sirens.
As we drove around, we spotted military recruitment officers interviewing men on streets. Everyone must carry documents showing their mobilisation status.
In a telling cultural shift, my translator friends mentioned how almost everyone now wants to switch to Ukrainian language – a statement of identity and resistance.
On Sunday, we woke to unseasonable snow. A cold front had come through and we weren’t quite prepared for how cold it would be!
Our taxi driver pointed to a beach, saying it was closed because it had been mined. “Russian ships have come close, trying to capture the area for access to Mykolaiv.” He showed us where he’d been sleeping when Shahed drones hit the building. Thankfully, he’d made it to a shelter.
“We need to build a big wall between us and Russia and never have any interaction again,” he stated firmly. He told us how once someone got in his taxi who said they supported Russia and he kicked them out.
There was evidence of Shahed drone damage on many buildings. There were several air raid alerts whilst in Odesa but no explosions. A matter of days after we left there were a couple of more serious attacks that caused fires, damage and more injured people.
Russian monuments throughout the city were covered or torn down. Street names that echoed past Russian occupation or regimes were being changed Ukrainian flags weren’t just flying – they were painted on walls and gates, acts of defiance declaring “We are Ukrainian.” As one local put it, they’re perhaps even more patriotic than in the West, despite common perceptions.![]()
\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[penci\_image\_gallery images=”15638,15672,15671,15677,15678,15674,15640,15623,15670,15644,15620″ penci\_img\_size=”1536×1536″ penci\_img\_type=”square” heading=”Odesa” responsive\_spacing=”eyJwYXJhbV90eXBlIjoicGVuY2lfcmVzcG9uc2l2ZV9zcGFjaW5nIiwic2hvcnRjb2RlIjoicGVuY2lfaW1hZ2VfZ2FsbGVyeSIsImRhdGEiOnsidGFibGV0Ijp7fSwibW9iaWxlIjp7fX19″\]\[vc\_separator border\_width=”2″ css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
## Teaching at universities and medical conferences
We had a full schedule of teaching arranged. Lectures at the university in emergency medicine and patient communication. Then a full day seminar with other speakers organised by CMA on antibiotic use, emergency medicine and more ALS training.
We went to the flat to pick up all the medicines and equipment with the other volunteers and pack the van for clinic the next day.
\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[penci\_image\_gallery images=”15452,15451,15450,15449,15448,15447,15446,15444,15443,15442,15608,15695,15694″ penci\_img\_size=”1536×1536″ penci\_img\_type=”square” heading=”Teaching Doctors and Students in Odesa” responsive\_spacing=”eyJwYXJhbV90eXBlIjoicGVuY2lfcmVzcG9uc2l2ZV9zcGFjaW5nIiwic2hvcnRjb2RlIjoicGVuY2lfaW1hZ2VfZ2FsbGVyeSIsImRhdGEiOnsidGFibGV0Ijp7fSwibW9iaWxlIjp7fX19″\]\[vc\_separator border\_width=”2″ css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
**Village Clinic Near the Frontline**
Monday brought an early start – zero degrees! Three vans travelled to a village once near the frontline, now “safely” 45-50km away. We stopped for a bathroom break, knowing the village hadn’t had water for a long time.
At the service station, I was confused when the cashier stepped back and wouldn’t serve me. Then I realised – it was 9am, time for the daily minute of silence held across Ukraine for fallen soldiers.
The village showed extensive destruction. Many houses were damaged, with replaced roofs and windows. A rocket shell embedded in the road had simply been cut off so people could drive over it. The clinic building was badly damaged, all windows blown out and replaced with USAID funding – which, of course, is no longer provided.
Only a couple hundred civilians remain, but military units use it to rest and rotate from frontlines. We’d planned to see soldiers who were “resting,” but many visits were cancelled – some called into action, others had been under attack all night and just wanted to sleep.
One soldier told us some comrades ended up in hospital because Russians were using banned chemical weapons. He showed staff a photo of a chemical bomb dropped on them – thankfully, only one of four canisters detonated. Also see [**HERE**](https://kyivindependent.com/russia-used-chemical-weapons-434-times-in-december-ukraines-general-staff-says/)
Another soldier had suffered a brain bleed in a war-related car crash 18 months earlier, spent 6 months in a coma, and had a year of rehabilitation. Yet he was back fighting. The few soldiers who did come looked utterly exhausted, both physically and emotionally.
The damaged clinic had no heating. Our hands went numb from cold, making it difficult to feel patients’ pulses. By day’s end, we were approaching hypothermia despite wearing all our jackets. On day two we lost power too so couldn’t even boil the kettle to warm ourselves until they were able to hook up a generator. There was no running water so we had to bring our own water.
After we left our friend told us that the army vehicle with multiple antennae parked near the clinic all day was a jamming and drone reconnaisance vehicle there to protect us.
As we left, we saw a totally destroyed house with people living in a container outside. We learned it belonged to the woman who had cooked us a lovely lunch of borscht and dumplings.
\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[penci\_image\_gallery images=”15553,15551,15550,15549,15548,15547,15546,15545,15541,15536,15691,15688,15687,15686,15689″ penci\_img\_size=”1536×1536″ penci\_img\_type=”square” heading=”Clinics in villages destroyed by Russia” responsive\_spacing=”eyJwYXJhbV90eXBlIjoicGVuY2lfcmVzcG9uc2l2ZV9zcGFjaW5nIiwic2hvcnRjb2RlIjoicGVuY2lfaW1hZ2VfZ2FsbGVyeSIsImRhdGEiOnsidGFibGV0Ijp7fSwibW9iaWxlIjp7fX19″\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
**The Human Face of War**
The next day brought more patients – elderly women with heart problems, some seeming to just want a hug and reassurance. An old man wondered if his lung condition resulted from living in a basement for seven months as battles raged around him.
Several soldiers had conditions that should have precluded military service, but they didn’t even ask about it. Some had recently been in ICU comas before returning to fighting. One had lung problems but was smoking – there was an unspoken understanding that now wasn’t the time to ask him to quit. It reminded me of my clean-living grandfather who told me he smoked throughout World War II because “you figured you were going to die anyway, and it helped relax.”
My translator Tanya and student helper Nastya were wonderful. Nastya prepared little gifts of filter coffee, sweets, and encouraging Bible verses for each soldier, thanking them for their service.
An elderly woman shared her trouble with knee pain. When I showed her exercises, she mentioned she liked bike riding but became sad explaining her bike was wrecked from riding over sharp shrapnel.
In Mykolaiv, public water tanks lined streets where people filled bottles. Due to war damage and the Russian bombing of the Kakhovka dam, many in this region still lack water.
\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[penci\_image\_gallery images=”15554,15544,15542,15537,15481″ penci\_img\_size=”1536×1536″ penci\_img\_type=”square” heading=”Mykolaiv Region” responsive\_spacing=”eyJwYXJhbV90eXBlIjoicGVuY2lfcmVzcG9uc2l2ZV9zcGFjaW5nIiwic2hvcnRjb2RlIjoicGVuY2lfaW1hZ2VfZ2FsbGVyeSIsImRhdGEiOnsidGFibGV0Ijp7fSwibW9iaWxlIjp7fX19″\]\[vc\_separator border\_width=”2″ css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
**Rest day in Odesa**
I joined the CMA girls at the church of a friend of theirs. It was a nice little service and the church was in a basement to avoid interuptions from air raid alerts or rocket attacks. Then we had some spare time in the afternoon so took the chance to see a little of Odesa and to finally see the Black Sea. My grandfather used to speak about it frequently. Last time I wasn’t able to see it as all access was blocked off and under military guard but the Black Sea is less of a threat now and some beaches have been de-mined.
\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[penci\_image\_gallery images=”15460,15461,15464,15465,15466,15468″ penci\_img\_size=”1536×1536″ penci\_img\_type=”square” heading=”Rest time in Odesa” responsive\_spacing=”eyJwYXJhbV90eXBlIjoicGVuY2lfcmVzcG9uc2l2ZV9zcGFjaW5nIiwic2hvcnRjb2RlIjoicGVuY2lfaW1hZ2VfZ2FsbGVyeSIsImRhdGEiOnsidGFibGV0Ijp7fSwibW9iaWxlIjp7fX19″\]\[vc\_separator border\_width=”2″ css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
**Women’s Crisis Center and Moving On**
We spent time at Holly’s women’s crisis and pregnancy care center, supporting women in crisis, many now displaced. Walking the few hundred meters to her work, we passed an apartment block hit by a Shahed drone a year ago, killing her friend and baby. Outside stood a memorial of children’s toys and flowers.
Pastor Leonid, who drives for the mobile clinic, counsels patients, and does aid work alongside pastoring his church, drove us to the train station. Before leaving, he asked if my church prays for Ukraine. When I assured him they do, he said, “Thank you so much. Please send greetings from our church here in Odesa – we really appreciate your prayers.”
That night on the train, air raid sirens sounded across the country for a massive Shahed attack, including in Odesa where we’d just left.
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**Kharkiv: On Russia’s Doorstep**
We arrived in Kharkiv to heightened security. During an emergency alert, we headed to the metro station for shelter. At Kharkiv University, we met with the medical school dean and visited their simulation center and dental school, which had impressive donated equipment.
The dental school lab had blown-out windows and huge wall cracks – matter-of-factly, they told us the building had been hit by Shahed drones a month ago. When Regina thanked them for their bravery and commitment, the director fought back tears.
Our lectures were held in the bomb shelter – cold but convenient, as we didn’t have to interrupt for air raid sirens, which sounded multiple times.
\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[penci\_image\_gallery images=”15590,15589,15585,15577,15565,15561,15562,15564,15752,15751,15749,15748,15747,15746,15745,15744,15742,15741,15740,15733,15731,15730,15729,15710,15756,15739,15738″ penci\_img\_size=”1536×1536″ penci\_img\_type=”square” heading=”Kharkiv” responsive\_spacing=”eyJwYXJhbV90eXBlIjoicGVuY2lfcmVzcG9uc2l2ZV9zcGFjaW5nIiwic2hvcnRjb2RlIjoicGVuY2lfaW1hZ2VfZ2FsbGVyeSIsImRhdGEiOnsidGFibGV0Ijp7fSwibW9iaWxlIjp7fX19″\]\[vc\_separator border\_width=”2″ css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
**On the Frontlines of Care**
We moved to Bohoduhiv region north of Kharkiv. We went with the team of Mykola and Oksana to isolated villages around 20km from the Russian border. We travelled past dragon’s teeth and other reinforcements. Again a soldier stood nearby with jamming equipment.
Friday brought more patient encounters. About 80% reported stress, anxiety, or insomnia since the war began. One woman suffered a concussion when a bomb hit her neighbour’s house, killing them. Another mentioned having virtually no neighbours, as so many had fled.
We travelled with Mykola and his wife Oksana, staying in their apartment usually shared with Mykola’s sister, who had gone to live with in-laws while her husband fought. Mykola’s mother cooked amazing feasts of local delicacies as we discussed his innovative mobile palliative care clinic. We heard how Oksana has to juggle being a doctor and mother with also now homeschooling as the children cannot go to normal school due to the constant air raids and attacks. And then on top of this they also do an amazing amount of volunteer work with the mobile clinics and running a mobile palliative care clinic.
That night, four or five air raid alerts sounded – a chilling reminder that we were only about 20km from the Russian border. The alerts barely stopped the whole time we were there.
Saturday’s journey took us over steaming fields of freshly tilled black chernozem soil, past rows of dragon teeth, trenches, and bunkers dug between fields. Multiple military checkpoints reminded us how close Russia was.
In the village, crowds waited to see us, mostly elderly. With our translators’ help, we heard countless stories of war stress, departed neighbours, and family members fighting or killed. Some men had been injured in the 2014 invasion.
An 88-year-old woman, deaf but proudly dressed in farm clothes and boots, demonstrated how she still squats to feed chickens and told tales of working in Soviet-era mines.
\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[penci\_image\_gallery images=”15583,15581,15579,15574,15573,15572,15571,15570,15569,15568,15567″ penci\_img\_size=”1536×1536″ penci\_img\_type=”square” heading=”Bohoduhiv Region” responsive\_spacing=”eyJwYXJhbV90eXBlIjoicGVuY2lfcmVzcG9uc2l2ZV9zcGFjaW5nIiwic2hvcnRjb2RlIjoicGVuY2lfaW1hZ2VfZ2FsbGVyeSIsImRhdGEiOnsidGFibGV0Ijp7fSwibW9iaWxlIjp7fX19″\]\[vc\_separator border\_width=”2″ css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
**Resilience Amid Chaos**
On Sunday, we attended Mykola’s church, where the congregation was thankful to hear Australians were praying for Ukraine and sent greetings back.
Navigating Kharkiv proved challenging as Google Maps malfunctioned – apparently regularly affected by jamming signals designed to protect the city from aerial attacks. After circling the city six times, we were approached by police. Surprisingly, one recognized Mykola: “It’s okay, I know this guy – he was my grandma’s doctor!”
Our hotel was one of the newer ones built in bunkers and basements for safety during air raids. We wondered if it had had a former or alternative purpose as it was huge with dancing poles, coloured lights and mirrors above the bed!
Walking through a shopping mall, I watched children playing virtual soccer on the floor. A sobering thought struck me – other malls like this had been hit by Russian missiles. I took a photo as if to defy any future claims this was a military target.
Outside, police and military were checking documents of conscription-age men. Those without proper documentation are taken directly to the army. Some men rarely leave home, fearing mobilisation.
On Monday, at the train station, we weren’t allowed through the main entrance. Someone with a megaphone announced they were still under air alert – we needed to use the underground shelter entrance instead.
And so continues daily life in Ukraine – a strange mix of determination, adaptation, and the constant shadow of war.
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## Please don’t look away. Pray. Share. Support.
And if you’re able to help us keep going—so we can train more medics, equip more clinics, and stand beside more of these incredible people—please donate here:
**[www.passingthrough.net/donating](http://www.passingthrough.net/donating)**
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**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** charity, humanitarian, medical mission, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, ukraine, war, warzone
---
### [What to Watch on Ukraine Part 2](https://www.passingthrough.net/what-to-watch-on-ukraine-part-2/)
**Published:** June 14, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Where to start with documentaries on Ukraine.
**Content:**
# What to watch – on Ukraine… Part 2
This is not an exhaustive list of what to watch, but should get you started if you wanted to see some documentaries and films that give you a little more insight into Ukraine and the war currently being raged against it by Russia. This is a follow up to [***Part 1***](https://www.passingthrough.net/what-to-watch-on-ukraine/) published last year .
I will add more as I watch them and feel free to send me some of your recommendations as well or comment in comments below.
## Recommended documentaries and links
To watch:
*[**Faith Under Siege**](https://www.youtube.com/@AFaithUnderSiege/videos)*
“In a region once celebrated as the post-Soviet “Bible Belt,” a rapidly growing community of Evangelical and Protestant believers becomes a prime target under Russia’s expanding occupation—enduring seized churches, tortured pastors, abducted children, and coerced renunciations as they struggle to keep their faith alive in secret.”
This is a must-watch documentary.
***[No God but theirs](
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** persecution, Supportukraine, ukraine, ukraine documentaries
---
### [Healing Amidst Chaos: A Surgeon’s Mission in War-Torn Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/healing-amidst-chaos-a-surgeons-mission-in-war-torn-ukraine/)
**Published:** February 17, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Dr. Ryan Winters’ ongoing medical missions to Ukraine highlight not just the devastation of war, but also the unwavering resilience of the people. Despite the risks, he has returned multiple times to provide life-changing surgical care and support Ukrainian medical professionals. In this interview, Dr. Winters shares his experiences, the impact of war on healthcare, and the importance of international support.
**Content:**
1.1K\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
# A Surgeon Returns to Ukraine
**Dr. Ryan Winters’ ongoing medical missions to Ukraine highlight not just the devastation of war, but also the unwavering resilience of the people. Despite the risks, he has returned multiple times to provide life-changing surgical care and support Ukrainian medical professionals. In this interview, Dr. Winters shares his experiences, the impact of war on healthcare, and the importance of international support.**\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_separator css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_video link=”https://youtu.be/gcM3zkRW3cg” css=””\]\[vc\_separator css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
### **Why Return to a War Zone?**
When asked about his motivation to return despite the dangers, Dr. Winters was clear: it wasn’t about recklessness but about commitment.
*“There’s always uncertainty in a conflict zone, but for me, it’s about standing by the people I’ve worked with over the years. The work still needs to be done, and if I can contribute, I will.”*
Despite the tragic bombing of the hospital he previously worked at, he made the decision to go back in October, driven by the relationships he had built with Ukrainian healthcare workers.
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### **The Changing Healthcare Landscape**
Dr. Winters observed significant changes since his previous visits. While Ukrainian medical professionals continued their work with stoic determination, there was an undeniable shift in the atmosphere.
*“It was more obvious this time that the country was at war. The curfew was earlier, and there was a tension in the air. Life was still going on, but you could feel the weight of the situation on people’s faces.”*
His latest mission was focused in Lviv, avoiding Kyiv for security reasons. Even in the relatively safer west, the emotional and psychological toll on healthcare workers was evident.
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### **A Patient’s Story: The Human Cost of War**
One of the most heartbreaking cases Dr. Winters encountered was that of a retired teacher conscripted into the Ukrainian forces. A severe blast injury left him with extensive facial damage, unable to eat properly or close his mouth. His will to survive was strong, and he agreed to a high-risk reconstructive surgery. However, before they could even begin, his body went into cardiac arrest under anesthesia. Though they managed to resuscitate him, the surgery was abandoned.
*“It was a gut-wrenching moment for all of us. He had placed his trust in us, and we wanted to give him something back. But it just wasn’t in the cards.”*
Following this setback, the team focused on finding social services to support his quality of life.
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### **Keeping Morale in a War Zone**
Given the emotional toll, maintaining morale was crucial for both international and Ukrainian teams. Dr. Winters described how small moments of normalcy helped.
*“You rely on friendships. Whether it’s just hanging out with your mates at work or taking a walk around town when it’s safe, those moments make all the difference.”*
Shared meals, team activities, and regular debriefing sessions helped medical workers process the intensity of their experiences.
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### **More Than Just Surgery: The Power of Continuity**
Beyond his surgical skills, Dr. Winters emphasized the importance of continuity in this type of medical mission.
*“Showing someone a technique and then leaving is one thing, but being there for follow-ups, for mentorship, and for reassurance makes all the difference. It’s about knowing that help isn’t just a one-off visit but an ongoing commitment.”*
This long-term engagement has allowed Ukrainian surgeons to build confidence in complex procedures, knowing they have support when needed.
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### **Challenges of War-Time Surgery**
Operating in a war zone presents unique logistical challenges, from power outages to curfews affecting surgical schedules. However, planning ahead has allowed for effective work.
*“We can’t start surgeries too late because if we go past midnight, the team is stuck at the hospital due to curfew. We also have to plan for the possibility of missile strikes and evacuations.”*
Even simple medical supplies like sutures and anaesthetic equipment can take months to arrive, making it vital for visiting teams to bring what they can.
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### **How the Medical Community Can Help**
Dr. Winters stressed that one of the most impactful ways to support Ukraine is by providing upskilling opportunities for Ukrainian doctors.
*“Hosting Ukrainian surgeons in Australia for observation and training is incredibly valuable. They already have strong skills, but exposure to different techniques can be transformative.”*
Additionally, international donations of specific medical supplies—particularly orthopaedic sutures, microvascular instruments, and anaesthetic equipment—can greatly assist hospitals struggling with shortages. (Donations to CMA [HERE](http://www.passingthrough.net/donating) can assist with this)
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### **Encouraging More Medical Professionals to Get Involved**
For those considering medical missions to Ukraine, Dr. Winters offers this advice:
*“The biggest hurdle is fear of the unknown. But if you have the opportunity, talk to people who’ve done it. The risk is real, but you’re not going to be placed in a dangerous situation without safeguards. The experience is life-changing, both professionally and personally.”*
He acknowledges that convincing family members can be challenging, as loved ones often struggle with the idea of their partner or parent entering a war zone.
*“It’s one thing to make the decision yourself, but getting your family on board is another challenge entirely.”*
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### **The Bigger Picture: Global Support for Ukraine**
Beyond medical professionals, Dr. Winters emphasised that anyone can help. Logistics, fundraising, and advocacy play crucial roles. He recommends working with reputable organisations like CMA (that our charity[ supports](http://www.passingthrough.net/donating)) that have established infrastructure to ensure that aid is effectively used.
For Australia and the global medical community, facilitating educational exchanges and ensuring a steady supply of critical medical materials can have a lasting impact on Ukraine’s healthcare system.
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### **The Next Mission**
Dr. Winters is already planning his return in May, with a focus on further training Ukrainian surgeons in microsurgery and paediatric reconstructive procedures. His team hopes to establish a strong network of Ukrainian specialists who can independently handle complex cases in the future.
*“We’re trying to build sustainable medical capabilities. The more we can train, the more lasting our impact will be.”*
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### **Final Thoughts**
Dr. Winters’ commitment to Ukraine extends beyond surgery—it’s about solidarity, mentorship, and showing Ukrainians that they are not forgotten.
*“The work we do isn’t just about fixing injuries. It’s about making sure the people who need help know they’re supported, that the world hasn’t moved on from them.”*
His journey is a testament to the power of human connection and the profound difference that medical professionals can make, even in the most challenging circumstances.
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***If you’d like to support Ukrainian medical professionals, consider making a tax-deductible donation [HERE](http://www.passingthrough.net/donating) that can go directly to our partner Christian Medical Association of Ukraine, which facilitates medical aid or sponsors Ukrainian doctors for training opportunities. Every effort counts in ensuring that Ukraine’s healthcare system can withstand the challenges of war and beyond.***
***If you are a health professional or hospital wanting to be involved professionally or to host a Ukrainian health professional please contact Dr Lara at [opt@passingthrough.ne](mailto:opt@passingthrough.net)t and we can also put you in touch with Dr Winters if you’d like to speak to him.***
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**Categories:** Giving Back, Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** charity, humanitarian, medical mission, Supportukraine, volunteer, warzone
---
### [Medical Mission in Ukraine 2025 (2)](https://www.passingthrough.net/medical-mission-to-ukraine-2/)
**Published:** April 24, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** From frontline medical innovations to the hidden mental health crisis, journey with our medical team through war-torn Ukraine as we deliver care and witness remarkable resilience.
**Content:**
The train ride to Kyiv offered a peaceful moment to catch up on work amid the whirlwind of our medical mission. Upon arrival, we met with Ihor, who had visited Australia last year to present at the Global Military Medicine Conference. Now heading Ukraine’s first medical battalion, Ihor’s groundbreaking work is saving countless lives on a frontline unlike any other in modern warfare.
His team faces unique challenges: evacuations are sometimes nearly impossible for days, with rescue teams easily spotted by drones and targeted. Despite these obstacles, they conduct meticulous research on battlefield injuries, developing innovative approaches to address the most common causes of death in this devastating conflict. Their mission is clear – save as many lives as possible on the frontlines they’ll soon deploy to.
After lunch, we visited the Ministry of Health situated in the beautiful Shevchenko Park. The sun shone brilliantly as we chatted with Anton from CMA, gazing at the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) nearby. On our way out, we even spotted the Deputy Minister of Health walking through the park – a surreal moment of normalcy in a nation at war.
### Kyiv
[ Shevchenko park in Kyiv ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_6539.jpg)
[ Meeting colleagues at the health ministry ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/cf3e368a-2064-429b-b055-b7688e577d8a-1.jpg)
[ Czech hedgehogs remain near a child’s playground ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_6541.jpg)
[ Catching up with Andriy at the hospital ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_5283-1.jpg)
[ Andriy in hospital ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2453ca3e-1d09-41a9-ba81-d7f121803909-1-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Dr Chris with his well travelled granddaughters doll ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_6552.jpg)
**A Reunion Filled with Emotion**
We caught the metro to a small city hospital to visit my friend Andriy, who was recovering from serious injuries. (You can [**READ MORE HERE**](https://www.passingthrough.net/so-much-pain-over-here/)). Seeing him again brought overwhelming emotions – thinner and paler than when I last saw him, yet somehow still wearing that beautiful, positive smile that defines his spirit.
Our time together was brief, as he needed to be taken for a nerve block following his morning surgery. Before parting, Andriy shared how his medical training had literally saved his own life. With remarkable presence of mind, he had applied his knowledge while fading into unconsciousness from severe wounds after his position was targeted by Russian FPV drones. His story was a stark reminder that these aren’t faceless statistics – these are real people being targeted, killed, and wounded daily.
### Maidan Square
[ Names of Australians and Kiwis who gave their lives for freedom ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_6565.jpg)
[ Devastating to see the increased losses ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_6559.jpg)
[ Maidan square memorial flags ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/44663fe4-e96b-4a6e-b7ba-1b89364b0783-1-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Men and women memorialised in Maidan ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/62801101-423a-4abe-8899-0b48bede2a8e-1-1170x878.jpg)
[ Maidan square- Kyiv ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_5294-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Ready for pick up at Kyiv train station ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_6527.jpg)
[ Kyiv metro- Europe’s deepest ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_6530-1170x1560.jpg)
# Memorial Flags in Maidan Square
Before heading to catch our ride we had walked through Maidan Square to show Chris, and what I saw there shook me to my core. The memorial flags honouring the fallen had grown almost tenfold since my last visit in July 2023. The sea of blue and yellow stretched further than before, each flag representing a life cut short defending Ukraine’s freedom. As I walked among them, reading the names, my heart sank when I recognised names of Australians and New Zealanders I had heard about—volunteers who had travelled halfway across the world to fight for a cause they believed in.
Perhaps most striking were the photos of women among the fallen—mothers, daughters, sisters who had taken up arms alongside their male counterparts. My Ukrainian colleague followed my gaze and spoke quietly, her voice steady despite the emotion behind her words: “How can we give in now when all these people have died for our freedom?” The question hung in the air, unanswerable yet profound. These weren’t just flags or statistics—they were teachers who would never return to their classrooms, doctors who would never heal another patient, parents whose children would grow up without them. Each represented a family forever changed, and a sacrifice that demanded Ukraine continue its fight for sovereignty and dignity.
### Kyiv
[ Dnieper River ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_6587-1170x878.jpg)
[ Kyiv motherland monument ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_5298-1170x1508.jpg)
[ Kyiv city clinical hospital ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1ef38519-fa13-4f04-8962-047f4244fc34-1-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Kyiv metro ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/b61f0aca-1c69-46e2-9f43-0249fb119a7c-1-1170x1560.jpg)
[ ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_6577-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Drones still get through air defences in Kyiv ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_6576-1170x1560.jpg)
**The Hidden Mental Health Crisis**
Paul from CMA picked us up for a two-hour drive to our village accommodation. During our journey, he shared insights about his various projects, including a rehabilitation centre for amputees that’s progressing well. However, his greatest concern now is the mounting mental health crisis.
The suicide rate is alarming, and they’re actively seeking solutions. He explained their ambitious plans to create fifteen outpatient mental health centers where people can go with their families for support and advice. The first center opens next month in Dnipro, with hopes to complete all fifteen by year’s end. Staffing remains the biggest challenge, with psychologists undergoing retraining to meet the specialized needs.
When I mentioned seeing fewer injured soldiers on the streets compared to my previous visit, Paul offered two explanations: the colder weather keeping people indoors, and the deteriorating mental health causing many to simply stay home. This reality was heartbreaking.
The mental health stigma in Ukraine compounds the problem. Seeking psychological help is often viewed as an admission of a lifelong mental condition rather than a normal response to extraordinary trauma. Despite these challenges, Paul maintained remarkable optimism about Ukraine’s future, citing innovations and progress occurring across many sectors of Ukrainian society.
Our discussion on politics was best encapsulated by his comment: “We have problems with enemies and problems with friends.”
**Village Clinics and Human Connections**
We arrived at Yuri’s village home, where we stayed with him and his daughter, who served as our translator. Yuri runs mobile clinics in the area and is planning both a rehabilitation centre and permanent clinic. His daughter, currently a paramedic, is studying physiotherapy to contribute to the rehabilitation centre – another example of Ukrainians building for their future despite the ongoing war.
The next day, we delivered medical services at a local church in a neighbouring village. Our makeshift clinic included three GPs (including ourselves), a dentist, an optometrist, and a pharmacy offering free medications.
It was a huge surprise when Dr Diana walked in the door, we hugged and hugged. I was so happy to see her. I knew we were in her area and I had been asking people if they knew if she was coming but no one knew. I had met her on a mobile clinic in 2023 and she invited us to her family home where she was doing ( and still is) amazing work supporting refugees from the East. I had been reluctant to message her saying I was in the area as I knew I wouldn’t have time to visit but was so, so glad we got to see each other at the clinic.
One patient particularly touched my heart – a young woman suffering from stress symptoms for the past year, ever since her husband was sent to the front. As she described days when she couldn’t contact him, her neck flushed and tears welled in her eyes. Her pain was palpable. At the end of our consultation, I hesitantly asked if I could give her a hug, uncertain how she might respond. She quickly agreed and held me tightly for what seemed like an eternity, later telling our translator that our support meant everything to her.
### Zhntyi Hory village clinic
[ A village farmhouse that Yuri is going to convert to a rehabilitation centre ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_6639-1-1170x878.jpg)
[ A village farmhouse that Yuri is going to convert to a rehabilitation centre ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_6637-1-1170x878.jpg)
[ 'House of Prayer' church with the clinic team ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_6636-1-1170x929.jpg)
[ A village walk between clinic and dinner ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_6628-1-1-1170x878.jpg)
[ Zhnityi Hory ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_6623-1-1170x878.jpg)
[ A babushka watching life go by in the village ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_6627-1-1170x799.jpg)
[ Zhnityi Hory village ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_6620-1-1170x827.jpg)
[ Home cooked dinner by the church volunteers at the clinic ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_6629-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Catching up with Dr Diana ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_6631-1-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Home cooked dinner by the church volunteers at the clinic ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_6615-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Getting the clinic ready ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_6611-1170x878.jpg)
[ Home cooked dinner by the church volunteers at the clinic ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_6617-1-1170x878.jpg)
**The Power of Connections**
After a short walk through the village, we enjoyed another amazing dinner at the church. The locals thanked us profusely for our help – gestures that always feel insufficient against the backdrop of their immense challenges. Diana shared a beautiful story of unexpected connections that demonstrates how small actions can create ripples of positive change.
After meeting at a clinic in July 2023, Diana had invited us to her hometown, where I learned her sister was a seamstress. Nearly a year and a half later, when an [**Australian hand therapist**](https://www.passingthrough.net/healing-hands-in-ukraine-a-hand-therapists-story-of-hope-and-connection/) supporting Ukraine needed someone to teach rehabilitation hospital staff how to sew special garments for splints, I immediately thought of Diana’s sister.
This connection not only solved the hospital’s immediate need but also provided part-time employment for Diana’s sister. Diana laughed as she pointed out the irony: “The connections within Ukraine came all the way from Australia!”
**Urgent Needs Remain**
Throughout my time in Ukraine, I’ve witnessed the desperate need for basic medical supplies. Our private CMA chat regularly features urgent callouts for bandages and wound dressings for civilians in hospitals facing almost daily missile strikes. Horrifically, these essential items rarely appear in donation packages.
For those wishing to help, please consider donating specifically for medical supplies at [www.passingthrough.net/donating](http://www.passingthrough.net/donating) and indicate in a note that your contribution is for bandages and dressings. These simple items can make the difference between life and death for innocent civilians caught in this brutal conflict.
[ PLEASE SUPPORT NOW ](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)
*This is Part Two of my Medical Mission to Ukraine series. Follow along as I document the resilience, challenges, and hope found amid Ukraine’s ongoing crisis.*
**Categories:** Giving Back, Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** charity, Godslove, humanitarian, medical mission, remote doctors, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, volunteer, warzone
---
### [Peace Talks and Ceasefire Deals⚖️](https://www.passingthrough.net/peace-talks-and-ceasefire-deals⚖️/)
**Published:** May 16, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Peace talks and ceasefire deals - what is really going on? Lets look a little closer.
**Content:**
## **🤝 Peace Talks: Stuck at a Crossroads**
**🔵 Ukrainian Demands:**
**Ok so really their only ‘demand’ is a 30 day unconditional ceasefire.**
**What they want:**
- **Full withdrawal of Russian troops**
- **Restoration of pre-2014 borders**
- **International security guarantees**
- **Return of their children**
- **Return of their prisoners**
**🔴 Russian Demands:**
- **Recognition of annexed Ukrainian territories (and there have been claims for further territory that they do not control) Update 17/5: they have demanded full control of four regions that they currently do not fully control and expressed a desire to have more.**
- **Legally binding neutrality (no NATO for Ukraine)**
- **Reduction in Ukrainian military**
- **Lifting of all international sanctions**
- **No military aid to Ukraine**
- **NO ceasefire**
“Peace negotiations are not possible at this moment.”
— UN Secretary-General António Guterres (2024)
## **🩸 Documented War Crimes: A Major Roadblock**
The International Criminal Court (ICC) and UN Human Rights Council have extensively documented war crimes across multiple regions:
**🔻 Key Incidents:**
- **Bucha Massacre**: 458 civilians killed, including 9 children
- **Mariupol Siege**: 10,284+ civilian deaths, 90% infrastructure destroyed
- **Filtration Camps**: Mass deportations and ethnic profiling
- **Torture, rape, and forced disappearances** across occupied regions
- **Child abductions**: ICC issued arrest warrants against Russian leadership
*Data source: OHCHR, UN Commission of Inquiry, ICC (2025)*
## 💰 **The Cost of Destruction**
Ukraine’s infrastructure damage is staggering:
• 💸 Total damage: $176 billion
• 🏚 Housing: $57.6B
• 🚉 Transport: $36.7B
• ⚡ Energy sector: $32.4B
Source: World Bank, 2024
Reconstruction needs are estimated at $524 billion and could take more than a decade.
## **🚧 Barriers to Resolution**
1. **Territorial Sovereignty**
Russia refuses to discuss withdrawal from annexed regions. Ukraine cannot cede land that’s home to millions of its citizens.
2. **War Crimes Accountability**
Ukraine and its allies insist there can be no impunity for the atrocities committed. Russia denies wrongdoing.
3. **Security Guarantees**
Ukraine seeks legally binding security commitments to prevent future aggression.
4. **Distrust and Broken Diplomacy**
Years of violence and betrayal have eroded trust. Even “Track Two” diplomacy—unofficial back-channel communications—has yielded little progress.
## **🌍 International Solidarity Is Essential**
Ukraine is fighting not just for itself but for the principles of sovereignty, human rights, and rule of law.
🤝 Join us in supporting humanitarian and medical relief efforts. Every donation helps deliver life-saving aid and medical care.
**💛 Donate tax-deductibly:**
👉 [www.passingthrough.net/donating](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating)
### \#Ukraine #RussiaUkraineWar #Peace #Justice #WarCrimes
**📚 References**
1. United Nations Human Rights Council (2025). *Findings on War Crimes in Ukraine*
2. International Criminal Court (2022–2025). *Ukraine Situation Reports*
3. World Bank (2024). *Damage and Recovery Assessment Report*
4. OHCHR (2025). *Civilian Casualty Updates*
5. Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies. *Peace Proposal Review*
6. Amnesty International. *Human Rights Violations in Russian-Occupied Territories*
7. Human Rights Watch. *Filtration Camps and Deportations Report*
8. Physicians for Human Rights. *Medical Evidence of Atrocities*
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** charity, freedom, humanitarian, justice, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, war, warzone
---
### [Faith On The Frontline](https://www.passingthrough.net/faith-on-the-frontline/)
**Published:** June 10, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Faith on the frontline: why you must watch these two documentaries
**Content:**
**Faith on the Frontline: Why You Should Watch [*A Faith Under Siege*](https://www.youtube.com/@AFaithUnderSiege/videos) and [*No God but Theirs*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zb7Tc58zLjU)**
Across Russian-occupied Ukraine, churches are being padlocked, pastors detained, tortured and killed, and believers forced into hiding. Two powerful documentaries—*A Faith Under Siege* and *No God but Theirs*—bear urgent witness to this growing tragedy.
These films expose a painful irony: while Russia claims to defend Christian values, it persecutes churches that won’t conform to Kremlin-aligned ideology. In once-vibrant spiritual communities like Melitopol, the occupation has transformed places of worship into targets of suppression.
*No God but Theirs*, produced by The Kyiv Independent, highlights the heartbreaking unravelling of religious coexistence in Melitopol, while *A Faith Under Siege* traces the broader crackdown across occupied regions. Through firsthand testimonies—mothers searching for missing children, pastors recalling interrogations, believers clinging to faith under threat—these films reveal a systematic assault on spiritual freedom.
Now, as disinformation spreads and persecution is reframed as protection, these documentaries provide vital clarity. They give voice to the silenced, dignity to the oppressed, and a call to action for the rest of us.
Watch them not as bystanders, but as witnesses.
**🎥 Watch now:**
- ### [*A Faith Under Siege*](https://www.youtube.com/@AFaithUnderSiege/videos)
- ### [*No God but Theirs*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zb7Tc58zLjU) by The Kyiv Independent
📖 [**Read more HERE** ](https://www.passingthrough.net/christianity-and-persecution-in-ukraine/ "Christianity and Persecution in Ukraine:")
and [**HERE**](https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/05/27/yes-tucker-ukraines-christians-are-dying-for-their-faith-no-the-killer-is-not-who-you-think/)
**💛**[ **Support the cause:**](www.passingthrough.net/donating)
Your support helps amplify voices the occupation tries to erase.
[ SUPPORT TODAY ](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating)
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** christian, faith in Ukraine, persecution, ukraine
---
### [Is It A Peace Proposal or Surrender?](https://www.passingthrough.net/is-it-a-peace-proposal-or-surrender/)
**Published:** June 3, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** While Russia bombards Ukrainian civilians, it drags out “peace talks” demanding Ukraine hand over territory, disarm, and silence itself. This is not negotiation—it’s blackmail.
**Content:**
Russia has finally released the contents of its so-called “peace memorandum”—but only *after* dragging Ukraine through weeks of delays, stalling tactics, and intensifying attacks. Unlike Ukraine and its allies, who’ve repeatedly offered a **30-day unconditional ceasefire** as a foundation for real negotiations, Russia continues to game the process, sending low-level delegates and producing demands that are eerily unchanged.
And those demands? They read less like terms for peace and more like a **script for Ukraine’s surrender.**
**What Russia Wants:**
- **Complete withdrawal of Ukrainian troops** from Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk, Donetsk, and Kherson (noting that they do not currently control all of these territories!).
- **Recognition of Crimea and Donbas and all of the above** as Russian territory.
- **An end to Western military support.**
- **Ukrainian neutrality, reduced military, and non-nuclear status.**
- **No reparations or compensation** for the destruction Russia has caused.
- **UN-approved peace treaty** overseen by a Security Council where Russia holds veto power.
- **Economic concessions**: restoration of gas transit and full trade ties.
- **Lifting restrictions** on the Moscow-affiliated Orthodox Church (a known haven for Russian spies).
- **Ban on glorification of Nazism**—a familiar smear Russia uses with zero credibility.
In short, **Russia wants Ukraine to disarm, hand over land, give up its sovereignty, and allow Russia to profit while continuing to threaten Europe.** They’re asking Ukraine to guarantee their own future defeat.
And in the background? Russia continues to launch **record-breaking attacks**, including waves of Shahed drones slamming into civilian areas, killing and maiming innocents.
This isn’t peace—it’s extortion.
**But Ukraine Isn’t Powerless**
While Russia played games at the negotiating table, **Ukraine made history** on June 1st. In a stunning military operation, $400 low-cost FPV drones took out a fleet of high-value Russian bombers worth billions. These bombers weren’t parked showpieces—they were being loaded for another mass missile assault on Ukrainian cities.
- These were **legitimate military targets**.
- The operation **prevented mass civilian casualties**.
- **No Russian lives were lost**, unlike Russia’s recent strikes that killed dozens.
Many of those bombers were part of Russia’s nuclear delivery capacity. Ukraine, with its limited tools, just made the [**whole world a little safer.**](https://www.passingthrough.net/a-century-of-russian-aggression/)
**The Long Arc**
History will judge not just the outcomes of this conflict, but how we responded when faced with clear moral choices. The Russian memorandum wasn’t a peace proposal—it was a demand for capitulation dressed in diplomatic language. Recognising this distinction isn’t about taking sides; it’s about understanding that some compromises don’t create peace—they merely postpone the next war.
As I write this, families across Ukraine are preparing for another night, uncertain what dawn might bring. Their resilience continues to illuminate truths about human dignity that no memorandum can extinguish. In their determination to remain free, they’re fighting for principles that extend far beyond their borders.
The weight of false peace is heavier than the burden of just resistance. Sometimes, the most compassionate response to demands for surrender is a quiet, firm refusal—backed by $400 drones that can change the world.
**What Can We Do?**
🇺🇦 **Support relief efforts** for civilians and medics on the ground:
👉 [www.passingthrough.net/donating](http://www.passingthrough.net/donating)
📢 **Raise your voice**:
- Demand your government close the loophole that allows refined Russian oil into Australian markets—**$5.5 billion** of our money has helped finance this war.
- Ask for more support to Ukraine and **less tolerance for Putin’s tactics**.
🙏 **Pray** for a *just peace*—not one dictated by the invader, but one that ensures long-term safety for Ukraine and the world.
Ukraine doesn’t need to fold. It needs the free world to stop flinching.
[ DONATE TODAY ](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating)
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** democracy, freedom, humanitarian, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, ukraine
---
### [A Century of Russian Aggression: It Must Stop With Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/a-century-of-russian-aggression/)
**Published:** May 28, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Russia has invaded over 30 countries in 150 years. From Ukraine to Chechnya, the brutality is ongoing—and unapologetic. Help Ukraine fight back today.
**Content:**
## What are you on about, Trump?
So after 25th – 27th May when Russia pummelled civilian cities and villages across Ukraine with record numbers of drones and huge numbers of missiles at a time when they are being asked to negotiate peace – this was what Trump put out on his social media.
Seriously. When I hear things like, “Oh, Putin’s gone crazy! He’s killing people now!” — as if this is some new development — I just sit there, gobsmacked. Like, hello? Where have you been for the past hundred years? Or even the past ten? This isn’t some sudden twist in the plot. This *is* the plot.
Putin didn’t wake up one morning in 2022 and decide to become the villain. He’s not a loose cannon who just started misfiring. And he certainly didn’t just start suddenly killing people a few days ago!!! He’s a calculated continuation of a system that has *always* used violence, lies, and brute force to suppress, subjugate, and erase entire peoples. Russia has been doing this — invading, massacring, erasing, exploiting — for more than a century.
Let’s just lay this out plain and simple:
## **Russia has invaded over 30 countries in the past 150 years.**
From the Tsars to Stalin to Putin, the methods have barely changed: invade, terrorise, install puppet regimes, wipe out opposition, and crush any identity that doesn’t serve the empire. Millions have died. Entire nations have lost generations. And for what? For power. For oil. For ideology. For the false glory of empire.
And before someone jumps in with the old, “But other empires did the same thing…”, yes — empires have existed throughout history. The British, French, Germans, Ottomans, Mongols — all guilty. But here’s the difference: most of them that survived, have, at the very least, *acknowledged* the atrocities. They’ve apologised. They’ve tried, however imperfectly, to reckon with their past. Russia? Not once. Not a single meaningful apology. Not a single real reckoning. Instead, they double down — glorifying Stalin, whitewashing Soviet crimes, and justifying new invasions as “liberation.”
## Here’s just a taste of the carnage:
- **Ukraine:** From the Holodomor famine that killed nearly 4 million in the 1930s to the full-scale invasion in 2022, with tens of thousands of civilians dead and cities like Mariupol flattened. And before that? The Ukrainian Revolution of 1917 was crushed under Bolshevik boots, and the dream of independence suffocated by Moscow’s grip. And before even that — under the Russian Empire — Ukrainian language, culture, and autonomy were systematically erased. Ukrainian peasants were exploited, Cossack lands absorbed, and national identity targeted for elimination.
- **Chechnya:** Flattened not once but twice — in the 1990s and early 2000s — by Putin’s forces, with entire cities like Grozny turned to rubble and tens of thousands of civilians dead or disappeared.
- **Syria:** Russian bombs have obliterated hospitals and homes. Thousands of civilians dead. Whole neighbourhoods vanished.
- **Georgia:** Invaded in 2008. Twenty percent of its territory is still under Russian military occupation.
- **Hungary, 1956:** Soviet tanks rolled in to crush a democratic uprising. Thousands killed.
- **Czechoslovakia, 1968:** Reformist hopes destroyed under the treads of Warsaw Pact tanks.
- **Poland, the Baltics, Romania, Afghanistan, Moldova, East Germany, Finland** — each one a chapter soaked in blood.
- **And I haven’t even started on all the other situations Russia gets involved in** – arming militias in Africa, stoking war in Sudan, training Hamas to commit atrocities, supporting Iran’s weapons industry… the list goes on…
This isn’t ancient history. This is now. This is ongoing.
And yet, here comes the USA — still winking at Putin, still hedging on sanctions, still making excuses. Acting like Putin is just a misunderstood statesman who got a little too emotional. Just a ‘great guy’ one could do some awesome business deals with.
### Enough already.
We don’t need more dithering. We need leadership. We need clear moral lines. We need action.
**Sanction Russia** like you mean it. **Stop buying Russian oil and gas** through middlemen. **Freeze the assets** of their cronies. **Arm Ukraine** with what it needs to defend its people and push invaders out.
### *Don’t just talk. Don’t just tweet. Stand for something.*
Because Ukraine isn’t just fighting for its survival. It’s fighting against *the entire machinery of tyranny that Russia has built over centuries*. And if we don’t help stop it now, it won’t stop on its own.
## 👉 Want to make a real difference?
1. **Write to your MP and ask your government to increase their support for Ukraine and close loopholes that fund Russian weapons.**
2. **Boycott products that still do business in Russia.**
3. **Find out if your preferred fuel outlet buys Russian oil via offshore refineries.**
4. **Support medical and humanitarian aid that goes straight to where it’s needed in a nation standing up to this evil.**
[ Make a TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TODAY ](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating)
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** democracy, freedom, humanitarian, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, ukraine, warzone
---
### [A new 'axis of evil'](https://www.passingthrough.net/a-new-axis-of-evil/)
**Published:** May 24, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Meanwhile on Russia’s relations with China, he said, “the level of our ties with China is at an all-time high”.
# The Emerging Axis of Evil: China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia
In the evolving landscape of global politics, a new “Axis of Evil” comprising China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia is increasingly coming into focus. This term, reminiscent of President George W. Bush’s 2002 State of the Union address where Iraq, Iran, and North Korea were labeled as an “Axis of Evil,” is now being used to describe the emerging geopolitical alignment of these four nations.
## Strategic Alliances and Military Cooperation
These countries have been increasingly cooperating in military and strategic affairs. Russia’s reliance on Iranian and North Korean arms shipments to support its war in Ukraine highlights this growing collaboration. Senior delegations from Russia and China recently met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, signaling deeper ties. This trilateral partnership, characterized as imperialist, sees each nation pursuing expansionist and dominance-seeking objectives.
## Political Rhetoric and Perception in the West
Prominent political figures in the United States, such as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and conservative commentators, have labeled this group as the new “Axis of Evil.” This reflects a growing concern in Western policy circles about the combined threat these nations pose.
## Challenges to U.S.-Led International Order
The alliance among these countries is seen as an attempt to upend the current U.S.-led international order. Their cooperation is viewed as a strategic move to counterbalance Western influence and power.
## Diverse Motivations and Goals
Each country in this group has its unique motivations and goals. China’s global economic and political ambitions, Russia’s desire to reassert its influence, Iran’s regional aspirations, and North Korea’s pursuit of security and international recognition drive their foreign policies.
## Impact on Global Stability
The alignment of these nations, each with significant military capabilities and differing ideologies, poses a complex challenge to global stability. Their actions and interactions could have far-reaching implications for international relations, security, and economic dynamics.
## The Risks of the Trilateral Imperialist Partnership
1. **Prolonged Conflicts**: Assistance from North Korea and China to Russia could extend the war in Ukraine, increasing humanitarian and economic costs.
2. **Enhanced Military Capabilities**: The partnership could serve as a testing ground for improving military strategies and technologies, making these nations more lethal in future conflicts.
3. **Simultaneous Wars**: The potential for these nations to start wars simultaneously could overwhelm the military capabilities of their adversaries, much like the Axis powers in World War II.
4. **Nuclear Threats**: The possession of nuclear weapons by these countries adds a grave dimension to any potential conflict, raising the specter of a global nuclear catastrophe.
## Countering the Threat
The U.S. and its allies face challenges in countering this partnership. Options include developing new military capabilities, imposing economic sanctions, and exploiting fissures within the partnership. Understanding future warfare, enhancing military preparedness, and strategic economic measures are crucial.
## Conclusion
The new “Axis of Evil” comprising China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia represents a significant shift in global power dynamics, challenging the existing international order and raising concerns about global stability and security. The motivations and actions of these nations will be crucial in shaping the future of international relations. The international community must carefully strategize to counter this emerging threat, balancing the need for deterrence with the risks of escalation.
Meanwhile on Russia’s relations with China, Putin said, “the level of our ties with China is at an all-time high”.
**Categories:** All things Ukraine
---
### [Bangladesh - Hope amongst suffering](https://www.passingthrough.net/picture-perfect-sunset-on-atlantic-ocean/)
**Published:** July 24, 2016
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
A couple of years ago I went on a life changing journey to Bangladesh on a clinical placement in tropical paediatrics ( kids medicine) as part of my Masters of Public Health. I wrote an extensive blog detailing my experiences but unfortunately thanks to the demise of Mobilytrip app including a two year period of providing no technical support beforehand I lost everything. Lesson learned – don’t rely on other people’s apps to save your precious travel notes!
Anyway I’d still like to share a little with you of what I personally observed of the amazing work Symbiosis does over there. [Symbiosis International](http://www.symbiosis-int.org/) were the hosts for our placement and are a fantastic charity that does seriously good charity work! They work with the poorest of the poor that others struggle to work with. They build up communities and families in a sustainable way that gives pride and meaning to people who had lost hope – giving them the means to support themselves. Truly inspiring!
In Bangladesh I saw a lot beauty. Beautiful village scenes…
Misty mountains
Vibrant markets
Colourful scenery
And beautiful people
   
But sadly I also saw unbelievable filth and poverty. In a main street in a major town close to the main hospital I see a man sifting through this pile of rubbish to find items to recycle for money.
This is the main government funded medical college hospital in a major town. The relatives have to wash the bed linen, they’re collecting the drinking water from a single well which unbelievably is right next to an open sewer running through the courtyard of a hospital – there was also an open sewer next to the kids ward – there is a long way to go in public health terms…
Life is hard for the poor children in Bangladesh. This beautiful smiling girl looks so gorgeous and happy. But she is at work, like the other street kids with her. They were probably aged from 6-12. They are sorting through bags of rubbish for recycling to earn an income. But it gets worse..
This is medical waste! Closer inspection revealed they were sorting through the hospital’s medical waste including needles and syringes with blood and other infective materials.
These gorgeous children were fortunate enough to have a place to go once a day for a meal thanks to ADRA. Clean clothes and some education before hitting the streets to collect rubbish or do other jobs for the equivalent of $1 a day. Our professor was a bit of a larrikin and he jokingly mentioned thru the interpreter that he was hungry and would like a bite and next thing these beautiful kids were all handing over their one meal for the day!! ( Of course he gave it all back!)
We also got to see some slums. This is desperate living. Land is such a scarce commodity and these people live in a river bed where a good wet season means having to move, there is no sanitation, no running water. They are seen as the lowest of the low and it seems that no one cares about them.
We’d walk around the slums and see children like this with all kinds of facial deformities and defects and illnesses that you would not see in Australia because they’d be fixed. There were many more but of course it would have been insensitive to take all their photos.
 
I got stared at a lot in the slums but I’m not sure why..It’s not like I stand out or anything…
Malnutrition is also a serious problem in Bangladesh. We saw so many cases of this like this skinny child- you can see the wasted small arms and body compared to the head, the baby with folds of skin where there should be chubby little arms, the severely wasted child: or this scrawny tiny baby -his mother was from a rural area and this baby suffered both from poverty and lack of education. No money for food and the mother had traditional beliefs about not breastfeeding at birth and her milk dried up and she couldn’t feed her anything but diluted rice water. Many more like her don’t even make it to hospital because they can’t even afford the transport there, let alone the fees.
   
I will never forget this little one. I know millions of children around the world are starving but to hear this child cry in pain as she was dying from malnutrition was almost unbearable. She was more malnoursiehd than she looks because her body is swollen in a severe form of malnutrition where the body’s tissues actually start breaking down. We visited her several times. Her mother had six children and told us through an interpreter that she made 150 taka a day which is like a couple of dollars. She didn’t have enough money for food. I saw her child’s paper and a bill was attached and simply entering the hospital had cost her more than a day’s wages. She was sacrificing so much for this child she clearly loved but had been unable to feed and it was likely to plunge her family deeper into poverty. It was such a desperate situation.
This little boy had damage to his vision from vitamin A deficiency because his family could only afford rice.
And then there are the families who can’t afford to access vaccines or don’t know about them through lack of education. Immunisation rates are improving rapidly in Bangladesh but there are still many of the poorest people who still do not access vaccinations. This little girl is dying of liver failure from hepatitis b- most at risk groups in Australia are vaccinated against this.
These children are suffering an agonising illness and may not survive – tetanus – part of our routine vaccinations and virtually never seen in Australia. The baby was in another more rural hospital that had virtually no staff or even medicines and he was stuck in an empty ward with no staff. We were told he would probably die. No vaccination and he’d got tetanus through an infected ear from swimming in dirty water and poor hygiene.
 
Many babies in Bangladesh die in the first few days of life because so many poor babies are born in villages with traditional birth attendants who are not trained in basic hygiene and dirty umbilical cord ties like this can cause fatal infection. This mother is nursing her baby who has just died from such an infection.
 
Hospitals and medicines are not the only answer – this is the main children’s ward in a major government hospital and there are four patients to a bed and hardly any health staff and basic equipment was lacking.
Just when it was getting to a point where we didn’t know how much of this we could bear to see, Symbiosis took us to some of their project villages.
The first thing we noted was how clean and beautiful the villages were – virtually no rubbish and everything was spotless. The kids looked so healthy and happy – they actually looked healthier than where I worked in Australia. They proudly showed their clean water well that had been tested for arsenic and marked green – safe to drink. Arsenic contaminated groundwater is a big problem in Bangladesh. The village had been trained in farming fish and had fish to eat and hatchlings to sell. They were happy to show off all the healthy vegetables they were growing and had training in composting and other techniques.The villagers gathered to meet us and thru the interpreter told us how since symbiosis had been working with them there had been a dramatic improvement in their health, virtually no children got sick any more, the women could read, they had incomes, they understood hygiene, they understand the importance of education and vaccines for their kids, and you could really see their kids had a better chance at changing the future. The traditional birth attendants had been trained by symbiosis and now found that virtually none of the babies dies and they knew when to take them to the hospital.
 
Then we went to another village where the children were being served kedgeree. This is a program where they teach the villagers to cook the nutritious rice dish with a balanced mix of veges and protein. They have been taught about nutrition and cooking by Symbiosis. We were offered some and our group who had almost all had the’ bangla belly’ were a little scared – we really hoped the symbiosis hygiene training had worked!! All of us had by now already had ‘Bangla Belly’ from the town food. We had to show our faith in it – it tasted great and none of us got sick from this. Again we got to see the beautiful veges they were growing introduced by Symbiosis.
   
We met a lady who had been part of a Symbiosis savings group and had been able to save the capital to start up a small shop business that was now supporting her family and her kids schooling.
This Symbiosis community library was amazing. These women came from rural areas where they are almost all illiterate. They had been taught to read by Symbiosis and were able to come here and read books on parenting, gardening, farming, politics, newspapers and so on. They talked about how empowering it was and how they now valued education for their kids. Some sand about how they had learnt to escape domestic violence This is how powerful social change starts from the grassroots.
  
Then in the desperate miserable slums we saw these rays of sunshine – Symbiosis supported preschools – simple dirt floor huts but these kids were getting an education. And reciting to us in English and Bengali!
One of the women’s savings group met with us in the slums and told us how they’d been able to buy the sewing machine and establish a business, another lady’s husband had been able to purchase his rickshaw business. They talked about how Symbiosis had changed their lives for the better.
  
Symbiosis showed us incredible hope in a what seemed like a hopeless place and hopeless situations. They were doing the stuff that really mattered – the things that prevented the dreadful misery we’d seen in the hospitals, the things that brought hope to the poorest of the poor and the least of the least.
I was inspired to support them in this amazing work and have been ever since – if you’ve been inspired too then you can make tax deductible donations to them through[ here. ](http://www.symbiosis-int.org/)
**Categories:** Asia, Bangladesh activities, Bangladesh Medical Mission, Giving Back
**Tags:** asia, bangladesh, charity, giving, poverty, travel
---
### [Medical Mission to Ukraine starting soon](https://www.passingthrough.net/medical-mission-to-ukraine/)
**Published:** March 24, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Our medical mission heads to Ukraine soon! Find out how you can support.
**Content:**
As you probably know, our medical mission will be heading to Ukraine in just a couple of days and by the time you read this we may even be there! We urgently need your help to make it, and future missions this year, a success. The dedicated team of experienced medical professionals will travel to Ukraine to offer critical medical care and hands-on training to local doctors and nurses. While the team is covering their own travel expenses, we require your support to fund essential logistics, medical equipment, and ensure that as many people as possible benefit from this life-saving education and care.
## Why this is so urgent
We leave for Ukraine **VERY SHORTLY** and we require your help ASAP. Your donation today will help make this mission possible.
The situation in Ukraine becomes more critical by the day but we do not give up hope – we go to share it. Healthcare professionals are on the frontline, giving everything they have to save lives. We’re reaching out today because we require your help to ensure that our mission can reach as many people as possible.
Every Gift no matter how small makes a difference!
[ DONATE NOW ](http://www.passingthrough.net/donating)
Donations are tax-deductible
## Can't donate right now?
Share our current campaign with your network and help spread the word. Share this post or this LINK https://chuffed.org/project/medical-mission-ukraine
## How we can make a difference
We are focusing on three critical areas:
- **Logistical efforts**: Ensuring medical teams have the resources they need to reach remote or hard-hit areas.
- **Medical equipment**: Supplying hospitals and clinics with the tools necessary to save lives and improve care.
- **Medical education**: Training and upskilling Ukrainian healthcare workers, including the volunteer doctors who run mobile clinics, empowering them to provide better care for their communities.
## Ongoing Impact
Our amazing, resilient Ukraine partners keep going and don’t give up – we won’t give up on them either. Regular, steadfast giving allows them to plan and make efficient use of every dollar. Please consider even the cost of a cup of coffee once a week or whatever you can afford. It means a lot to them. Donations are **100% tax-deductible**—so this is the perfect time to give.
[ DONATE HERE ](http://www.passingthrough.net/donating)
## Together we are more powerful than ever...
Together, we can offer hope and healing to a nation in need. Your donation will help provide life-saving resources to healthcare workers and those they care for. We truly believe that with your support, we can make a real difference in Ukraine.
- All donations are tax-deductible
- 100% of funds go towards mission needs and aid – no admin fees or wages
Thankyou for being a lifeline for Ukraine in this very difficult time…[](https://www.passingthrough.net/quick-updates-dispatches-no-2-on-the-third-anniversary-of-full-scale-russian-invasion/img_0524/)
[ DONATE TODAY ](http://www.passingthrough.net/donating)
**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Giving Back, Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** medical mission, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, ukraine
---
### [Medical Mission in Ukraine 2025 (3)](https://www.passingthrough.net/medical-mission-in-ukraine-3/)
**Published:** May 7, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Our medical mission treating ordinary civilians forced to become soldiers in Ukrainian villages, where teachers and farmers sleep in body armour to protect their families and children dream of air raid shelters.
**Content:**
**Military Base Clinic: Where Duty Meets Sacrifice**
**April 16th**
We headed off to conduct another clinic, this time at a military base where soldiers stay with their families. It’s crucial to understand that these “soldiers” are not all career military – they’re teachers, farmers, office workers, and tradespeople who have been thrust into war to defend their homeland. Our small caravan passed through a checkpoint, where after some discussion about our identities, we were allowed entry. The base’s clinic proved too small for our team, so they repurposed an old Soviet-era hall, complete with a stage once used for political speeches. Our makeshift examination booths were basic and cold, but we made them work.
The day brought a steady stream of ordinary civilians in uniform and their families. One woman’s story particularly moved me – she had joined the military after her husband and two sons were sent to the frontline. A former kindergarten teacher, she now wore fatigues instead of an apron. Despite receiving inadequate medical care previously, she expressed immense gratitude for our help. We exchanged patches – her chevron for my Australian patch – and sealed our brief but meaningful connection with a hug and photo.
Another patient turned out to be a highly decorated colonel who had retired a decade earlier but returned to service when the war began. In civilian life, he had been running a small business before choosing to return to protect his homeland. Now running a medic unit, he half-jokingly offered me a job. When I mentioned needing to consult my husband first, he laughed and said, “Bring him too, we’ll give him a rifle and send him to fight!”
Midway through our day, we broke for lunch, walking through a security gate with military escorts to reach the canteen. It was then I realised the two soldiers assigned to us weren’t just guides – they were keeping watch over us.
The emotional weight of our work became increasingly apparent with each patient. One woman kept looking between me and the translator, repeatedly saying how beautiful our smiles were and how our kindness lifted her spirits. We returned the compliment, noting her lovely smile too. She summed up our exchange perfectly: “So we helped each other feel good in these bad times.”
Then came a moment that will forever stay with me. A woman arrived with several physical complaints, but her demeanour – profoundly sad, verging on tears – spoke of deeper pain. Though she initially mentioned only her physical ailments, I felt compelled to ask if she was truly okay. Her response shattered my heart: she had just lost her son. Words failed me. Tears welled in my eyes as I simply reached out to embrace her.
There is so much pain…
The day stretched long. The hall remained cold, there was no coffee or tea available, and the medicine was difficult and draining. Yet I would have stayed longer if possible, just to help these people—teachers, farmers, shopkeepers, and office workers—sacrificing everything to defend their country and families against nearly impossible odds. They fight not out of hatred or nationalism, but from a desperate need to protect their loved ones from the unspeakable horrors that Russian occupation would bring.
One bright spot was connecting with my interpreter, another inspiring Ukrainian medical student. This remarkable young woman was nearly completing two medical degrees simultaneously – one in Ukraine and another in Italy. Like so many others, she volunteered her skills while maintaining her demanding studies. Chris observed that the Ukrainian life expectancy in 2022 was just 68 years – about fifteen years less than Australia’s – a stark reminder of the harsh realities facing this resilient nation.
We returned to the church where the local women had prepared another delicious dinner. As we stood together to express our thanks and say goodbye, they asked through our interpreter if we enjoyed Ukrainian food. When I praised its deliciousness, they responded with a sentiment that captured the soul of their culture: “It’s always delicious and always made with love.”
### Mobile clinic with Team Abide
[ Swapping patches at the military base clinic ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6671-1-1170x1423.jpg)
[ View from the village church ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6685-1170x647.jpg)
[ Another feast made by local Ukrainian ladies ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6679-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Sunset at a village church ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/dscn0479-1-1-1170x878.jpg)
[ Sunset at Roketyne church our meeting base for mobile clinics ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6682-1-1170x878.jpg)
[ Team car heading to mobile clinic ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6694-1-1170x878.jpg)
[ The last boxes from USAID which of course has now ended. ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/11403d6d-d365-449e-a19d-f2420d7e7d37-1-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Watching the sunset after a day of sharing people’s pain ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/27dd0734-f6ae-4acc-9b43-b6bea7bf4d10-1-1170x1560.jpg)
[ One of the students picked some daffodils for me… ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6698-1170x1560.jpg)
[ The team at the military base ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/db65fcb6-504f-49a9-97b2-b729d42fa78e-1.jpg)
**Villages, Hotels, and Journeys Between**
**April 17th**
Our morning pickup was delayed by two hours, so we didn’t leave until 10 AM. We bid farewell to our gracious host Yuri and climbed into a van for our journey to Korosten. The first stretch was particularly rough – a suspension-less van meeting bumpy village roads creates quite the experience! Despite the jolting ride, the scenery through fields and villages was breathtaking. I noticed a common sight: babusyas (grandmothers) sitting on benches at the front of their yards, watching the world go by.
After a few hours’ drive, we reached our hotel with enough time to rest, recuperate, and wash some clothes. The hot shower felt like luxury after days in rural settings. The army chaplain who drove us shared an unsettling detail – our hotel had once been a military barracks, so early in the war, Russians targeted it with a drone. They were using old Soviet maps that still marked it as an active base.
### Travelling to Korosten
[ We drove through areas that had seen some of the worst horrors early in the war ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6734-1.png)
[ Driving to Koresten ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6745-1170x878.jpg)
[ Remaining bunkers from when the Russians invaded into Kyiv region and preparation to protect ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6738-1170x878.jpg)
[ Cherry blossoms on the way to Koresten ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6743-1170x878.jpg)
[ Dragon's teeth anti-tank reinforcements ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6741-1170x878.jpg)
[ ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6747-1170x797.jpg)
[ Driving through Vorzehl - part of Bucha that had been under Russian occupation ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6735-1170x1529.jpg)
[ Driving to Koresten (window text says 'volunteer') ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6742-1170x992.jpg)
[ Freshly ploughed fields of spring ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6723-1170x789.jpg)
[ Every village cemetery has soldiers in it. ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6718-1170x778.jpg)
[ Dr Chris on the way to Korosten. ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6733-1170x878.jpg)
[ Village scenery ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6711-1170x838.jpg)
[ A bombed supermarket in Hostomel ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6914-1170x878.jpg)
[ Remnants of Russian attack damage in Hostomel 2022 ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6920-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Russian drone damage in Hostomel ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6917-1170x1560.jpg)
**A Collaborative Clinic**
**April 18th**
An early start today as we travelled nearly two hours to our clinic site near another military base, accessible to both locals and military personnel. We joined forces with a Taiwanese team, creating an impressive medical ensemble: two GPs (ourselves), a psychologist, a cardiologist, an acupuncturist, an emergency physician, a dentist, and an oral surgeon, plus equipment for ECGs, blood tests, and a pharmacy.
The morning began slowly but quickly gained momentum, with each patient seen by several specialists. My translator was another dedicated medical student with dreams of becoming a trauma orthopaedic surgeon working for the military. These Ukrainian medical students who volunteered as our translators were extraordinary – smart, funny, kind, and often volunteering with multiple organisations while pursuing their demanding medical studies.
Again, we encountered so many heartbreaking stories. Nearly every patient suffered from extreme stress, whether from serving on the frontline, having relatives in combat, experiencing displacement, or grieving losses. One man—a former accountant with three children—had survived brutal battles in Mariupol and was now fighting in Pokrovsk, just rotating out temporarily while still suffering from concussion and ear injuries. Others had fought or been injured during the 2014 invasion and returned to fight in this one.
What struck me most was how these weren’t professional soldiers but ordinary citizens of all ages who had taken up arms reluctantly. We frequently met people who had come out of retirement to fight, unwilling to let their sons and daughters face war alone. Grandfathers in their sixties stood alongside university students, united by their determination to protect their families from the horrors of occupation. Every soldier I met was just an ordinary person who, under normal circumstances, would never have chosen to hold a weapon. They fight not because they want to, but because the alternative—allowing the evil that comes with occupation to reach their families—is unthinkable.
One soldier—a former high school physics teacher—complained of chronic headaches and upper back pain. I wanted to demonstrate exercises to help him, but he explained that upon returning to the front, he would need to wear body armour sometimes 24 hours a day without breaks for such activities. “We sleep in our armour in the trenches,” he explained matter-of-factly, the normalisation of this extreme discomfort reflecting the immense suffering these ordinary people endure daily. Another man, a plumber in his previous life, wanted to quit smoking but wasn’t sure he could manage it. “Sometimes in the trenches,” he told me, “you are so freezing and there is no hot water. It feels like the only thing that will warm you up is a smoke.” How could I lecture him about quitting when this small comfort helped him endure as he faced death daily to keep the invaders away from his wife and children?
After another two-hour drive back to our hotel, I relished the simple luxuries – time alone to decompress, washing clothes in the bathtub, enjoying a hot shower, and using a normal toilet instead of the squat toilets common in the villages
### Volonsky and Korosten
[ Lisa from Taiwan team and Katya volunteer translator ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/39e8a08b-686a-4eb4-8abe-015fca931cf1-1.jpg)
[ Local volunteers fed the team great Ukrainian food! ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6792-1170x1560.jpg)
[ One of our makeshift mobile clinics ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6987-1-1-1170x855.jpg)
[ The historic hotel at Korosten ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6771-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Going for a walk in Korosten ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6752-1170x878.jpg)
[ ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6755-1170x878.jpg)
[ Village scenery around Korosten ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6782-1170x878.jpg)
[ Church in Korosten ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6753-1170x1560.jpg)
**Easter Weekend in Korosten**
**April 19th**
Today’s clinic was held in a church in Korosten, where we were again fed breakfast by church volunteers. We saw many locals, including military personnel and their families from surrounding villages and bases. Almost everyone was suffering from stress, grieving, or worried about loved ones on the frontlines.
The soldiers we treated—former shopkeepers, IT specialists, and factory workers—frequently complained of back and shoulder pain from the heavy gear they wore day and night. These weren’t people trained for the physical demands of warfare; they were ordinary citizens experiencing extraordinary physical and emotional trauma because they refused to surrender their homeland to invaders who threatened their families’ very existence.
We finished a bit early as fewer people came due to the Easter weekend. After taking photos and exchanging warm goodbyes, we waited for our ride to Kyiv. The chaplain who had been driving us everywhere engaged me in a conversation via Google Translate. We discovered our shared history – both having grandparents whose families suffered at the hands of Russia. He expressed his belief that “there will never be peace for Ukraine until Russia is finished.” History, sadly, supports his view.
I learned that his work as a military chaplain included aid delivery to stabilisation points 10-20 kilometres from the frontline. When I asked about my grandfather’s village near his operational area, he informed me it was just 10 kilometres from the front – not safe to visit. “The road to this area,” he added soberly, “is littered with burnt-out vehicles.”
We travelled back to Kyiv and waited at the train station. Just as we arrived, an air raid siren sounded. Our plan was to wait in McDonald’s – don’t judge me – for the power outlets and toilets, but armed police turned us away at the door as they close during air alerts. The train station was also off-limits. Interestingly, just twenty minutes earlier, Putin had announced an Easter ceasefire starting at 6 PM, and the air alert ended at 6:03 PM. Nevertheless, we heard that there had been air defence explosions a couple of kilometres away.
### Korosten Clinic
[ Swapping patches with Lisa from Taiwan and Army Chaplain Yura ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/8f99a48f-4912-4698-9fdd-72faac137311-1-1-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Dr Chris with a patient at the makeshift clinic ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6851-2-1170x878.jpg)
[ Local Korosten tv came to do some interviews ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/42e4aae3-1636-43ea-b7f7-37b9f6c04807-1-2-1170x908.jpg)
[ The Taiwan team joined us for this clinic ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/4ce7f4d6-1558-45b3-a52c-85fc552d2946-1-2-1170x878.jpg)
[ With mobile clinic coordinator Yuliana ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6888-1-2-1170x1560.jpg)
[ ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_5054.jpg)
[ Dr Lara and Dr Chris with clinic coordinators and psychologist ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6877-1-1-1170x1330.jpg)
[ With mobile clinic coordinator and student translator ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6893-1-2-1170x878.jpg)
[ With Katya my medical student translator ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6868-1-2-1170x1560.jpg)
[ With volunteer medical student translator for clinic ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6862-1-2-1170x1220.jpg)
[ Waiting for the next patient in the clinic set up in the local church ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6842-1-2-1170x878.jpg)
[ Reading the images a patient had had done but had had no treatment ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6986-1-2-1170x1466.jpg)
[ Makeshift clinic rooms ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/646b9f59-201e-4da7-8064-b47f6a7d3f69-1-2-1170x1246.jpg)
[ A soldier waits, like us, for air raid siren to be over so we can go into the station ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6921-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Just as we get in the station we are herded out again after another air raid siren ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6939-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Beautiful Kyiv train station ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6938-1170x1560.jpg)
### Easter in Lviv
[ Anita serves dumplings with Carpathian plum jam ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6962-1170x1069.jpg)
[ A transcarpathian feast made with love for Easter! ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6959-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Beautiful family of CMA president ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6969-1-1170x1076.jpg)
[ Dr Chris with Dr Rudi, CMA president and myself ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6971-1-1-1170x948.jpg)
[ Blossoms in Lviv ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_7056-1-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Lviv train station ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_7055-1-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Ihor from 1st Medical Battallion with Rudi, Dr Chris and I ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6955-2-1-1-1170x878.jpg)
[ Easter with Rudi and Anita ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6979-1-1-1170x878.jpg)
[ Traditional Easter Paska ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6965-1-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Easter Paska ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6948-1-1170x1560.jpg)
[ 1st medical battalion thanks our partner CMA Ukraine for support ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6954-1170x1560.jpg)
[ With Sgt Ihor from 1st Medical Battallion ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ae053c56-1f54-460e-8468-d103663909e9-1.jpg)
**Easter Sunday in Lviv**
**April 20th**
Our night train arrived in Lviv around 6:30 AM, and Rudi kindly met us to provide keys to Regina’s apartment. Though I’d planned to attend church with Rudi’s family, his son had been battling a high fever overnight, so those plans changed. Chris ventured out to experience an Orthodox Easter service at a local church while I rested, having barely slept on the overnight train.
By afternoon, Rudi reported his son was feeling much better, so the invitation to Easter dinner prepared by his wife Anita was back on. When Rudi came to collect us, we were pleasantly surprised to see Ihor with him – the same Ihor we’d met in Kyiv. He had been sent to the training base in Lviv and was organising preparations for his unit’s upcoming deployment back to the frontlines.
The Easter feast was magnificent – Anita, from a village in the Transcarpathians, treated us to traditional delicacies made with the finest local ingredients: homemade sausage, smoked pork, wild forest mushrooms in sauce, potato pancakes, elaborate salads, and herring. We savoured these favourites alongside traditional Easter bread called Paska and homemade steamed dumplings filled with a special “jam” made from Transcarpathian plums cooked for two days without sugar.
Everything was served at a beautifully arranged table on a sunny veranda, as the weather had improved to create a perfect spring afternoon. This made for a wonderful conclusion to Chris’s trip, as he was departing the next day. The experience was made even more special by discovering that his son-in-law came from a region near Anita’s home – giving him a personal connection to share when he returned home.
The only shadow over this lovely day was hearing how air raid alarms affect children. One of their kids’ friends was near a missile strike some time ago and now becomes extremely distressed with every air raid siren. Anita’s four-year-old son experiences air alarms at his kindergarten, where the children must shelter in stairwells. Most heartbreaking was hearing that when her son was feverish and half-dreaming during his recent illness, he reached out to her saying, “We have to go to the shelter.”
That should not be what a child dreams about…
*This is Part Three of my Medical Mission to Ukraine series. Through these stories of resilience and tragedy, I hope to bring awareness to the ongoing humanitarian needs in this war-torn region. Sign up [HERE](https://www.passingthrough.net/subscribe-to-blog-posts/) to receive future alerts on this series and others. Join me in supporting the Ukrainian people as they face unimaginable challenges with dignity and courage.*
[ Send Support Now ](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating)
**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** charity, humanitarian, medical mission, non-profit, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, ukraine, warzone
---
### [Medical Mission in Ukraine 2025 (4)](https://www.passingthrough.net/medical-mission-in-ukraine-4/)
**Published:** May 12, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Journey to Dnipro's frontline hospitals where neurosurgeons operate in rooms with blown-out windows, while ordinary citizens find moments of beauty amid the constant threat of drone strikes.
**Content:**
**Easter Monday and Beyond**
**April 21st**
Dr Chris headed off with his ride to Poland early in the morning. After such an intense week of clinics, I decided to take a rest day to catch up on work and planning. But around 10 AM, my body had other ideas as I was hit with vomiting and diarrhoea—not exactly the peaceful recovery day I’d envisioned.
In the background, news about Putin’s so-called “Easter ceasefire” continued to filter through. Despite his grand announcement, nearly 3,000 attacks, shellings, and drone strikes had occurred in the previous 24 hours. There hadn’t been any long-range missile or drone attacks during the nominal ceasefire, but they resumed almost immediately after it expired, even though Ukraine had asked for it to be extended for 30 days.
Reports indicated that Russian forces had simply used the brief 24-hour pause to move positions, resupply, and improve their tactical situation. This surprised absolutely no one here. As one Ukrainian friend put it, “No one here believes Russia has any genuine interest in peace. Their interest is in our land, our resources, and our elimination as a people.”
**April 22nd**
Thankfully, my illness proved to be just a 24-hour bug. I headed off to CMA office to do some work before catching my train to Dnipro, another day and a half journey that would deliver me to the south-eastern part of Ukraine in the early morning hours.
### Train to Dnipro
[ Train to Dnipro ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_7069-1-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Train to Dnipro ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_7123-1-2-1170x878.jpg)
[ Dnipro train station ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_7158-1-2-1170x940.jpg)
**Dnipro: Reality at the Front Lines**
**April 23rd**
Davyd (a neurosurgeon you can read more about in [**previous blog posts**](https://www.passingthrough.net/beyond-the-operating-room/)) kindly came to pick me up from the train with his close friend Vova. As we drove through the pre-dawn streets of Dnipro, Vova shared some hair-raising stories and photos, including images of their vehicles being hit by Russian drones.
Before the war, Vova was a professional musician living in Luhansk. When Russian forces took control, he and his family had to escape occupation. Now his son and the child’s mother live in the Czech Republic while Vova remains in Ukraine, unable to leave due to martial law restrictions on military-aged men. The pain in his voice was palpable as he explained he hasn’t seen his very young son for nearly a year and a half, their relationship limited to FaceTime calls.
I settled into the apartment Davyd shares with his brother Tim (and often Vova and others too). It was small but comfortable, and I quickly realised I’d been given Davyd’s room while the young men were piled into what might once have been a lounge. When I questioned this arrangement, Davyd explained simply, “Since the war began, my room has become the room of anyone who needs it.”
I’d offered to stay in a hotel, but they strongly advised against it. “Hotels, especially those where foreigners stay, are very often the target of drone strikes,” Davyd explained, his matter-of-fact tone highlighting how such extraordinary dangers have become ordinary considerations.
Davyd then took me to his workplace, Mechnykov Hospital—one of the largest facilities near the frontlines that receives many evacuated patients from war zones. Ambulances of various descriptions including camouflaged vehicles and MSF vehicles lined the driveway. As we walked in, he showed me missile damage from November 2024 that was still being repaired. I remembered that a missile hit his hospital the very day he had taken off to go to Kyiv for his medical exam for his visa to Australia for the upskilling we had arranged.
Our first stop was a meeting of department heads. The scene felt like something from an old Soviet-era movie—a very hierarchical system with serious senior doctors seated at a long table facing rows of subordinates. I was introduced to the hospital director, who gave me a warm welcome, having been informed of my visit.
### Hospital at Dnipro
[ Sunrise arriving into Dnipro ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_7159-2-1170x878.jpg)
[ With Dr Davyd at Mechnykov hospital ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_7165-1-1-1170x1560.jpg)
[ More bomb damage waiting to be repaired at the hospital ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_7253-1-1170x878.jpg)
[ Blown out windows from missile strike on hospital ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_7251-1-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Temporary walls and windows after missile damage ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_7252.jpg)
[ Bomb damage at the hospital ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_7250.jpg)
[ Temporary walls and windows after missile damage ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_7249-1.jpg)
**The True Cost of War**
The following days with Davyd revealed the brutal reality of this conflict. There were multiple wards full of comatose patients with various serious injuries and amputations—both military and civilian casualties. One woman was suffering brain injuries from a recent Russian bombing attack on a civilian bus. A baby-faced 20-year-old who had been in a car on his birthday during the latest strike had such severe damage to his brain that Davyd had to tell his parents he was unlikely to ever wake up.
Row after row of seriously ill and injured patients filled every available space—patients spilled into the hallways with even intubated individuals in corridors. Many had amputations and serious brain injuries. The nurses were each looking after ten patients. It was horrific. There’s simply no way they can provide the level of care that’s needed.
As Davyd had told me back in July 2023, “It’s the high price we are paying for freedom.” Now, he added, “And we are paying it every day since.”
Davyd’s frustration was evident as he said, “People who are dismissive of what Ukraine is going through need to come here and see our reality.”
Despite being run off his feet with immense pressures from staff, patients, and operating theatre demands, Davyd somehow found time to look after me and show me around. His time in Australia must seem like a distant dream to him now. There were still visible reminders of the rocket attacks on the hospital—windows boarded up, plastic instead of glass panels in the operating room.
He explained that most military trauma arrives at night because evacuation teams try to move under cover of darkness when they’re less likely to be targeted by Russian drones. Consequently, the night shift is extraordinarily busy.
**Medicine Under Fire**
I watched a brain surgery taking place in an operating theatre with blown-out windows from a previous bombing. During the procedure, I had an interesting conversation with the anaesthetist when I asked if it was Russian I heard her speaking. She reacted somewhat strangely.
“We speak Russian because of ‘tradition’,” she told me. She then added that only villagers spoke Ukrainian—a claim that immediately rang false to me. This was classic Russian propaganda implying that only uneducated peasants spoke Ukrainian. This narrative has been part of the Russian storyline since my grandfather’s times, and he wrote about it in his book. It’s actually not true—I heard more Russian in rural areas, or “surzhyk” (a slang mix of Russian and Ukrainian). The reality is that Russian is widely spoken in Ukraine because of centuries of occupation and repression by Russian overlords.
One of the nurses was having a birthday, so we were treated to a delicious lunch in the operating theatre tearoom, and then, to my surprise, alcohol appeared. They must have noticed my expression because they quickly assured me that those drinking weren’t operating anymore that day. That was true, but apparently, it’s acceptable for the anaesthetists to drink on the job! (To be fair, they didn’t overindulge.)
The anaesthetist was then having a very heated discussion with her teenage son while simultaneously adjusting a patient’s ventilation—her son was very upset at having lost a chess championship. Meanwhile, the head of the department was keen to show me his impressive fishing pictures from the Dnieper River.
Davyd later performed another brain surgery using a hand hole saw that he said he’d spotted in the Royal Brisbane Hospital museum during his [**visit to Australia.**](https://www.passingthrough.net/a-transformative-visit-ukrainian-neurosurgeon-davyd-staryk-in-australia/) He had jokingly asked his host if he could take the museum piece to use.
By evening, he had to rush off to perform another operation at a private hospital. By this time, my night of no sleep on the train had caught up with me, and I ended up crashing asleep in the staff rest room while he operated.
Later, over a lovely dinner, we had meaningful conversations about professional ethics. Davyd told me about a patient whose surgery he had insisted on taking his time with, despite pressure from colleagues, to ensure the best possible outcome.
### Medicine in war
[ windows blown out by blast wave are now plastic sheets in the OR ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_7182-1.jpg)
[ Dr Davyd operating in Mechnykov hospital ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_7225-3.jpg)
[ A ward in Dnipro with boards replacing missile damaged walls and windows ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_7178-1-1-1170x1110.jpg)
[ Windows in the operating theatre are now plastic sheets after missile strike damage ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_7204-1-1-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Staff tearoom birthday lunch Dnipro hospital ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_7213-1-1170x878.jpg)
**A Doctor with Heart**
**April 24th**
As we walked into the hospital the next morning, we ran into the very patient Davyd had told me about the night before. There he was, walking and smiling with his equally happy wife. Davyd gave them a hug, a heartwarming sight that speaks volumes about the kind of doctor he is. We took a photo together to capture the moment.
I praised Davyd for his skills, professionalism, and caring heart that had led to such a great outcome. In his usual humble way, he responded, “It’s all God. I am just tools in His hands.”
We conducted a ward round, again seeing beds stacked in hallways with ICU patients and nurses struggling to care for 8-10 high-needs patients each. For context, in Australia, the nurse-to-patient ratio for these cases would be 1:1 or 1:2.
Among the many sad cases, there were also some success stories, and the patients Davyd had operated on the previous day were looking good. It was interesting to observe the differences between the older doctors and Davyd in how they interacted with patients and families. Many younger doctors have told me they’re trying to move away from the “Soviet mentality” that has negatively affected a generation here.
The department head was eager to show me the damage from the rocket attack. It must have been terrifying for patients when windows were blown out and ceiling panels collapsed with people in the rooms. And this was after much of the damage had already been repaired. This was the rocket attack that occurred the day Davyd had to go to Kyiv for his visa medical examination for his trip to Australia.
Some wards were filled with seriously wounded soldiers and civilians from various Russian attacks and frontline action. One man had shrapnel lodged dangerously close to his carotid artery, presenting a difficult surgical challenge.
Throughout all this, I gained more insights into the immense pressures Davyd works under and the grace with which he handles them. Then it was off to the operating theatre again for another brain surgery.
### A Doctor with Heart
[ ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_7258-1170x878.jpg)
[ Dr Davyd at work ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_7171-1-1170x1560.jpg)
**Peace Plans and Reality**
All of this unfolded against the backdrop of news about “peace plans” being discussed internationally. It’s difficult to talk about these topics with Ukrainians because you don’t know who is emotionally able to discuss it and who is trying to avoid thinking about it too much for the sake of their mental health.
The geopolitical reality here is stark: Ukraine is an independent country that suffered an unprovoked attack by Russia. The Russians have committed countless documented war crimes that continue daily: rapes, torture, executions of civilians, executions of surrendering POWs, bombing civilian areas with banned weapons, targeting hospitals and homes, persecuting Christians, kidnapping and deporting children, erasing their identities, and brainwashing them.
I’ve met countless soldiers here. Nearly everyone was a civilian before this war and has simply taken up arms to prevent these atrocities from happening to their families should they come under occupation.
### Neverending attacks
[ This happened whilst I was in Dnipro and some of the victims came to the hospital ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_7168-1-1-1170x1253.jpg)
[ Just one of the shahed explosions that happened near Dr Davyd’s flat ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_7463-1-1.png)
[ Map of drone attacks one of the nights I was in Dnipro ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_7269-1-1.png)
**Water, Generators, and Life During Wartime**
I noticed stacks of large water bottles in both Davyd’s hallway and toilet, as well as in the hospital toilets and spare rooms. Davyd explained that they must always be prepared for power and water outages. This is also why all businesses have heavy-duty generators—these are no longer luxuries but necessities for survival.
That evening, we went for a lovely walk by the riverside with Davyd, his brother, and his best friend. Watching them stroll through the trees and along the beautiful park, you could momentarily think that nothing unusual is happening here—that everything is normal. Some uninformed visitors might even arrive, keep their eyes closed to reality, not talk to anyone, and share this superficial impression.
But it doesn’t take much to scratch below the surface and see the truth. As we walked, we passed a concrete shelter built for people to run to during drone attacks. Then we passed an apartment building with several sections missing—Davyd explained how they had “cut off” the damaged apartments to repair the structure after a missile strike. It was only a block away from his house, and I remembered him telling me about this attack, which I’d also seen on the news.
In front of the apartment stood a heartbreaking pile of toys—a monument to the children killed in this Russian strike.
Davyd spoke about how important these walks are for his wellbeing and mental health, how essential it is to just move among the trees and sit by the river to feel some moments of peace. I chatted with his friend, and despite the smiles and jokes, a tragic story unfolded. His brother was killed in Irpin in 2022 by invading Russians. He had been in an area that was occupied but managed to escape in the refugee exodus.
While in a refugee support centre, he heard about an opportunity to work with José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen. He ended up not only delivering food but also aid, driving ambulances, and evacuating elderly people from frontline areas. He showed me multiple videos and photos of FPV drone attacks on their vehicles.
Earlier that day, he had joined us for lunch and showed us footage of a rocket attack on their headquarters in Kharkiv that morning. Thankfully, no one had been in the kitchen when it was hit, but he looked visibly shaken. Of course, this incident didn’t even make the news, despite involving a famous global NGO.
As I looked out over the Dnieper, I thought of the images I had dreamed about this river throughout my childhood as my grandfather spoke of the beautiful Dnieper River immortalised in Shevchenko’s poems.
### Peace and Pain
[ Another attack in the region whilst I was there ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_7377-1170x878.jpg)
[ An apartment block hit by a missile was just cut off and concreted ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_7328-scaled.jpg)
[ Toys left as a monument to children killed in the missile strike in apartment behind ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_7331-scaled.jpg)
**Anzac Day in Ukraine**
**April 25th**
This date in Australia is Anzac Day, and it wasn’t lost on me that the fight against tyranny and for our values of freedom that we commemorate on this day is being played out right now in Ukraine. Even some Australians and New Zealanders are fighting here, and several have lost their lives in this conflict.
The morning handover once again revealed neurosurgical injuries from Russian attacks, including those suffered by civilian women. Hospital staff dynamics were tense—people are tired, nerves are frayed, and there’s a desperate need to clear beds to make room for the next wave of patients.
I was impressed with the kindness and graciousness that Davyd maintained through all of this. At his private hospital, he performed spinal surgery on a young woman, and it was wonderful to see that many techniques he’d learned in Australia were helping his very grateful patients here.
It was also evident, as I was introduced to many colleagues and former teachers, how well-respected Davyd is among those with good values. He is genuinely liked and respected by his peers.
In the evening, we went to their church for band practice ahead of an upcoming weekend event. It was soothing to listen to their beautiful music. Many musicians spoke about how playing helped calm their souls during these troubled times. At first glance, they looked like any other (highly talented) youth band—but then I realized that some of the people playing were neurosurgeons operating on bomb-damaged brains, people who evacuate others from frontlines under drone fire, people whose family members had been killed fighting in this war. And those were just the stories I knew. It’s a powerful reminder to never make assumptions until you’ve listened to people’s stories.
### Anzac Day and the fight continues
[ Anzac Day ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_7309-1170x1463.jpg)
**Weekend in Dnipro**
**April 26th**
Davyd had to see patients this Saturday morning at his third job! His brother Tim kindly took me to the local farmers market for the apartment blocks, which was a delightful experience. Despite it being early spring, there was already produce available, along with meat, sunflower oil, and plenty of dairy products like homemade cheeses, kefir, raw milk, and fresh cream.
We purchased some breakfast items, including a cheesecake made with the “first milk of the cow,” as well as delicious homemade sausage. There was also honey and dried fruits available—a surprising bounty given the circumstances.
Then we headed to their church for more band practice. I spoke with their pastor, who expressed deep gratitude to anyone supporting Ukraine or speaking truth about the situation. He emphasised, however, that they encourage Ukrainians not to expect anything from outsiders—to be self-sufficient and to understand that for many people, this war will seem distant. “Support is needed and incredibly appreciated,” he said, “but we are careful not to expect it.”
I noticed a construction project underway at the church. It wasn’t for a new children’s area or community centre—it was for a new bomb shelter.
The pastor shared stories from the beginning of what he called “the acute phase of the war,” reminding me that this area is not far from where Russia invaded in 2014, meaning they had already endured a decade of conflict. Refugees flooded to them from the second day of the full-scale invasion. “They were in the courtyards, in my office, on every part of the church floors,” he recalled.
Like churches in western Ukraine I visited last time, they fed, clothed, provided medical care, and helped refugees travel further to safe havens in the West. Many people told him they had had the impression that Protestants in Ukraine were a dangerous sect, but their experience had been their first encounter with “real Christians.”
One lady who had lost everything in occupied Luhansk came back to them with 100 hryvnias—all she had (about $3 Australian dollars). She kept insisting on giving it, so the pastor finally suggested, “How about you find someone worse off than you and help them?” She liked that idea.
The pastor pointed to his brother walking past and explained he was from Berdiansk and had been under Russian occupation for two months before finding a way to escape. “It was imperative,” he said, “because it is impossible for Christians to live under occupation. All the Protestant churches are closed down, they are persecuted, some have been killed or tortured, and they are not allowed to use the Ukrainian language.”
Several congregation members are fighting at the front, and some have been killed. The pastor’s own son fought during the first two years in some terrible battles and now has health problems that led to his discharge.
In the evening, I joined Davyd, Tim, and Vova as they played in their church band for a youth event. We also had a Bible study, and some young people eager to practice their English translated for me.
One young woman I sat with during the study mentioned she was praying about what she should do and where she should go. When I asked about this, she confided that she no longer feels safe in Dnipro and is considering leaving the country.
She described a shahed drone hitting just 300 meters from her home. She couldn’t go outside to help immediately because she’d recently had surgery, but when she finally ventured onto her balcony, she could hear the screams of people around her. “I still hear the sounds of the drone coming in to hit the building,” she said, her demeanour completely changing as she spoke. This previously bubbly, chatty young woman began shaking, her hands fidgeting as she flushed with emotion. The trauma was clearly still raw and present.
As we headed back to the apartment, Tim started feeling unwell. By the time we reached the building entrance, he was vomiting. I suspected it might be related to his keto diet and not having eaten all day.
### Markets
[ Fresh milk, cream and farmers cheese at the local farmers market ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_7465-1-1-1170x878.jpg)
[ Sunflower oil and veges sold at farmers market ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_7467-1-1170x878.jpg)
[ Home smoked duck and pork sausages at farmers market ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_7468-1-1-1170x1230.jpg)
[ The weekly farmers market near Dr Davyd’s apartment ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_7469-1-1170x1237.jpg)
**Sunday Service and Family Connections**
**April 27th**
Poor Tim continued vomiting all night, so Davyd decided to take him to the hospital. The rest of us headed to church for a youth service featuring some magnificent musical performances, including a choir, band, and string quartet.
A kind man volunteered to translate the service for me. He had escaped from Russian occupation in Luhansk, losing everything, but expressed gratitude that he had come to Dnipro because here he met his wife. The pastor’s message centred on being thankful for blessings even during wartime.
He mentioned their military chaplain, whom they wanted to visit but had to meet halfway because the risk of drone attacks was too great where he was stationed. Almost as an aside, he mentioned that the explosions I’d heard about in the city on that morning’s news feed had hit next to his apartment block—but he’d slept through it!
Davyd later had to do more patient consultations, and Vova prepared chicken soup for Tim, who was still in the hospital. Meanwhile, I caught up on work and correspondence.
I heard from contacts in other cities we’d visited that they had been under shahed and rocket attacks, but thankfully they were okay. One pastor had his windows blown out but suffered no injuries.
Davyd casually asked if I’d heard the explosion the previous night. Apparently, it had occurred somewhere nearby (which I later confirmed in online reports), but he hadn’t paid much attention. Meanwhile, I continued my reputation for being able to sleep through missile and shahed drone explosions!
That evening, we were invited to dinner with Davyd’s older brother Mark and his wife Daria. They treated us to a meal at a beautiful riverside restaurant—a generous gesture. They had an adorable little boy, and it was lovely to meet them. They enjoy traveling, but because of war restrictions, Mark cannot leave the country; only Daria can travel.
Mark is also a surgeon, specialising in paediatric (children’s) maxillofacial procedures. He showed me some recent surgeries he had performed on Russian bombing victims, including a young girl with large pieces of shrapnel in her neck. So tragic.
**Final Days in Dnipro**
**April 28th**
I had some quiet conversations with Davyd as we prepared more soup for Tim, who was still unwell in the hospital. Davyd had taken a rare day off, and I was glad to see him rest, as he had endured such a hectic week and appeared very tired. It was good to see him able to sleep in.
Davyd shared that during the first year or so of the war, he did not have a reservation from mobilisation despite being a military surgeon in a major hospital. This meant he could be picked up from the street at any time to join the army, so he would go nowhere except between home and work. Now, thankfully, he has a reservation, as he regularly operates on military personnel and saves many lives, making him more valuable in his current role.
We did some shopping, and while Davyd ran errands, I made chicken soup for Tim, hoping it would be something he could eat and keep down. After delivering this to Tim, we visited a park with 80-year-old Sakura cherry trees. Davyd explained they were originally from Japan during Soviet times but were grafted onto local cherry trees because the climate here was too cold for pure Japanese varieties.
Following a pleasant walk around the city, Davyd showed me his medical school. The building was lovely but seemed almost deserted. Davyd wondered if this might be a consequence of more classes moving online, first due to COVID and then because of the war. He pointed out a student residence that had been hit by bomb debris.
After enjoying pizza for lunch, we strolled along the river, spotting beautiful ducks, tulips, churches, and people fishing. Sadly, we also passed many dusty, closed-up restaurants and riverside coffee shops—casualties of the war’s devastating impact on tourism. Davyd showed me some of Dnipro’s iconic landmarks. His kindness in playing tour guide was touching, and I also thought it provided him a good opportunity to take a mental break from his demanding work.
We caught a marshrutka, which is called a share taxi but is really more like an old-style minibus. There was no ventilation or air conditioning, and it was packed tight. We held on as best we could. At each stop, more people boarded, even when it seemed physically impossible to fit anyone else. Nobody was deterred—people crammed in at every stop, literally bulging out the door.
Some passengers had been pushed further into the bus without having paid, so people started handing cash down the line to pass to the driver. Before I understood what was happening, someone was handing me money, and I thought, “Why is this guy giving me cash?!” Apparently, this is standard procedure. All I could wonder was how on earth someone sitting at the back would get off when their stop came up. Quite an experience!
When Vova finished his studies for the day, he picked us up with a surprise in mind. The young men took me to a beautiful spot in nature by the Dnieper River—their “secret happy place” where they went for peace and recharging. (Although they also showed me a video of a night they went there when Russian rockets were being shot down just across the river from them!)
The scene was truly breathtaking and peaceful. The sun setting, birds gliding past, cormorants diving, and insects buzzing created a tranquil tableau. Wildflowers and wild onions dotted the landscape. What made it even more special was that I had grown up with romantic images of this place from my grandfather, who often spoke of the beautiful Dnieper, the fishing, and its celebration in the poetry of Taras Shevchenko.
As we drove through fields of rich black Ukrainian soil, we passed a pickup truck with a Browning gun mounted on the back, manned by soldiers. Their job: to shoot down shahed drones coming from the east or south before they could hit the city. It was a sobering reminder that our peaceful outing was possible only because of their vigilance.
On the way back, the young men reminded me that taking photos of military installations is a criminal offense—including vehicles like the one we’d seen. One could be accused of identifying targets for Russian forces.
They asked about my next destination and advised me not to stay in a hotel anywhere. “Hotels get regularly targeted,” they explained, “especially if they have foreigners visit or have ties with NGOs.” Vova recounted how his NGO had made an agreement with a hotel he was staying in, and three days later, that hotel was hit with a missile. “It’s a fairly regular occurrence,” he said matter-of-factly, explaining why I had mostly been accommodated in churches or private homes.
### Dnipro
[ Dr Davyd's brother Dr Mark with wife Daria ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_7594-1-1170x974.jpg)
[ River Dnieper ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_7828.jpg)
**Farewells and Looking Forward**
**April 29th**
My time in Dnipro was coming to an end. There were heartfelt goodbyes and thank-yous exchanged. Davyd and I prayed together, and I expressed my deep gratitude for his exceptional hospitality. He kindly offered to post my grandfather’s book to Lilia at the museum in Velykomykhaivka—my grandfather’s village, which is still too close to the frontline to safely visit. “One day,” I promised myself, “I will go there and sign the book in person.”
Vova again generously offered to drive me to the bus station along with Davyd. Tim was still in the hospital. Vova was wearing his military jacket with spaces for patches—the perfect moment to give him the kangaroo army patch I had brought as a small token of thanks.
His reaction was both surprising and heartwarming. He clutched it to his chest with genuine joy, saying it was the best gift he could receive and would be a special memory. He immediately attached it to his jacket.
As I prepared to leave Dnipro, I reflected on the extraordinary people I’d met—ordinary citizens living through extraordinary times with courage, resilience, and even joy despite the constant threat of violence. Their stories will stay with me forever, as will my commitment to sharing their reality with the world.
### Leaving the land of black banners
[ Dr Davyd wearing shirt of my grandfather’s book set in his region ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_7600-1-1-1170x1170.jpg)
[ Davyd wears the shirt of my grandfathers book set in his region ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_7602-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Vova loves his Aussie patch! ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_8336-1.jpg)
*This is Part Four of my Medical Mission to Ukraine series. Through these stories of resilience and tragedy, I hope to bring awareness to the ongoing humanitarian needs in this war-torn region. Join me in supporting the Ukrainian people as they face unimaginable challenges with dignity and courage.*
[ PLEASE SUPPORT NOW ](https://example.com/)
**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** charity, humanitarian, medical mission, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, ukraine, volunteer, warzone
---
### [Medical Mission in Ukraine 2025 (5)](https://www.passingthrough.net/medical-mission-in-ukraine-2025-5/)
**Published:** May 14, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** From dragon's teeth tank barriers to mothers whose babies babble "tato" to fathers on video calls from the frontline, my final week in Ukraine reveals resilience behind everyday smiles.
**Content:**
## **Silent Witnesses of War**
**April 29th – Kryvyi Rih**
As my bus pulled away from Dnipro, we passed a concrete plant where the main product appeared to be “dragon’s teeth” – concrete triangular blocks designed to halt advancing tanks. Just when a pleasant outing might momentarily allow you to forget there’s a war raging, you encounter another military checkpoint, complete with bunkers and trenches dug into surrounding fields, Czech hedgehogs scattered through some poor farmer’s wheat.
The landscape itself bears witness to Ukraine’s reality – a country simultaneously trying to live and prepare for death. These silent sentinels of concrete and metal reminded me that normality here is merely a thin veneer over a nation in existential struggle.
I disembarked from the bus in Kryvyi Rih to find Iryna waiting for me, wearing her “JOY” t-shirt and a smile that genuinely shone like the sun. Seeing her again brought an immediate lift to my spirit. She possesses a rare quality – someone whose inner light remains undiminished despite the darkness surrounding her.
She drove me to her apartment where I would be staying. The last time I sat in her kitchen was with Andriy, who translated for us (you can read about him in earlier posts) and who has since gone to war, suffered terrible injuries, and lost a brother. I vividly remember sitting in this very kitchen as he explained that the sounds we were hearing were Shahed drones being shot down overhead while air raid sirens wailed.
Now, Iryna speaks a little English, and I know a small amount of Ukrainian. Between that and Google Translate, we managed to have surprisingly deep, meaningful conversations that felt precious in their authenticity. Language barriers fell away as we connected on a human level about things that truly matter.
We met with Pastor Oleg, his wife, and military chaplain Sveta. Reconnecting with them brought joy as they shared updates about the [**villages I had visited previously**](https://www.passingthrough.net/journey-into-ukraine/ "A Doctor’s Harrowing Journey into Ukraine"). Things were gradually improving – rebuilding efforts were underway, people were becoming involved in the village church that had been established, and this dedicated team continued serving the communities.
Iryna’s work with children and teenagers in the four Kherson-area villages has flourished. The number of children has grown substantially, not only from residents returning home but also from families who have fled occupied or destroyed villages seeking relative ‘safety.’ They’ve established a kindergarten, though they still need more equipment. Each week, they visit these communities to conduct children’s programs and educational activities, with special attention given to teenagers. They have three summer camps planned for hundreds of kids across different sites.
Yet behind this inspiring work lurks a sobering reality. Iryna is increasingly stressed about how to plan these activities while minimising risks. This region has come under escalating targeted FPV drone attacks – what locals grimly call “human safari.” ( read more about this [**HERE**](https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2024/10/11/terrifying-human-safari-in-kherson-as-russian-drones-hunt-civilians/)) Her deep concern about a group of children potentially being targeted weighs heavily as she contemplates how best to manage this unthinkable risk, if at all.
Olga, a volunteer with the church and an English teacher, joined us for lunch and kindly translated. As she showed me her Instagram to connect, we realised I had already been following her – one of those small coincidences that somehow feels significant in a world where connections matter more than ever.
### Reconnecting in Kryvyi Rih
[ ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_6294-1170x878.jpg)
[ bunkers pop up everywhere ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/31e50b81-7858-4d4f-a369-1f97dfe62cc5-scaled.jpg)
[ Ira from Banner of Love church (Fortress of Good NGO) ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_7875.jpg)
[ Last time I sat at this window a Shahed drone was being shot down in the sky above ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_7900-scaled.jpg)
[ Ira from Kryvyi Rih gets a new friend ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_7840-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Ukrainian style breakfast with coffee in a Crimean tartar cup ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_7838-scaled-1170x878.jpg)
[ Having to buy drinking water since Russians destroyed their dam and water treatment ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_7836-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Some of the team from Fortress of Good NGO (Banner of Love church) ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_7862-1-1170x878.jpg)
[ A gift from Pastor Oleg ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_7852-scaled-1170x1189.jpg)
## **Behind Every Smile, A Story**
**April 30th**
The next morning, Iryna took me to a women’s breakfast she organises for ladies from her church. I recognised many of these wonderful women from the camp in July 2023. They seemed surprised that I remembered them, perhaps unaccustomed to being truly seen in a world that often turns away from Ukraine’s ongoing trauma.
Standard conversation in Ukraine now follows a pattern: casual mention of where the drone hit the building just down the road, followed by personal impacts. Iryna confided that every time she hears a loud bang or something resembling a Shahed drone, her pulse quickens and stress overwhelms her. Like many Ukrainians, she was profoundly affected by a recent missile strike that hit a playground in an apartment complex, killing many children.
I’ve noticed even more on this visit how deceiving appearances can be. Ukrainians are incredibly stoic and determined to maintain some semblance of normality. At times, you might almost forget there’s a war raging. But scratch just beneath the surface, and all the trauma and stress emerges – war is omnipresent in their lives, even when invisible to casual observers.
Looking at these women gathered for breakfast, an outsider might think, “Life seems normal in Ukraine.” They do a round-table sharing of something they’re thankful for – a beautiful practice of gratitude amid devastation. One woman expressed gratitude for seeing her husband for a single day; he’s at the front and received one day’s leave to meet her. During our gathering, two women received video calls from their husbands in army uniforms. One held a baby on her lap who babbled “tato” (daddy) upon seeing his father on the screen – a father heading back to war.
Iryna, sitting beside me, has a brother fighting at the front. Her parents live in Sumy, perilously close to the frontline, under constant rocket shelling. “This is our land,” they insist, refusing to relocate. It causes her endless stress that they won’t even seek shelter in the cellar during active shelling.
Most women at this table travel hours weekly to help villages destroyed by Russian bombs, providing support to traumatised families. As we sat there, soldiers came and went from the café – some likely to die before year’s end, leaving children fatherless and wives widowed. I wondered how many of these women managed to sleep through the night despite several air raid sirens that had sounded. Yet if I posted these cheerful breakfast photos on social media, people would inevitably claim they prove Ukraine isn’t suffering.
After packing up, Iryna took me to the train station. I had a small language mishap where I told her my train place was “forty” not “four” (mixing up my Ukrainian numbers). This sent her into distress about how uncomfortable my journey would be, and she frantically tried to sort out my ticket. Eventually, she looked at my ticket and realised I actually had a comfortable cabin, not the open-seating carriage she feared would make my 18-hour journey unbearable.
While waiting with coffee, we watched soldiers coming and going – saying goodbyes, packing equipment into pickups, likely heading to places from which they might never return. Iryna showed me video her brother had sent from the frontlines: a KAB bomb exploding near their dugout, setting everything ablaze. After witnessing that horror, she asked an NGO to help provide fire extinguishers for her brother’s unit. The everyday realities of this war continue to shock me, even as Ukrainians discuss them matter-of-factly.
As my train departed, I settled in for the journey, grateful for time to enjoy the countryside and catch up on work and sleep while processing everything I’d witnessed.
"We go to bed each night not knowing if we will wake up.... But we don't give up..."
Iryna
Banner of Love church
### Kryvyi Rih
[ Kryvyi Rih ladies at breakfast ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_7942-1170x878.jpg)
[ Typical apartment blocks that are regularly targeted by Russian attacks ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_7897-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Kryvyi Rih streets ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_7843-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Vegetable markets set up at apartment blocks ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_7846-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Talking to her husband who is fighting in the army ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_7896-scaled-1170x1059.jpg)
[ Local Dnieper fish brought for sale to apartment blocks ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_7847-1170x977.jpg)
[ Ira showing me her brother who is at war... ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_7909-1170x1560.jpg)
[ After saying "Each night we go to sleep not sure if we'll wake up".... "But...." ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_7912-1170x1560.jpg)
[ My favourite Ukrainian brekky ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_7856-scaled.jpg)
**Return to Lviv**
**May 1st**
I arrived in Lviv around 4:30 AM and made my way out of the train station. The combination of darkness, checking my phone, and extremely uneven pavements nearly sent me sprawling. Thankfully, I caught myself before injury ensued – only my dignity suffered mild damage. I stopped for coffee, figuring it would be more considerate to arrive at the apartment around 5:00 rather than 4:30, only to receive a call from Regina asking my whereabouts because she was already awake waiting for me!
After a shower and a couple hours’ sleep, I enjoyed a beautiful breakfast Khrystyna had prepared. Then it was off to a leadership meeting with CMA to debrief about the month’s activities and plan for the future. Following lunch, we headed to the warehouse for a meeting with the mobile clinic team to gather feedback and develop plans. All in all, a productive day with an energetic, bright, and open-minded young team whose dedication continues to inspire me.
### Lviv
[ A beautiful breakfast lovingly prepared by host Khrystyna ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_8004-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Brainstorming at CMA meeting ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_8008-1170x878.jpg)
[ Classic Ukrainian food! ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_8010-1170x1560.jpg)
## **Brief Respite**
**May 2nd**
I finally had my first half-day to myself after weeks of intense work. I walked into town, savoured a nice coffee at a café, and did a quick bit of shopping – small pleasures that felt luxurious after the emotional intensity of recent weeks.
Later, I met with Khrystyna and Yuri to record a video interview and one of my lectures, as they’d received numerous requests from students unable to attend in person. The hunger for medical knowledge despite wartime conditions speaks volumes about Ukrainian determination to build for the future even as the present remains under attack.
That evening, Regina surprised me by booking an art session for a relaxing evening – a thoughtful gesture that allowed creative expression to process all I’d witnessed. As we painted together, creating something beautiful amid a landscape of destruction felt like its own small act of defiance.
### Lovely Lviv
[ Monument to Stepan Bandera in Lviv ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_8050-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Church in Lviv ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_8053-1170x1560.jpg)
[ streets of Lviv ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_8038-1170x1560.jpg)
[ Produce shops are common ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_8042-1170x878.jpg)
[ Monument to Taras Shevchenko ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_8033-1170x878.jpg)
[ Coffee and cake in Lviv ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_8039-1170x878.jpg)
## **Training Future Lifesavers**
**May 3rd**
Dawn arrived and the Save A Life team picked me up for their tactical medicine and first aid training session. Today’s participants weren’t medical professionals but ordinary citizens—soon-to-be soldiers preparing for deployment to the frontlines in just two weeks. A hollowness filled my chest as I observed this diverse assembly of kind faces, young and old alike, knowing where they would soon be applying these critical skills.
Among the trainers was a cardiologist whose life had taken an unexpected turn. En route to an interventional cardiology course, he was intercepted by the mobilisation team and conscripted into military service. Despite his medical expertise, he had initially been destined for infantry deployment but managed to secure officer training that would allow him to utilise his medical skills in the military. Now, alongside other volunteers, he dedicates himself to providing this tactical medical training to civilians thrust into combat roles.
The training team included Alyna from CMA serving as manager and instructor, alongside Tania whom I’d met earlier in my trip to Lviv. A neonatologist named Dima had generously volunteered as my translator for the day. Alyna had specifically requested my feedback on their training methods from an Australian medical educator’s perspective, positioning me as an observer rather than a participant.
The atmosphere was understandably solemn as everyone present contemplated the harsh reality of where these skills would soon be tested. Yet even in this setting, humanity’s irrepressible spirit surfaced unexpectedly. During a scenario where trainees were instructed to assess an “unconscious” buddy’s responsiveness by asking a question (typically something like “Andriy, can you hear me?”), one of the many heavy smokers in the group leaned over his “patient” and asked with complete seriousness: “Do you have Marlboro cigarettes?” The moment of levity rippled through the room, a brief respite from the weight of their imminent future.
The training facility itself revealed much about the conditions these citizen-soldiers would soon face. They slept in basic camp accommodations, and lunch—which we shared together—consisted of simple fare served in personal mess kits that each person brought along. The stark utilitarian environment stood in stark contrast to the sophisticated medical training facilities I was accustomed to back home, yet the quality of instruction and seriousness of purpose were no less impressive.
As I observed each demonstration and practice session, I found myself cataloguing feedback while simultaneously processing the profound emotional weight of what I was witnessing—civilians from all walks of life preparing for the unimaginable. My professional assessment of teaching methodologies couldn’t be separated from the human reality before me: a cardiologist who should be saving hearts in a hospital was instead teaching tourniquet application to shopkeepers and students who should never have to use such knowledge.
Looking into their focused faces, I saw determination overlaying fear, courage wrestling with uncertainty. These weren’t soldiers by choice or profession—they were Ukraine’s citizens answering an existential call. The training wasn’t theoretical; for them, it represented the thin line between life and death, not just for themselves but for their comrades who would soon depend on them in moments of crisis.
As the day concluded and I shared my observations with Alyna, I struggled to maintain professional detachment. How do you clinically evaluate training methods when you know the stakes are so desperately high? My feedback focused on technical aspects—communication techniques, skill reinforcement, retention strategies—but privately, I carried the weight of fifteen faces I might never see again, whose lives might depend on what they learned today.
### Save A Life training by CMA team
[ Techniques in helping a wounded colleague under fire ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/DSCN0654-1170x878.jpg)
[ demonstrating tacmed ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/DSCN0721-1170x1064.jpg)
[ Teaching how to pack bleeding wounds ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_8314-1170x878.jpg)
[ Lunch in the soldier's mess ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_8223-1170x658.jpg)
[ With part of the Save A Life team heading out to military base ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_8373-1170x527.jpg)
[ Save A Life training team ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_8168.jpg)
## Faith, Farewells, and the Long Journey Home
**4–6 May**
On my last Sunday in Ukraine, Regina invited me to her church—a gesture that led to one of the most touching experiences of the trip. Without telling me, she had arranged for the congregation to prepare for my visit. Song lyrics were translated into English, a translator stood ready to interpret the service, and each hymn included one verse sung in English. I was moved beyond words. In return, I honoured their effort by stumbling my way through the rest of the service in Ukrainian, to the quiet amusement and graciousness of those around me.
The sermon was profound, and I was grateful for warm conversations afterwards with English-speaking congregants. Among them was Milana from the Christian Medical Association, who shared with me the haunting story of her four-year-old son. Since a missile had struck near their home, he has lived in constant fear of air raid sirens. She also mentioned an Australian, Teresa—who turned out to be someone I knew—who had come with her cousin to donate ultrasound machines. Milana was overjoyed that her department had received one.
Later that day, we gathered at Rudi’s for a team dinner. As always, Anita outdid herself with the catering. We had planned to meet Dima and the girls for coffee, but fatigue got the better of us. I still had to pack, and the day’s emotions were already overflowing. Rudi, with his characteristic generosity, presented me with parting gifts that I will treasure.
The next morning, I boarded the train to the Polish border with a full heart. While I was ready to return home, I also knew I would miss this place and these people. There’s a sense of purpose now—a roadmap for how we can help more effectively from afar.
The train ride was no less dramatic than the rest of my trip. My only option was a top bunk in a carriage full of sleeping passengers. The train, coming from Kharkiv, was tense and hushed. Climbing awkwardly into my bunk without stepping on anyone was a feat of graceless acrobatics. Near the border, the train came to a halt. Doors locked, toilets sealed, and soldiers boarded with torches to check passports and search for stowaways. An hour and a half later, we were on our way again.
At the Polish checkpoint in Przemyśl, I braced for a long wait but was through in under half an hour. That left me time to explore the quaint town. Outside customs, I spotted a man in an Aussie shirt. “Great shirt, mate!” I called out. His head whipped around: “You’re from Oz too!?” He was an ambulance officer from Western Australia, now on his third tour helping with evacuations. He’d even been injured by a drone. We discovered we knew someone in common. His bravery and sacrifice made me feel proud to be Australian.
From there, I caught a train to Warsaw. My bag, stuffed with books and medical gear, felt heavier with each step. Unfortunately, Warsaw’s lack of escalators didn’t help, and with the hotel walkway closed, I found myself lugging everything up and down stairs and across a highway. By the time I reached my bed, it felt like a reward earned.
The flight home on 6 May brought mixed emotions. I was grateful to touch down in Brisbane—even if my quest for a budget hotel saw me land the only one in town with four flights and no lift! Finally, almost home. And now, some serious work to be done!
### Last days in Lviv
[ Khrystyna showing me how to do late night snacks Ukraine style ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_8154-1170x878.jpg)
[ Showing me how to enjoy a Ukrainian 'snack' ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_8157-1170x878.jpg)
[ English translation at church for me ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_8173-1170x878.jpg)
[ Saying goodbye to some of the Lviv CMA team ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_8188-1170x878.jpg)
[ A farewell feast by Rudi's wife Anita ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_8181-scaled-1170x878.jpg)
[ Khrystyna from CMA doing an interview with me ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_8160a-scaled-1170x1194.jpg)
*This concludes Part Five of my Medical Mission to Ukraine series. Through these stories of resilience and tragedy, I hope to bring awareness to the ongoing humanitarian needs in this war-torn region. Join me in supporting the Ukrainian people as they face unimaginable challenges with dignity and courage.*
[ PLEASE SUPPORT NOW ](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating)
**Your support—whether financial, practical, or spiritual—will be more critical than ever as we forge ahead with sustainable projects to help Ukrainians. Please consider how you can help.**
**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** humanitarian, medical mission, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, ukraine, volunteer, war, warzone
---
### [“So Much Pain Over Here”...](https://www.passingthrough.net/so-much-pain-over-here/)
**Published:** March 31, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** "So much pain..." Frontline medics in Ukraine face relentless danger. Andriy’s story shows the pain, courage, and sacrifice behind every life saved.
**Content:**
### Frontline Medicine in Ukraine: A War Within a War
In July 2023, under the sun-scorched skies of Ukraine’s de-occupied regions, I met a young man who would stay with me long after I returned home. His name is Andriy. At the time, he was volunteering with the church organisation *Banner of Love*, running youth programs, distributing aid, and bringing hope to villages still echoing with the trauma of Russian occupation.
Andriy had been given a chance to leave. He chose to stay.
He translated for me, played football with the kids, carried boxes of food and medicine, and moved with a quiet energy that felt both young and impossibly wise. You could see it in his eyes—that old soul gentleness shaped by far too much tragedy.
A few weeks ago, I got a message from him. Just a simple “hi” and a photo. He was now a combat medic. My heart sank.
Andriy, with his open smile and servant heart, was now on the front lines. Not because he had to be. Because he believed he had to help.
### Andriy before and after
[ Lara with volunteer Andriy at a kids camp in deoccupied Ukraine. ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_5676.jpg)
[ Andriy - from youth worker to combat medic ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/photo_2025-03-07_09-46-57-denoise-face-sharpen-upscale-3.1x-1.webp)
### The Brutal Reality of Frontline Medicine
War doesn’t spare the good ones. About ten days later, another message came: a picture from a hospital bed. One leg pinned. The other, blown off below the knee. “I have time to rest now,” he wrote with dark humour.
I stared at the screen for a long time.
In Ukraine, combat medics are the unseen heroes—the ones who rush into hell with a medpack and a prayer. The recent [documentaries](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLpoNHGvMKU) I’ve [watched](https://iview.abc.net.au/show/foreign-correspondent/series/2025/video/NC2510H002S00) only confirmed it: 48-hour shifts with barely a breath, stabilising soldiers under artillery fire, navigating mined roads and drone threats to evacuate the wounded. Some operate in bombed-out basements and abandoned buildings, performing complex trauma care with next to nothing.
They save lives with seconds to spare, often using makeshift gear and sheer grit. Drone strikes have changed the game—causing catastrophic blast injuries that demand immediate haemorrhage control and surgical-level care on the battlefield. But it’s not just limbs and lungs these medics tend to—it’s fear, grief, and the unbearable aftermath of battle.
### Andriy in hospital
[ Andriy getting a visit from Ira with whom he had being doing volunteer work ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/img_5458-1.jpg)
[ Right foot blown off, left leg in pins ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/img_5457-1-1170x731.jpg)
### When the Pain is Deeper Than the Wound
A few days after his surgery, Andriy and I messaged again. “The physical pain,” he told me, “is nothing.”
He had just found out his younger brother—only 21—had been killed in combat.
There is “so much pain over here,” he wrote.
Andriy couldn’t even attend the funeral. He lay in a hospital bed, grieving not just for his brother, but for his country, for the generation being shattered piece by piece. I could feel his sorrow seeping through every word.
This war is waged not just on land—but on hearts, families, and futures.
### Andriy's brother - gone too soon..
[ Andriy's 21 year old brother ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/img_5454-1-1170x1227.jpg)
[ Andriy's 21 year old brother at war before he was killed ](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/img_5456-1.jpg)
### Medics with Courage and No Choice
Frontline medics in Ukraine operate under relentless pressure. They stabilise trauma victims while shells fall nearby, while drones hover overhead, and while the blood on their gloves often belongs to someone they know. Their vehicles are often targeted. Their clinics, bombed. Yet they return—again and again—to save others.
In the de-occupied Kherson region, I saw this bravery with my own eyes. Clinics shelled days after our visit. Paramedics injured. Supplies scarce. Roads mined. And yet—they carry on.
Many of these medics are young. Some are volunteers like Andriy, with no formal military background. Others are doctors and nurses who’ve traded hospital wards for bunkers and field stations. They train in tactical combat casualty care (TCCC) and work under conditions that would cripple the average civilian healthcare system.
Their resilience is nothing short of miraculous.
### Why This Matters—To All of Us
Andriy’s story is one of thousands. His is a face to a crisis that can’t be ignored.
As I prepare to visit him on my next trip, I wonder what I will say. What words can hold the weight of his loss? What comfort can I offer someone who’s given so much and lost even more?
But I know this: he doesn’t want pity. None of them do.
They want support. They want us to see. They want the world to understand that this war is not just Ukraine’s burden—it is a defence of human dignity against imperialism and cruelty.
They want solidarity, not charity.
And so, we tell their stories. We raise our voices. We honour their courage not just in memory—but in action.
### Final Thoughts
The work of Ukraine’s frontline medics is more than just treating wounds—it’s holding the fragile line between life and death, between despair and hope. It’s the embodiment of love in the darkest places.
Andriy once ran youth programs for children who had lost everything. Now he lies in a hospital bed, missing a foot, mourning a brother, still holding the same heart for his people.
There is so much pain over there. But there is also profound love.
### SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
If you’d like to support those on the ground, our Australian-registered charity works directly with Ukrainian organisations we’ve vetted personally. Your donations are tax-deductible and go where they’re needed most. If you would specifically like to help Andriy please note that on the form.
👉 **[www.passingthrough.net/donating](http://www.passingthrough.net/donating)**
Let us stand with Andriy—and all those who bleed for freedom.
**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** combat medics, frontline medics, humanitarian, medical mission, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, ukraine, warzone
---
### [Heroes in a Humanitarian crisis](https://www.passingthrough.net/heroes-in-a-humanitarian-crisis/)
**Published:** May 6, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** There is a humanitarian crisis in Ukraine right now- let us share with you the work of our heroes working to provide aid and care. Find out how you can help.
**Content:**
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# Heroes in a Humanitarian Crisis:
A UN report a few months ago suggested that 40% of Ukrainians were in need of humanitarian aid. Given that in the last couple of months, Russian missile and drone attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure have dramatically increased, this figure is likely to now be higher. Half of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has been damaged. Every day civilians are being killed and injured in strikes. The health system is under incredible strain.
Ukrainians need our help.
But they’re not asking anything they’re not willing to do themselves. A country that is at war, where more than 40% of them are in a humanitarian crisis, is also **[one of the leading countries in the world right now for per capita giving](https://www.cafonline.org/about-us/research/caf-world-giving-index)** out of their own pockets for humanitarian aid. And Ukrainian NGO’s are leading the way in providing a lot of this aid on the ground.
Our partner CMA Ukraine is one of these – a grassroots organisation run by doctors, including over a hundred volunteers. Heroes in a humanitarian crisis…. I’ve seen firsthand the amazing work they do and how effectively they use the funds donated to them. And how they do it with love, care and compassion. True #loveinaction that really aligns with our values. That is why our volunteer-run organisation partners with them. And hardly a day goes by that we do not see the fruits of their work and your donations. Here is just some of what has happened even in the last few weeks:
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### **[Medical warehouse](https://www.cma-ukraine.com/humanitarian-hub)**
- Transporting humanitarian/medical aid to hospitals, churches and military units across the country. It is important to note that CMA as a highly trusted and reputable aid provider in Ukraine is regularly offered truckloads of donated medical equipment, aid and medicines. However, they need to pay for the logistics to distribute the items and get them to where they will actually save lives. This is a great need that you can help with – especially if you can **[make a regular donation](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)** that allows them to plan.
\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_gallery interval=”3″ images=”11729,11731″ img\_size=”large” css=”.vc\_custom\_1715064065617{margin-bottom: 35px !important;padding-top: 100px !important;padding-right: 100px !important;padding-bottom: 100px !important;padding-left: 100px !important;border-radius: 2px !important;border-color: #a6d684 !important;}”\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
### **Arranging and hosting global medical teams of volunteers**
- Plastic and microsurgeons from USA recently conducted a huge number of very complex and important surgeries for both military and civilians including many children who have been unable to access the operations they need.
- Teams of Taiwanese family doctors conducting clinics and teaching Ukrainian doctors at mobile clinics in high risk areas where medical services are limited.
\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_gallery interval=”3″ images=”11741,11742,11740″ img\_size=”large” css=”.vc\_custom\_1715064047602{padding-top: 100px !important;padding-right: 100px !important;padding-bottom: 100px !important;padding-left: 100px !important;border-color: #89d653 !important;}”\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
### **[‘Armed Hearts’ chaplain program](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/lara-wieland-2695249b_armedhearts-militarychaplains-supportourtroops-activity-7169131063192084480-4L32?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop)**
- Continuing to train military chaplains in providing vital mental health support and care to thousands of men and women.
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### **[Save a Life training](https://www.instagram.com/save.a.life.cma/)**
- Teaching essential life-saving skills and first aid to both military and civilians in areas that are coming under constant attack and where everyday people use these skills to save lives.
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### **Raising funds for and delivering ambulances to high risk areas**
- Ambulances are one of the biggest needs right now, and being able to help with this also saves lives every day.
### **Raising funds for and delivering life-saving medical equipment like the [Ecoflow we recently ran a fundraiser](https://www.passingthrough.net/your-donations-are-saving-lives/) for.**
\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_gallery interval=”3″ images=”11751,12676″ img\_size=”large” css=”.vc\_custom\_1723131755020{padding-top: 100px !important;padding-right: 100px !important;padding-bottom: 100px !important;padding-left: 100px !important;border-color: #8bd655 !important;}”\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
### **Assisting Ukrainian doctors and surgeons to access upskilling opportunities that we’ve been able to connect them with in Australia**
- **[Young neurosurgeon David whom some of you ‘met’ in ](https://www.passingthrough.net/ukraine-9/)****[my blog](https://www.passingthrough.net/ukraine-9/)** is coming to Australia in August very kindly hosted by a Brisbane Neurosurgeon to do some upskilling.
- A leader of medical units in Ukraine is being hosted by a Military Medicine conference in Brisbane in September.
\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_single\_image image=”11752″ img\_size=”medium” css=”.vc\_custom\_1715064222704{border-color: #90d65e !important;}”\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]We have other smaller partners (who are connected in different ways to CMA – many of these Ukrainian organisations work together). **[Fortress of Good NGO](https://www.passingthrough.net/ukraine-12/)** run by the Banner of Love church (these are translations from their Ukrainian names) in Kryvyi Rih and the[ Disciples Church Relief Fund](https://www.passingthrough.net/ukraine-4-xx/) in Lviv ([ **read here about the pastor who helps injured** soldiers](https://www.passingthrough.net/ukraine-4-xx/)) are two of our partners we’ve also been able to raise funds for recently. They are also organisations I connected with in Ukraine and witnessed and/or partook in their activities. Fortress of Good delivers aid and comfort to de-occupied villages where people have lost everything. They also take aid to **f****[rontline areas and support the military ](https://youtu.be/-mZFTvuQ8Jo)****[with](https://youtu.be/-mZFTvuQ8Jo)****[ aid through army chaplains](https://youtu.be/-mZFTvuQ8Jo)****.** **[Their fantastic team runs programs for youth and children in villages that were occupied](https://youtu.be/LtzhEs2NuEY)**, almost all the homes were bombed, and the children live with a lot of trauma. Disciples relief fund provides shelter, jobs, training and support for refugees from war-torn or Russian-occupied areas and also provides medical assistance to those who have been seriously injured in the war.
\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_gallery interval=”3″ images=”10355,10345,10342,10356″ img\_size=”large” css=”.vc\_custom\_1715064251993{padding-top: 100px !important;padding-right: 100px !important;padding-bottom: 100px !important;padding-left: 100px !important;border-color: #95d666 !important;}”\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]We are acutely aware that every dollar we send over to Ukraine right now is saving lives. That is why we ensure that all your donations earmarked for Ukraine get straight over there- administration costs come out of the pockets of our own volunteers or through other fundraising methods.
### Together we can do so much more… ❤️🌏❤️
Please consider partnering with us and **[signing up for regular giving](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/swapsipssupport/)** **–** even the **[smallest amount regularly](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/swapsipssupport/)** can help!
## ALERT: Recently the NHS donated truckloads of brand new unused medical equipment that can save lives in Ukraine – not all of them can be delivered because CMA needs to pay $4000 USD for logistics for one truckload to be moved and distributed, and they don’t have enough funds for all of them. It is a great way to multiply donations, as each truck has millions of dollars worth of equipment! If you or your group/club would like to sponsor a truckload of aid to get into Ukraine, then we can get your name on the side of the truck and send you photos of it being distributed. Contact for more information.
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**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Giving Back, Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** charity, Godslove, humanitarian, medical mission, non-profit, remote doctors, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, ukraine, volunteer, war, warzone
---
### [Resilience in occupied Eastern Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/resilience-in-occupied-eastern-ukraine/)
**Published:** January 15, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Discover inspiring stories of resilience in occupied Eastern Ukraine. Witness the courage of families rebuilding their lives amidst devastation.
**Content:**
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# Resilience in occupied Eastern Ukraine:
## Stories from war-torn frontline villages
by Alwyn Johnson (Christmas 2023)\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]An old yellow van bobs along an icy road in front of us. The body leans disconcertingly to the right, no doubt a result of several decades of punishment on the potholed roads common in Eastern Ukraine. Both our ambulance and the van have been loaded to the ceilings with humanitarian aid. It is early in the morning, and we’ve been driving to a cluster of villages that were formerly occupied and mostly destroyed by Russian forces earlier in the war.
Earlier this year I spent six weeks operating an ambulance in Eastern Ukraine on behalf of Kiwi K.A.R.E., working with another Australian, Ritchie. On our days off we helped deliver aid to villagers – some who had been liberated from Russian occupation, and some who were in the path of current Russian advances. The tenacity and resilience of the Ukrainians we met was inspiring and uplifting.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_single\_image image=”14621″ img\_size=”large” add\_caption=”yes” css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]After an hour or so we turn into our first village, Kam’yanka. It was once a cosy village where the Hrekivka and Siversky Donetsk rivers meet. Low brick houses with tin roofs hug both sides of the road against a backdrop of fertile fields – in some ways its reminiscent of small country towns in rural Australia. But the village is not as it once was. It is difficult to spot a house that has not been shattered by war – most have collapsed roofs; many have been spattered with shrapnel or machine gun fire. Garden fences that are still standing have been cordoned off with red tape and triangular signs warning of mines and unexploded bombs.
The yellow van takes a turn and then stops near two houses that look largely intact and fly Ukrainian flags in the gardens. Most houses on this street have either been burnt out from the inside or reduced to a pile of bricks and corrugated iron. Nikolai, a man in his seventies, alights from the van dressed as Father Christmas, and three locals soon emerge from the fortunate house – Tatiana, Alexander, and Vasim.
Greetings and hugs are exchanged. They know Nikolai, but two Australians are an unexpected sight in the depths of winter and the source of some amusement. The air is minus 10 degrees and unloading the vans is cold work, although the three locals seem unbothered despite wearing thin track pants and foregoing gloves. Boxes of clothing, bags of food, bottles of vitamins and medicines are unpacked to grateful smiles. Tatiana and Alexander invite us inside their home to warm up. The house is a contrast to outside, a pot belly stove keeps the house warm and cosy. Two twin boys of around four years old play in an armchair and are delighted to receive presents from Father Christmas.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_single\_image image=”14492″ img\_size=”large” add\_caption=”yes” css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]Vasim joins us. He lives in the house next door, also with two children. He does not mention his wife and given all that has happened I decide against asking where she is. The two families returned to their homes shortly after the Russians were ejected from the village in late 2022. There are no services in the town, no shops, no schools, no gas. The stove must be lit around the clock to keep the bitter cold at bay. All the cars in the village were either stolen or destroyed during the occupation so there is no way to easily leave the village. They have been teaching the children the alphabet on a whiteboard in the corner of the kitchen. Despite the hardship and the destruction outside, it is their home and their land, and they are determined not to give up.
Kam’yanka is in the eastern province, or “Oblast,” of Luhansk. The Russian border is less than 100km away and in early 2022 Russian forces made swift progress in capturing Kam’yanka and other small villages. But in September that year, Ukraine launched an unexpected counteroffensive. Russian forces had been expecting a counteroffensive in the south-west of the country and were caught off guard and poorly prepared. In less than 30 days Ukrainian forces liberated roughly 12,000 square kilometres of territory, and more than five hundred villages. Kam’yanka is a typical example. As I come to learn, the courage, tenacity, and determination of people like Tatiana, Alexander and Vasim are the hallmarks of many people who I meet in these villages. Many of whom have returned to rebuild their lives despite the hardship, and some of whom refused to leave their homes despite the occupation.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_single\_image image=”14493″ img\_size=”large” add\_caption=”yes” css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]Not far from Kam’yanka is the village of Shandryholove – Ritchie, Nikolai and I are there to deliver packages of children’s winter clothing. We are greeted in perfect English by Yelena, a 20-something woman, and the local teacher. Chatting with her is a nice break from using voice translation apps. She enjoys new languages and is currently learning Korean “just for the enjoyment of learning.” As the children try on new winter jackets, Yelena tells us that the village was evacuated early in the full-scale invasion. But since the liberation, villagers have started to return. She explains that there are no jobs and not much comes in or out of the village. But villagers grow food in their gardens and share what they have. Some hunt in the nearby forests, but many animals fled the fighting so game can be scarce. Their region was once famous for forests and wildlife, but she is not sure how pristine they are now given the fighting that has gone on. I’m curious why she and others have chosen to return, do they know that Russia is once again pushing west in an effort to recapture her village and others. “Yes, it can be difficult to be here, and yes, we think about the dangers. But this is our land and our home. We cannot replace it.”
While many villagers are returning to their homes, there are some who never left. We drive to another town nearby where Nikolai has heard some people may still be living. Mala Komyshuvkha is smaller than the other villages and it is hard to find an undamaged house at first. Eventually Nikolai spots one and we are greeted by Yuri and Hara, a couple likely in their sixties. They have not left the village in some time – cars in this village were also either stolen or destroyed – and they are glad to have some visitors. They’ve been subsisting mostly on potatoes and Hara is overjoyed to receive a box of sweet biscuits, kilograms of pasta, and bags of rice and grains. Ukrainians pride themselves on their hospitality, and it is insisted that we visit their home. The main kitchen and living area have been damaged and gaps around the windows mean the stove struggles to compete with drafts of frigid winter air. The ceiling is built from old fashioned plaster, a mix of straw and clay or mud, and pieces of straw are visible across much of the kitchen ceiling. Yuri talks about the occupation and is excited about showing us the basement. It is small, dark, and dusty. Drying racks store potatoes, and there’s room for a makeshift bed, but not much else. Yuri explains that unlike most residents of Mala Komyshuvkha, he and his wife did not flee the fighting. They stayed during the Russian occupation but were too afraid of the Russian soldiers to sleep upstairs in the house. During the Ukrainian counteroffensive, the Russians hid in nearby houses, attracting Ukrainian artillery fire. Once Russian forces had been pushed out, they then shelled what remained of the village in frustration. In all, Yuri and Hara lived in the basement for almost a year.
Secure in Australia it’s hard to imagine their experience. Hard to imagine whether we would make the same choices. But people like Yuri and Hara aren’t uncommon. There are a variety of reasons why people stay put. Some lack transport, and some are too frail to travel. Some cannot imagine what it would be like to leave the place they have spent most of their lives. And for some, staying is an act of stubborn defiance, perhaps in the hope that at least their home will not be occupied.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_single\_image image=”14494″ img\_size=”large” add\_caption=”yes” css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]Kam’yanka, Shandryholove and Mala Komyshuvkha were occupied for less than a year. But in some parts of Ukraine the war has been at people’s doorsteps for a lot longer. Two weeks later, and one hundred kilometres south, we find ourselves just outside Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast. We have been asked to help evacuate a husband and wife, Alex and Anna. Very few volunteers could enter the city at the time due to the intensity of Russia’s attempt to capture it, so the White Angels charity and one of our friends have evacuated the couple to a nearby town where we meet them. Many civilians remain in the city, and from his own pocket Ritchie has purchased enough food to last fifty families a few days. We donate the food to the White Angels, and load Alex and Anna’s belongings into the ambulance. It’s minus 15 degrees, but it’s the cloudless sky and possibility of Russian FPV drones that drives us to work fast.
It’s an eight-hour drive across Ukraine to Anna’s mothers’ home, and along the way we learn about their life in Avdiivka. Alex worked in the coking plant, the largest in Europe he proudly points out, and was responsible for maintaining the machinery. Anna was a nurse. They have lived in Avdiivka all their life. In 2014 when Russian proxies seized nearby Donetsk city, they decided to stay put and see how things would play out. Even though the front line settled down in 2015, fighting never really stopped and shelling of the city remained common. By 2022 they had grown used to it in a way, and decided that they were determined to stay put, even after the full- scale invasion intensified Russia’s assault on Avdiivka.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_single\_image image=”14495″ img\_size=”large” add\_caption=”yes” css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]Like many Ukrainians, Alex and Anna’s home is on a large block, big enough for a garden where they grew most of their own food. Anna shows me photos of trees laden with fruit, and tomatoes and cucumbers that would be the envy of any green thumb. This type of self-reliance is common outside the major cities, it’s almost a point of pride, and in war it gives people the ability to hang on despite the odds. The closure of the coke plant and other facilities in the town put Alex and Anna out of work some time ago, but their garden keeps them fed and healthy. Until recently they still could not bear the thought of abandoning their home, Anna’s mother is their only surviving relative, and she lives in a tiny Soviet era apartment. But the intensity of Russia’s assault on Avdiivka has become too much even for them. Anna shares photos of their home, mortars collapsed the roof and the garden fence some time ago, but still they hung on. It was not until a shell blew open the entrance to the basement that they were willing to leave.
It has been years since Anna’s mother last saw her daughter, and she greets her and Alex with the most intense hugs and cries of joy. It is a bittersweet reunion, Anna and Alex are not sure how they will make a new life in a big city. They hope to go back to their home, but with US aid for Ukraine blocked in Congress, nobody is sure when Ukraine will be able to liberate more towns and cities like Avdiivka.\[Editor’s note: This was written earlier in 2024\] In the meantime, Alex has decided he will volunteer “I will find a place and help other people who have also had to leave their homes. Perhaps one day we can all return home.”\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_separator color=”green” border\_width=”2″ css=””\]\[vc\_cta h2=”Support important aid work in Ukraine” h4=”Critical medical and humanitarian help is needed now…” txt\_align=”center” add\_button=”bottom” btn\_title=”DONATE HERE” btn\_color=”success” btn\_align=”center” btn\_i\_icon\_fontawesome=”fas fa-hands-helping” css=”” btn\_add\_icon=”true” btn\_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.passingthrough.net%2Fdonating|target:\_blank”\]The needs in Ukraine for aid and support are ongoing and immense. We are all volunteers and we ensure that all of your donations for Ukraine go directly to Ukraine and do not fund our administration costs.
In Australia your donations are tax-deductible.\[/vc\_cta\]\[content\_box color=”#E5EEDE” title=”ABOUT THE AUTHOR”\]*Alwyn volunteered with Kiwi K.A.R.E. and Ukrainian charity Day by Day, operating an ambulance in the Donbas region during the winter of 2023/2024. From Melbourne, Australia he has also been a volunteer First Responder with St John Ambulance for several years. Professionally he is a management consultant specialising in supply chain and transformation. He has a wife and two young children.*
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/resilience-in-occupied-eastern-ukraine/alwyn/)Alwyn Johnson in Ukraine
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#### 2 comments
David 16/01/2025 - 4:19 pmIt is great to hear about Alwyn, a brave man that risks his life to help people. I have the greatest respect for people like him and I will keep sending donations.
opt@passingthrough.net 16/01/2025 - 4:30 pmThanks David for the feedback. Your ongoing support means so much! You’re right Alwyn is amazing. He volunteered for a different organisation but your support goes towards providing critical aid, supplies, equipment and medicines to people and organisations like that in the toughest parts of Ukraine – thankyou!
Comments are closed.
**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Giving Back, Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** charity, humanitarian, medical mission, non-profit, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, ukraine, volunteer, warzone
---
### [Ukraine (12)](https://www.passingthrough.net/ukraine-12/)
**Published:** August 1, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
# Ukraine (12)
27th July
Had a good nights sleep with only one air raid siren and despite being on the floor, having no
running water and after seeing the horrors of the day before. But these are all things these villagers are dealing with long term.
All these kids have been through war and/ or had their houses destroyed by Bo”>                         Traditional borscht for team lunch  One of the villagers brought us fresh red currant
As Andrew drove the car out from under the tree cover to go to Brekky at the cottage ( we slept in the
school) he said “It’s better to get a few scratches on the car than for a Russian drone to see it.” I
wasn’t sure if he was joking. I worked out later he probably wasn’t as the guys who had slept in tents
outside said they heard drones and saw rockets going over during the night. Good news is that
rockets here are most likely Ukrainians launching to Russian positions in the distance at the moment.
I also hoped he was joking when he said some of the military had turned up and were probably going to stay in the school as well- second floor. Does that make us a legitimate target?
I then saw that wasn’t a joke either as about forty soldiers moved in. They seemed to be doing some
kind of training in identifying landlines and other ammunition. Of course I couldn’t take any pictures
of any this as that is highly illegal- for obvious reasons taking any images of army positions or actions is very sensitive. Whilst they were there and saw all the kids gathered they figured it was a good
opportunity to give them some education . So I watched as all these gorgeous little kids were shown around the displays of 17 different types of weapons, grenades and landmines they might find, like it was a routine lesson on bicycle safety or something. Absolutely heartbreaking. Disturbingly many of the items could easily look like toys or normal household items to pick up. For the rest of the day I had to be super careful about what direction I filmed in so as not to capture any soldiers.
At least sixty kids turned up of all ages from surrounding villages. They looked so excited and happy to be there. The translator asked a few of them when they had left and many of them had fled a month or two after the war started with their families and had only come back in the last month or two to houses and schools damaged by bombs and no running water. They weren’t sure that they
wanted to be ‘home’ but this camp was a ray of sunshine for them. Sadly they still have to listen to
the sounds of rockets and drones. During the program we heard a few explosions but hardly anyone batted an eye. I guess no one wants to be the one that panics others- people just look at each with a raised eyebrow and then keep on doing whatever they are doing. Apparently these sounds are fairly common still.
The energy that these volunteers were putting in to making a great experience for these kids was
amazing. But more importantly I could see the body language and the interactions between the
volunteers and the kids and even the parents who lingered and it was clear that the most valuable
thing they brought with them was their care and love and time.
Sadly I had to leave earlier as I was going back to town to catch a bus the next day.
Everyone got in a circle and prayed for me and then all hugged me like there was no tomorrow. It
was very emotional. I felt so embarrassed and humbled as through the translator they all thanked
Australia for helping and thanked me for everything I’d done and for coming here and for caring about Ukraine. It all seemed so little I was embarrassed to be thanked so profusely yet again, especially by those who were giving so much themselves.
 Pastor Dima with some of his men  Pastor Dima helping with aid near the front.  Some of Pastor Dima’s men at the front  Dima’s wife and child that he hasn’t seen since the war began  Pastor Dima with one of his soldiers
I was driven home by pastor Dima who is an army chaplain who has been at Bakhmut ( a site of
intense and brutal battles) and Chasy Yar and Donetsk etc. I interviewed him on the drive back. I
couldn’t understand a lot and some of his stories will have to wait until I can translate the videos but
I got the gist of some of it and could see the intense passion in his words and we had a little chat with the help of google translate. He has seen
horrors that can’t be described. He showed me a video of soldiers at the front screaming in pain as
they lose limbs. It is something i can never unsee and never forget. He is begging for more Christian’s
in the world to understand that their army needs support. It is not about negotiation. There is
nothing to negotiate- Russia invaded a sovereign country for no reason other than to steal what is
not theirs. And they commit war crimes every day. You don’t negotiate with war criminals. Ukraine is
not trying to take anyone or anything – they are just fighting for their lives and their freedom. They
know what Russian occupation is and it cannot be borne. Too often or comes with torture and sexual violence and repression . And for all those who want just ‘humanitarian’ aid given or non-military aid- who do you think is protecting the children, the people?
What do you think will stop the need for humanitarian aid ? If the Russians left Ukraine or lose this war then the need for humanitarian aid and support dives. Having seen and heard so much with my own eyes, now I see it is clear that it is the duty of every citizen of this world that wants to stand up against evil, to do everything they can to ensure their governments support the Ukrainian military in any way they can, they can also donate to the military and organisations helping the military who are sacrificing their lives and their limbs to stand between us and tyranny. Dictators of the world are watching how we respond when they take something that is not theirs by force….
Все буде Україна
**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** humanitarian, medical mission, optimumwardrobe, refugees, remote doctors, travel, travel light, ukraine, volunteer, war, warzone
---
### [Otters & Orcas](https://www.passingthrough.net/otters-orcas/)
**Published:** August 30, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
# Otters & Orcas
18 aug.
Flew to Vancouver today. Had a little hiccup at airport security. They pulled my bag aside and insisted I had a knife in there. Well I thought what are they on about? Why would I have a knife in my carryon? And it was the same briefcase I’d be carrying through multiple airports. He kept searching and found nothing. I helpfully suggested it might be my electronic transcribing pen- he scanned that again and no there was still a knife… I was smugly confident knowing there was no knife. Until… he pulled out a white plastic bag and I suddenly remembered buying one of the little boys a pocket knife with his name on it! Oh no! I was all at once embarrassed at having insisted I had no knife and horrified that I was about to lose a great gift I’d bought for one of the boys! “Sammy’s knife!” I exclaimed and the security guy looked at me as I explained what it was.
I was sure it was gone. In Australia you can’t even take nail scissors or knitting needles on a plane.
But no he says that in Canada you can take a knife as long as it’s blade is less than six cm and he measures it against his pinky and says “you know what I’m pretty sure this one is ok” !!!
Well you know, every good Canadian has to have a knife, gun and a fishing rod. Can’t get in-between a boy and his knife he might have figured??
Arrived in Vancouver with sufficient time to catch our ferry to Vancouver Island. Didn’t figure on the huge lines at the airport for car pickup. Keep that in mind if going onwards to the ferry in Vancouver and allow time for it.
Speaking of the ferry we ended up driving on to the wrong ferry which went to a port another hour further north of where we wanted to go! And one of the drs I’m interviewing (and staying with) is waiting for us to arrive for dinner!
Turns out the critical failure point was when the young lady at the ticket booth was so distracted talking to her colleague about her party weekend that when she gave us our ticket she failed to give us our lane number or our dashboard ticket. So we just ended up on the nearest ferry. Thankfully we had a car and our host was understanding of our hour delay.
The doctor lives in a beautiful spot on Victoria Island. His wife was just lovely too and we enjoyed the company of some of his family as they were gathering for his daughters upcoming wedding. Yet he still made time to talk to me and share his experiences as a long standing remote doctor in an Inuit Community. He had some amazing stories to share and he and his wife showed great hospitality.
View from the docs house on Vancouver Island
The lovely Dr and his wife with the gift the Inuit gave them for their years of service.
Doc put us up in a room that opened to the forest
And served us some delicious BBQ salmon for dinner.
19 -20 August
Driving through to Victoria from the drs house was beautiful. Lovely forests, deer, and farms growing all kinds of fresh produce, views of the ocean.
One of the drs had become unavailable at short notice leaving a day free so we decided to see what Vancouver island was famous for- killer whales ( orcas)- something I’d wanted to see since I was a kid.
Went out on Eagle Wing tours in an open scarab boat and it was amazing. Our captain was a local and he was the first to spot the pod of transient orcas so we got them to ourselves for a little bit before he had to radio the other boats. It was amazing to watch. Apparently the transients usually just focus on hunting sea mammals and are not particularly playful or social ( I.e. don’t make calls to each other). The captain said we were very lucky to see their unusual behaviour that day because they were playing and breaching and calling to each other which we heard on the hydrophone .
Killer whale
Killer whale
Killer whale
Humpback whale
Killer whale
We also saw some humpback whales and Pete the captain told us how it’s only in recent years that humpbacks have made a comeback to this area after decades or whaling depleted the numbers. When he was younger there were no humpbacks or otters.
Now sea otters are making a slow comeback into the area but the sea otter Ollie we saw is still very lonely. In fact he is so lonely he needs to meet his ‘needs’ in a rather gruesome manner. Ollie has been known to kill river otters and small seals to ‘have his way’ with! Ewww….
Ollie the sea otter
Sea otter floating in kelp
Sea otter floating in kelp
We also saw loads of sealions and harbour seals. Sealions are massive!
Sea lions
Sea lions
Sea lions
Harbour seal
Seal
Bald eagle
We also saw a beautiful bald eagle.
So alongside the encouraging stories of conservation working for some species we also heard about how the salmon are disappearing which is a key part of the ecosystem here and a main source of food for the resident killer whales who are thought to be starving.
The wharf at Victoria was crowded but beautiful. We saw seals and a river otter just at the wharf.
Fisherman’s wharf floating houses, Victoria
Fisherman’s wharf, Victoria
Fisherman’s wharf floating houses, Victoria
Fisherman’s wharf floating houses, Victoria
Victoria, BC
Fisherman’s wharf , Victoria
Near the wharf we enjoyed some delicious fresh salmon although am starting to feel a bit guilty for eating it here with stocks dwindling.
Drove around towards the ferry stopping to pick blackberries that grew abundantly on the roadside. That’s why a food container is one of my must bring items on my travels!
Wild blackberries
Blackberries in my Lightmyfire container
We also stopped at some beautiful beaches and was tempted to swim until Ron reminded me we’d been told the water was 9C. I was drooling over the piles of driftwood on the beach imagining all the crafts I could make if I lived there.
Vancouver Island beaches
Vancouver Island beaches
Vancouver Island beaches giant kelp roots
Dropped into Elk Lake on the way through and for our last glimpse of Canadian geese.
Elk lake Canadian Geese
Elk lake Canadian Geese
Caught the ferry back to Vancouver and even saw whales in the water off the road on way to ferry.
Vancouver island ferry
Didn’t see much on way back due to the smoke from the wildfires raging in BC. But we did get on the right ferry!
Sunset on Vancouver ferry
21 August
We have one day in Vancouver before flying to Anchorage. We did a bit of thrift store cruising as there are a lot here and we wanted to buy a cheap bag to bring home some gifts in. Got the bag and a few cool items for the boys.
Wanted to have a bit of a look at the waterfront but changed our minds when we saw the price of parking. Wasn’t even so much the price but were just really annoyed at the blatant tourist ripoff when street parking was three and a half times higher price in the tourist district as it was two streets back! Quite frankly it didn’t look like there was anything that exciting in the city that we’d be sad about missing it anyway.
But we’re not really interested in cities anyway unless they’re really old or quirky or something.
We wanted some Canadian maple syrup products to take back and it turns out you can get better quality for a better price if you look in the right supermarkets than buying them in souvenir stores.
We had a bit of a look around outskirts of Vancouver and stopped for a walk along the Fraser River. We assumed this was the same Fraser River that we saw up in the mountains that was touted as once being the worlds greatest salmon River but where now authorities were struggling to save the salmon . So we were a bit surprised to find boat after boat putting out drift nets across the entire river pretty much scooping up all the salmon coming up the river from the sea to spawn as now is spawning season. Apparently this is the First Nations fisheries and they are allowed to do this and it’s supposed to be monitored. I don’t know enough about it but something really didn’t seem right about it.
The seals didn’t mind though as they seemed to be stalking the nets ready to eat the fish.
Drift net fishing on Fraser river
Elk lake Canadian Geese
We were also interested to see the logs being floated in the river just like in the ‘lumberjack’ days right in the city although I’m sure they use machines now.
**Categories:** Canada/America, Canadian Road (Study) Trip 2018, Travel
**Tags:** adventure, Canada, Canadian roadtrip, Inuit, road trip, travel, wildlife
---
### [Ukraine (1)](https://www.passingthrough.net/ukraine-1/)
**Published:** July 3, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
1/7
Today was the day we were heading to Ukraine from Krakow. Rudi had arranged for a car to pick us up. Unfortunately the driver Denis was a bit of a maniac and the road was wet and it was raining. It did cross our minds more than once that we might die just trying to get to Ukraine. Thankfully we ended up hitting some smaller roads and he had to slow down as I was getting ready to say something. He also looked like a heart attack on legs so I was ready to grab the wheel if he had a cardiac arrest whilst driving!
He did prove his worth though when we got to the border. The line was incredible and we calculated at the rate it was moving we’d be likely to be there at least six hours. Denis was looking very impatient as he turned and asked me in Ukrainian what we do for work. I told him we are doctors from Australia. His eyes lit up and he jumped out the car and went ahead to the border guard. Next thing we knew we were allowed into another lane and pushed to the front of the queue. A few more checks and we were through! It was a very emotional moment for me having spent my entire life dreaming about Ukraine. My Ukrainian grandfather had told me endless stories of his life in Ukraine, of it’s beauty and abundance with the passion that comes from someone that has understood oppression and occupation. I think to be honest I was always a little afraid that the reality would not match. But in those first few kilometres I saw that some of that beauty was still there as we drove through beautiful, bountiful fields of wheat, barley and sunflowers. There were horse drawn ploughs in some of the smaller villages, gold domed churches and ‘Babushkas’ selling fresh picked mushrooms on the side of the road as we drove through birch and oak forests. Of course we have yet to see the parts of Ukraine that have been ravaged by war but it was wonderful to see this beauty and scenery just as I had imagined it all those years.
Poland- Ukraine border
We’ve crossed into Ukraine
Babushkas selling forest mushrooms
‘Glory to Ukraine’ with a Russian tank on fire
2/7
Rudi’s assistant Christina arranged to meet us at their church this morning. The Ukrainian Bible Church. They had very kindly arranged an interpreter for us. Up until now, apart from the occasional soldier here and there and some sandbags in building windows, it was easy to forget here in Lviv that there even was a war. But it didn’t take long to be reminded. The Pastor is from Bakhmut and he spoke about how his entire childhood town is wiped out and all the buildings he knew razed to the ground. The church prayed for victory and that there would not be a nuclear catastrophe which is everyone’s fear at present – knowing that the Russians have mined 4 of the 6 reactors in Zaphorizhia.
After church we spoke with some of the people. One man told how his wife was from Donetsk and they fled from there early in the war. This area is now under occupation. They then went to Kyiv but fled from there as it was difficult to live there with a child with constant air raid alerts almost every day. He told us that his mother and sister still live in Kyiv. His mum in typical Slavic matter-of-factness assures him that the shelling doesn’t bother her as she ‘is used to it.” His sister has a government job and has access to a good shelter but she lives in constant fear and there are missile attacks regularly. Thankfully the air defence is good and shoots down most of the missiles. When asked what he thought would happen to Ukraine if the Russians win he said “It will become one big concentration camp, there will be ethnic cleansing and cleansing of anyone who does not agree with their ideology.” He also said that Putin gets away with this as the majority of his population is brainwashed into hating Ukrainians and idolising Putin. He made the point that if the adults can be so easily brainwashed how much easier will it be to brainwash the children they are kidnapping from the Ukraine under the guise of ‘rescuing’ them?
Another man we spoke to told us how many church pastors have been killed in the war but that many more young people are stepping up and signing up to train to become pastors. The church in Ukraine has been one of the main providers of shelter and humanitarian aid and there has been a real growth in the church here.
Christina then took us to a restaurant for lunch and we got to have some good conversation with her, hearing about her medical studies and how they’ve been disrupted by covid and the war. She told us about the work of CMAU (Christian Medical Association of Ukraine) and how they have been providing all kinds of humanitarian aid, food, water, diapers, hygiene products, medicines as well as more serious medical equipment, training and mobile medical clinics to deoccupied areas. They also provided considerable aid to those affected by the Russian blowing up of the Khakohva dam that flooded vast areas of land, depleted other areas of their reservoir, killed many people and left tens of thousands without clean drinking water leading to disease outbreaks. They really do amazing work.
I then headed out to the shops, being summer it is light and everything is open until about 9pm. I was after a couple of things for the apartment so just wanted like a target or something. But I couldn’t find anything like that but did end up in a supermarket that was like a foodie heaven! I’ve never seen a supermarket with so many smallgoods and delicatessen items in my life.
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Streets of lviv
For a few dollars you can take a shot at a mugshot of Putin
Patriotic youth
Children playing on a monument to Taras Shevchenko the national poet of Ukraine.
‘Pray for Ukraine’ at the morning church service
**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Giving Back, Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** charity, humanitarian, medical mission, remote doctors, remote work, travel, ukraine, volunteer, war, warzone
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### [Ukraine (3)](https://www.passingthrough.net/ukraine-3/)
**Published:** July 15, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
5/7
The train ride back to Lviv from Uzghorod was again beautiful with Transcarpathian scenery, villages, mountains, forests and farms. Most of the day was spent on the train. Becky from International Networx who had given me the contact in Uzghorod, came on the train with me to visit Lviv.
 The train station is one of many places designated as a bomb shelter  Lviv train station  Lviv train station  Train compartment Beautiful fields of barley and corn As I arrived back I found out we had a meeting arranged with another couple who work with orphans and vulnerable children in Lviv at a local restaurant so we headed straight out there.
 Tatiana and Victor from ‘Let’s Help Kids’ Tatiana and Victor’s story:
Tatiana set up an NGO called 3D – Let’s Help Kids, an NGO that works for institutionalised children. In Lviv ( as in Uzghorod) most of these children are neglected or abused rather than true orphans. Tatiana set it up herself in 2018 and since then she says she has been blessed with a good team. She said she felt led to work with ‘orphans’. Her organisation now has 20-30 volunteers and they plan to employ a project manager and a psychologist into the near future that will be paid.
She was an accountant and loved her job but didn’t feel a sense of purpose from it. She went on maternity leave and now she says she won’t go back to that job but rather take this on fulltime.
Their main activities happen every week. The stability that provides is one of the most important things. They do activities each week, sports, games etc and also share their faith with them. They figure that even if there are times they cannot be there for them, God can always be their comfort. They also do quite intense mentorship with the kids and their aim is for every child to have a mentor. She told us that often people think the children need gifts, money or food but mostly what they need is adults who care for them and want to spend time with them.
They put on a nice summer camp in a resort once but nearly every kid said the highlight for them was spending more time with their mentors.
The kids are all aged 6-17 that they work with. The average age is 12. 80 per cent are boys. About fifty per cent are abused or from neglectful families and the other fifty per cent are just really poor. Most of them are vulnerable because they come from families with alcohol abuse, single mothers, mothers with a mental illness and often social services brings them to the orphanage. Many of them have been badly neglected, quite a few have illnesses or congenital abnormalities. One boy was found by social services to be living in a room with a lot of dogs after he never turned up at school. He was non-verbal until the age of 7.
Getting medical care for these kids can be tricky. And it’s not always about money. For example they raised money for a boy to get an operation on his hip and leg but the director of the orphanage wouldn’t allow it because it would mean the workers would have to drive him to rehab every day and that was just too hard. A lot of the medical care is paid for by volunteers . But it can still be hard to get the orphanages to help facilitate things. They are tyring to use their
They do lots of other work too, for now they are advocating on behalf of the kids to get a director at one of the institutions sacked as he has been abusing the girls.
Their future plans are to partner with an organisation to open a centre where vulnerable kids can get food, clothes and activities. They also want to connect this to an early development centre for poor children where they can also learn life skills for independent living.
There is more of a move to de-institutionalise kids here but it requires families to put up their hands to look after some of these kids. They are currently building some accommodation for families who want to live with and mentor some of these kids.
The war has had a major impact on this situation and work. Many IDP’s have moved in Lviv for safety. So some of the children in Lviv have been shipped out of the country to make room for ones from the east fleeing Russian occupation. But it has still led to massive overcrowding with numbers more than doubling and there are not enough workers. The Volunteers have been going in and helping. The children from the East have had trouble adjusting psychologically as well. Many of them speak Russian and here mostly people speak Ukrainian. More than 50% of the kids in the orphanages at present are internally displaced from the East due to the war. They were already vulnerable, damaged children but now they have been affected by war and moved from their familiar environments. They see the extra trauma in the kids, they often don’t communicate with the workers, they only talk with kids they know, and they are often aggressive and distressed. This was a new experience for a lot of the volunteers. However already many of them have really responded to love and kindness. Many of the kids are also depressed and lacking in purpose.
Tatiana does not get an income from this work but she says her rewards are not financial. She is inspired by Christ’s example of living for others and not yourself.
Victor, Tatiana’s husband was also an orphan himself who has done well. He is in a unique position to empathise with these youth now and he is able to provide some income for the family.
Tatiana and Victor also mentor and look after two youth who have now left the orphanage and they are teaching them life skills in their home to help them transition into independent living.
Victor first became a Christian by talking with some people from an organisation that were helping older ‘orphans’. He had decided he wanted to work with orphans like he had been. He got together some friends who wanted to do the same but didn’t know where to start. Then one day he went to a church and saw Tatiana asking about volunteers to go and visit orphanages. He got her contacts and it all went from there – now they are married, they have a gorgeous 14 month old and their work with orphans had really started to get into gear just in time for them to be a valuable help to the many, many more who have arrived in Lviv as a result of this war.
6/7
My husband always joked I would be able to sleep through a missile attack, well turns out he is right. This morning at 3 a.m. the Russians struck Lviv with 10 kalibr missiles with 3 getting through air defence. I slept right through but John and Elsie whose hearing isn’t great – woke up! They heard the explosions and saw a flash. Later, speaking to locals we worked out the missiles were about 2-3km away. I’ve made sure my app is turned on now that gives out air raid sirens. The thing is that here in Lviv is meant to be pretty safe, but this is the worst bombing of the war for this western Ukrainian town. The locals are understandably in quite a bit of shock and feeling quite shaken given they had started to feel so safe in this part of the country. The missiles hit residential apartment buildings and thankfully a lot of people had gone to a shelter. But 4 were still killed ( this was later updated to 10) and I think nearly 60 injured. 50 apartment buildings were damaged and similar number of cars.
We headed off with Julia the translator and Peter, a doctor who volunteers for CMA, to just outside of Lviv to interview a young family who had escaped the war ravaged Bakhmut region earlier in the war and were now displaced people. The mother Irina fled with her husband and two young children aged 2 and 8 whilst pregnant. She told us that her entire village was razed to the ground. Not one building remains and anything that was left in the buildings was stolen by ‘those Russian thieves’. She told us tales of cruelty by Russian soldiers, of men who were beaten and their legs and arms broken and taken to Russia, elderly parents of some of her friends were murdered by Russian occupiers. Incredibly she said there are still around 300 people still living there without water or electricity much of the time and under shelling. Mostly elderly people who just didn’t want to leave the only home they knew. She has received videos and photos from back home which is how she knows there is nothing left. It is not the first time she has fled war. She previously lived in Donetsk and had to flee there when the Russians invaded in 2014 when she was pregnant with her oldest girl.
     This time her girl Adelina has had some trouble adjusting to school after their evacuation from a war zone. To start with her kids would wake up screaming. She says they seem ok now most of the time but she knows Adelina who was once a good student, now can’t concentrate in class and is constantly in trouble or struggling. The flat she is in is a tiny one room apartment for all four of them with another on the way. Her littlest one, Amelia, that she was pregnant with when she fled the artillery in Bakhmut, was born with a cleft lip and palate and required extensive surgery and care. She had to handle all of this as an Internally Displaced Person having fled shelling with no belongings. I ask what her greatest wish is for the future of her baby, and she said tearily in Ukrainian, “I just hope that she is not also born with some problems as I don’t know if I could do all that again.” And her greatest wish… “I just want to go home… but for now there is no home to go to.”
We headed back home and dropped into a small farmers market on the way to grab some veges and fruit and then stopped somewhere for some nice lunch.
      Peter also spoke to us on the way as he drove. He told us how he was living in Kyiv when the war started. He knew it had started because he heard explosions! He said nobody wanted to believe it would actually happen until it did. His wife was on the way to the South to visit her parents. He tried to get in a car to go get her but the traffic was crazy and everyone was trying to leave. He got hold of his wife who was on the train and was able to tell her to turn around and she got the last train back from Kherson to Lviv. Finally he was able to drive over to Lviv and meet her there and now they live here in Lviv. He told us that he believes every Ukrainian has been affected, even if it is just emotionally. When John asked him what effect the war is having on Christians he gave a similar answer to others. “I think it revealed a lot – revealed those who are really following the Christian values that Jesus preached and those who are not.” For example, those who stayed to help and serve the people compared to those who took the chance to get out. He spoke of his father-in-law who is a pastor and has a USA green card. He could have left easily. But he chose to stay and to stay in a dangerous region to serve his people. Many others fled.
In the evening we caught up with Becky the Texan missionary networker who was in Lviv for a few days break whilst waiting for her temporary residency. She had already connected me with some people and was lining up some others. She has worked for many many years across China, Belarus & Ukraine. We met at a Ukrainian restaurant so I got to enjoy some traditional dumplings ( called vareniky) filled with potato in a mushroom sauce.
**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Giving Back, Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** humanitarian, medical mission, refugees, remote doctors, remote work, travel, ukraine, volunteer, war, warzone
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### [Ukraine (5)](https://www.passingthrough.net/ukraine-5/)
**Published:** July 19, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
9/7
Sunday in Odesa. Luba who coordinates the volunteer medical clinics into de-occupied areas invited me to church this morning. She doesn’t speak much English to organised a young lady called Tanya to interpret for me. I’m glad she did as it was fantastic church service and it is clear what is on everyone’s mind. But also it meant getting to meet Tanya who was such a lovely young lady.
Odesa church and base for mobile clinics
Tanya- student, volunteer worker, interpreter.
After church she invited me to join her in her ‘Sunday afternoon activity’. Feeding the homeless in the poorest suburb of Odesa and running a church for them. She and others do this every Sunday and Thursday. Oleg and Katya are a young couple with a couple of gorgeous kids who started it. Their little boy was adorable – all of about 4 and all he wanted to do was help and without any prompting or instructions would dive into the bag of bread and cakes and hand out packets to the homeless and disabled people. One guy there told me that he does this every week. It was a pretty seedy part of town and things were tough for people there. Many were elderly or disabled and the pension doesn’t go very far. Some had addictions. Others had lost their jobs largely due to the war. Before the war Odesa was a major port for export, it was also a beachside resort town and playground of rich Russians. All of those things are either gone or reduced. Now you cannot even go to the beach let alone swim in it. The ocean is full of sea mines and the whole foreshore is heavily militarised and cordoned off. This is a highly sought after port by the Russians and of course they don’t want any military landings through this port. That also means lots of port and tourism jobs have been lost. One American guy who had come there to help told me that the building next door is known as a gangster headquarters where they buy and sell gold. He thought it was funny to have God and Gangsters – I suggested he invite them over. (-: On the drive over Oleg tells me I can preach. I try to tell him I’m not a preacher. He says it doesn’t matter and they will just be happy to hear from someone that has come so far to see them. He tells me five minutes is fine. I point out I don’t speak Ukrainian or Russian (many here speak Russian as a hangover from occupation by the Russian Empire and then the Soviets where Ukrainian language was banned.) He points out I have an interpreter. So I get the picture that I’m not getting out of this. Anyway it was lovely and they did appreciate it as I heard them saying in Russian something about thanks for coming here to see us.
Setting up the tables for the homeless shelter lunch on the street
Outside the small building they rent to prepare and hand out lunches and food packages
This little 4 yr old on the right was the pastors son and every Sunday he dives in helping hand out bread bags and lunches to the homelessEveryone was given a bag of bread and cake and a homecooked meal and soup. They were so grateful. Probably about half of them stayed behind to join in the church service and singing in the little room, spilling out onto the steps. We had some interesting conversations including with locals who talked about the flooding from the Russians blowing up the Khahkovka dam and how that had spread contaminated water across arable land that probably won’t be able to be farmed for several years now.
Before leaving Tanya I interviewed her for her story and we popped out the back to an old market area. A middle aged guy came and stood close by watching and listening intently with a troubled look on his face. We weren’t doing anything wrong and so acted cool. He then asked her what we were doing and he got quite grumpy and told us that this was private property ( it wasn’t ) and to move on (which we did).
I headed back through town towards the train station. Something that really struck me about Odesa was that nearly every building in the entire city had a relatively new Ukrainian flag flying out the front and a freshly painted flag on it’s walls. Odesa is largely Russian speaking and Putin has used this to claim it belongs to him and has tried to take it. It is as if each person here wants to make the point that they are Ukraine and will stay Ukraine.
Translated: Lord give strength to your people ( these are everywhere)Translated: Protecting our future
A few of the buildings I got to see in Odesa. Much of the port was militarised and inaccessible
Odesa
The direction of the Odesa port and beaches- we weren’t allowed to even take photos in that direction
I sat in the park waiting for my train watching the children play in the water fountains that squirted up between the statues of golden dolphins. Squealing with joy like children in any country would. Russians are quite happy to bomb this city and others, hitting children like this – not as collateral damage in a war but as its targets – and the world stands by. And it kidnaps those it doesn’t bomb. If it was up to Putin he’d exterminate all these kids like the rats he often refers to them as in his propaganda. I watched a young dad tenderly wipe the water sprat off his tiny daughter’s face and wondered how many daughters today will never have their dad around to show them such love and tenderness? And I watched young men with military haircuts kiss their girlfriends like they might never see them again – because they might not. I watched young men in military uniforms sitting on benches and walking past, with the faces of twenty year olds but with eyes aged by the horrors of war.
Feeling a bit bedraggled after a long day – at the Odesa train station10/7
Today we returned to the church of a Pastor Elisie that John and Elsie had met the other day. This church was originally in areas that are now occupied and they had to transplant here as refugees themselves and now accept and help refugees from Russian occupied areas. We spoke with one of the young leaders here who himself is a refugee from Kherson who found refuge here and were shown around their premises. He told of how more than 60 refugees are currently living in this building. He was previously a sculptor with some carpentry experience and he is now using his skills to oversee the refurbishing of this building to expand the church to house more refugees and provide workshops for them where they can learn new skills.
Young church worker – Kherson refugeeCages and sandbags have been put around a lot of monuments around Ukraine to protect them from shelling and shrapnel.
The refugees seeking shelter at this church created posters for each of their war affected regions – calling for victory and prayers for their people and towns. Kherson, Zaphorizhia, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv and Mykholaiv regions…
At dinner we had a visit from an Australian contact of John’s who has been here since the war began. He has Ukrainian roots and has been here trying to do documentary and news footage. He did the piece of footage that was shown in Australia on Anzac Day of the Ukrainian soldiers holding an Australian flag and playing the Last Post in front of a Bushmaster vehicle we have donated. He told us some pretty horrible stories of destroyed and mined villages he had visited in his time here.
John’s Australian contact that has been doing some media here.
11/7
Voice of Children is an NGO in Ukraine that provides psychological help to children traumatised by the war. They are one of the partners that Victor and Tania (from Let’s Help Children) work with. We met with Paulina who told us about their work. They mostly work with war refugees but also local people, basically anyone who has “been hurt” psychologically. They do group work and individual work and also run special day camps of 2 weeks duration for different age groups. They run a range of activities and excursions during this time. Whilst we were there we saw one of these camps in action and the therapists were doing some therapy based games and play with them. It was terrific to watch how they worked with the kids with such skill and love. If you want to help the work they do you can donate [HERE.](https://voices.org.ua/en/)
Children recovering from trauma of war through play and art therapy.
Therapists conducting play therapy with children traumatised by war, most are internally displaced and their homes have been destroyed.
Workers with refugee children who are receiving therapy for war trauma.
Refugee children receiving therapy at Voices of Children for war trauma.
Brigidyki Prison – converted from a convent in 1764 and used until the 1980’s – site of many massacres by Soviets and German Nazis.
Monument to fighters for Ukrainian Independence who were executed here in 1932
A translation of a plaque at Brigidyki Prison – the site of many massacres.
“And I really want your offices not to have my images. Because the President is not an icon, not an idol, the President is not a portrait,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy “I want you to hang portraits of children and every time you make a decision look them in the eyes first.”
Everywhere there are signs indicating buildings that can be used as bomb shelters. This church is one of them, all train stations are designated too.
Monument to victims of Communism.
Some of the many soldiers seen wandering through every park, street and train station, going to or from leave – to and from the frontline.
This is a beautiful park, once well known to tourists and locals – a bomb shelter is now marked in the park.
Some of the many soldiers seen wandering through every park, street and train station, going to or from leave – to and from the frontline.
Beautiful buildings in Lviv
The war and desire for victory and freedom is the theme everywhere. Even the local museum has a victory exhibition on.
St Peter and Paul Underground church Lviv.
Sarcophagus from the Peter and Paul underground church.
Ukraine was part of major trade routes even back in the 8th century.
A bible printed in Ukrainian in 1644.
The Lviv Apothecary museum.
After this we caught up with Tatiana from Let’s Help Children again. This was very kind of her to give us her time as her little 15 month old was sick with a fever so she was keen to get back to her of course. We heard more about the work they’re doing with the orphans and vulnerable teens and their desire to expand the camps they do with the kids. She told us they welcome volunteers so if that is something that interests you or you would like to donate to you can do so[ HERE.](https://www.3d.charity/)
We got back to the flat to have a bit of a rest and do some work only for an air raid siren to go off again! As per our plan we went downstairs to the basement tunnel but we popped our head outside and noticed no one seemed too worried. Shortly afterwards the siren was called off as the missiles ended up elsewhere. I later learned that the main reason many people didn’t respond is that in these last 500 plus days of war there have been so many sirens that they are fatigued and life would be way too disrupted if they ran to a shelter every time a siren went off. I was assured that it was clearer that the missiles were headed to us that there would be more concerted attempts to contact us through SMS and telegram groups to urge us to shelters. Of course that didn’t work for everyone killed in the missile attack near us the week before…
Now that we were out and about anyway we figured we could go and have a bit of look around. We popped into the Apothecary Museum and also into the Peter and Paul underground church museum. This was very interesting not only as such an old underground catacomb style church built in the 1600’s but there was a lot of historical information in there including some of the amazing things happening in Ukraine as far back as the 8th century – contrary to the propaganda that Ukraine didn’t even exist let alone that long ago.
**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** charity, medical mission, refugees, remote doctors, remote work, travel, ukraine, volunteer, war, warzone
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### [Ukraine (7b)](https://www.passingthrough.net/ukraine-7b/)
**Published:** July 25, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
17/7
A lovely Ukrainian doctor I had met last week in Odesa invited me to come and do some interviews in her home town of Bila Tserkva (literally ‘white churches’) with refugees that she does volunteer work with. She met us and took us to do interviews with one of the refugee mums with her little son.
She was so young and with this small boy who looked so fragile. He was only three but already knew to ask his mum if the bombs would get them or when would the war stop. They had fled from Kharkiv and for a long time he would jump or cry at loud noises or run to the window and ask if it was shooting.
 Refugee family from the East of Ukraine
Diana the doctor has bought some toy cars for him and it was wonderful to see his smile which I think was wider at seeing her than the toys. Diana had moved back to her parents home during covid when her parents were unwell and together she and her family and others in her church have been offering their home to refugee families with nowhere else to go and feeding and clothing them.
Diana then so kindly took us for a bit of a tour of her town, showing us the white churches it is named after and the beautiful river.
Her town is also one of the first towns established by Volodymr the Great and celebrated its 990th anniversary a few years ago and will celebrate its 1000th anniversary in 2032!
       
She then took us to her family home. She moved back there during Covid to help her parents who have health problems. Her sister and her family also live there. Together as a family and with others from her church, they have welcomed war refugees into their home and helped them get established and fed and clothed them.
It was so wonderful to visit their beautiful home that was a real traditional Ukrainian home with a beautiful garden full of vegetables, fruits and berries. There was a well in the garden for water and the kitchen was full of home baked goodies and jams and pickles that we were treated to with a generous spread.
    
Then arrived a couple of lovely ladies who were sisters and one of their daughters who was 17. They were refugees from Donetsk. They had fled quite some time ago, earlier in the war, yet they still had that tense, hyper vigilant look about them that I was starting to recognise in those traumatised by war. I also noticed that the teenage girl had the same flatness and distant stare that the teenage boy had that we had interviewed days earlier.
It was sad and I could see it wasn’t pleasant for them to dredge up those memories again and I was so grateful to them for being willing to do this and share their stories. They did crack big beautiful smiles though when I asked them what it meant to them to have the help of someone like Diana. Those faces said it all. Of course Diana would have none of it- continuously insisting it was ‘all God’ and nothing to do with her.
They had fled from Donetsk. When asked how they knew the war had started- their answer as it had been going on since 2014… a grim reminder. It was only that the shelling got more intense and close. Like so many other refugees we met; their homes had been destroyed and relatives who had remained would send pictures. A common story amongst refugees was that elderly would insist on staying and demand their younger relatives flee to safety. The old people knew nothing else and would often rather die than leave their home villages and homeland and many figured they could stay and undermine the Russians or help stop looting. It was always very distressing for families who then had to worry about parents and in many cases see them go under Russian occupation and maybe not even hear from them again.
The older sister got quite emotional when she talked about her anger at the ‘stereotype’ that Ukrainians on the East who speak more Russian somehow wanted to be under Russia, or were sympathetic to Russia. She emphasised how much they hated the Russians and that even everyone she knew who had maybe thought the Russians were okay before now hated them.
  After the interviews Diana then took us for a lovely walk through a beautiful garden that had been established centuries ago, destroyed in world war 2 and also by the Soviets and then more recently restored. Thankfully a lot of the beautiful old trees survived. Elsie wasn’t able to go too far so she and John waited by the gate whilst Yulia, Diana and I walked the circuit of the park.
     Then her dad so very kindly offered to drive us back to Kyiv. What a beautiful family. If you’d like to contribute directly to the work they are doing- contact me and I will give you Diana’s account details. She doesn’t ask for money but I know they would use it well.
**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** charity, humanitarian, medical mission, refugees, remote doctors, travel, ukraine, volunteer, war, warzone
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### [Ukraine (8)](https://www.passingthrough.net/ukraine-8/)
**Published:** July 25, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
18/7 Woke to the news that Russia conducted a massive missile and drone attack on Odesa last night. The city I’d just been the week before. Thankfully air defence worked well and there was only minor damage and injuries from fragments of shot down missiles. This morning had to say goodbye to Yulia our translator who I’d gotten to know well. It was so lovely and touching that she gave us a present of some traditional Ukrainian embroidery and a very lovely card and hairpin. She is a lovely young lady that I hope to stay in touch with.
  Gift from our translator and friend Yulia  Missile attack on Odesa  Missile attack on UNESCO listed church on Odesa Today we caught a train from Kyiv to Fastiv to be picked up and taken to the CMA medical retreat. It is a several day team building retreat to allow some of the doctors and volunteers to have a break and rest in a relatively safe and peaceful place after such a tough year and a half with more to come. They are all so tired…
It is in a beautiful, forested village setting with beautiful birch and pine trees and a village full of fruit trees. We settled into our first night with some very nice people and were able to take part thanks to the help of a translator.
 Games and exercise at CMA camp  Games and exercise at CMA camp  Doctors and volunteers at camp  Group work at camp   Fifth year medical student who does a lot of logistics work for CMA humanitarian aid  The tireless president of CMA who works hard to help his country  Team activities at camp  Some of the young doctors including the neurosurgeon who operates on injured soldiers  Singing at camp     Army chaplain Mark with his believed puppy ‘Bakhmut’  ‘Bakhmut’
Later in the day I was introduced to army chaplain who works on the frontline. He didn’t speak English, but we spoke briefly through the interpreter. He looked very burdened as I watched him with his little dog. When I said I’d like to talk to him more later in the camp he mentioned he may have to come and go as he has five funerals to go to this week….??
19/7
The doctor’s retreat has been a great chance to rest a little and recharge and catch-up with some work and video editing etc.. I can imagine that these guys here working amidst war need that rest 1000 times more than I do. Good to see them get it. Some of them are from the region that was hit with another massive missile attack last night. Russia is aggravated because Ukraine hit a bridge that is crucial to military strategy and supplies that Russia uses to annihilate Ukrainians and steal their land. So, they retaliate by hitting multiple civilian targets, wounding civilians and hitting grain warehouses where grain is shipped to poor countries reliant on World Food Programme Aid. I later learnt they had destroyed 60000 tonnes of grain and there were civilians wounded and killed. If it wasn’t for air defence the casualties would have been much higher. Why can’t the world see how evil and unjust this war is and do more to stop it?
 These doctor’s children playing at camp the day after their home town was bombed again… these kids are targets.  These doctor’s children playing at camp the day after their home town was bombed again… these kids are targets  These doctor’s children playing at camp the day after their home town was bombed again… these kids are targets  These doctor’s children playing at camp the day after their home town was bombed again… these kids are targets
Spoke to a guy at dinner who said sometimes if he’s tired he starts to feel depressed and wonder what is he doing here in Ukraine with this war going on. But then he gets his strength back and says to himself ”we must win. We must believe in this.”
I told him the story of my grandfather and the history of the fighting Cossack spirit of Ukraine. I told him of our experiences around Ukraine and seeing the positive things that are rising out of this misery and evil and the wonderful things happening amongst Gods people. He struggled to find the English words but finally said through his google translate how kind and encouraging these words were and then I think was a little emotional and had to leave.
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**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** humanitarian, medical mission, non-profit, refugees, remote doctors, travel, ukraine, volunteer, war, warzone
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### [Ukraine (10)](https://www.passingthrough.net/ukraine-10/)
**Published:** July 29, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
22/7
We said goodbye to everyone at camp including our lovely interpreter. Always hard to take when people so effusively thank you for coming to their country during war and for helping them. Feels like we can do so little and they are so grateful… 
Aliona helped translate through the campAfter arriving at our hotel and checking in we sat down to have a coffee and plan our next move. As we sat down, I noticed a soldier come in with his wife. He had a prosthetic leg. After our coffee we went outside to catch a taxi and I noticed John talking to this soldier. I approached them and John said, “I know this guy!” Turned out it was the French soldier he had met in the rehabilitation centre in Lviv. His English wasn’t great, but he was able to tell us that he had just got out of hospital/rehab, and this was his first night with his wife in many months (hence why we backtracked on inviting him to dinner!!) He showed us his sturdy looking prosthesis encased in an army boot and then proceeded to tell us that he was going back to the front. When? Well, he didn’t know but he had two days with his wife, who was Ukrainian, and then back to base to await orders! He smiled as he demonstrated stepping forward with his prosthetic leg indicating he’d use that ‘leg’ to check for mines…. His smile then disappeared as he told us that the mines are very bad and are everywhere…. I couldn’t imagine having to go back to fight after having stepped on a mine and having lost my leg. But he spoke as if there was no other option and he had to fight! We exchanged numbers and photos and told him we would pray for him and parted from him with heavy hearts.
Max heading back to the front with one leg…
We headed off to the Holodomor Memorial and museum.
The Holodomor was yet another dark period in Ukrainian history. Similar in horror to the Holocaust yet much less known with many countries only recently recognising it as a genocide officially. I had known about it since childhood as my grandfather had lived through it. There were huge books that listed all the documented victims and there was a massive volume for each district. It was sobering to see one of these volumes for the district my grandfather had been living in.
The Holodomor was a man-made famine that occurred in Soviet Ukraine from 1932 to 1933. It was a genocidal policy orchestrated by Joseph Stalin’s regime, aimed at suppressing Ukrainian nationalism and resistance to collectivization. Through forced grain requisitioning, export quotas, and other oppressive measures, the Soviet government deliberately withheld food from Ukraine, resulting in the death of millions of Ukrainians. Some of the evils were described in great detail including the smashing of implements and millstones so that not even gathered acorns could be ground into a substitute flour after all their other foods were stolen – leading to mass starvation. The Holodomor remains a tragic and deeply contentious chapter in Ukrainian history, with estimates of the death toll ranging from several million to over ten million people. It is recognized as one of the deadliest famines in human history and an act of political repression and mass murder.
Memorial to the Holodomor
The millstones represent when the Russians smashed the millstones so starving Ukrainians couldn’t even make flour out of wild acorns…
Holodomor memorial
The millstones represent when the Russians smashed the millstones so starving Ukrainians couldn’t even make flour out of wild acorns
Holodomor museum- stolen grain
It was pouring rain as we came out of the Holodomor Museum and so our hopes of walking around the parks and lookouts were dashed. We headed across to a small café to grab a bite to eat and see if the rain would settle down. We had some delicious mushroom soup and potato and mushroom pancakes and coffee.
Potato pancakes and mushrooms
A traditional Ukrainian drink that’s like a wheat kombucha or an alcohol free beer
Even the chips have patriotic slogans on them!Out of the blue a young American guy popped in and said, “Are you Aussies or British?” Turned out his name was Garett, and he was a law student on his summer break who had come to help at the Civil Liberties Tribunal with documenting war crimes – mostly the detention of civilians. It turned out it was an organisation that we had tried to get in touch with and were wanting to talk to, so he took our contacts and was going to help with that. The rain hadn’t abated so we headed back to the hotel and got some rest.
23/7
John & Elsie headed back to Lviv and I’m staying on in Kyiv before heading off to Kryvyi Rih. Helping them get on their train we saw lots of soldiers heading back to the front – jumping on trains with place names well known to us now from reports of Russian shelling. The hotel we stayed in had lots of soldiers and it was eerie sharing elevators with them, watching them with their backpacks and their sleeping bags and thinking that they in a day they might be in a trench fighting for their life. Some of them had wives or girlfriends with them, holding on tightly to them. Others we saw holding their small children and hugging them. It was very hard to think of what was facing them.
Our hosts had only booked the train ticket for John & Elsie last minute, so they were in different compartments which wasn’t ideal. I gave John a crash course in Ukrainian – he at least could remember the word for wife – I figured if he could explain that Elsie was his wife, he might be able to get someone to swap with him. Was a relief to get a big thumbs up from the train and see that the swap had worked – John poked his head out the small gap in the window and called out “Divchina (wife) is a great word!!”
Poster in the train station
Kyiv train stationHeaded back to the hotel as wanted to use some of this down time to work on the video of Mark the chaplain. It was emotionally gruelling to feel the weight of his words as I watched him speak on the video- knowing that he had died only a day before, shortly after speaking to me.
I sat in the hotel cafe for a lot of the day and during this time a young soldier came in and sat down to meet a middle aged man. The soldier started talking to him with a British accent. Following the conversation it sounded like he was talking to a British journalist. This young guy described in detail some very harrowing scenarios where they were outnumbered or ambushed by Russian soldiers but still managed to fight their way out. There were vivid descriptions of dead bodies and close calls. He then offered to show and send him videos on his phone from their GoPros and I could hear the sounds of intense gunfights. It was all a bit surreal and disturbing.
**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** humanitarian, medical mission, non-profit, pack light, refugees, remote doctors, travel, ukraine, volunteer, war, warzone
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### [Ukraine (11)](https://www.passingthrough.net/ukraine-11/)
**Published:** July 30, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
24th July
Yesterday and today I pretty much spent organising photos and videos and trying to translate and edit the videos of the army chaplain who had been killed. I did go for a couple of walks for exercise and to clear my head. I walked literally to the other side of the tracks (across the railway station). I noticed it was a much poorer part of town. There seemed to be a lot more Roma here and there were also military men everywhere (mostly off duty I think). There was also row after row of military gear shops. You could deck out several armies here I reckon. I went into one shop to have a look and noticed that there were a few young foreign guys in there- British and American I think- buying military kit. I jumped on the train at 8pm and settled in for a bumpy night on a hard bed.
25 July Arrived in Kryvyi Rih in the South East of Ukraine at 6.20 am on the train and Irina was there to meet me. She’s so full of energy and love- we’ve never met but she hugged me like a long lost sister. She doesn’t speak English (‘only’ Ukrainian, Russian and Chinese!) so she brought with her one of the volunteers who also speaks English to translate. He is a lovely 23 year old lad called Andriy who got to go to the US when the war started to stay with friends and most of his family fled to Canada. But he had a realisation in the US that he ‘didn’t want to live like this, just living for myself’, so he headed back here and has volunteered to work with Irina serving the deoccupied villages.
She took us to her flat – well it’s not her flat really. It belongs to her friend who has gone to Poland. She has no house. She has been a missionary in China for eleven years and her life was over there . She came back for a visit and was in Ukraine when the war started. She had jumped straight in and started helping- she was telling me stories of helping villagers and taking aid to them even under rocket fire. And now she is needed and she knows that for now she can’t go back even though everything she owns is sitting there in China.
She has now started holiday programs for the village children that are coming back to the deoccupied villages as well as providing humanitarian aid and relationships. The children now ask her to promise that she won’t leave….
After the Russians blew up the Khakhovka dam which supplied most of the water in this area- the needs shifted from food to water.
Even in the city in her flat she only has water two hrs a day now and she has to buy water to drink.
Before dropping me to my hotel she made me coffee and some breakfast. As we sat in her kitchen the air raid sirens went off. I looked to see what they would do. They just smiled and said that if they ran to shelter at every siren they’d have no life! Andriy said he sees it as being ‘like a lottery’… ( except instead of a million dollars you can get annihilated by a Russian missile.
I started hearing some ‘pfft pfft’ and Andriy says to me – “hear that? Shaheds! That’s air defence working.” In other words their air defence had just shot down Iranian made Shahed attack drones that had been sent in by the Russians.
The sounds stopped fairly quickly and I was dropped off to my hotel where they were going to meet me later for lunch.
We went out for lunch with her pastor, Oleg, who also does village visits with her delivering humanitarian aid and comfort. We ended up talking and interviewing for 8 hours.
 Andriy and I  Irina and I  Irina’s team of volunteers  Pastor Oleg and Irina The perception they had was that a lot of International NGOs just drop aid and leave. They are grateful for this aid but what they’ve seen is how important it is to come back and be there for the people.
When I told Irina about the army chaplain who’d died- she looked like she wanted to cry but she didn’t. She said ‘there is too much pain , there are no tears left to cry. If we cry now we’ll implode. Crying will come later- when this war is finished.”
Many of the young men of her church have gone to the front and two of the pastors have gone as army chaplains, risking their lives to minister to the soldiers physically and spiritually. Oleg’s wife is also an army chaplain who goes to the front- he calls her ‘my hero!’
We had lots of interesting discussions. The pastor told me that his father was ‘Russian’ – or more correctly from an ethnic group indigenous to Siberia that had been colonised by Russia. And that being in a Russian speaking area he had spoken Russian all of his 53 years. But that with this Russian invasion, something inside him changed, and that he can no longer stomach speaking Russian- and he has switched to Ukrainian for the last year and a half. I have met so many people like this. Lots and lots of Russian-speaking Ukrainians who are now determined to only speak Ukrainian.
I’ve also found more than one person who has made it clear that most Ukrainians view being Ukrainian as being about your soul and love for your country, not your ethnicity or ‘race’.
On settling into my room I noticed that the hotel has a big list of safety procedures including what do under bombing and what to do in a nuclear radiation emergency. That reminded me how relatively close to the Zaphorizia nuclear power plant we are here. Air raid sirens went off again last night.
 This was from a different hotel we stayed in but you get the idea… 26/7
Another gut-wrenching day in Ukraine.
Andriy from Irina’s team came to pick me up and took me to the church where they were loading up all the gear ready for the kids camp they were going to run over three days in some destroyed deoccupied (occupied by Russians in the invasion but now liberated) villages.
I was allocated to go with Pastor Oleg and a young guy called Christian who was going to do some basic translation for me.
Christian is an interesting young guy who is only 18 but already studying quantum physics computing and maths ( or something like that!) plus a few psychology classes in his spare time, plus does professional photography with vintage cameras for some income and on his holidays does missionary work. Oh and he is from Kharkiv and witnessed the Russian attack on his hometown early in the invasion. He has great dreams for Ukraine though and wants to use his education to help with building his country after the war.
As we packed toys and food and games for the kids, Pastor Dima pulls out what looks like a fenestrated rocket. He then proceeds to tell me through the translator that this is cluster munitions and describes in detail how it works and how the bomblets fly out and are designed to incur maximum death across a wide area. Turns out won’t be the last time today I see these. I ask where this is from- he assures me I’ll see more as I’m going to the village where it’s from.
 Pastor Dima explaining cluster munitions  Pastor Dima explaining cluster munitions Pastor Oleg wanted to take me to the village that he does visits to- it is further on from where the camp is. It is a village called Bilihirka in Kherson oblast that sits on a rise overlooking Mykolaiv oblast and was therefore a strategic site early in the war for the Russians. It was occupied by the Russians and was the site of lots of battles and bombings. So many of the villages around here are bombed though. And farming villages is all they were. The road in was long and bumpy. The roads had craters in them from bombs and artillery, and were rutted and damaged from tanks. Where a bridge had been destroyed they’d had to make a temporary crossing that detoured a lot of the trucks via back roads and the village roads were now completely wrecked. When rain comes it’s going to be a disaster as people will get bogged in the dug up roads. (Note- later on the way back we indeed saw a truck had got bogged in a dug up section of road)
 A temporary crossing to replace a bombed bridge  Remnants of a bombed car  This bombed building overlooks the village  One of the bridges still being repaired after bombing. A few people had either stayed and/ or come back to rebuild and these were the people that were being visited.
Then when we got to the villages we could see that pretty much every house had been bombed or shelled or damaged in some way. In Bilihirka every single house had been destroyed.
Our first stop was at Sergei and Tania’s place- or what was left of it…
This lovely couple’s house had been blown to smithereens but they had been slowly rebuilding. There wasn’t much there but ruins and debris. But they welcomed us with what they had and had set up an outdoor table in a shelter and served us a beautiful meal. Made more amazing by the fact that they had no running water, no kitchen and no freezer and had only recently gotten power back on. Their fridge was full of shapnel holes that they had to mend with foam a fill and tape. It was one of the nicest meals I’ve had in Ukraine. They’d made fresh potato and cabbage pierogis, bread and salo ( which Oleg had brought with him), beet salad, fresh tomatoes, and stuffed zucchini’s. Tania apologised for having no meat due to their situation! Most of it was grown on a small plot at the back of their farm. But not as much as they were used to growing as they have very little land left that hasn’t been bombed or mined. And the land they do have to grow on can’t be watered regularly as the piped water from the khahkovka dam is gone. Firstly the Russians blew up the dam so the reservoir that supplies the pipes and canals is gone. Secondly most of the pipes and water tanks have been bombed or shot up. So many of the villages have no water. And you see people pushing carts around with giant plastic water bottles on them. Thankfully for this small area they have a small artesian basin that they have been able to sink wells into. Tania’s eyes welled up with tears as she said ( through the translator) how grateful she was to have visitors. We had a good chat and they asked lots of questions about Australia.
 All the fields were still mined  Sergei’s famous watermelons  Sergei and Tania with Christian and Pastor Oleg  Shell casings and rockets were everywhere  Tania prepares a bounty amidst the ruins  Remnants of bomblets from cluster munitions  Bombed buildings everywhere  Russian soldiers uniform embedded in the road  Remnants of a villagers house  Bombed grain shed  Burnt damaged grain in the bombed grain shed  Remains of a truck commonly used by Russian military  Water tank trailer riddled with bullet holes  Melted tractor engine- probably phosphorus bomb  Bombed buildings and farmMachinery  Spot the rocket  Sergei with his flag- one of the first things residents put up wwhen returning  Sergei and the ruins of his house- a temporary shelter donated on the right is too hot to sleepIn  Last years crop lies burnt and unused  Sergei showing us his destroyed fields  Unexploded grenade to the right of the bottle  Bunker that Russians were staying in  More remains of Russian soldiers  More munitions in his fields As we sat at lunch we heard some explosions. I was assured it was likely going in the direction we wanted ( Ukrainian v Russia) but I noticed that Tania jumped and was shaking and teary when there was an explosion. Given that later another guy told me they hear this every day I thought how long will this poor lady be able to take it?They told me how they had grown lots of watermelons before the war. This area is famous for watermelons and as if to prove it he produced a newspaper clipping of him and his son showcasing their famous ‘Bilahirka ’ ( name of the village) watermelons that they used to export. But now they can’t grow anything but a few vegetables for themselves. In addition to his land being wrecked and mined, every piece of farm equipment he owned had been destroyed by bombs and rockets. Equipment, that he now has absolutely no hope of being able to afford to replace. Sergei was keen to show us around even though you could see it was hard for him. He tried to not show it but it was clearly very upsetting for him. Their whole life had been destroyed. He showed us where buildings had been, where rockets had landed, bullet holes. He showed us the dugout shelter that the Russians had built and lived in. As he showed us through the debris of one of his buildings he picked up some bits and pieces he said he’d only just noticed now and they were marked as Russian army food packets and paraphernalia. He threw them out in disgust. I can only imagine that it must have felt as if his place had been defiled – to think of the Russian invaders who had come to kill and destroy, being camped out in his house.
He then took us around his farm and showed us fields covered in shrapnel, grenade pieces, rockets, shells, cluster munitions, and a house full of rockets collected from the village.
Also saw a parachute from a 500kg bomb called a fab. They do an enormous amount of damage- why on earth would you drop that on a civilian village??
There were also blobs of phosphorus all through the fields- remnants of illegal phosphorus bombs that clearly constitute a war crime when used in civilian areas. They are hideous weapons that set everything on fire with a heat that goes up to 1000degrees Celsius and can’t be extinguished with water. Contact with flesh burns down to bones. Burns of just 10% with phosphorus can be fatal.
We were told that mines and UXO were everywhere and pretty much only the roads and under the power lines that got repaired has been de-mined.
The village was full of landmine warning signs and we weren’t really supposed to wander off the road. But it was like the more we looked the further afield Sergei wanted to go and he just kept walking and walking, stopping to look at and pick up shells, pieces of rockets, fragments of Russian soldiers clothes. I sensed that many of these he had seen for the first time and wondered if this was the first time he’d had the emotional strength to look – when he had someone to share it with? Christian and I were carefully stepping in his footsteps but it did occur to me that I really didn’t want to watch him get blown up on my video either so I asked Christian to suggest he be careful and we turn around. But it was like he didn’t hear and he just needed to keep going … poor guy just looked so broken as he looked at his whole life wrecked before his eyes but seemed driven by a need to show us. We passed a body length sized area of dug up dirt and he suggested that there were probably Russians buried there but he hadn’t looked. This was likely as nearby was the remains of a Russian soldiers helmet and uniform. We saw several of these.
We saw grenades sitting in the dirt that were possibly still unexploded and posing a risk as well.
He insisted on giving me the heavy casing of a rocket even though I explained I probably wouldn’t fit it in my suitcase. The Pastor later popped it in the trunk and explained that it was against Ukrainian law to take it out anyway.
We saw charred fields that still had burnt grain in them, fields that are now full of mines and fuel and chemicals from the rockets meaning no farming for years to come. Not to mention that all of his farm machinery and every single tractor was completely destroyed.
When we came back to the house the pastor and Tania looked down at my pants and feet and I was covered in black stripes of ash from the burnt out grass and fields that had been shelled. They were horrified that we’d been walking through those fields and rushed to help me wash it off with the little water they had and made me promise not to tell anyone what we had done. I was the only one responsible though. It might seem foolish but it just felt like I had to do it for them- if that makes sense?
We hugged and cried and Tania spoke some last words for me on the camera through her tears “I love my country. I love Ukraine. We don’t want the Russians here.”
Next visit was to Sasha and Irina and their young son ( their oldest son lived elsewhere). Pastor Oleg had brought a little train set for their 9 year old son. He smiled briefly when he got it and went to play with it but he seemed rather flat and reluctant to have a photo taken or even to look at anyone. It wasn’t a normal reaction. I could only imagine what this child had witnessed and gone through. His house was mostly destroyed. His father showed us the underground bunker where they stayed for over a month to avoid the shelling. It was small, dug into the dirt and very musty. It still had the blankets on the ground. He had put drums filled with concrete at the doorway to stop rockets hitting the entrance too hard.
 Burnt out car in the garage that was bombed  Coffee at Sasha and Irina’s  Sasha and Irina with their son. The pile of rubble behind had been their house  One of the sweetest watermelons I’ve ever had  Irina’s son runs out for a hug  Sasha shows us a cluster bomb  The cluster bomb lying in his garden  Finding the cluster bomb  Showing us one of the ten cluster bombs from his yard  All the cluster bombs he found in his yard. He found ten cluster munitions rockets just on his property alone. He showed us where most of his house had been and now it was a pile of rubble. He talked about his beautiful garden, his outdoor area and his house. It is a very simple village lifestyle but for him he said it was “perfect”. He had everything he wanted and could grow his food and enjoy his family. He doesn’t understand why the Russians want to “destroy us all.” The cluster munitions inflict maximum human killing impact. His only answer as to why they were dropped on his house- “They want to kill us all.” These cluster munition killing machines were dropped on innocent civilian villages long before Western media was debating the ethics of supplying these to Ukraine amid claims Russia had never used them.
Again this couple shared the little they had with us- giving us a delicious Turkish coffee cooked on the fire and a taste of the famous Bilihirka watermelon- one of a handful they’d been able to grow as his gardens were all mostly mined too. We sat in the bombed out remains of part of their house which they were trying to restore and had even hung up some pictures they’d found in the ruins. Of course the pressure is on for all of these people as when the icy cold of winter sets in it won’t be possible to get by with these open air spaces and outdoor kitchens…
We stopped to go down the track to the river. We could only go as far as the sapper marks so as to not risk stepping on a landmine. But again we were walking through fields of shrapnel. Sharp pieces of metal designed to kill. It was hard to imagine what kind of hell it would be, fighting with all this stuff flying around.
 The Inhulets river fed by the Dnipro- the level we met way down when they dam was bombed by the Russians  Sharp shrapnel designed to kill We could see where the river level had dropped right down due to the bombing of the dam. Desperate farmers had already planted some crops on the exposed river banks, risking the possibility that mines had been washed down into the river. We also heard how the fishing was very difficult now as there had been massive fish kills, as well as cows killed by land mines or starvation – all resulting in a foul stench that filled the air. Possibly added to by the stench of Russian soldiers. The Russians often left their dead behind and mining now made it impossible for Ukrainians to bury them too. Many times we stepped over remnants of soldiers uniforms. John had even heard from one of the Ukrainian army soldiers that Russians often left their wounded too but not before taking their watches.
We then went on to the next house where the ‘patriarch and matriarch’ of the village live. Grigory and Valentina- ‘Grisha and Valya’. Another lady Nadia was also there as well as their two older grandsons who were helping in the garden.
Their house had also been damaged badly although a little less than some of the others. The rooves of their buildings were still UNHCR white tarps. Their kitchen was also out under a tree now- and would have to be sorted before the winter. This family also farmed and he talked about the beautiful watermelons he used to export and now they could only grow some vegetables to eat and sell at a local market. They had managed to clear a small area that they could farm but most of their land was covered in mines. There has been very little sapper activity here but he knew of two sappers who had started de-mining here who had been killed by mines. Later Oleg showed me photos of a mine nearby that had exploded. We were told they had cleared the roads though and we could walk down the roads . We saw many more blown up buildings, rockets in fields, burnt forests, dugout Russian positions and farm machinery blown up or full of bullet holes. One tractor had been hit by a bomb that was so hot some of its metal components melted! Probably a thermobaric phosphorus bomb.
 Grisha and his melons  Homemade pierogies  Watermelon!”  Melons at Grishas house  Valya cooking in the only kitchen she has now  Valya feeding the rabbit  Hrishas taxi melted by a yheemomn  Valya, Grisha and family with me and Oleg  Nadia and I  Christian and ye BBB  Sitting with Valya on front of smallSection of repaired house. See We came to a grain storehouse that we were told belonged to Sergei and Tania and it was also destroyed and there was piles of burnt grain on the floor. Ukraine’s grain feeds a large proportion of the world and this war threatens to exacerbate hunger in the poorest parts of the world.
Water pipes and water tanks were blown apart. Burnt out cars sat in the blown up remains of the garages they were parked in.
Despite all this these lovely people served us again with delicious rabbit liver pierogis ( I think it was rabbit anyway- there was certainly a cage full of them there) and some fresh melon they’d grown in the small garden they’d managed to get going again.
We heard several explosions whilst we were there and Grisha said they heard this most mornings and nights and he just shrugged his shoulders resignedly.
While I was waiting for the pastor to go to the toilet the old man told me in Ukrainian to ‘sit down’ under the tree. He started talking and I got some of it translated. He also looked so downcast. He told how much had been destroyed. He told me that so many journalists have come and done interviews from so many countries- and then they just go again. Of course I didn’t have the heart to interview him when he said that, so I just sat with him, and shed some tears with him, and held his hand. I think he appreciated that.
As I left, Nadia came up to me and touched my face and hugged me and said through the translator that she could see I was “sympathetic, a kind person with a kind heart and soul who cares”, “not like other foreigners”… ?l
Grisha ( who is not a Christian himself) then made the point that the only people who have really helped and have kept coming have been the ‘church people’.
His wife Valya asked Oleg to pray with her. Then there were lots of hugs again all around and I left there with a heavy heart and a new understanding. That liberation is not the end of it- and that every place touched by the Russians will have years if not decades of damage to undo and that lives have been destroyed in multiple ways. And that no one wanted them here… they were happy before the Russians came.
On the way back to camp we stopped at an overgrown helicopter field and Oleg told me this had been used by the Russians. I noticed in conversation that he was referring to the Russians as ‘orcs’ ( and it was being translated to me as Russians). I asked about this and yes indeed it is a widespread term with reference to the hideous, evil murderous creatures in the movie ‘Lord of the Rings’.
 Field used as helicopter field by Russians I also noticed that all of the bridges had soldiers around or under them and I was warned not to take any photos as all important infrastructure was guarded and was not to have photos taken of it.
It was a sober journey back to the camp. They had set up a base in an abandoned cottage in the village of Bila Krynitsa that had also been bombed and occupied. This is where the cooking would be for the team. We would be sleeping at the school where the program was going to run for the kids.
 Team base in village cottage that they use as their base  The team base for meals etc  Water well/ thankfully there is some ground water here as the reservoir was blown up by the Eussians  Team making plans for the vacation program  I got the VIP guest of honour camp bed  The school we stayed in – windows replaced but the shelling marks are still there  The school bus had been hit by shelling As we arrived at the school it was clear the school had been under shelling too at some point. The walls had pockmarks in it- the grounds and road in front had explosion holes in it and the school bus sitting in the car park had blown out windows and a hole where a shell had it.
We were all sleeping on the floor and I went to make my mat up but Irina took over and despite my very strong protests insisted on making it for me and giving me two sleeping bags and the thicker mat. That’s even though she’d been working non- stop all day. She’s an amazing lady.
**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** charity, humanitarian, medical mission, non-profit, optimumwardrobe, pack light, refugees, remote doctors, travel, ukraine, volunteer, war, warzone
---
### [Putin's Position on Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/putins-position/)
**Published:** December 18, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Here I delve into Putin's motives, Putin's position and the imperative for robust international support for Ukraine.
**Content:**
# *Putin’s Position on Ukraine*
*At his yearly press briefing in Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s position on Ukraine was that Russian forces were consolidating their positions across most of the frontline in Ukraine, as Western support diminishes, and that there would be no peace until ‘Russia’s goals were met.’ Despite the setbacks and losses-which currently sit at around 8-1 in favour of Ukraine on a daily basis – and the failure of his plans for the initial full-scale invasion in 2022 (anyone remember ‘in three days’??), Putin’s objectives have remained unchanged.*
*Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s recent comments, interpreted by some as a potential groundwork for resolving the conflict, are just restatements of Russia’s ongoing demands. These demands include the ousting of the Zelenskyy administration in favour of a government more agreeable to Russia, the ‘neutralisation’ of Ukraine signifying both an indefinite rejection of NATO membership and a diminution of Ukraine’s military capabilities, a renunciation of Ukrainian national identity by its people, and the acknowledgement of Russia’s effective control over Ukraine’s international and domestic policies, as well as their entire way of life– **mirroring the control Russia has asserted in the Ukrainian territories it occupies.***
*Russian authorities and media consistently reiterate these conditions, and **Putin has shown no signs of readiness to negotiate or alter these terms.***
**Introduction:** The conflict in Ukraine, instigated by Russian President Vladimir Putin, is not a reactionary measure against NATO but a calculated strategy to expand Russian influence, dismantle Ukraine’s statehood, and weaken NATO. Here I delve into Putin’s motives, Putin’s position and the imperative for robust international support for Ukraine.
**Putin’s Misconception of NATO and Expansionist Goals:** Contrary to the narrative of defending against NATO, Putin’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine was driven by his perception of NATO’s vulnerability and the West’s weakness, giving him an opportunity to reach his long-stated goals. His aim extends beyond defence to the expansion of Russian power, reasserting Russian global dominance, the dismantling of Ukraine’s statehood, and the disintegration of NATO. This was explicitly stated in his annual press conference, where he claimed Russian forces were “improving their position” and peace was contingent on Russia’s complete victory.
**Persistent Russian Demands and Diplomatic Misinterpretations:** Putin’s goals have remained steadfast, despite the setbacks in the initial invasion and ongoing conflicts. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s statements, often misinterpreted as peace gestures, are in fact mere reiterations of Russia’s maximalist demands. These include the dismantling of the Zelenskyy government, the imposition of a pro-Russian regime, and the complete subjugation of Ukraine’s military and identity.
**The Flawed Approach of Western Diplomacy:** Western hopes for a diplomatic resolution are misplaced.. The ISW’s assessment indicates a dynamic conflict far from stalemate, as does the daily reports I hear and read from various people on the front lines and independent analysts, that rarely make the news. Putin’s 2021 ultimatums to Ukraine and the West, demanding Ukraine’s alignment with Russia, underscore the unfeasibility of diplomatic resolutions.
**Putin’s Long-Term Ambitions:** Putin’s strategy has evolved from economic and political manipulation to outright military aggression. His long-term objectives include dismantling NATO, reasserting Russia as a global power, and exerting complete control over Ukraine. The annexation of Crimea and parts of Donbas were initial steps in this broader strategy.
**Russia’s Future Expansion Plans:** Intelligence reports, such as those from German outlet BILD, reveal Russia’s plans for further territorial expansion in Ukraine, indicating a long-term strategy of attrition and political manoeuvring. Putin’s December 2022 statement reaffirms his maximalist objectives, aligning with ongoing Russian military operations and reinforced by his recent statements at his end of 2023 press conference.
**The Global Implications of Russia’s Strategy:** The Ukrainian Resistance Centre’s exposure of a Russian Academy of Sciences report highlights Russia’s intent to fracture the EU and undermine NATO. This strategy involves exploiting internal divisions within European countries and spreading anti-US sentiments to weaken Western alliances. This is all part of Russia’s disinformation strategies.
**The Imperative of Unwavering Support for Ukraine:** The end of this war will come not from Putin’s face-saving, but from his realisation that victory is unattainable. The international community’s unwavering support for Ukraine is not just a moral imperative, but a strategic necessity to ensure long-term peace and stability in the region. We are faced with a turning point in history such as we haven’t seen since the world stood up to Hitler. Only by helping Ukraine inflict an unequivocal military defeat on Russia and then assisting in rebuilding a strong, resilient society and military can the West prevent future conflicts and maintain global order.
Please spread the word, write to your politicians, [ sign up to the blog](https://www.passingthrough.net/subscribe), and [help our partners provide aid](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/) during this time.
```
Sources:
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/weakness-lethal-why-putin-invaded-ukraine-and-how-war-must-end
https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-22-2023
www.kyivindependent.com
www.cnn.com
```
**Categories:** Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** democracy, freedom, global peace, human rights, humanitarian, non-profit, putin, standforpeace, ukraine, war, warzone, zelenskyy
---
### [Why we must support Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/why-the-west-must-support-ukraine/)
**Published:** December 23, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Explore the vital role of Western support in Ukraine's fight against Russian aggression. In particular, the moral imperatives to support Ukraine.
**Content:**
# Why the West must support Ukraine
### “Ukraine will emerge from this war proud, free and firmly rooted in the West – unless we walk away. But without supplemental funding, we’re rapidly coming to the end of our ability to help Ukraine respond to the urgent operational demands that it has. Putin is banking on the US failing to deliver for Ukraine. We must, we must, we must prove him wrong,” Biden said. ( December, 2023)
Pastor Dima with one of his units
Russian officials have declared their intent to occupy and annex more Ukrainian territory, extending beyond the current front lines and the already illegally annexed regions. This aggressive stance raises a critical alarm for NATO and the global community. Should the United States and Europe withdraw military support, the possibility of a Russian conquest of Ukraine transforms from a distant threat to a looming reality. Such a scenario would not only mark a triumph for a battered Russian army but also position it alarmingly close to NATO’s borders, stretching from the Black Sea all the way to the Arctic Ocean. Despite substantial losses inflicted by the Ukrainian military with Western backing, where nearly 90% of the invading Russian forces were decimated according to US intelligence, Russians have not only replenished their manpower but have also accelerated their industrial capabilities, surpassing pre-war levels, setting the stage for a stronger, more experienced military force.
## The implications of a Russian victory extend far beyond the battlefield.
A rejuvenated Russian military, battle-hardened and technologically advanced, poses a formidable challenge to NATO’s strategic defense. The United States, in response, would find itself in a precarious position, needing to deploy significant ground forces and stealth aircraft to Eastern Europe. This military expansion, necessary to deter the Russian threat, comes with a substantial financial burden and strategic dilemmas, particularly in balancing commitments between Europe and Asia. The decision to support Ukraine, therefore, transcends mere conflict support; it is a strategic necessity to prevent a stronger, emboldened Russia from altering the global power balance.
## Contrasting the situation in Ukraine with that of Afghanistan in 2001 highlights the strategic importance of support for Ukraine.
Unlike Afghanistan, Ukraine boasts a highly industrialized economy, a modern urban landscape, and a well-educated populace. Under President Volodymyr Zelensky’s leadership, the nation is committing to bolstering its military capabilities, including forming joint ventures with Western firms. This approach not only reinforces Ukraine’s military independence but also positions it as a key contributor to NATO’s security and the broader Western economy. A victorious Ukraine, therefore, emerges not as a dependent entity but as a robust, self-reliant ally, instrumental in maintaining the balance of power in Europe and safeguarding democratic values against expansionist threats.
# Why we must support Ukraine…
## Moral Imperatives to Support Ukraine in the Face of Russian Aggression
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine, ignited by Russian military aggression, has not only reshaped the geopolitical landscape but also posed profound moral questions. The support for Ukraine transcends strategic interests, rooting deeply in the moral imperatives of defending sovereignty, human rights, and international law. The necessity for Ukraine to prevail is underscored not only by the need to uphold these principles but also to prevent further atrocities and war crimes.
## Upholding Sovereignty and International Law
At the heart of the moral argument for supporting Ukraine is the principle of sovereignty and the sanctity of international law. Ukraine’s right to exist as a free, independent nation is enshrined in the United Nations Charter and various international treaties. Russia’s invasion, a blatant violation of these principles, challenges the very foundation of the international order. Allowing such aggression to succeed sets a dangerous precedent, undermining the concept of national sovereignty and encouraging similar actions by other powers.
## Humanitarian Crisis and War Crimes
The conflict has led to a humanitarian crisis of staggering proportions. Civilian casualties, displacement of millions, and destruction of civilian infrastructure are not just collateral damage but also, as reported by numerous sources, the result of deliberate targeting by Russian forces. These actions, which many argue constitute war crimes, demand a moral response. Supporting Ukraine becomes a necessity to halt these atrocities and bring those responsible to justice, reaffirming the international community’s commitment to human rights and justice. In addition there needs to be consideration of the impact that further destruction and defeat in Ukraine would have on food supplies for the poorest in the world. A large percention of the World Food Programmes grain comes from Ukraine.
## Bucha: A Glimpse into Russia’s Campaign of Terror
Bucha stands as a stark example of Russia’s systematic campaign of terror in Ukraine. This is not an isolated incident but a pattern replicated across Russian-occupied territories, where deliberate horrific atrocities are being committed as part of a broader strategy.
## Revival of the “Filtration” Concept
Under the guise of “denazification,” Russian soldiers are ruthlessly implementing a “filtration” process. This involves scrutinizing civilians in occupied areas to weed out those perceived as opposed to Russia’s unjust invasion. The reality is that this often targets anyone who resists Russian dominance.
## Targeting of Civilians and Community Leaders
There has been a persistent effort by Russian forces to seek out and brutalize local leaders, activists, and journalists. The U.S. government had forewarned about Russian plans to eliminate or intern certain Ukrainians, and these threats have materialized in horrifying ways, with ongoing efforts to identify and target dissenters.
## Invasive Surveillance and Detention
Russians are rigorously inspecting personal devices and identifying symbols of Ukrainian patriotism, such as national tattoos, to identify sympathizers of Ukrainian resistance. This is openly acknowledged by Kremlin-associated media outlets. Furthermore, Ukrainian POWs are subjected to this invasive “filtration” process.
These methods are not new but reflect a historical pattern of Russian warfare. Similar strategies were employed in Chechnya to instill a state-sponsored regime of terror. For years, Russia has been inflicting atrocities in Ukraine, as seen in the “Izolyatsia” prison in Donetsk and the treatment of Crimean Tatars. These actions are indicative of Russia’s broader strategy of using terror as a tool of warfare.The current situation in Ukraine echoes these past atrocities.
## Broad Spectrum of Atrocities
Russian forces are not just engaging in combat; they are systematically targeting civilian infrastructures such as hospitals, executing unarmed civilians, and committing widespread acts of rape. The siege tactics seen in places like Mariupol demonstrate a disturbing disregard for civilian life, including the forced deportation of civilians, including children, to Russia.
## The Future of Russian Occupation
Until Ukraine reclaims its territory, Russian forces will likely continue their terror campaign, using “denazification” as a pretext for their long-standing goal of undermining Ukrainian sovereignty. Regardless of the linguistic demographics of the areas, such as the Russian-speaking populations in Mariupol and Kherson, the atrocities persist.
## The Domino Effect of Aggression
A Russian victory in Ukraine could embolden further aggressive actions, not just in Europe but globally. It would signal to authoritarian regimes that territorial expansion and disregard for international norms can be achieved without significant consequences. This could lead to a more unstable and dangerous world, where the rules-based order is replaced by a might-makes-right approach. We have already seen an increasing ‘axis of evil’ as tyrants and autocrats join forces in North Korea, Russia, Iran and China. In addition there is copious evidence that Russia has been involved in or contributed to, much human suffering and/or politicial instability and meddling around the globe for many years with this only increasing with the rise of the internet, social media and Putin’s growing confidence as the West weakens. Much suffering in African nations and the Middle East is tied to Russia. Preventing this scenario is not just a strategic interest but a moral obligation to future generations.
## The Moral High Ground in International Relations
Supporting Ukraine aligns with taking the moral high ground in international relations. It is about standing for principles of democracy, freedom, and human dignity against authoritarianism and oppression. Ukraine’s struggle is emblematic of a broader fight for these values. Their victory would be a triumph not just for Ukrainians but for all who believe in these ideals.
There are financial and geopolitical considerations and imperatives also -but many of those arguments have been made elsewhere. In summary, though the cost of incation or insufficient support will be far greater than the investments made today to stand up to tyranny as we have had to do in history before.
## We Must Support Ukraine
Supporting Ukraine is not just about aiding a nation in distress; it’s about safeguarding the principles of sovereignty, human rights, and a stable world order. The West must stand firm in its commitment, ensuring that Ukraine emerges victorious and resilient, a beacon of freedom and democracy
The moral reasons to support Ukraine in its conflict with Russia are compelling. Upholding sovereignty, preventing war crimes, averting further global instability, and defending democratic values are not just strategic interests but moral imperatives. The international community’s support for Ukraine is crucial in ensuring that these principles prevail, setting a precedent that aggression and disregard for international law will not be tolerated. Ukraine’s victory is essential not only for its own future but for the future of a world order based on respect for human rights, sovereignty, and international law. We have already let Russia get too far and do too much – a decisive victory for Ukraine is likely to be the only thing that stops our descent into a world of chaos and possibly a third world war.
Helping Ukraine liberate its people and territories is the only way to stop Russian atrocities and prevent future ones. The West must rush the military support that Ukraine needs to do so.
Stopping the active conflict will not end the suffering of Ukrainians. As long as Russian forces occupy Ukrainian lands, the terror will continue. It’s clear that a lasting solution requires more than a ceasefire; it necessitates the complete withdrawal of Russian forces and the restoration of Ukrainian sovereignty.
## The Risks of a Ceasefire
A ceasefire, while ostensibly a step towards peace, may only embolden Russia to fortify its oppressive measures in occupied territories. Putin has consistently expressed his intention to bring Ukraine under Russian control, using any pause in combat to further this agenda.
The West should not try to push Ukraine into a ceasefire or a peace deal for the sake of short-term peace and should instead focus on helping Ukraine win this next phase of the war.
## **Ukraine can win the next phase of this war if we support Ukraine in a timely and proper manner**
Ukraine has won the first phase of this war and has a chance to win the second one. Russia is regrouping for a major assault in Ukraine’s southeast. The outcome of this phase is far from determined, as Russia struggles to amass the combat power necessary to achieve its military objectives in Donbas.
With proper and timely military aid, Ukraine has a chance to win the second phase by pushing back Russia’s offensive and continuing its efforts to liberate Russia-held areas. The Ukrainian government has made clear what military aid it needs from Western leaders. Those needs include tanks, armored vehicles, artillery systems, multi-launch rocket systems, air defense systems, and combat aircraft. Ukraine has shown what they are capable of if only they would be given the right tools.
## Time is critical:
the West must deliver the aid Ukraine needs to defeat the next wave of the Russian offensive before that offensive begins.
Half measures or delays in military aid as we are seeing now, will prolong the war, increase Putin’s chances of winning, and lead to more death and destruction. There is a reason that Kremlin allies are praising those countries who are holding back on aid to Ukraine.
## **Ukraine and the West should seek a permanent end to this conflict, not a temporary respite.**
A renewed war once Moscow has rearmed and prepared will likely be far costlier and more dangerous. Demands to reduce the financial burden of supporting Ukraine now simply store up greater risk and expense for the future.
## **‘There is no path to real peace other than helping Ukraine inflict an unequivocal military defeat on Russia and then helping to rebuild Ukraine into a military and society so strong and resilient that no future Russian leader sees an opportunity like the ones Putin misperceived in 2014 and 2022.’**
This path is achievable if the West commits to supporting Ukraine in the prolonged effort likely needed to walk down it. If the West is instead lured by the illusion of some compromise, it may end the pain for now, but only at the cost of much greater pain later. Putin has shown that he views compromise as surrender, and surrender emboldens him to reattack. This war can only end not when Putin feels that he can save face, but rather when he knows that he cannot win.
Former Prime Minister of Australia, Tony Abbott recently said Ukrainians were not just fighting for their own freedom but fighting for “everyone’s freedom”.
“And Ukrainians are fighting and dying so that Americans and Britons and Australians don’t have to fight and die,” he said.
“If America and its allies won’t further help the Ukrainians, who are fighting for everyone’s freedom, not just their own, the question must arise: how much stomach is there for any sustained resistance to a nuclear-armed dictator, with a messianic sense of mission, in Europe, or indeed in Asia, convinced that the decadent West is in terminal decline?”
## Or as Churchill put it in a similar turning point of history – this is “the first foretaste of a bitter cup that will be proffered to us year by year unless, by a supreme recovery of our moral health and martial vigour we take our stand for freedom as in the olden time”.
To support the cause and make a difference, write to your leaders asking them to support Ukraine, and consider donating to trusted charities working on the ground. Your contributions can help bring relief and hope to those affected by this conflict. Visit [www.passingthrough.net/donating](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/) for more information.
```
Sources:
https://www.understandingwar.org/https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/
https://www.smh.com.au/world
```
**Categories:** Giving Back, Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** charity, freedom, Godslove, humanitarian, non-profit, refugees, standwithukraine, ukraine, war, warzone
---
### [Historical myths caused the Russian-Ukrainian War, not NATO](https://www.passingthrough.net/historical-myths/)
**Published:** March 14, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Explore the roots of the Russian-Ukrainian war: from NATO debates to Putin's historical myths and Ukraine's fight for sovereignty.
**Content:**
Whilst not necessarily covering all points of history relevant to the Russian-Ukrainian war this is a very good article that covers a lot of the myths being promulgated currently around Putin’s justification for this war and points out that in part, historical myths caused the Russian-Ukrainian War. However at the end of the day, no matter what you argue is the cause, there is no justification for the terror being rained down on Ukraine by Russia right now, or the atrocities and war crimes being committed. Please help us to support those affected – [PLEASE HELP. ](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)
Michael Lawriwsky’s
# Historical myths caused the Russian-Ukrainian War,
# not NATO…
Originally printed as an[ article in The Australian 9th March 2024](https://www.theaustralian.com.au/inquirer/historical-myths-caused-the-russianukrainian-war-not-nato/news-story/cf9ec88aa3c0d38047e76bce77d3af32)
Understanding the main cause of the [Russian-Ukrainian war](https://www.theaustralian.com.au/world/ukrainians-brace-for-cruel-wars-third-year-as-volodmyr-zelensky-hosts-visiting-leaders/news-story/441c3f060b686bbf1d2ca3c2c750a140) is important because how we perceive it determines how we understand and influence its course, and how it may be expected to conclude.
Two years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and 10 years after Russia’s initial invasions of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula and Donbas regions, debate continues about why war came.
University of Chicago political science professor John T. Mearsheimer has promoted the idea that it was all the West’s fault and avoidable because it was caused by NATO expansion that had raised Russia’s security concerns. Mearsheimer urges people to see things from Russia’s perspective.
What matters most is the historical myths that inform [Vladimir Putin](https://www.theaustralian.com.au/world/the-times/i-am-ready-for-a-nuclear-war-vladimir-putin-warns-west/news-story/2b81e8abb9c9ac7c5eeaf396ce2a7470)’s perspective, and that of the Russian elites and propaganda machine. In 2014 Putin’s former chief economic adviser, Andrei Ilarionov, revealed that in 2003 Putin had told him privately that it was intolerable that Kyiv, which he considered the cradle of Russian civilisation, and Sevastopol, where St Volodymyr accepted Christianity, should lie outside the Russian state. The first statement is false and the second is disputed, but both are illustrative of Putin’s unhealthy obsession with a mythological imperial history.
We saw it again last month when Putin stunned his US interviewer, Tucker Carlson, with a half-hour-long historical diatribe. Carlson could barely mutter “What century are we in?” halfway through it, and only on his later prompting did Putin finally mention [NATO](https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/nato-cant-be-blamed-for-putins-aggression/news-story/265a4e4c18db6f3e10d749a061de37f0). Putin led with history because that is the most important issue for him.
In his July 2021 essay titled On the Historical Unity of Russian and Ukrainians, Putin declared Ukraine did not exist, that it was created by Lenin and that Ukrainians were actually Russians who had been invented or manipulated by the Austro-Hungarian Empire (which ceased to exist in 1918).
**READ MORE:** [‘I was a PoW. Russia traded me on the black market’](https://www.theaustralian.com.au/world/the-times/ukraine-i-was-a-prisoner-of-war-russia-traded-me-on-black-market/news-story/7e2e62038b9eae8b10a2450698bfc194) | [Russians keep turning up dead all over the world](https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/the-wall-street-journal/russians-keep-turning-up-dead-all-over-the-world/news-story/1fbae650275aba7f1eda264a40c5577c) | [Putin warns that he’s ready for nuclear war](https://www.theaustralian.com.au/world/the-times/i-am-ready-for-a-nuclear-war-vladimir-putin-warns-west/news-story/2b81e8abb9c9ac7c5eeaf396ce2a7470) | [NATO can’t be blamed for Putin’s aggression](https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/nato-cant-be-blamed-for-putins-aggression/news-story/265a4e4c18db6f3e10d749a061de37f0) | [Ukrainians brace for cruel war’s third year](https://www.theaustralian.com.au/world/ukrainians-brace-for-cruel-wars-third-year-as-volodmyr-zelensky-hosts-visiting-leaders/news-story/441c3f060b686bbf1d2ca3c2c750a140) |
The insistence by the NATO expansion school of thought that all Putin wants is for Ukraine to guarantee its neutrality and act as a buffer between Russia and the West has been shown to be false by the war crimes and other genocidal actions of the Russian occupation forces, and by what its leading propagandists now say openly.
Putin knows that with every passing year of Ukrainian sovereignty and independence the Russian creation myth becomes more and more unsustainable. His idea is that Kyiv was a Russian city when it accepted Christianity in 988 and hence the people who lived there must have been Russians. If that’s what they really think, Yale University history professor Timothy Snyder says, then Russians “don’t know who they are”.
What Putin and other Russian imperialists cannot stomach is the stark reality that Ukraine’s premier church, Kyiv’s St Sophia Cathedral, is about 400 years older than Moscow’s St Basil’s Cathedral.
[ ](https://content.api.news/v3/images/bin/97491680defc01ca9213f4f989043def)St Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, which is about 400 years older than Moscow’s St Basil’s Cathedral.
Moscow was founded in 1147, in an outer borderlands region of the Kyivan Rus empire, which was populated by the Slavic Viatichi tribe. Even at that time there was not one Old Russian language, as asserted by Putin, but an array of related Slavic languages and dialects. Kyivan Rus was a loose agglomeration of principalities that had no sense of community and no sense of attraction and interest.
The Viatichi did not automatically adopt Christianity when Kyiv did in 988. More than a century later, in 1114, a monk from Kyiv called St Kuksha led an expedition to the Viatichi to convert them from paganism and was beheaded.
After centuries of Moscow’s suppression of the Ukrainian church, in 2018 the Patriarch of Constantinople (worldwide head of the Orthodox Christian Church) decided to restore the Tomos of Autocephaly (decree of self-governorship) to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which promptly precipitated the Moscow-Constantinople Schism.
When Patriarch Kirill of Moscow went ahead with the 1030th anniversary of Christianity celebrations that year, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople wrote to inform him that “this is not your celebration”. That is, 988 belongs to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
It is in this sense that the existence of Ukraine creates an existential threat to Russia – not to Russians physically through the placement of missiles, men and military equipment, but to the mythical imperial history that Moscow has propagated for the past three centuries.
Speaking on Moscow propagandist Sergey Mardan’s show, Russian political scientist Rostislav Ishchenko recently declared: “As long as Ukraine continues to exist in any state the threat to Russia will also continue to exist … (While you can agree with others) you can’t agree on anything with Russian people who call themselves Ukrainians on the basis of rejecting everything that is Russian. This is an eschatological enemy (and) all efforts should be devoted to make sure that there is not even a memory left of it (that is, Ukraine).”
[ ](https://content.api.news/v3/images/bin/702beaef3cc044ddc5c70872e1f6e380)Vladimir Putin (centre) and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu (left) walk to watch military exercises in the Leningrad region in 2014. Picture: AFP
The NATO school likes to talk about Ukraine’s rampant corruption, presumably to dent the appetite of Western nations to continue their military and humanitarian support for the country.
Yet it is the civilisational chasm between Ukraine and Russia – born in history, not external manipulation – that caused Ukrainians to launch two revolutions against large-scale corruption in their country: the Orange Revolution of 2004 and the Revolution of Dignity (Maidan Revolution) of 2014.
Historical inertia is the reason ordinary Russians have not risen up against the massive corruption of Putin and the 110 oligarchic clans that control a large proportion of Russia’s wealth. Ukraine, by contrast, has a flatter income distribution than Australia has.
One reason Ukrainians are drawn to democracy and European values is that Ukraine retained the Kyivan Rus tradition.
Not long after Kyiv fell to the Mongol Golden Horde in 1240, most Ukrainians (then referred to as the Rus or Ruthenians) were absorbed into the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, which allowed them to maintain Kyiv’s traditions. There, and as part of the subsequent Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, Ukrainians were exposed to European developments such as humanism, republicanism, the Reformation and Counter-Reformation in ways that Russians (then referred to as Muscovites) were not.
The Rus (Ukrainians) and Viatichi-Muscovites (Russians) were distinct as to language and culture in 1240, but the latter were then subjected to 240 years of vassalage to the Mongol-Tatar horde, where they were influenced not by Europe but by autocracy and a tradition of imperial conquest and subjugation of surrounding peoples. In 1721 it was Tsar Peter the Great who, having conquered Kyiv, began to promote the myth of Kievan Russia, appropriated the Rus name from Ukrainians by rebranding Muscovites as Russians, and spread the lie that they were the “older brother” of Ukrainians, who were recast as “Little Russians”.
One year into the current full-scale invasion Putin was talking openly about his conquests in Ukraine and comparing himself to Peter the Great.
The civilisational divide was discussed by Samuel P. Huntington in his 1995 book The Clash of Civilizations, which presented Ukraine as a “cleft country” that did not fit neatly into the West or his inappropriately defined “Orthodox civilisation” dominated by Russia.
However, Huntington incorrectly drew his civilisational divide along the line between Ukrainian regions won by Leonid Kuchma and Leonid Kravchuk respectively in the 1994 presidential election.
His thesis was that Kuchma voters (east and south) were Orthodox Russian speakers who therefore would be pro-Russian, while Kravchuk voters (centre and west) were Catholic Ukrainian speakers and therefore pro-West.
This characterisation was blindingly incorrect, but later neatly dovetailed into the false Russian propaganda narrative about a need to “liberate Russian speakers” in Ukraine. The notion of divided Ukrainians also has been vigorously promoted by members of the NATO school, who know little about Ukraine.
Orthodox Russian-speaking Ukrainians dominated on both sides of Huntington’s fictional civilisational line, and the vast majority on both sides voted for Ukrainian independence in 1991. Nor could Huntington’s thesis explain why both the western and southern/eastern regions united to vote for Kuchma in the 1999 election – it was to oppose a socialist candidate.
Famously, Huntington stated: “If civilisation (the central thesis of his book) is what counts, however, violence between Ukrainians and Russians is unlikely.” Such was the level of understanding that the head of Harvard University’s Centre for International Affairs had of Ukraine and Russia.
The question of whether NATO expansion provoked Russia to invade Ukraine was raised a week ago at an Australian Institute of International Affairs seminar in Melbourne. The speaker, [Paul Monk](https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/keating-the-elder-statesman-has-got-china-very-wrong/news-story/47d970a3535dec9e8b5e994dc8f7b465), a consultant and former analyst at the Defence Intelligence Organisation, replied that NATO “didn’t invade any of those countries, insist or twist their arms. They clamoured – as Finland and Sweden did after Putin invaded Ukraine – to be admitted to NATO because they fear Russia … because they know this is a brutal dictatorship that wants domination.”
While members of the NATO school point to Russia’s right to retaliate against NATO expansion based on invasions by Napoleon and Hitler in centuries past, they discount and ignore the fears of Ukraine, Poland, Finland and the Baltic States – all of which had been invaded, brutally occupied and colonised by Russia for centuries.
What were they to make of Russia’s 1992 short war against Moldova, where the Russian army has occupied its Transnistria region to the present day? What were Ukrainians to make of Putin’s speech at Sochi in 2002, where he stated: “At the end of the day the decision (on Ukraine joining NATO) is to be made by NATO and Ukraine.”
In his recent book, Russia’s War Against Ukraine: The Whole Story, University of Melbourne Hansen professor in history Mark Edele concludes his analysis, which places emphasis on historical inertia – the failed decolonisation of Russia and the historical megalomania of “Vladimir the Great” – with the following: “The whole issue of NATO expansion was a red herring to justify Russia’s aggression.”
In my view the real reason Putin later opposed NATO membership for Ukraine was that it would remove degrees of freedom – his option to invade. As he built up the Russian armed forces through the 2000s on the back of the energy price windfall, Putin carried out a clandestine “soft power” attack to undermine Ukrainian unity, denude its armed forces and install a compliant leadership in Kyiv.
These measures included cheap gas, control of major TV networks (owned by Viktor Medvedchuk, who later would be arrested by Volodymyr Zelensky for treason), oligarchs bought with gas and other contracts who would then buy MPs, and the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine, which was laced with FSB agents while euphemistically calling itself the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate).
[ ](https://content.api.news/v3/images/bin/e203d5bdd41d03a1d6900afa5bd548b7)Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky at St Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv. Picture: Ukraine Presidential Office
In 2010 Russian soft power succeeded in making Viktor Yanukovych president (whom the Moscow narrative describes as a “democratically elected pro-Russian president”), who ironically ran on a (decidedly not pro-Russian) policy of seeking EU membership for Ukraine. As Yanukovych amassed billions through corruption, Putin was hoping that matters would proceed as they had in Belarus – where Putin’s support of authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko bolstered the latter’s hold on power in the wake of protests over the rigged 2020 election – eventually drawing a thoroughly corrupted Ukraine into a union with Moscow.
In keeping with that plan, late in 2013 Yanukovych reneged on his EU promise to voters and announced an intention to pivot to Moscow instead. The resulting Maidan Revolution and ousting of Yanukovych in 2014 demonstrated to Putin that soft power was not going to work any more. He cynically described the broad Ukraine-wide revolution as a Western-backed coup – which the NATO school duly picked up and ran with.
But he was still cautious about world opinion and opted for the “green men” (Russian soldiers in unmarked green army uniforms) charade when he ordered an invasion of the Crimean Peninsula. Later that year, rather than an all-out invasion by the regular Russian army we watched as Russian volunteers, the Wagner Group, Vostok Battalion, Ramzan Kadyrov’s Chechens, various “Cossack battalions” and “lost” regulars launched a hybrid war in the Donbas region.
The Kremlin’s promotion of a false narrative of civil war in the Donbas also has been widely adopted by the NATO school. However, the evidence – including the small but often violent anti-Kyiv demonstrations bolstered by bussed-in Russian agents – shows that while there were disaffected elements, the number of traitors willing to take up arms to destroy Ukraine was tiny. Without the Russian invasion nothing would have happened in Donetsk and Luhansk, just as nothing happened in Odesa and Kharkiv. Without the spontaneous mobilisation of more than 40 Ukrainian volunteer battalions, mostly comprising Russian speakers, the Russian plan to sweep through from the Donbas to Odesa might have succeeded.
As the contact line in the Donbas froze, Putin thought he could reapply soft power via the Minsk accords process under his interpretation of them. It would have reinserted a Moscow-controlled Trojan Horse into Ukraine to halt its westward march. But that failed, too. During the 2019 presidential elections Putin backed Zelensky against Petro Poroshenko. Zelensky was a Russian-speaking Jewish comedian with zero political experience and hence a person Putin thought would be weak and accommodating (especially as he had run on the “I will conclude the Donbas war” platform).
Zelensky won almost every region in Ukraine with a record vote of 73 per cent, having benefited from the rapid development of a Ukrainian civic society that increasingly identified as Ukrainian citizen rather than as ethnic Ukrainian or ethnic Russian (the latter falling to less than 2 per cent).
By 2021 Putin saw that Zelensky was not who he thought he was, and that Zelensky’s popularity had plummeted to close to 20 per cent. FSB agents assured Putin in his splendid Covid-19 isolation that the Ukrainian population was divided, disenchanted and ready to capitulate to a full-scale invasion. In February 2022 he discovered Zelensky was definitely not who he thought he was when he stood his ground in Kyiv under siege and uttered his iconic response to President Joe Biden: “The fight is here. I need ammunition, not a ride.”
Since 2014, and even after 2022, Mearsheimer and his followers have maintained “there is no evidence that Putin ever wanted to conquer Ukraine”. They question why Putin would have attacked with a force of only 190,000 troops if that were his goal.
The answer is Russian imperial hubris. According to Edele, in February 2022 the bulk of Ukraine’s standing army was positioned along the Donbas contact line, so the 70,000 Russian troops that converged on Kyiv via two pincers from the north outnumbered Ukrainian defenders by a ratio of 12:1. To borrow the Duke of Wellington’s famous quip, the Ukrainian victory was “the nearest run thing you ever saw in your life”.
Mearsheimer’s 2015 lecture, titled Why is Ukraine the West’s Fault?, has attracted 29 million (Russian bot-propelled) YouTube views. In it he claimed Putin would not try to conquer Ukraine because he is “much too smart for that”.
Even after the recent declaration by Russian Security Council deputy chairman and Putin ally Dmitry Medvedev that “the goals of the special operation require that we capture Kyiv”, Mearsheimer the “realist” remains defiant when confronted with reality.
Replying to Aaron Mate, host of the Grayzone conspiracy theory site, he is now suggesting Putin might occupy only the whole of eastern Ukraine up to the Left Bank suburbs of Kyiv. However, the idea that Putin’s armies would occupy the apartment block suburbia of eastern Kyiv, then stop, and from there merely observe the 11th-century Pechersk Lavra monastery and, not far beyond it, St Sophia on the other side of the river – the most potent symbols of what Putin sees as the birth of Russia – is naive in the extreme. Putin and the Russian elite do not consider Ukraine to be the buffer that Mearsheimer imagines, but “core Russia”.
Mearsheimer and his followers tend to ignore that the International Criminal Court has indicted Putin for the war crime of kidnapping at least 20,000 Ukrainian children and downplay Russia’s widespread war crimes in Ukraine.
Jon Richardson, a visiting fellow at the Australian National University’s Centre for European Studies, recently enumerated the following war crimes: up to 100,000 civilians killed; destruction of 3600 schools, kindergartens and universities; destruction of 1500 healthcare facilities; destruction of 4800 sites in the cultural, heritage and tourism sector; the environmental disaster caused by blowing up the Kakhovka dam; and “an ambitious program to change (the occupied) regions’ ethnic composition, erase their Ukrainian identity and potential resistance, and integrate them into the Russian Federation”.
When Anthony Albanese toured Bucha (an outer suburb of Kyiv) after its liberation, he was told by survivors that Russian troops went door-to-door asking people’s occupations. Intellectual workers such as teachers were immediately taken out and shot. Imagine if they had captured Kyiv.
Thus, the logical conclusion of Putin’s historical mythology – if we listen closely to Putin – is not just elimination of the Ukrainian state but a genocide of Ukrainians and the total destruction of Ukrainian culture.
The NATO argument cannot explain what is happening now, why Ukrainians are distrustful of any peace negotiations with Putin’s regime and why they are striving to win back the occupied territories.
*Michael Lawriwsky is an author, a former chair of the Ukrainian Studies Foundation at Monash University and a former trustee of the Shrine of Remembrance.*
Please[ help us support](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/) those in need during this terrible war of aggression that is ongoing.
**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** freedom, heroes, Historymatters, humanitarian, NATO, standwithukraine, ukraine, war, warzone
---
### [Debunking the commentary....](https://www.passingthrough.net/debunking-the-commentary/)
**Published:** March 15, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Debunking the commentary... Unpacking some of the myths surrounding Ukraine's struggle against Russian aggression in recent commentary.
**Content:**
# **Debunking the commentary: The Truth About Ukraine’s Defence and the Quest for Democracy**
In recent discourse, particularly highlighted i[n a piece by ***The Australian***](https://www.theaustralian.com.au/inquirer/the-wests-bid-to-expand-nato-eastwards-was-a-mistake/news-story/51c13a5dd27498209637724fa6cb5a4c) newspaper on Feb 24, there has been a significant amount of misinformation and misinterpretation regarding the support for Ukraine amidst its ongoing struggle against Russian aggression. It’s imperative to set the record straight on a few critical points, to understand the broader implications of the international response, and to debunk the myths surrounding Ukraine’s quest for sovereignty and democracy. This blog I’ll start with a simple rebuttal of this Commentary piece in The Australian newspaper.
**Myth 1: Excessive Military Support to Ukraine**
Contrary to the claims of overwhelming military support, the reality is starkly different. The majority of countries have contributed a minuscule percentage of their defence budgets to aid Ukraine, a nation courageously standing against one of history’s most formidable aggressors. This aggressor not only fosters unrest globally but also seeks to undermine the very foundations of international peace and democracy. The support provided to Ukraine is not just about resisting a military invasion; it’s about upholding the principles of freedom and sovereignty that are under threat.
**Myth 2: Promoting Democracy as Provocation**
The notion that Ukraine’s internal democratic reforms and aspirations to join NATO constitute provocations to Russia is a misleading narrative. Drawing parallels, would Australia’s democratic practices provoke neighbouring countries to aggression? Certainly not. The concept of democracy and self-determination stands as a universal right, not a provocative act. The real provocation for Russia lies not in Ukraine’s NATO aspirations but in its refusal to remain a vassal state under Kremlin’s control.
**Myth 3: NATO Membership and the Illusion of Threat**
The argument that Ukraine’s potential NATO membership serves as a legitimate threat to Russia is unfounded. NATO, a defensive alliance, poses no aggressive stance towards Russia. The invasions of Ukraine in 2014 and again in 2022, with no imminent NATO membership, underline a pretext for broader imperial ambitions rather than a response to a legitimate security threat.
**Ukraine’s Resilience and the Path to Peace**
Visiting Ukraine, one witnesses not only the scars of conflict but also a remarkable spirit of resilience and reconstruction. The concept of an outgunned and outnumbered Ukraine overlooks the strategic and tactical ingenuity of its defence forces, managing to hold the line against a far larger aggressor with surprisingly effective resistance. As many Ukrainians have said to me “Even we can’t believe that we are still standing – it’s like David and Goliath”.
The narrative that Ukraine’s position is in some way incompatible with peace is misleading. The solution is straightforward: Russia must withdraw and respect Ukraine’s sovereignty within its internationally recognised borders. This conflict is not an intractable quagmire but a clear-cut case of aggression against a nation seeking nothing more than to live freely and democratically.
**The Misinformation Campaign and its Global Implications**
The spread of misinformation, often echoing Kremlin talking points, poses a significant challenge to understanding the true nature of the conflict. The portrayal of Ukraine’s government as corrupt or its president’s waning support is often exaggerated or taken out of context. While no country is free of corruption, Ukraine’s efforts to address these issues are earnest and visible, a testament to its commitment to reform and integrity.
The international ramifications of allowing Russian aggression to go unchecked are profound. It emboldens authoritarian regimes worldwide, creating a more dangerous geopolitical landscape. The narrative that frames Ukraine’s defence as a provocation or its aspirations for democracy as a threat serves only the interests of those who wish to erode the principles of freedom and self-determination.
The struggle of Ukraine is not just a regional conflict but a focal point for the broader fight for democratic values and international law. Misrepresentations and falsehoods serve only to obscure the reality of Ukraine’s plight and the critical nature of the support it requires. It’s essential to pierce through the veil of disinformation and stand in solidarity with Ukraine, recognising that their fight for freedom is, in essence, a fight for the democratic principles that underpin our global order.
***[Sign up to the blog](https://www.passingthrough.net/subscribe-to-blog-posts/)*** for more….
***[DONATE](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)*** to support the work of our aid partners in Ukraine.
**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** charity, debunking, democracy, freedom, humanitarian, NATO, propaganda, Russian disinformation, ukraine, war, warzone
---
### [What to watch - on Ukraine...](https://www.passingthrough.net/what-to-watch-on-ukraine/)
**Published:** March 21, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** What to watch... Explore the heart and resilience of Ukraine through the lens of documentary and film 🎥. Watch and understand...
**Content:**
# What to watch – on Ukraine…
This is not an exhaustive list of what to watch, but should get you started if you wanted to see some documentaries and films that give you a little more insight into Ukraine and the war currently being raged against it by Russia.
####
Recommended documentaries and links
To watch:
**Forged in Fire – Chris Uhlmann**
Captivating documentary that uncovers the profound connection between Australia and Ukraine during the ongoing war.
**Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom. Director: Evgeny Afineevsky**
This documentary follows the 2013–2014 Maidan Uprising, in Kyiv, via a chronological approach to key events via historic footage and testimonies
**[UPROOTED](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cq2gEMhuDps) | An investigation into Russia’s abduction of Ukrainian children. The Kyiv Independent**
The Ukrainian government has identified over 19,500 Ukrainian children who have been forcibly deported to Russia.
**“20 Days in Mariupol” Mstyslav Chernov**
As the Russian invasion begins, a team of Ukrainian journalists trapped in the besieged city of Mariupol struggles to continue their work documenting the war’s atrocities.
(currently this link only works in USA but hopefully will be screened soon in Australia) Watch: [20 Days in Mariupol ](http://pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/documentary/20-days-in-mariupol)
**“DNA. Portrait of a nation” (director – Volodymyr Rybas)**
The authors of the tape tell what defines Ukrainians and what allows us to carry our national identity through the centuries. As part of the film, a large-scale genetic study was conducted in the world’s best laboratories. Both ordinary Ukrainians and famous personalities took part in it. In the second part of the project, the authors investigated the role of Ukrainian women in the formation of the nation. We recommend viewing both parts of the project.
**“Golden September. Chronicle of Halychyna 1939–1941” (director – Taras Khymych)**
After the signing of the “Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact” in September 1939, Soviet troops entered Western Ukraine and established their power there through repression. This documentary is dedicated to the history of life in Galicia on the eve and in the first years of the Second World War. The tape uses archival chronicles and interviews with eyewitnesses of those events.
**Ukrainian. The Movie (director – Mykola Nosok)**
The plot of the tape consists of 6 stories, which are combined into a single canvas. The heroes are not related to each other, but it is this difference that best reflects the diversity of the Ukrainian people. The film tells about the history and modern life of Ukraine.
**“The Nightingale Sings” (director – Serhii Krymskyi)**
Language is the history of a people, its worldview, it defines consciousness, creates a person and culture. The tape “The Nightingale Sings” is designed to tell every Ukrainian that language is a form of expression of national identity. The tape tells about the history of the Ukrainian language, refutes myths, and also analyzes the Ukrainian language issue based on the experience of other countries.
**“Legacy of the Nation” (director – Oleksandr Tkachuk, author of the idea – Lesya Voronyuk)**
Vyshyvanka is not only a material, but also a spiritual heritage of Ukrainians. The documentary film consists of 2 parts: the first part tells about the variety of ornaments, embroidery techniques and other regional features of shirt creation. The second part is the stories of people whose lives were changed by Vyshyvanka.
**“In the rearview” Maciek Hamela**
“In The Rearview” is a collection of stories that director Maciek Hamela recorded during his volunteer rescue expeditions to evacuate people from different regions in Ukraine to safety.
**“A Rising Fury”Directed/produced by Lesya Kalynska and Ruslan Batytsk**yi
The film reveals the true untold story of how the Russo-Ukrainian war began in 2014.
**“ A house made of splinters” Simon Lereng Wilmont**.
The film follows the lives of children and the caregivers in an orphanage in Eastern Ukraine as the war in the region takes a heavy toll on families living nearby.
**Intercepted**
Destruction in Ukraine war shown through lengthy tableaux. Soldiers’ phone calls to families reveal parallel world. Sound and image confront one another.
**Company of steel. Director: Yuliia Hontaru**k
After enduring horrors during the War in the Eastern part of Ukraine (2015), three young Ukrainian war veterans return home, both stronger than before and full of scars.
**Fearless (VI) . Director: Vyacheslav Bihun**
A dashcam cinematic image of Ukrainians on the road.
**[Grey Bees](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31065370/?ref_=ttls_li_tt) (2024) Director: Dmytro Moiseiev**
Only two of them left. In a small village cut off from electricity, in the ‘grey zone’ that formed in Donbas after the Russian invasion in 2014.
**On Telegram:**
Denys Davydov updates from Ukraine
United24
The Kyiv Independent
Read more at [https://www.passingthrough.net/what-to-watch-on-ukraine-part-2/ ](https://www.passingthrough.net/what-to-watch-on-ukraine-part-2/)
**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** documentary, humanitarian, Maidan, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, ukraine, warzone
---
### [A Quick Update on Your Support Before Christmas](https://www.passingthrough.net/quick-update-on-your-support/)
**Published:** December 23, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** A quick update on what we and our partners have been doing with your support in Ukraine before we head into Christmas. Check out the gallery for some pics.
**Content:**
# A Quick Update on Your Support Before Christmas
A quick update on what we and our partners have been doing with your support in Ukraine before we head into Christmas. Check out the gallery for some pics. I’ve been privileged to share some stories of my time in Ukraine and the amazing people I met there-through speeches at Rotary Clubs, community groups and health worker meetings, and through an article in one of Australia’s most read publications, [The Weekend Australian.](https://www.theaustralian.com.au/weekend-australian-magazine) We’ve also sold some handmade earrings, held market stalls and sold items in our online shop. Many of you have generously donated funds directly as well. All of this has helped provide funds for our partners and also to raise awareness. What has been most helpful is the people who have [committed to regular giving](https://www.passingthrough.net/swap-sips-for-support-trade-treats-for-triumphs-how-small-sacrifices-can-make-a-big-impact-in-ukraine/) – even if it’s small amounts, the regular donations make all the difference to our partners for planning and ongoing support.
I know that the Ukrainians that I am in contact with and those being helped by the work of our NGO partners are so grateful for every little bit of help they get, and it means so much to them to know that people in Australia have not forgotten them.
The amazing team of our main partner CMA-Ukraine has been working tirelessly doing so many activities that I cannot list all of them here. They have a private group where they send photos of the aid they deliver being received, and I’ve posted some of them here, but it’s literally dozens per week, so I couldn’t possibly post them all! They make fantastic use of every donation or delivery from partners to make sure that needs are met all over the country. Furthermore, they have provided tourniquets, medical equipment, paramedic backpacks, blood warmers, ambulances and countless other items. They also continue to provide mobile clinics to people in desperate situations. I met some of the doctors and nurses who work for these clinics (many of them are volunteers) and know that they themselves are living in towns and cities that have had countless missile and drone attacks in the last few months, but they continue their work.
All of our general donations for Ukraine go directly to our partners to be used for humanitarian aid. All our work is volunteer and the only amount that comes out is the small amount to cover bank transfer fees. We have had some specific requests where we have provided non-lethal aid to the military through our partners, but we only use your donations for this by special request.
A smaller donation has gone to Family of Christ Uszghorod who also distribute aid across the country.
We’ve also been able to assist” Fortress of Good” (фортеця добра) – the NGO branch of Banner of Love (Знам’я Любові ) church, with the purchase of another vehicle for the valuable aid and support work they do in de-occupied, bombed villages. Iryna and her team of volunteers have been providing food aid, comfort and programs for kids and teens in these isolated villages. Pastor Oleg continues to provide aid and support to adults in de-occupied villages who have nothing, his wife Sveta continues her work as an army chaplain, going to the front lines to provide aid and support. Pastor Dima has worked closely with us to deliver aid that we’ve been able to fund for him to deliver to some of the most dangerous areas of needs. He tells me it is a great encouragement to him and those he serves, to be getting assistance from all the way in Australia. In a nice connection we’ve been able to buy lovely warm fleeces and raincoats from[ Filter IF](https://www.instagram.com/filter.if/) – one of the NGO’s I visited in Ukraine – who provide support for refugees and the refugees run a social enterprise making clothing including warm clothing for the soldiers. They also have volunteers who pack jars of honey and nuts – a traditional Ukraine treat that provides a great source of energy for those in difficult conditions. Our friends at Filter IF sent the 50 fleeces and raincoats along with 50 jars of honey and nuts along with reading materials, to Pastor Dima, who ensured they were delivered to areas of need near the frontline. Pastor Dima has been unwell but is now recovering and will be taking some leave where he will hopefully be able to connect again with his wife and young son who had to flee the country as refugees. It is a difficult situation to be living in, but he and others continue to serve faithfully, doing all they can.
Every little bit we can do to help is so greatly appreciated and so carefully used. Please, as you enjoy your Christmas, in a country free from war, kindly consider if there is a small treat or drink you could [swap for a small regular donation](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/swapsipssupport/) to help support those in need.
Have a blessed and peaceful Christmas.
**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Giving Back, Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** charity, Godslove, humanitarian, medical mission, non-profit, ukraine, volunteer, war, warzone
---
### [Hope and Healing: Dr Rudi Myhovych Visit](https://www.passingthrough.net/ukrainian-doctor-visit/)
**Published:** January 25, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Dr. Rudi Myhovych of the Christian Medical Association of Ukraine embarks on a pivotal Australian visit. His journey, necessitated by special government permission, underscores his indispensable role in providing war-torn Ukraine with crucial medical aid. This visit promises collaboration on advanced burns treatments and advocacy for the Ukrainian cause. Dr. Myhovych's engagements, spanning community events to media interactions, offer a unique opportunity to understand, support, and stand in solidarity with those bravely facing adversity in Ukraine.
**Content:**
1.1K\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text\]
# Hope and Healing: Dr Rudi Myhovych Visit
Rehabilitation aids delivered
CMA provides aid in Ukraine
volunteers holding paramedic first aid packs
In a time when the world watches the war on Ukraine with bated breath, Dr Rudi Myhovych, the esteemed President of the Christian Medical Association of Ukraine (CMA), has embarked on a critical mission to Taiwan and Australia. His visit, necessitating special government permission, provided due to his pivotal role in providing aid during the war, highlights the gravity of his work and the profound impact of the CMA.
**The CMA’s Critical Role in a Nation Under Attack**
The CMA, in partnership with our NGO, OPT, stands as a pillar of support in Ukraine, delivering essential medical and humanitarian aid. Dr. Myhovych’s leadership in these efforts is invaluable, and his visit to Australia underscores the global importance of their mission.
**A Focus on Recovery and Resilience**
A key aspect of Dr. Myhovych’s Australian journey is to collaborate on advanced burns treatment methods, vital for victims of the conflict. His visits to the RBWH Burns Unit and Polynovo BTM will facilitate an exchange of knowledge crucial for enhancing the care of those suffering from severe burns.
**Advocacy Through Experience: Speaking for the Voiceless**
With the authority granted by his government to leave during wartime, Dr. Myhovych will articulate the needs of war-torn Ukraine, advocating for support, volunteerism, and global awareness through various speeches and community events.
**Engagements and Media Outreach**
Dr. Myhovych’s itinerary includes community gatherings, church events, and media engagements. These platforms will serve not only to inform but also to galvanize support for Ukraine, drawing attention to the work of CMA and OPT.
**Join Us in Solidarity:**
We extend an invitation to attend Dr. Myhovych’s events. Your presence will show solidarity and bolster the efforts to aid those facing adversity in Ukraine. Dr. Myhovych’s visit is a testament to the unwavering spirit of the Ukrainian people and the global community’s role in supporting them. Let his journey inspire us to act, [contribute, and stand in solidarity](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/) with Ukraine.
***Dr Myhovych’s schedule is rapidly filling, but if you wish to do some media or have him speak at a major event, then please [CONTACT US](https://www.passingthrough.net/home/about-opt-only-passing-thru/get-in-touch) as soon as possible.***\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column css=”.vc\_custom\_1706157219396{background-color: #cbf4a4 !important;}”\]\[vc\_custom\_heading text=”Dates for public meetings (will be updated)” use\_theme\_fonts=”yes”\]\[vc\_tta\_tabs style=”modern” active\_section=”1″\]\[vc\_tta\_section title=”SYDNEY” tab\_id=”1706157088606-cb5081d4-a31f”\]\[vc\_column\_text\]**1. A Journey in Partnership: CMDFA** and **Health Serve Australia** invite you to join us for an evening where the head of the ***Christian Medical Association of Ukraine, Dr Ruidi Migovich*** will be guest speaker.
**Date and Time**: 3rd February 2024, 6.30 – 9PM
**Place:** SMBC, Badminton Road, Croydon, Sydney, NSW
**E-ticket:** Includes presentation, networking, delicious finger food & non-acholic beverages
***(Please purchase your ticket [HERE](https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/cmdfa-nsw-a-journey-in-partnership-a-ukrainian-perspective-tickets-789859078767) by 31st Jan for catering purposes. There will be no door sales).***
2\. **Castle Hill Baptist** : Morning service 9 a.m. – 11.00 a.m. Evening service 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
13 Showground Rd, Castle Hill NSW 2154
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1. Friday Feb 9th Cafe Trembita 7 pm 35 Canning St Melbourne Ph (03) 9320 2566
2.Sunday 11th Feb Morning Church Service, 10 a.m. Aberfeldie Baptist, 5 Price Street, Essendon VIC 3040 
\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_tta\_section\]\[vc\_tta\_section title=”BRISBANE” tab\_id=”1706157272877-63379bbc-5212″\]\[vc\_column\_text\]Public presentation Tuesday 13th Feb, 6.30 pm Bridgeman Baptist Church 379 Albany Creek Rd, Bridgeman Downs Qld \[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_tta\_section\]\[vc\_tta\_section title=”CAIRNS/MALANDA” tab\_id=”1706157278928-9dbf5ab0-fcc8″\]\[vc\_column\_text\]Public evening meeting February 15th, 6.30- 8 pm, Cairns
Public meeting February 16th Friday 7 pm Malanda Community Church Hall, 34 Catherine St, Malanda.
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[Ukrainian Neurosurgeon in Australia: A Transformative Visit](https://www.passingthrough.net/a-transformative-visit-ukrainian-neurosurgeon-davyd-staryk-in-australia/)
27/11/2024
- [](https://www.passingthrough.net/helping-ukraine/ "The How and Why of helping Ukraine in 2023")
[The How and Why of helping Ukraine in 2023](https://www.passingthrough.net/helping-ukraine/)
22/09/2023
- [](https://www.passingthrough.net/christmas-gifts-that-give-twice/ "CHRISTMAS GIFTS THAT GIVE TWICE")
[CHRISTMAS GIFTS THAT GIVE TWICE](https://www.passingthrough.net/christmas-gifts-that-give-twice/)
13/10/2024
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**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Giving Back, Posts About Ukraine, Ukraine humanitarian trip
**Tags:** australia, charity, Godslove, humanitarian, medical mission, refugees, ukraine, Ukrainian doctor visit, volunteer, war, warzone
---
### [Dr. Rudi Myhovych's Visit](https://www.passingthrough.net/dr-rudi-myhovychs-visit/)
**Published:** March 3, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Dr. Rudi Myhovych's visit to Australia to inspire support for Ukraine, showcasing the power of solidarity in challenging times.
**Content:**
# **Dr. Rudi Myhovych’s Visit: Fostering Hope and Solidarity from Australia to Ukraine**
In a time when the world seems more connected than ever – yet even more far away when it matters – Dr. Rudi Myhovych’s visit to Australia has inspired a growing groundswell of support and solidarity, bridging continents with compassion and a shared commitment to humanity. His visit, far from being a routine series of engagements, became a resonant call to action, hoping to bring a little hope for the resilient people of Ukraine facing the stark challenges of war.
### A Journey of Empathy and Engagement
Dr. Myhovych’s tour across the nation was marked by heartfelt engagements with the Australian community. Through speaking events at local churches and community halls, he shared the harrowing realities faced by those in Ukraine, weaving a narrative of resilience, need, and hope through the work of CMA -Ukraine that touched the hearts of many.
### Collaboration for a Greater Cause
A key highlight of his visit was the collaboration with Australia’s medical fraternity. At the RBWH burns unit, valuable knowledge was exchanged, and profound discussions ensued with trauma surgeons, neurosurgeons, and military medical professionals. He was also able to meet with the [makers of an artificial skin product t](https://au.polynovo.com/)hat CMA is seeking to use for their Burns project- improving management of the horrific burns that come from ongoing missile attacks on civilians as well as the military. These interactions underscored the critical importance of international medical cooperation in addressing the multifaceted challenges wrought by war with some valuable connections already made that will help Ukraine.
### Amplifying the Message
Dr. Myhovych’s efforts to amplify the plight of Ukraine through media engagements, including podcasts, television, and print interviews, broadened awareness significantly. His strategic discussions with the Ukrainian ambassador to Australia and advisors from Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s office emphasised the indispensable role of global support and diplomacy in navigating the crisis effectively. Keep an eye out or sign up to our blog to be sent links to videos and interviews.
### Mobilising Support
The visit, facilitated by Australian doctor Lara Wieland, aimed to rally further support for Ukraine, encouraging Australians to contribute through [**tax-deductible donations to the charity OPT – OnlyPassingThru.** ](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)This initiative provides a direct avenue for aid, highlighting the substantial difference international assistance can make in the lives of those affected by the conflict.
### A Testament to Shared Humanity
Expressing deep gratitude for the Australian support, Dr. Myhovych’s visit underscored the profound connections and shared values between Australians and Ukrainians. It served as a poignant reminder of the power of unity and compassion in overcoming adversity.
As Dr. Myhovych’s visit concludes, we hope that the momentum for supporting Ukraine continues to grow. His presence and message should spur us on to support those suffering in Ukraine, committing to humanitarian aid and solidarity in the face of tyranny.
Moved by Dr. Myhovych’s and Dr. Wieland’s compelling narratives and unwavering dedication, we hope that Australians are now more motivated than ever to support the courageous people of Ukraine enduring challenging conditions we cannot imagine.
Let’s continue to foster hope and provide meaningful support for those in dire need. Remember, every small contribution counts. [***\#SwapSipsForSupport***](https://www.passingthrough.net/swapsips) – consider [**donating the cost of your weekly favourite drink**](https://www.passingthrough.net/swap-sips). Every little bit makes a significant difference!
**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Giving Back, Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** charity, Godslove, humanitarian, medical mission, non-profit, refugees, standwithukraine, ukraine, war, warzone
---
### [Survival in Sumy](https://www.passingthrough.net/survival-in-sumy/)
**Published:** April 4, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** A tale of survival in Sumy, told in an Aussie café, brings the Ukraine conflict's reality home. Read a tale of being trapped in Russian occupation.
**Content:**
In the heart of an Australian city, over the simplicity of a coffee, I found myself listening to a story that reshaped my understanding of resilience, war, and the human spirit. A tale of survival in Sumy, Ukraine. It was a tale not uncommon in its origin—stemming from the conflict in Ukraine—but profoundly unique in its personal touch. The person sharing it, a Ukrainian-Australian woman, brought the distant reality of war right to our table, making the global political turmoil acutely personal.
She was visiting her family in a rural village in Sumy Oblast, just a stone’s throw from the Russian border, when the Russian’s invaded Ukraine yet again on Feb 24, 2022. The idyllic life of living off the land she was contemplating returning to was shattered overnight. Encircled by Russian forces, her village became a no-man’s-land, spared entry not by mercy but by logistical challenges faced by the invaders. The situation was dire—drones destroyed agricultural lifelines, and the surrounding violence they were getting reports of from neighbours and friends severed any hope of normalcy or escape. In other villages they told her of soldiers killing many of the males, sexually assaulting the women and looting and destroying everything.
Her account detailed the unthinkable choices faced by those in occupied territories: stay and risk annihilation or flee and face uncertain dangers. Amidst the chaos, the betrayal by a local MP ( a Russian agent and now a fugitive in Russia,) who had been preparing the area for invasion for two decades, underscored the deep-seated treachery and the complicated weave of loyalty and dissent within the conflict.
Their village was ten kilometres from the border – some people suggested they run there and escape through Russia. Firstly they didn’t have enough fuel to do this. But then she also said to me “No way, the Russians will capture me and use me for propaganda. I would rather die right here!”
Miraculously, her area was later liberated, allowing her a path back to Australia. Yet, the ordeal followed her across continents. She perceives the shadow of Russian influence even here, through social media harassment and alleged control over certain economic sectors such as rental markets in affluent tourist areas controlled by Russian ‘mafia’. Despite these ongoing challenges, her resolve to support Ukraine remains unwavering—a testament to the strength drawn from her harrowing experiences.
Her story, shared across a café table, underscores a global conflict’s deeply personal impacts, reminding us that behind the headlines are individuals enduring, resisting, and surviving against unimaginable odds. It’s a narrative of resilience, a call to awareness, and a ray of hope for peace and justice.
Please[ make a tax-deductible donation](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/) to help those in desperate need. [Regular giving](https://www.passingthrough.net/swap-sips), even if very small, is especially appreciated.
**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Giving Back, Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** charity, Godslove, humanitarian, non-profit, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, ukraine, war, warzone
---
### [The Forgotten War?](https://www.passingthrough.net/the-forgotten-war/)
**Published:** May 24, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** The Forgotten War? The war in Ukraine rages on, with Russia's relentless aggression causing untold suffering and destruction for the Ukrainian people. . Discover the harrowing realities faced by Ukrainians and the urgent need for global solidarity and action.
**Content:**
# The Forgotten War?
#### **Ukraine: A Humanitarian Tragedy Ignored**
The war in Ukraine continues to rage, inflicting unimaginable suffering on civilians who are too often the deliberate target of Russia’s unrelenting aggression. Is this the forgotten war? Recent events underscore the brutal reality of this conflict, with Russian forces persistently bombing civilian areas and committing heinous acts against non-combatants. Despite this, global awareness and media coverage remain disturbingly insufficient, especially in Australia, leaving many unaware of the ongoing atrocities.
#### **Constant Bombardment of Civilians**
Russia continues its relentless assault on civilian populations. Just yesterday another missile strike on a civilian area – this time on a printing company that was printing children’s books. Seven employees killed and fifteen injured. Just another day in Kharkiv – and this is over two years into the war… Daily bombings and missile strikes target residential areas, schools, hospitals, and other civilian infrastructure, leading to staggering casualties. Nearly 90% of Ukraine’s thermal power plants have been damaged or destroyed and there are rolling power outages across the whole country. Cities and villages across the East have witnessed devastating destruction, with entire neighbourhoods reduced to rubble. The indiscriminate nature of these attacks has resulted in significant loss of life, including women, children, and the elderly.
#### International Alliances with Dictatorships
Compounding the tragedy, Russia has been bolstering its military capabilities through alliances with other authoritarian regimes. Countries like North Korea, Iran, and China have been supplying Russia with weapons used to bomb Ukrainian civilians. These partnerships have escalated the violence, enabling Russia to maintain a steady supply of arms and ammunition. The involvement of these countries highlights the global dimension of the conflict and the extent of the threat to international peace and security.
#### Mercenaries and “Meat Waves”
In addition to receiving external support, Russia has increasingly relied on mercenaries from impoverished nations to sustain its war effort. Just some of the countries I’ve seen represented in these mercenary troops are Nepal, India, China, Niger, Chad, Sudan, Somalia, Cuba, and Venezuela. These mercenaries, are used as cannon fodder, often referred to as “meat waves,” in brutal offensives designed to overwhelm Ukrainian defences. This cynical strategy exploits the desperation of individuals from economically disadvantaged regions, sending them into deadly combat with little regard for their lives.
#### Restrained Western Support
While Ukraine receives military aid from Western countries, there are significant restrictions on how this support can be utilised. Ukrainian forces are prohibited from using Western-supplied weapons to target Russian launch sites across the border, even as Russia continues to launch daily attacks on civilians from its territory. This limitation hampers Ukraine’s ability to defend itself effectively and retaliate against the sources of its suffering. Ukraine is literally BEGGING for air defence to protect civilian villages and towns being bombarded and destroyed and yet multiple air defence systems are sitting in storage around the world, quietly rusting whilst people die.
#### Atrocities in Kharkiv Oblast (Oblast means region)
Recent [reports](https://kyivindependent.com/police-russian-forces-shooting-civilians-in-vovchansk/) from Kharkiv Oblast paint a grim picture of the horrors inflicted on civilians in areas under Russian control. There are credible accounts of summary executions, including the targeting of disabled and elderly individuals. Civilians are being locked in basements and used as human shields, a gross violation of human rights and international law. These atrocities are reminiscent of the worst crimes committed in past conflicts and underscore the urgent need for global intervention.
#### Silence and Indifference
Despite the severity of the situation, coverage of the war in Ukraine has diminished in international media. In countries like Australia, the conflict rarely makes headlines, and public outrage is notably absent. This apathy is particularly concerning given the scale of the humanitarian crisis and the principles at stake. The silence from those who claim to champion human rights and oppose genocide is deafening, raising questions about the global community’s commitment to justice and compassion. I can only imagine how this indifference must add to the Ukrainian’s suffering and emotional distress.
#### The Importance of Awareness and Action
It is crucial to recognize that the war in Ukraine is not a distant conflict with no bearing on our lives. The aggression displayed by Russia threatens the very foundations of international order and human dignity. Allowing such violations to go unchecked sets a dangerous precedent and emboldens other authoritarian regimes.
The global community must not turn a blind eye to the suffering of the Ukrainian people. Increased media coverage, public awareness, and political pressure are essential to support Ukraine’s fight for sovereignty and to hold Russia accountable for its actions. Additionally, Western nations MUST reconsider the restrictions placed on military aid, allowing Ukraine to defend itself more effectively against a well-armed aggressor.
#### Call to Action
The war in Ukraine is far from over. The daily bombings, the alliances with other dictatorships, the use of mercenaries, and the atrocities committed against civilians are stark reminders of the ongoing humanitarian crisis. It is incumbent upon all of us to stay informed, raise our voices, and demand action. The suffering of the Ukrainian people should concern us all, and it is through our collective efforts that we can help bring an end to this brutal conflict.
For those who wish to contribute to medical and humanitarian aid and support the victims of this war, please consider donating tax-deductibly by clicking [**HERE**](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/) . We ensure your donations are used effectively by people we know and trust.
Please also share this blog far and wide through your networks and encourage others to be aware and to support.
[**SIGN UP**](https://www.passingthrough.net/subscribe) to our blogs and newsletters **HERE.**
**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Giving Back, Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** charity, Godslove, humanitarian, medical mission, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, ukraine, war
---
### [Ukrainian Health Care Under Russian Occupation](https://www.passingthrough.net/ukrainian-health-care/)
**Published:** June 23, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Russia's assault on the Ukrainian health care system endangers lives. Support CMA in their crucial work through tax-deductible donations. Every bit helps.
**Content:**
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# The Ukrainian health care system.
..has become a primary target in the ongoing attack by Russia. Russian forces have systematically targeted medical facilities and professionals, aiming to degrade resistance and enforce control over civilians. Despite the immense resilience shown by the Ukrainian health sector, these continuous assaults pose severe long-term challenges. That’s why we feel the imperative to support NGO’s like our partner – Christian Medical Association (CMA) of Ukraine, which tirelessly works to mitigate this crisis in Ukrainian health care. By contributing through tax-deductible donations, especially regular giving, we can significantly bolster these efforts and provide critical support to the affected populations.
### Misuse of medical facilities by the military
Russia’s strategy involves the repurposing of civilian health facilities for military use, which is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law. Hospitals in regions such as Zaporizhia and Kharkiv have been transformed into military bases, severely limiting civilian access to essential health services. The misuse of these facilities not only jeopardises the lives of patients and healthcare workers but also dismantles the very infrastructure needed for civilian health care. The seizure of health supplies, including medical equipment and medicines, further disrupts the provision of health care and occupation of hospitals exposes patients and health care workers to a greater risk of violence.
Dr. Maryna Rudenko, director of the Balakliia Clinical Multiprofile Intensive Care Hospital, recounted the dire situation following Russian occupation:
“*Almost everything was stolen. They took away everything that could be taken away. They couldn’t move the CT scanner, so they looted the electronics from it. … We had two surgical stands … We hid them in the basement, but they found them and stole them. All the tools were stolen. The diagnostic department: there is nothing at all, everything was stolen; they lived there. That is, all ultrasound machines, cardiographs, encephalographs; nothing. They took it out … We also had a generator for 100 kilowatts: disappeared. Out of 15 \[ambulance\] cars, 14 disappeared with them. Telephones, 37 washing machines, microwave ovens \[were also removed\].”*
In 44 reported incidents, health facilities in seven of Ukraine’s oblasts were reportedly repurposed for the use of Russian soldiers. These takeovers of civilian facilities for military medical use were particularly frequent in early 2023, with the number of reported new takeovers increasing between February and April 2023. In all 44 cases, the health facility was fully functioning at the time it was repurposed for the use of soldiers.
For instance, the new Semashko Medical Center in Simferopol, with the capacity to treat 650 patients, was turned over to the Russian military, severely limiting access for civilians.
This not only violates the laws of occupation but also severely disrupts the provision of healthcare to civilians, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation.
\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[callout new\_tab=”yes” title=”Read original article” link=”https://phr.org/our-work/resources/coercion-and-control-ukraines-health-care-system-under-russian-occupation/#\_ftn157″\]
Olena Yuzvak, head of the Primary Care Center in Hostomel, Kyivska oblast, spoke to PHR about the occupation of the clinic from February through March 2022: *“In the building of this primary clinic was the base of the Russian military, and in the basement of this building were children, civilians who were not even allowed to go outside and cook some food, because it was dangerous, no one allowed them to do so. And the people who tried to leave on their own because they were losing it and wanted to leave this hell, \[…\] their cars were shot, they were civilians.”* Olena’s husband and son, both civilians, were taken prisoner by Russian forces. Her husband, who was shot when Russian soldiers entered their private house, has since been released in a prisoner exchange, but her son, Dmytro, remains in captivity.\[/callout\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
### Forced Nationality Changes for Health Care Access – “*passportisation”*
A particularly insidious tactic employed by Russian forces is “passportisation,” where civilians must change their nationality to access health care. This practice, implemented in occupied territories like Donetsk and Kherson, effectively restricts Ukrainian citizens from receiving medical services unless they accept Russian citizenship. On April 27, 2023, President Vladimir Putin of Russia signed a decree establishing a procedure to issue Russian passports to residents of the occupied territories of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhia oblasts of Ukraine. According to the decree, residents have until July 1, 2024, to accept Russian citizenship; otherwise, they will be considered foreigners or stateless and can be detained or deported. As was the case in Crimea after Russia’s occupation in 2014, they may face threats and discrimination, including in accessing medical care and social services.
This coerced change imposes an external identity on Ukrainians and obstructs their access to crucial health care and support. In Kherson oblast, a local resident reportedly died because doctors refused to provide medical care without a Russian passport. In Lazurne, the Russian-appointed head of the town, Oleksandr Dudka, confirmed that medicines purchased from the Russian Federation would not be distributed to Ukrainian citizens. Similar accounts of deprivation of access to insulin and other essential medicines have been reported from areas like Genichesk of Kherson oblast.
Health care workers were also reportedly forced to hand over their Ukrainian passports and obtain a Russian passport within a strict time frame or face being dismissed from their positions. These practices profoundly affect civilians’ access to crucial health care services and medications, as well as the health and safety of Ukrainian health care professionals.
\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[callout new\_tab=”yes” title=”Read original article” link=”https://phr.org/our-work/resources/coercion-and-control-ukraines-health-care-system-under-russian-occupation/#\_ftn157″\]
During the occupation of Hostomel in Kyiv oblast in March 2022, Olena Yuzvak, head of the Hostomel Primary Care Center, was taken for interrogation by Russian soldiers where she had a plastic bag put over her head and was suffocated for up to 30 seconds : *“On March 20, Russian soldiers came to our home in a private house. The Russian soldiers shot my husband in the knee and thigh with a gun, put him on the ground, and put the gun to his head. My son came out of the house \[….\] They put the three of us in an armored personnel carrier, blindfolded us and took us to their headquarters in Hostomel in the Yagoda residential complex. The interrogation was tough \[….\] Moreover, my husband was not provided with medical care, he was bleeding from the leg, he had two bullet wounds. During the interrogation, they asked me what I do, and I said that I am a doctor and that I have been working only in health care for more than 20 years. And after the interrogation, they put us in the corridor, put bags on our heads, tied our hands with tape, and started twisting and strangling us with tape around our necks.* *\[….\] As a doctor, I understand that asphyxiation is an easy death \[….\] I accepted it, that that’s the way it should be. Then, when they saw that we started to suffocate, they cut holes in our bags and took us all to Antonov airport for further interrogation. They left my husband and son there. And I was brought back to this Yagoda residential complex, where I was held captive for a day.”*\[/callout\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
### Threats and Harassment of Health Care Personnel
Healthcare professionals in occupied areas face immense duress, working under constant threat of detention and violence. Many have been forced to adopt Russian practices or face dismissal, with some even abducted or killed for refusing compliance. For instance, a doctor from the Kherson Regional Clinical Hospital described how medical personnel were commanded to transfer confidential patient data to Russian authorities. The database stored confidential information, including home addresses and phone numbers, which the Russians sought to exploit, including detaining and torturing anyone with a medical record of having fought against Russia in 2014.
Healthcare workers have been killed, detained, arrested, or otherwise persecuted by Russian forces. These detentions and abductions severely impact the ability of healthcare workers to provide necessary care to the civilian population. Incidents have been frequent in Donetsk and Kherson oblasts and several in Kharkiv, Kyiv and Zaporizhia oblasts. Although the exact numbers are unclear, “Military Medics of Ukraine,” a nongovernmental organization, indicates that approximately 500 medics, both military and civilian, are currently thought to be held captive by Russian forces and there have been numerous reports of torture and ill-treatment. Our friend and charity partner Dr. Rudi from CMA shared countless stories of doctors and medics being actively ‘hunted’ by Russians. “One less medic is several less Ukrainians whose lives they would have saved,” he explained.
The psychological and physical toll on these professionals is profound, exacerbating the already dire situation in the health care sector. Doctors and other healthcare workers find themselves working in incredibly challenging conditions, often amid constant shelling. Many healthcare workers have become displaced, increasing the burden on the existing staff.
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### The Human Toll of Healthcare Disruptions
The attacks on healthcare infrastructure have led to a significant reduction in access to critical health services and vital medicines. Routine vaccinations are missed, and there is a rise in heart disease, strokes, and infectious diseases in regions hosting internally displaced people. The mental health crisis is also escalating, and there is a massive need for rehabilitation services.
The destructive impact of a compromised healthcare system threatens to impose long-lasting and severe hardship on Ukraine’s people. As of April 2024, there have been 1,442 attacks on healthcare facilities, workers, and infrastructure. Hundreds of hospitals and clinics have been destroyed, and many have been hit more than once. For example, the clinic I attended in the Kherson region in July 2023 has been hit three times since I left, and indeed as I was writing this blog I received an alert that this little village had been shelled again today. These attacks directly affect civilians by reducing access to critical health services and vital medicines. The shortage of medical supplies, medications, and equipment further exacerbates the health crisis, leading to increased mortality and morbidity rates.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Health has described the current supply levels of medicines to healthcare facilities and pharmacies in the areas currently occupied by Russian forces as “catastrophic,” as there are no deliveries to the occupied areas of Kherson and Zaporizhia oblasts, and the information from Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts is scarce.
### The Role of the Christian Medical Association (CMA) of Ukraine [(Link)](http://www.cma-ukraine.com)
Our charity partner, CMA, is at the forefront of addressing these issues. They provide medical supplies and support to the beleaguered healthcare system in Ukraine. The CMA’s efforts are vital in ensuring that despite the ongoing conflict, medical care remains accessible to those in need. They have been instrumental in delivering critical supplies, supporting healthcare workers, and ensuring that medical services continue to operate under the most challenging conditions. Supporting CMA through regular donations can make a significant difference in sustaining these vital efforts and saving lives.
The work of the CMA brings hope in the midst of the ongoing war and humanitarian crisis. I witnessed their dedication to providing medical care and support to the affected populations. Your tax deductible contributions, especially through regular giving, are crucial in sustaining their efforts and ensuring that Ukrainian civilians continue to receive the care they desperately need. We make sure that every dollar goes straight to them.
Support CMA today and help us stand with Ukraine in this critical time.
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### How You Can Help
To make a tax-deductible donation and support the CMA’s vital work, please **[DONATE HERE. ](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)**
SUBSCRIBE **[HERE](https://www.passingthrough.net/subscribe)** and FOLLOW our SOCIALS and SHARE with all your friends.
**The systematic targeting of Ukraine’s healthcare system by Russian forces is a profound violation of international laws and human rights. The Christian Medical Association of Ukraine is working tirelessly to counter these effects, providing essential medical support under harrowing conditions. Your contributions, especially through regular giving, are crucial in sustaining their efforts and ensuring that Ukrainian civilians continue to receive the care they desperately need. Support CMA today and help us stand with Ukraine in this critical time.**
References
1. Médecins Sans Frontières. (2023). \[Attacks on hospitals in Ukraine: A tragic toll on lives and infrastructure\] ().
2. Ukrainian Healthcare Centre. (2023). \[Ukrainian Healthcare System Under Russian Occupation\] ().
3. Physicians for Human Rights. (2023). \[Coercion and Control: Ukraine’s Health Care System Under Russian Occupation\] ().
4. Attacks on Health Care in Ukraine. (2024). \[Database on Health Care Attacks\] ().
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[charity](https://www.passingthrough.net/tag/charity/)[Godslove](https://www.passingthrough.net/tag/godslove/)[health care](https://www.passingthrough.net/tag/health-care/)[humanitarian](https://www.passingthrough.net/tag/humanitarian/)[medical mission](https://www.passingthrough.net/tag/medical-mission/)[non-profit](https://www.passingthrough.net/tag/non-profit/)[refugees](https://www.passingthrough.net/tag/refugees/)[standwithukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/tag/standwithukraine/)[Supportukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/tag/supportukraine/)[ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/tag/ukraine/)[volunteer](https://www.passingthrough.net/tag/volunteer/)[war](https://www.passingthrough.net/tag/war/)[warzone](https://www.passingthrough.net/tag/warzone/)
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**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Posts About Ukraine
**Tags:** charity, Godslove, health care, humanitarian, medical mission, non-profit, refugees, standwithukraine, Supportukraine, ukraine, volunteer, war, warzone
---
### [CHRISTMAS GIFTS THAT GIVE TWICE](https://www.passingthrough.net/christmas-gifts-that-give-twice/)
**Published:** October 13, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Shop handmade jewellry that supports charity! Unique pieces crafted by volunteers. Free shipping over $150. Perfect for gifts with a purpose.
**Content:**
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# CHRISTMAS GIFTS THAT GIVE TWICE
### Gifts with a purpose….
We have a wonderful array of handmade jewellry and vintage items whose proceeds go to great charity causes. But we never set out to be a ‘jewellry shop’.
Our online store began with a simple idea: to sell estate items and past treasures from our collections that we believed could serve a greater purpose by supporting those in need through our charity. Most of those initial items have since found new homes, but a few still remain available on our website.
The concept of selling handmade jewellery emerged from our deep connection with the Indigenous communities we work alongside. We began crafting unique pieces using materials collected from these communities to help fund our ongoing work there.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_gallery interval=”3″ images=”13609,13585,13580,13559,2740,2730,2725″ img\_size=”medium” css=”.vc\_custom\_1728859630823{margin-right: 50px !important;margin-left: 50px !important;padding-right: 200px !important;padding-left: 200px !important;}”\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]Later, after [**my journey to Ukraine**](https://www.passingthrough.net/journey-in-war-tornukraine/) and partnerships with local NGOs, I was frequently asked to speak about our efforts. The idea to create jewellry with meaningful themes soon followed—a way not only to raise funds but also to spark conversations and awareness about the causes we support.
Today, our jewellery is sold at talks, by dedicated volunteers, and through our [***online shop***](https://www.passingthrough.net/opt-shop-for-good). Each piece is lovingly handmade by our volunteers, making every item truly special. We hope that when you choose our jewellery, you do so not only because of its beauty but also because of its purpose. These pieces make thoughtful gifts for Christmas and other occasions, with the added significance of knowing the proceeds directly support charity work.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_gallery type=”image\_grid” images=”13529,13531,13519,13491,13495,13503,13485,13481,13457,12681,12665,12548,12515,12462,12468,12319,12316,12477,12299,12285,12244,12280,12134,12131,12119,12111,12097,12092,12087,12104,12082,12053,12014,12020,12042″ css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]Each item is carefully labelled so that your gift recipient will know they are receiving something that makes a real difference. We also hope that our unique designs will invite conversations—when someone compliments your piece (and they often do!), you’ll have the chance to share the story of our charity and encourage others to get involved.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_single\_image image=”12068″ img\_size=”medium” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom\_link” img\_link\_target=”\_blank” css=”” link=”https://www.passingthrough.net/opt-shop-for-good”\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]For those who prefer reading our exciting book launch should be ready for purchase in time for Christmas – sign up [***HERE***](https://www.passingthrough.net/under-black-banners) to be the first to know when it can be ordered.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_single\_image image=”13541″ img\_size=”medium” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom\_link” img\_link\_target=”\_blank” css=”.vc\_custom\_1728996321666{border-top-width: 5px !important;border-right-width: 5px !important;border-bottom-width: 5px !important;border-left-width: 5px !important;border-radius: 5px !important;border-color: #EBDB50 !important;}” link=”https://www.passingthrough.net/under-black-banners/”\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]As the holiday season approaches, we’re offering free shipping on all orders over $150 (use FREESHIP150), free shipping on stamps and clothing orders over $20 (use FREESHIP), along with discounts on select items. For an additional fee, you can have your order gift-wrapped with a personalised note and price tags removed, making your gift even more meaningful.
Every purchase helps further our mission, and we thank you for supporting!
You can also[ ***DONATE HERE.***](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating)
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**Categories:** All things Ukraine, Everything Else, Giving Back
**Tags:** charity, christmas, ethical gifts, handmade, humanitarian, jewellry, medical mission, non-profit, Supportukraine
---
### [Big mountains, Bears & Berries Pt 4.](https://www.passingthrough.net/big-mountains-bears-berries-pt-4/)
**Published:** August 11, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Headed out of Jasper to Miette Hot Springs – there is more beautiful scenery than you can poke a stick at here.
Stopped at the site of the Jasper house trading post in the days of the fur trade. Interesting to see how much the Indigenous people and the Europeans interacted and shared the fur trade here. Also to see how tough the living was back then. I honestly think it would be hard to find people who could live like that now?
Grassy site of Jasper house across the river Walk to Jasper house site
Got a better view of some mountain goats up a cliff on the way that were really going hard to lick the minerals from the dirt.
Young mountain goat hanging in there Getting that salt lick Mountain goats up the mountain What you looking at?
3 August
Then up the mountains to be the first to get into Miette hot springs. Was definitely worth getting there early before the crowds struck because it got pretty hectic later. The pools were lovely with great mountain views and were nice and warm but not that real steamy hot you’d expect. The storm from last night had knocked the power out and they hadn’t been able to pump more hot springs water in or something like that.
Miette hot springs
A bummer but it was still a nice relax. I’d walked about 23 km yesterday in my ‘barefoot’ sandals so a soak was nice.
I love my Xero barefoot sandals and I can even hike in them comfortably but I think in shorter bursts would be good. I especially love how they barely take any room in my bag!
After a nice day in the mountains and a picnic in the forest we headed off towards Valemount where my next Dr meeting is. Drove through more beautiful mountainous scenery. Looking on the map you’d think it was quite boring- outside of all the famous national parks but its between three mountain ranges and at the confluence of some major rivers and is really beautiful.
Dinner at the Valemount moose pub was really delicious and good value with plenty of Canadian favourites.
Valemount camping
Swift creek, Valemount
Valemount moose pub rib dinnerWe stayed at the lovely forested Yellowhead RV park which has great facilities if you’re passing this way. It sits on the beautiful Swift Creek.
We couldn’t swim or even sit too close to the river though as it’s under salmon spawning protection. The rivers around here were once the world’s greatest salmon rivers but the numbers continue to dwindle rapidly at a scary rate really. They are now making desperate attempts to allow the salmon to spawn undisturbed and restricting fishing of salmon hoping to improve numbers. Hopefully it’s not too late. Sadly the cycle is tied in to a much bigger ecosystem that seems to be suffering at all inflection points. I’ve always tried to be environmentally aware without being fanatics but the more one travels and sees systems suffering and declining around the world the more urgent looking after our environment seems to be.
Huckleberries on my breakfast Valemount health centre doctor Valemount Swiss bakery
Had a great meeting with one of the drs which again led to even more contacts. He was lovely and took me to this Swiss bakery for real coffee ( anything other than filter coffee is pretty rare in Canada) . It was so good I brought Ron back here later. After the meeting and a coffee we hit the road again. Saw an ad for a river safari claiming to see bears. I googled the reviews which said most people didn’t see anything ad you could see as much driving up the road there. So we took a turn in and kept being tempted to go further on the unpaved road until we noticed we’d ended up on the top of a mountain . Was a great forest drive with views AND we saw a black bear- bear no. 3!
The tour company also ran Jeep safaris and when they passed us in our little corolla going up the mountain I’m sure they were cheesed off but not as much as the tourist in the back seat who’s paid big bucks for their ‘adventure’.
One thing we’ve noticed is that Canadian drivers just love speeding and tailgating which can be quite scary when they’re all driving big trucks and massive f250 utes!
Even in a heavy rainstorm they’ll do some mad overtaking and speeding.
**Categories:** Canada/America, Canadian Road (Study) Trip 2018, Travel
**Tags:** adventure, camping, Canada, Canadian roadtrip, hiking, remote doctors, road trip, rockies, travel, travel light, wilderness
---
### [Big mountains, Bears & Berries Pt.3](https://www.passingthrough.net/big-mountains-bears-berries-pt-3/)
**Published:** August 10, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
30-31 Jul
Peyto glacier and lake is a fantastic short walk with magnificent views off the Icefields parkway in the Rockies.
It’s sobering to see how rapidly many of these glaciers have retreated in recent times.
There were some gorgeous cheeky squirrels and Least chipmunks too. One squirrel ran in front of us and dig up a buried nut and ate it right there at our feet!
Peyto lake
Peyto glacier
Walks around Peyto glacier
Peyto glacier meltwaterWildflowers on the Peyto glacier walk
Squirrel eating his buried nut
Old photo of Peyto glacier showing changeLeast chipmunks are the size of a mouse but brave as a lion
Dusk at Peyto glacier
Sun on the mountains near Peyto glacierHector lake was another impulsive stop on the Icefields parkway and we decided to go in for a couple kms hike and had a brief swim in the icy blue water which was magic.
Icefields parkway from Banff to Jasper
Icefields parkway views
Hike to Hector lake
Hike to Hector lake
Hike to Hector lake
Hike to Hector lake
Feeling fresh after an icy swim
Hector lake
Along the parkway we saw our first ‘Bearjam’. That is – hoards of crazy tourists holding up the traffic to see a black bear eating berries. Well if you can’t beat em…
Was fantastic to watch but I want my next bear to be with less people!
Black bear on Icefields parkway
Black bear eating berries
Howes pass was used by generations of First Nations as a route east from the Columbia River Valley through the rugged Columbian mountains and was a short-lived gateway for European traders to the interior of British Columbia from trading posts in the foothills of Alberta.
Howe’s pass
It is interesting to see how history here seems to differ from back home, initially at least, in how First Nations worked closely with and traded with fur traders with less of a power imbalance.
Further down the road we spotted mountain goats up the cliff scraping the earth for salt. We didn’t get a real good view but Ron spotted them with his binoculars and a guy in the rest area could see some too but he said was trained to spot them in his job as a guide for sheep hunters.
Mountain goat spotting on the Icefields parkway
Mountain goat spotting
Mountain goat
Columbian ground squirrelThe Columbian ground squirrels were so cute munching away on the field flowers getting fat for winter hibernation.
The Columbian icefields are 325sq km of ice up to 365 m in depth and feeds eight glaciers.
The Icefields Discovery centre sounded good but was quite a disappointment. There wasn’t much discovery going on with the lower floor interpretive centre shut for renovations ( really? In the middle of the short peak tourist season?). The rest was just cafe and restaurant and ticket lines for the glacier skywalk and the snocoach which takes you out on to Athabasca glacier. That sounded good until I looked up and saw the glacier heaving with tourists and it doesn’t even take you out to the actual icefield. Great for making it accessible for people not capable of getting on a glacier any other way I guess but decided to skip it. And driving past the glacier skywalk it looked like it wasn’t near the best views of the glaciers anyway.
Glaciers from the Icefields parkway
Glaciers
Athabasca glacier before and after!
Athabasca glacierThese water falls tumbling down impressive cliffs and canyons weren’t even marked and were just at a random pulloff on the Icefields Parkway.
Stopped in at other beautiful falls along the way. I think if you stopped at everything here you could take weeks to get down the Icefields Parkway but I have meetings to get to…
Tangle creek falls
Falls by the highway
Falls by the highway
Views from the Icefields parkway
Views from the Icefields parkway
Views from the Icefields parkway
Views from the Icefields parkway
Pulled in for a break at a rest spot and decides to go for a little hike into Buck lake and Osprey lake. There were lots of berries there so we were a bit worried about encountering bears but we were armed with our bear spray. Felt like we’d gone into the wilderness being at a stop with no other tourists only to get to the end and look across Osprey lake and see holiday making tourists in their floaty boats! Doh!
To top it off our wilderness style named Osprey lake was in fact named Honeymoon lake further down the road where the tourists go in to swim. What a laugh!
Speaking of bear spray we were chatting about it’s use as we walked along and something came out about it being single use. Ron seemed surprised and said ‘ Oh glad you told me that. They should tell you how to use this stuff.’
Umm who is this mysterious ‘they’ ? I replied ‘THEY did – it’s called instructions….’
Our lunch picnic spot was just a random pullover but it still had some of the prettiest views.
Fellow picnicking aussies
Beautiful Rockies picnic spotBeautiful Rockies picnic spot
A couple of young guys were picnicking too and it turned out they were Aussies. We found this out when having a cold beer for lunch. We’d cooled a couple down in the river the night before. When cracked that can their heads snapped like you wouldn’t believe- I think that was the moment we guessed they were Aussies? We offered them our last one and you’d think we’d handed them a million dollars…
Athabasca falls was crawling with tourists but it’s worth a stop- pretty impressive beautiful falls. As always the crowds thin out the further down the track you go til at the end we were on our own.
Athabasca falls
Athabasca falls
Athabasca fallsWe were still intently looking for wildlife but nothing. We were starting to wonder about this supposed wildlife that’s meant to be everywhere. We ran into two other people though who said they had been here ten and twelve years ago respectively and they had seen loads of wildlife even on the sides of the road but this year nothing. Hope that is not a sign of something…
Mind you, when you see this kind of thing in the cafe at the service station you start wondering if that’s where a lot of the wildlife goes!?
Cafe in Jasper- where the wild things are…
We finally saw some elk but ironically it was just on the outskirts of Jasper town and outside the national park and it was only the ladies so not the beautiful big antlers.
Elk doe
We decided to keep driving around the outskirts of Jasper at dusk and we saw several deer and a black bear feeding on berries which ended up crossing the road in front of us.
Black bear, Jasper national park
We drove to Medicine Lake and watched the sunset over the lake.
Medicine lake, Jasper national park
Medicine lake, Jasper National Park (the dot in the water is a wading fisherman)
Site of 2015 wildfire near Medicine lake
Medicine lake is a strange phenomenon with underground channels draining the lake so it only fills up in summer after snow melt and then drops by about half with no visible river flowing out. Theyve now found where the river then springs out of the rocks again downstream in the Maligne canyon and rejoins the Maligne river doubling it’s volume.
We camped for the night in an area devastated by a wildfire in 2015 and it was surprising to see how long it takes to regenerate. It was an area of forest known for its woodland caribou and there are thought to be only 150 left in there with numbers dropping. The fires may not have helped. But we also can’t help wonder why on the one hand they have all this endangered wildlife disappearing for unknown reasons and on the other hand they encourage people to bring their dogs into national parks and have hunting allowed of native animals right up to the boundaries. Would never happen in Australia… I won’t complain about their strict regulations again.
1 aug
Got an early start out to Maligne Lake to beat the crowds. Boat tours to spirit island start at 8.30 and hoardes line up for it. To be honest there are lakes everywhere as pretty as Maligne but as someone put it, it’s suffering from Instagram overexposure. We saw a mink cross the road on the way.
Maligne river out of Maligne lake
Maligne lake boathouse
Endangered Harlequin ducks
Maligne lake
Maligne lakeMoose lake loop hike
Moose lake with morning mistMoose lake
Bear print at Moose lake
Moose antlers rubbing
We walked the Moose lake loop and the Mary Schaeffer loop and despite being the only people on both did not see a moose or any other creature. We did see a bear paw print near the lake shore at moose lake though and evidence of a moose rubbing his antlers on the trees.
We had a coffee on the deck at the visitor centre on the way out – not so good and expensive. Might stick to my car coffee after all.
Our lunch picnic spot was another random find -it was a pretty forested spot right on another sparkling river. But most amazing of all were the fat hoary marmots just sitting there munching away. They look like a cross between a giant squirrel ( which turns out they are related to) and a beaver. In fact when Ron first saw them he exclaimed “beavers!!”.
Hoary marmot
Hoary marmot
Picnic spot
Note Ron’s friend in background
They were amazing and so tame. There were also lots of very cheeky ground squirrels and Least Chipmunks.
In our usual style we headed down a hidden unmarked road looking for special spots. We found a really pretty spot with yet more crystal clear turquoise waters. There were two fly fishermen getting on to the river there and we watched them wade in and flick their fly around. Turns out it was first day of the season and they were in like Flynn as soon as the river opened to get the first trout.
As they moved up we had a swim in the ice cold water. The swim didn’t last long ( hypothermia isn’t fun) but it was SO refreshing.
Beautiful Maligne river
A swim in Maligne river
A swim in Maligne river
Maligne canyon was another worthwhile stop. Again don’t just get out where all the crowds are but do the whole walk along the canyon down to fifth bridge. A fantastic hike and you get to see where the underground river from Medicine lake joins the Maligne river.
Maligne canyon
Maligne canyon
Maligne canyon
Springs out of the rock at Maligne canyon
Springs out of the rock at Maligne canyon
Grabbed some supplies from Jasper which was heaving with tourists in RV’s so didn’t linger long.
Robinson’s market is a great place for supplies. Jasper has a great little community vege garden which was great to see. ( big fan of community gardens)
Jasper community garden
Pulled in at Annette Lake near Jasper which was an amazing blue. We walked around but it looked like a storm was coming so we jumped back on the car. The wind was picking up as was the rain . On the way out I asked Ron to pull over so I could take a photo of that blue, blue lake before we left. As I jumped out I looked up at the swaying pines and said “Hmm maybe I shouldn’t go there in case a tree falls on me…. crash!!!!…. like that.” I said as a pine tree crashed across the road right where we would have been if I hadn’t pulled over. Needless to say I didn’t get the photo and we had to pull bits of tree off the road to get out.
Started heading out of town to our next destination looking for a dinner picnic spot on the way. The weather was pretty nasty so I suggested to Ron we sit it out somewhere. Ron spotted a small tour bus coming out of a side road so thought we’d check that out. Was a small private Field Airport but it had a super pretty picnic spot in a field near a river which looked perfect for dinner. As we ate our picnic some locals turned up with their dogs to play.
Picnic outside of Jasper
Just as we finished our dinner a tour bus turned up and one of the ladies said “Did you see the Grizzly bear and cubs?” . !!!! Umm no…
The driver told them a bear and cubs were sighted there. The driver strode across the field like a hero to inform the dog owners of the danger they were in. That resulted in a heated discussion with the locals who clearly thought the driver was being a bit of a tosser. In later discussion with them they said the tour buses sometimes just say that stuff to hype people up thinking they could see wildlife.
So we must have killed it for him when he rocked up with his tourists to spot grizzlies and here we are having dinner in the field and others are playing with their dogs! Having said that he did say they have lots of grizzly bears here and he’d just seen one yesterday.
They pointed out some nice tracks along the river including parts of the overlander track on the old fur trade route along the Athabasca River. It was so pretty and we still had light – but then there was the bears.. and a mother with cubs at that… Maybe…
We decided at least to walk through the open area and towards the forest and river. After all we did have bear spray and Ron was ready to use it!
And suddenly Ron – who was teasing me yesterday about being nervous of bears was looking a little nervous, walking as far tothe side of the track as possible and
replaying for me the plan for when a grizzly attacks talking through all the scenarios…
Ron scanned the area just ahead with his binoculars – he freezes- what does that look like there through the bushes? Is that a bear? he says as he hands me the binoculars. I look at something that looks brown and shaggy. But it is clearly stone dead and not moving. I want to reassure Ron so I blurt out that it’s a rock. ‘Give me that- you’re off grizzly patrol! ‘ Ron exclaims. Turns out it was a stringy bark covered log that did look like fur.
As we got closer to the forest – singing and making noise aswe went- we started debating what the risks Vs benefits were. Were we being silly and getting frightened for nothing,or were we taking stupid risks. What if the trail took us between the mum and her cubs? We go a little further forward to a bench put in by national parks. Ron points to a bear cub paw print on the bench! So there are cubs here…then I panic for a minute as I realise that it rained half an hour ago so these prints are very recent!! But Ron points out they are pretty baked on so may have withstood the rain. We decided to hang back. Then we spotted the group camping shelter and toilets. So Ron comes up with a plan that if we see bears we can retreat to that! Hmmm.
Bear print on the bench
We hear a cracked branch in the forest..I freeze.”it’s a falling branch” Ron reassures
me. So we walk for a little more. Then we hear a strange noise. Ron panics and tells me in a voice I rarely hear to move it towards the shelter.
Through the window of the shelter he ‘sees’ two golden retrievers. He figures if people are here with dogs we are a bit safer. So feeling suddenly brave he goes a little further along until we both get the heebie jeebies and head out of there. Where are the dogs? We spot a couple of beautiful ‘golden’ white tailed deer. The dogs that made Ron feel brave could have been deer frightened by a bear!?
White tailed deer
Ok so we were probably worrying too much and locals probably walk there alone all the time. Anyway we made it safely back to our car and will never know if there was a bear and cubs there. The most menacing wildlife we saw were the mozzies. But it was a super pretty walk and highly recommend it- just maybe not in cub season!
Outside Jasper near the Athabasca river
Outside Jasper near the Athabasca river
Outside Jasper near the Athabasca river
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Outside Jasper near the Athabasca riverOutside Jasper near the Athabasca river
**Categories:** Canada/America, Canadian Road (Study) Trip 2018, Travel
**Tags:** adventure, Canada, Canadian roadtrip, hiking, road trip, rockies, travel, wilderness
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### [Big mountains, Bears & Berries - Pt 2](https://www.passingthrough.net/big-mountains-bears-berries-pt-2/)
**Published:** August 7, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Sunday 29th July
On to Radium Hot Springs in the beautiful Kootenay National Park. The scenery was amazing even though the sky was quite hazy with smoke from bushfires throughout the state. It was a sight for sore eyes to see the wild Bighorn sheep wandering around in a herd through the town. Watching them eat one person’s plums off his tree I’m not sure the locals would have been too happy about their ‘guests’? 
Bighorn sheep in the Kootenay mountainsBighorn sheep in Radium Hot Springs town
Bighorn sheep in Radium Hot Springs town
Bighorn sheep in Radium Hot Springs town
Further into town we saw a beautiful white tailed deer with velvet antlers grazing on the side of the road – what was this place? Turns out the best wildlife sightings are in town?
Bighorn sheep in Kootenay National Park
Eagle nesting on a pole put out by Parks Canada
Poor old Ron has been struggling with the names of all these wildlife. I must admit the mountain goats and bighorn sheep do look related but he’s calling the sheep, goats, the goats, sheep and the beavers, otters and vice versa. He’ll get there.
Driving through the different national parks it has been much easier and MUCH cheaper to have bought a Discovery Pass from Parks Canada which is valid for ALL national parks in the country for a year. Also means you can bypass some of the lines and drive right through.
The Radium hot Springs Pool
Even though the weather was quite warm it was still very relaxing and invigorating to have a soak in the actual Hot Springs at Radium. They are pretty good value and managed by Parks Canada. You soak in pools with views of the Kootenay mountains around you. The car park was packed and we thought it would be super crowded but it wasn’t, so not sure what all the cars were for.
Sunset in Kootenays with fire haze
Sunset in Kootenays with fire haze
We slept at the Redstreak Campground tonight which is up the mountain from Radium Hot Springs and has beautiful views. Bighorn sheep and deer were wandering around at dusk too.
White tailed deer
Bighorn sheepMonday 30th July
Drove on through Kootenay National Park stopping along the way at some lovely spots. I think if you stopped at everything nice around here you’d be driving around for months! Spotted Olive Lake which hardly rates a mention in guidebooks and no one else was there but it was really pretty and the water was an impossible clear turquoise! There was a short walk to where a spring bubbled out of the ground that supplied the lake and you could watch the trout swimming around.
Olive lake
Olive lake30th July
Marble Canyon was another stop. Very pretty and worth walking all the way to the top – a lot of people seem to stop at the site at the bottom with it’s super blue water but keep going and check it all out.
Marble canyon
Marble canyon
Marble canyon
Marble canyon
Just past Castle Mountain we stopped at a random picnic spot for lunch. No particular sights or markings but the views were spectacular. Made a coffee with our handy car kettle.
Castle mountain
Roadside picnic spot
We were heading for Lake Louise- one of the ‘must see’ lakes of the Rockies and we had to go through there anyway. But the traffic and crowds around the village had to be seen to be believed. Some locals at Golden had said that the place was crazy and they thought it was no more beautiful than other places – just had had more promotion. I think that includes lots of pictures on Instagram. I was starting to think there might be something in that as similar views were everywhere.
After being waved on several kilometres through an overflowing parking lot to a site where you had to catch a shuttle to get back to the Lake because of overcrowding we figured we’d skip Lake Louise. So I can’t tell you about that one.
Started driving up the famous Icefields Parkway. Famous for it’s beautiful views and many glaciers. Just watch out for crazy drivers who don’t seem to appreciate that 1. They’re on a scenic drive and 2. There’s a chance of seeing wildlife and not killing it if you slow down below 110k/h!
As evening approached we didn’t expect to get into a campground on this famous road at this time of year with everything overflowing so were stoked to find this magic little campsite with a couple of sites free. It included endless firewood, firepit , picnic table, 360 degree views of Rocky mountains and a crystal clear stream in front of us. Couldn’t believe our luck!
Mountains near Silverhorn campground
Silverhorn campground
Silverhorn campground
Silverhorn campground
Silverhorn campground
Silverhorn campground
**Categories:** Canada/America, Canadian Road (Study) Trip 2018, Travel
**Tags:** adventure, camping, Canada, Canadian roadtrip, forest, remote work, road trip, rockies, travel, wilderness
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### [Big mountains, Bears, & Berries - Pt 1](https://www.passingthrough.net/big-mountains-bears-berries-pt-1/)
**Published:** August 5, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Heading off into the rocky mountains of Canada…
Almost didn’t make it after a few dramas with the car hire. Second time we’ve had issues with Hertz and their crazy rules.
Rocky mountains , Banff NP
Rocky mountains , Banff NP
Every roadside stop is beautiful in the Rockies
First meeting is in Revelstoke with a doctor from the Rural Coordination Centre so headed straight out there through one of the main entrances to Banff national park so some amazing scenery…
Revelstoke is a gorgeous little town popular with tourists and also has a lot of Aussies working there doing the ‘ski season’ in winter. Today was Saturday so after our meeting we strolled with the drs family through the lovely markets they have full of fresh fruit, produce and on every Saturday. They also have free nightly music concerts in the town centre all summer.
One of the kids said they’d always wanted to go to Australia to hold a koala so lucky I had a corny but cute little clip-on one to give him.
Revelstoke docs
Revelstoke markets
Made a last minute plan to book a hotel because I was a bit worried about Ron being tired with all the driving and the late night transfer we’d had. But this is peak season and there was nothing in town available. Ended up at Mulvehill Wilderness Inn which wasnt super-budget but it was also super good value for what it had! Had its own private lake access with crystal clear water, free paddle boards, canoes and fireplace by the lake. Multiple walking tracks through forest and its own beautiful turquoise blue waterfall which had powered a hydro system for the property 70 years ago. Also had a yummy all-you-can eat brekky sitting out on a deck overlooking the lake.
Mulvehill Wilderness Inn, Revelstoke
Mulvehill Wilderness Inn, Revelstoke – Ron on SUP
Mulvehill Wilderness Inn, Revelstoke
Mulvehill Wilderness Inn, Revelstoke
Mulvehill Wilderness Inn, Revelstoke
Sadly no wildlife as they had two big dogs, one was a big lump who did nothing and the other one fought bears and killed coyotes. Not so sure about that bit! But it was meant to make us feel safe that we wouldn’t get attacked by bears in the yard! Personally I wouldn’t have minded seeing a bear in the yard ( from the safety of the deck).
Revelstoke had a ‘bear problem’ a couple of years ago and it was so bad they got sick of relocating them so they shot 32 bears!
The owner and his extended family were funny and up for a good yarn. They told us quite a few good stories including about the bear that comes to the edge of their yard in autumn to eat the mountain ash berries. Apparently they ferment and make the bear drunk so he showed us the tree with the drunken swaying claw marks up its trunk.
The drunk bear tree
He had us in fits as he described one autumn walking out of the pub drunk down the street and he saw a drunk bear- he was swaying one way and the bear was swaying the other.
One of the other guys told us about the history of this lake when it was first made by flooding good farmland with a dam for hydro. It destroyed a longstanding farming community and was the only good land in the area. Human greed strikes again.
Lovely people here but can’t help thinking they remind me of a TV show I used to watch called Beverley Hillbillies….
The lovely lady who runs the BnB side said when she lived in town she had bears every summer in her yard for 25 years. She only got scared twice. Once when an 800lb one came in her yard and she called the bearcatchers for that one! And the other time when she opened her door and found a bear cub on her doormat- she screamed but then the cub was as frightened as her and took off! I’d be more worried about where mama bear was!
Giant cedars walk2
Crystal clear streams Mt Revelstoke NPCrystal clear streams Mt Revelstoke NP
Hemlock Grove Walk
Skunk cabbage boardwalk
Skunk cabbage boardwalk wetland
Woodpecker holes
Columbian ground squirrel, Hemlock grove
Columbian ground squirrel, Hemlock grove
Drove on to the cutely named town of Golden, stopping to do several small but pretty walks.Hemlock grove and Giant Cedar walk showcase rare old growth cedar forest. Magic and peaceful and spotted a number of pretty birds and the telltale rectangular holes made by woodpeckers in the trees.
The skunk cabbage walk is a rare wetland environment that hosts several migratory bird species and is also pretty.
We tried a few campgrounds but all were booked out. We had to stay flexible because of changing interview schedules but if coming here in summer I think you really have to book!
Ended up car camping at Bear creek falls. This has a lovely unmarked short steep hike to the falls on a very pretty creek. The name made us nervous about winding windows overnight and we were trying to measure if a bear paw could get into the gap! I’m sure locals would think we were being ridiculous.
Car camping at Bear creek falls
Do I need this bear spray??Had a wonderful and informative interview with the doctor in Golden. She invited us to her house and spoiled us with homemade wild huckleberry scones and jars of fresh raspberries with yoghurt. She has a beautiful garden with a rushing crystal clear waterfall coming down the mountain at the back. Her husband was telling us that bears regularly visit with him painting a funny picture of bears in his garden laying on their backs shoving his apples in their mouth!
**Categories:** Canada/America, Canadian Road (Study) Trip 2018, Travel
**Tags:** adventure, camping, Canada, Canadian roadtrip, forest, hiking, road trip, rockies, travel, wilderness
---
### [White bears and white whales Pt 1](https://www.passingthrough.net/white-bears-and-white-whales-pt-1/)
**Published:** July 27, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
22 July
Churchill, Manitoba
Off to the Polar Bear Capital of the world! However I’m here for work as well as play. Had been having a lot of trouble getting a response or contact with the doctors directly but figured if it didn’t pan out I had plenty of writing up to do and probably needed some rest as well. But turned out one of the main doctors I was chasing was on the plane with me – I saw the hospital driver with a sign waiting to pick him up so I was able to make contact. Lucky break.
Flying into Churchill, endless lakes
The Hotel Churchill picked us up as we are hiring a car off of them. Tamarack rentals is the only place listed online but it sounds like something has happened for them this season and they are not responding or renting out cars. Thankfully a little bit of persistence which included contacting the local council here led me to find out that one of the hotels rents out cars – and it is half the price of Tamarack so that was a lucky break too!
The fella showed us the cars – we had 2 left to choose from. He recommended the Yukon but said it had no front bumper bar… Indeed it also had half a left side window and bits were held on with rope. Our thinking was though that if the bumper was already gone we couldn’t knock it off… ? Got closer and saw the windscreen was also full of chips and cracks. Either people have done some wild bushwhacking in this or the polar bears had a bit of a go?? Asked the guy if we should note the damage so we don’t get blamed? “ Nah just as long as you can drive it back, we don’t care.” Ok that’s pretty cool except the drive-it-back bit was a concern considering we were going to be driving around in polar bear country where they say don’t get out of the car??!
This is how they hire cars up north – missing bumper, missing rear mirror, bits held on with rope
It seems like most people come here on tours or tour packages and rarely rent cars. It’s probably a good thing in that this small area with fragile environment probably couldn’t handle loads of crazy tourists tearing around but it’s also a shame – because as usual – by getting a bit off the standard tourist track you can experience so much more.
We managed to see lots of interesting side tracks and find bird hides and lookouts and creeks and swamps full of interesting birds. Ron even got to flick his lure around – of course with one eye over his shoulder in case the bears had decided to wander a bit more inland…
Boreal forest in Churchill
Ron fishing near Churchill
Remains of the Sayisi Deni Village near Churchill
Another amazing find was this ‘village’ lost in the forest that noone mentions and is in none of the tourist info- it was off a track and was an entire village worth of concrete foundations hidden in the forest. The story of the Sayisi Dene Indigenous people, the way they were treated and how they survived and relocated – all in recent times – is fascinating, tragic and heroic – worth reading… Read about it [here.](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-sayisi-dene-relocation-1.3722564)
Churchill is completely cut off and has no roads in or out – so only a small network of dirt roads on the peninsula. We decided to head down some of these tracks and have a bit of an explore. Just out of town near the mouth of the river we looked out into the river/estuary and saw loads of white beluga whales cruising around in the water. This is another thing Churchill is famous for in summer. About 3000 beluga whales come to breed in the river here each summer and they are super easy to spot and spend time with. About 15 minutes outside of town down the track we saw a polar bear on the side of the road that got startled and bounded up onto the rocks. It sat there for a bit, looking at us and then headed off into the rocks. I was so excited- I have always wanted to see a polar bear – I hoped to see one here but I think maybe didn’t really expect it.
Juvenile polar bear at Churchill, Manitoba
After all people come here on tours and miss seeing them! But here was one by the road! I could hardly believe it. We did note however that when it disappeared into the rocks, they were the kind of rocks where we would normally think of pulling up and walking over to, to have a better look. Pretty sure we won’t be doing that here.
Polar bears have attacked locals in recent years right in town. They have a polar bear alert patrol that tries to keep them out of town and a 10pm curfew to keep people safe. If one seems to be coming into town or causing problems they will dart gun it and put it in a holding pen until the ice comes back in and they can put it back out on the ice. If the holding pen fills up they will relocate it by helicopter. One of the staff at the park said she was walking to work at 8.30 this morning and heard the helicopter and flare guns going off which made her a bit worried about walking to work!
Later in the afternoon we went for another slow drive along the coast. We pulled up to just scan around for a bit and look at the scenery. Next thing I hear Ron saying “Do polar bears stand up on their back legs?” All that flashed through my head in a few seconds was “Really Ron?? Isn’t that the pose they always have in museums?” as I turned around to see a mama polar bear up on her hind legs looking over at us with a gorgeous cub next to her. We will still quite a distance so we just sat quietly ( in the car of course) and watched her with the binoculars. She seemed to be able to hear us so we shut everything down and sat quietly. Watched her for ages. She and her cub seemed to be sniffing around the grassy edge of the beach looking for something. They ambled around amongst the grass and wildflowers while we watched. It was tempting to try and move closer but we knew that was the wrong thing to do. But instead she slowly moved closer to us until she was about 60 metres away from us with her cub. Then she went over the slight rise towards the beach and disappeared. Ron and I just looked at each other – what do we do now? Do we go? We shouldn’t drive forward as we might startle or disturb her. But should we wait and see if she pops up? Ron and I had the same thoughts at the same time – imagining the dialogue going on…. “So son, this is Human hunting 101. You pretend to not notice them, you amble past them and go behind the rise. Just when they think you’ve gone you come charging over the rise and peel them out of the car like a tin of sardines.” Man there is such a thing as too much imagination…
I think Mama bear knows we are here?
Polar bear and cub in Churchill, Manitoba ( shipwreck in background)
Polar bear and cub seen at Churchill, Manitoba
Ron then thought to stand up and put his head out of the window to look over the rise – that’s when we saw that they had both got in the water and were swimming. That was amazing to watch – moved the car closer and watched them seemingly stalk some seabirds and then swim for miles and miles until we couldn’t even see them with the binoculars anymore. Asking the parks staff later they said sometimes they will swim around the town out at sea to give it a wide berth or sometimes if they are hungry they will try to swim out to the ice early even though it could be hundreds of kilometres away. Another sign of ‘the times’ with bears coming to land much earlier in the summer giving them less time to fatten up for breeding and fasting season. Long time residents and researchers say it has really changed fast in the last couple of years.
They have to warn people about bears – you can’t just walk around here
beware the polar bear!
Back to the BnB – well it can barely be called that. In fact it barely rates as hostel. It’s a ‘new’ offering in Churchill and was one of the few places not booked that was a reasonable price AND had a kitchen to use ( self catering in a place like this saves a LOT!). Took a punt as was too new for any reviews. Well all I can say is the poor guy had no clue and should be thanking the Lord that we were his first ‘guests’. He was the sweetest nicest young guy from China who had only moved here a few months ago to make a go of it with his wife. We felt sorry for him as it became clear that he wasn’t ready for the tourist season, still had a lot of work to do on the place as well as his full time job and his wife had gone to Winnipeg leaving him with the first tourists. AND he had NO idea what people expect in a BnB. We decided we’d help him and give him some pointers and advice. If he gives us a discount because nothing promised was there then that’d be great – if he doesn’t – well that’s on his conscience. Like I said he was lucky – because anyone else would have given him a blistering, scathing review and his BnB would be finished before it started… Lesson learned is to wait until a place has at least a couple of reviews first. Having said that it was still great to be able to have a kitchen to cook a healthy cheap meal in – even if it was a bit undersupplied and dirty..
The ‘Eskimo Museum’ in town is definitely worth checking out. It is really well done and has some fantastic Indigenous artifacts and history and general natural history info. I didn’t realise that the world’s largest trilobite fossil (didn’t even know they got so big!) was found here. If you are into books there is a fantastic collection of interesting books about the region and it’s history and peoples. If it wasn’t for weight restrictions I would have got a few!
sealskin at the Parks Canada centre – used as traditional warm clothing by Indigenous people in the past
An arctic fox fur at the Parks canada centre – an important item of trade back in Hudson Bay company days & used by Indigenous peoples
“country foods’ poster at the museum
Hamming it up with the caribou at the excellent Parks Canada display centre
I had a chance to talk to some of the locals about their views on keeping doctors in the health system. Through this it also came out that Churchill is going through some tough times. Despite the tourism the place is suffering. The loss of their train through damage to the tracks last year really hit them. It is the main transport in so now everything has to be airfreighted in hitting them with huge price increases. The plan for another company to buy the tracks and repair them has fallen through and I think it’s left the town despondent. Add to this the fact that their hospital has been taken over by Winnipeg and they have significantly downgraded the services available here with more and more people having to go to the capital. The locals are really feeling it. The latest thing is the federal government wants to bring in laws to not allow vessels within 100m of beluga whales. As the locals say that means closing their businesses because the belugas are so friendly as soon as they put a boat in they are there so that would not be possible.
The little town of Churchill
The polar bear alert patrol with floodlights
Tues 24 July
Cruised around some more checking out the lovely wildlife – lots of birds – no bears today. Ran into a guy feeding his Canadian sled dogs whom Ron recognized from a documentary. Bit of an old character who is trying to fundraise to save his breed of sled dogs because the increased freight has quadrupled the cost of his dog food. When Ron told him what I was doing he was keen to give his advice as a local on how to retain remote doctors… “Don’t send F…king single people here and rotate them around so they get time off.” Well thanks dude I think you just summarized my report??
Ron chatting to the local ‘celebs’
Ron checking for wildlife whilst I watch for bears creeping up behind him…
Family of ducks near Churchill
Beautiful skies in the subarctic light
Got to see some amazing birds in the forest around Churchill like this Pine Grosbeak
Checked out the northern studies centre where researchers come and do all kinds of research on climate change, polar bears, Belugas etc. They also have a board for polar bear sightings to be recorded and looking at that we realised we had been very fortunate to see the bears we did!
Ron flicking a quick lure whilst looking nervously around. The coast was clear but knowing bears around is unnerving.
After enjoying the reprieve from the mozzies and bugs we were disappointed to find that they were there with a vengeance at the twin lakes we drove to. It seems it was just the cold wind that was blowing them away.
Several times we stopped by the river mouth to have a look and each time we could see pods and pods of pristine white beluga whales. Apparently when they come in the fresh water to breed they also moult turning from a dull grey to a shiny white. We also came across a gorgeous ringed seal sitting on a rock who was doing some kind of seal yoga on the rock.
Seal basking on the rocks
Later in the evening we headed down the road to the lake again and Ron walked down along the weir to have a quick flick in the lake. His reasoning was that the bears would not go in so far. I wasn’t so sure but it was pretty clear anyway. Ron said he looked up at one point and saw a wet patch on the rock in front of him – a splodge surrounded by toe prints – a bear print??? All he could think was ‘it is still wet – is there a bear right here?” before realising his imagination had turned a water birds splashes into a bear print!
At the same spot we saw a mink run across the road and drop a dead baby goose on its way. I saw the mink run into the bush. I thought if I throw the bird near the edge I’ll see the mink but I got my camera and came back and the dead bird was gone – so quick!
Before going to bed one night we heard a dog start barking – could it be a bear? We looked out and saw the owner bring the dog in – fair enough – in Churchill when your dog barks – bring it in!
**Categories:** Canada/America, Canadian Road (Study) Trip 2018, Travel
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### [Labrador Fish Camp](https://www.passingthrough.net/labrador-fish-camp/)
**Published:** July 19, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
12 July
Flew into Goose Bay which is the main centre in Labrador, a Canadian province with lots of remote wilderness and remote Inuit and Innu communities. If flying from Deer lake to Goose Bay I suggest sitting on the left side of the plane for magnificent aerial views of the Gros Morne national park and the piece of earth’s mantle.
Aerial view of Gros Morne park
Flight deer lake to goose bayWe were going to be guests of Dr Michael Jong- somewhat of a legend in rural and remote retention in this part of the woods.
The flight wasn’t long but it was on a smaller plane and Ron was seriously focused on the horizon so he didn’t get sick. It didn’t help that the pilot came and grabbed a full sick bag from the seat in front of Ron from the previous flight….
But the scenery was amazing – so much completely uninhabited wilderness and countless lakes.
Beautiful!
Had some fantastic discussions with Dr Michael and his wife Cathy who have played such a big part in building the health services of this region.
They also told us a lot about the Indigenous groups here and their stories of their expeditions with Inuit seal hunters on snowmobiles and coming across polar bears!
Cathy said she loves baking and had baked us an amazing array of homegrown rhubarb tart, butter pecan tarts and bran muffins full of wild picked berries.
13 July- 16 July
Have the most amazing opportunity being invited out on a camp that Dr Jong runs for the junior doctors and some pre med students that involves some teaching and workshops but is also about showing the juniors what great activities they can do here if they live here and encouraging them to stay here as well as some team bonding.
The pre med students are Indigenous students from the Qalipao band of Mikmaq who are encouraged to get into training programs.
So we headed out in a twin otter float plane and flew into the Labrador wilderness to Dr Jongs cabin on a pristine air- access-only lake and river system.
Our float plane to fish camp
I was a bit concerned when I asked the guy in front of me why he was wearing his own life jacket. He replied that he’d been a Medivac nurse for years in the area and had had too many close calls. He then pointed out the window to the upside down float plane that had tipped over in the bay yesterday… great!
When the flight nurse brings their own life jacket…
There is no road access and no other habitation but they have an amazing setup like a real fishing lodge with canoes, small power boats, all the fishing gear you need and pretty much everything else you need! The funny thing was Dr Jong talked about this wilderness camp so I pictured something pretty primitive and we turned up to something that seemed like a resort. Everyone thought it was hilarious that I had pictured us roughing it on rations around a kerosene lamp at night.
Our ‘bush’ camp- remote but not rough
Had fantastic conversations and interviews with doctors and students and also lots of fishing and canoeing. Ron thought he was in heaven. So far one beautiful big trout has been caught and we’ve all caught some pike. The pike were quite nice due to the lovely clear clean water. Ron and I took the trail out the back of the cabin & down along the river. Just fantastic . This would be total paradise if it wasn’t for the bugs.
Ron with a pike
Ron caught a strange sucker fish no one else had ever caught there
The mosquitoes and black flies are so crazy at times that you have to wear these claustrophobic ‘bug shirts’ that are completely enclosed shirt and headnet combined. The black flies are really nasty and actually draw blood and leave a nasty itch.
Parts of the day were different sessions with the young doctors and students and I got the chance to share some of the work I do with junior doctors back home around resilience and also some of my Australian remote Indigenous experiences.. They seemed to appreciate that.
Ron managed to fulfil a long time dream of catching a trout and being the only one this trip to actually catch one properly. He went down the farthest reach of the track and followed the river and hunted that trout- determined to get one, wading into the river Aussie style with no waders! I think he most enjoyed that he was the Aussie who caught it on this little fold up Chinese rod and no fancy gear or lures.
Ron with his dream catch
Cooked it up for dinner and then we talked about how they make Bannock bread in this province which sounded like our damper. So it was decided we’d have a competition- Aussie vs Newfoundland / Labrador. I made a beer damper and Mike the ‘Newfie’ made a butter damper. Then we had a blinded taste test with independent judges / it was all a good laugh. The aussies will be pleased to hear that our damper won the judging!
Bannock bread competition blind tasting
Evenings after sundown when fishing was over were spent playing games like charades and a heap of other ones I’d never heard of. Had an absolute ball. Was a fantastic suprise though when one of the medical students disappeared and then came back dressed as a stereotypical Newfie fisherman and started talking in the slang about jwo we had to be screeched. So being screeched is a Newfoundland tradition of iniation for newcomers involving Screech rum and kissing a cod. So Ron & I and the three mainland Canadian doctors got screeched and had to kiss a trout ( in the absence of a cod) and even got presented with a certificate . Was both touching and hilarious.
Being ‘screeched in’
On the last day Mike who shares the lodge with Dr Jong, took the little boat out to a small island and said he was going to get the rubbish. Turns out they take the rubbish bags to the island away from the cabin so they don’t attract bears and then just bring it back to take back on the plane. Not a problem I can say I have to deal with at home!
As we waited for our float plane to fly in and land on the lake it felt kind of surreal. We’d just spent four days in the Labradorian wilderness on our own private lake fishing for trout and pike and we’re leaving on the only way out of here on a float plane- and this was part of medical training and orientation!
Farewell fish camp
Back at Goose valley we decided to invest in the ‘bug shirt’ that had made life bearable at fish camp as were told the next stop would be worse. The mosquitoes and black flies are so bad at this time of year up north that people wear these bug suits where you basically zip yourself up entirely in mesh.
So we headed to the Northern Lights hunting and fishing shop affectionately known to the locals as Bras, Bullets and Bongs because as well as hunting gear they also have a side section that is an ‘adult shop’s and drug paraphernalia!
It was a pretty cool shop though with some awesome fishing and camping gear. Got some bug nets and a fishing lure and then had dinner with the pre med students from the camp.
**Categories:** Canada/America, Canadian Road (Study) Trip 2018, Travel
**Tags:** camping, Canada, fishing, remote doctors, wilderness
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### [Heading north - Nunavik](https://www.passingthrough.net/heading-north-nunavik/)
**Published:** July 19, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
17 July
Heading north to Inuit community Kuujjaaq.
Only have a brief stopover in Montreal – overnight at an airport hotel. But it’s been interesting just seeing how strong the French language is here in Quebec . I guess it’s just normal for them but for me it feels wierd to be inCanada but yet the whole province has laws that say French needs to be the most prominently displayed language on all packaging, signs etc and the first language used in announcements. Every public interaction here the first question is French or English?
18 July
Kuujjaaq
Have arrived in Kuujjaaq – the administrative centre of the Inuit communities of Nunavik in Northern Quebec. Despite the arctic being a little further north of here it has a distinct arctic feel, the crisp air, the boxy architecture, the snowmobiles and ATV’s everywhere, the barren landscape…. Doesn’t exciting but there is a smell in the air that brings memories of an arctic winter in Norway flooding back and it’s a good memory. And then there is the ‘aboriginal community’ feel to the place… and that is where my heart lies. So am liking this place already. But then I realise there is more… wait… I realise I feel like I’ve landed in my favourite Netflix series Life Below Zero.
The ATV’s parked outside the hospital.
ATV’s are a favoured transport in Kuujjaaq
Kuujjaaq
Kuujjaaq detectives
Inuit kids and dogs on streets of Kuujjaaq
Inuit sled dogs
All really positive and good. But sadly it’s not long til it starts to feel like another TV series, like one of the many Nordic crime series on SBS. Small remote town in the arctic, murder, no one knows who did it and it’s scary in a small town. Yes only a few weeks ago one of the lab technicians who had been working here at the hospital for years was shot in her bed. For 48 tense frightening hours no one knew who did it or why and no one felt safe. They now know who did it but not why and the perpetrators story may be just as tragic as the victim’s. But the hospital staff here have clearly had a very rough ride through this time and as a consequence some have left, some are on leave and those who remain are carrying the load – ‘life in a northern town.’
But despite all this these lovely people gave up so much of their time to talk to me and share their stories with me. I have had back to back interviews here giving me a real window into life in a remote Inuit community for health staff.
Inuit family picnic
Life is tough for everyone here, especially those who call it home. There have been 11 suicides in 3 months. Local newspapers are calling it a public health emergency. Yet there are stories of hope. We started talking to a young Inuit girl who had left when she was young – now she was returned to reconnect with her culture and she is working at the hospital. She dreams of becoming a doctor and returning to help her people. I was able to talk to her about some of the training programs I’d observed.
It seems that there is still a lot of traditional practice and traditional foods used here. Some tell me that Nunavik was a bit ignored by the Quebec government in their early days which meant some hardship but also meant more preservation of culture. The dentist who has been here a few years told of her bewilderment when she first came , at why children had hair in their teeth. Turned out it was from chewing caribou skin. Chewing beluga whale skin is also an important traditional food – especially as it is super high in Vitamin C in a place where you cannot really grow anything and fruit costs a fortune!
‘bush tucker’ poster at the hospital
Qayaqs made of seal skin and caribou sinew from here – where we get our word kayak from
Kuujjaaq Inuit in earlier days
check out the price!
This really is remote here – there is no road whatsoever into this community. There is no mobile/cell reception from major carriers – only a local one. Internet access is slow. There are alcohol restrictions in place here with limits on how much you can buy but they have been considerably relaxed since 2013 with mixed views on how that has worked – much like Australia.
We have been made to feel very welcome though, with lots of very busy staff making time to talk with me, one of the doctors inviting us around to a group dinner at her house with other staff and being given a tour of town and meal tickets to eat at the cafeteria ( which is great as food options here are limited).
Have spent most of the time here doing solid back to back interviews so have some great rich data for my report.
some more of the lovely staff I interviewed at Kuujjaaq
some of the lovely staff I interviewed at Kuujjaaq
However was going a bit stir crazy by the end of it and keen to get ‘out bush’. Ron hired a car for us [from Friday night to Sunday morning](x-apple-data-detectors://1). We were disappointed there were none of the ‘cheap cars’ left, that is until we saw one of them driving around and realized the cheap cars were really busted up and the side windows were all busted out – not fun in a place with giant hordes of mosquitoes and biting black flies!!
Headed out [Friday night](x-apple-data-detectors://2) after a day of work to go and look at the tundra. [10 pm](x-apple-data-detectors://3) sunsets meant plenty more time to explore. It really is wild and beautiful. The only downside is the awful bugs – they really are bad. The mozzies are crazy and the black flies try to get into every orifice and they give a nasty bite that takes a chunk out of you and leaves you bleeding – they tend to like biting around your hairline. Thankfully we were prepared and had head nets and bug shirts!
check out the bugs
dusk on the river
Inuit fireplace at hunting camp
subarctic tundra
As well as the barren beauty of the tundra it was interesting to note that Inuit also have little hunting cabins spread out around the place. Some are tiny huts that can be pulled around on sleds and are literally just a spot to hide out in winter when going out to hunt. Others are quite permanent and look more like a permanent house just with no services. They vary a lot, some look very used with tables outside for cutting up meat, BBQ’s, swings for the kids and an array of old snowmobiles parked around whilst others look like they haven’t been used for years. However I am starting to suspect that the large number of hunting cabins might explain why we’re not really seeing any animals??
Inside a local hunting cabin
Hunting cabin – note the sled so it can be moved in winter
Whilst animal skin teepees are no longer used, Inuit families still regularly use these tents to camp out in in summer.
Inuit summer tent
Couldn’t believe our eyes when we saw someone had gone to the trouble of making a golf course on the rocky course – confirms my thoughts about the mental status of golf nuts! Each hole had a 2 sqm of turf around it – not sure how they got the balls between holes. Even more amazing is that this is all under metres of snow and ice for around 7 months of the year. In fact there was still some snow in the background nestled against the hill right in the middle of summer… Brrr…
Tundra golf course??
Evidence is everywhere of a cold harsh winter. People randomly leave their snowmobiles and sleds around everywhere and in some places Inuit sled dogs are tied up for the summer near some water until they can be used again in winter.
snowmobile and sled dormant until winter
sled dogs tied up on the tundra
Inuit sled dogs tied up on the tundra
The sun setting over the tundra was magic and the fresh air and peace ( apart from the buzzing mozzies) helped me to understand the lure of this place for the locals and the staff I had interviewed who had come here to work.
sunset over the tundra
sunset over the boreal forest near the tundra
Saturday & Sunday
Drove the other direction out of town today into completely different country which was more forest and swamp. Was lovely. Saw a ptarmigan hen and her chickies and got quite close to her whilst she had a dust bath… Got some beautiful views of Koksoak river.
We kept stopping at different spots to just walk around and hopefully find some animals. I spotted this track and I was pretty sure it looked like an animal pad. Ron thought it was a human track but we followed it and it was definitely animal tracks crisscrossing. I thought it would be caribou pads and might explain the handful of hunting cabins nearby… So we didn’t really expect to see a caribou although we did see plenty of the lichen they eat and also found this antler which may be as close as I get to seeing one…
Caribou pad
Caribou antler found on caribou pads
caribou lichen in the forest
I’m starting to think this may be like our experience in Borneo where we went on a wildlife walk to spot things like civet cat and saw nothing. Later explained by the same guide taking us to his family’s house where we were offered fried civet cat…. Hmmm. “We eat everything” he announced. Think it might be the same here too.
The only muskox we saw was on our hotel wall.
We did see a couple of squirrels but maybe they’re not so tasty..
Squirrel on the tundra
We drove down a few tracks on the way back and one took us to the cemetary. There was a backhoe that seemed to be parked there permanently. I hoped that wasn’t a reflection of the health issues here…
We also drove back up to a lookout we’d been to yesterday where we’d noticed some really nice rocks where they’d blasted to get the power poles in. Did a bit of fossicking and found some nice little pieces of mica and garnets.
Inukshuk are rock arrangements (often in the shape of a man) made by Inuit in times past believed to be used as markers to outline lands, directions, messages etc.
Beautiful subarctic tundra
When we came back to the hotel there was an older Inuit guy who was hanging around the lounge bar door and he offered us a necklace he’d made. It was ok and was quite cheap but it made me sad, I got a really strong feeling it was to support a habit ( you had to be there to see him and the way it was offered)…
At one of our meals at the hospital I got talking to one of the lovely midwives I’d talked to earlier in the week. The group of three long term midwives were just gorgeous and so passionate about their work and their patients. The first night’s dinner at the dr’s house I’d been talking to them and one of them told us a terrible story of how a disruptive local person working at the hospital was throwing her weight around i.e. her connections to Inuit leaders to really bully her and try to destroy her. It sounded very sad because this lady had worked there for 8 years and was clearly committed to caring for her patients and the community and just felt so powerless. It resonated with things I’d seen in Australia and we talked a lot about the similarities of lots of things. Also talked about some possible ways to deal with it but wow what a tough situation. She seemed pretty shattered and actually said she had a ticket to go on leave tomorrow and hadn’t booked a return flight!
Well I was talking to the other midwife at dinner- I asked if she thought this nurse would come back. She said yes actually I do and I think the turning point for her was talking to you! She also told me that they all felt really invigorated from our talk because it made them feel less alone – like others were working with the same situations. So wow it felt good to think I may have contributed to retaining this dedicated midwife! And to be able to share our experiences and provide some support was such a privilege. We were then joined by a despondent social worker who had been working with one of the small remote communities in the battle against suicide which is a major epidemic here right now. She had been trying ideas working with the kids and I told her about what Ron and I do in Australia. I simply made some suggestions about how to do a proposal to get support from her boss and she started saying how excited and inspired she was. The young midwife was then smiling and said “wow you are keeping everyone here , she was going to leave too”… Well my work here is done then I guess.
And not wanting to reveal too many identifiable details but I was able to provide a welcome debrief and self-care advice to two burntout health professionals and even had to reach for the tissue box for us both – ended in hugs.
Was good to be able to give something as well as take all the amazing information I’ve been given for my report.
Arctic cotton on the tundra that Inuit used as the wick for their seal fat lamps
Subarctic tundra at Kuujjaaq with a hunting cabin
Drove down to the lake and out to the tundra again for our last morning. Was amazing how different it looked in a different light – almost like a different place. So beautiful. We were starting to despair at seeing much wildlife when I noticed a large ripple in a creek – I told Ron to pull over thinking at least we might see a big fish or something. As we got closer and pulled out binoculars we saw it was an otter!!! This is the animal Ron has most wanted to see on all his travels – we both love otters but he has a real thing for them. Funny thing is we didn’t even know there were otters here so it was a total surprise!! We saw it hunt around for a bit in the stream and then it suddenly bounded out of the creek and ran across the grass and over the hill! What a sight!! Was very exciting except that of course after that Ron wanted to investigate every ripple we saw in every lake …
Heading back we pulled into a track down to the river. We saw another ptarmigan having a dust bath so I got out to have a closer look. He ambled into the low lying bush and I slowly followed him – as I stepped forward I got a fright because suddenly about 4 chicks jumped out of the bushes chirping away and the mother flew out from the bush and actually flew at me and was trying to attack me! I couldn’t believe this bird the size of a small hen was going to take me on – that is mother’s protective instinct alright!
Ptarmigan and chick
Went back to the hotel to sort out the bill and I said hello to a young Inuit boy sitting on his phone playing games. He looked up and pulled out a beautiful bone carving from his pocket. It was of an Inuit spearing a narwhal and was a very reasonable price. But it was far too fragile for me to get it back to Australia. I told him that and congratulated him on his fine artwork and hoped someone would buy it.
Meanwhile Ron was back at the store trying to fill up the car and having a heck of a time as the locally run gas station hadn’t opened up and so everyone was lining up for this one – after lining up for ages he was told he’d followed the wrong procedure and was meant to pay first so had to line up all over again!! Aarrggh and the plane was coming soon and we had to drop the car back. I went back to pay for the car and the guy was very nice and not at all worried. And when I asked to pay for the car in cash he offered a massive discount which was great – so worth asking about paying for things in cash.
Was a wonderful experience in the Northern Town of Kuujjaaq…
**Categories:** Canada/America, Canadian Road (Study) Trip 2018, Travel
**Tags:** adventure, Canada, Canadian roadtrip, Inuit, remote doctors, remote work, wilderness
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### [Northern Newfoundland](https://www.passingthrough.net/northern-newfoundland/)
**Published:** July 17, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
7 July
Headed back to Deer Lake today so we could meet with Dr Dave Thomas who is chief of staff at Port Aux Basques (but he was flying back into Deer Lake from a.course).
Driving there we went through a traffic control that just let us through at the same time trucks were coming the other way and was just so casual about it – just kinda peeked behind the truck and shrugged his shoulders. Lucky there was room for all!
Thats taking the happy-go-lucky Newfounsland spirit a little too far!
Ron was stopping at little creeks and rivers along the way to fish- great thing to do as they’re all so pretty. He caught a couple of smaller trout but let them go. He was very excited to catch his first trout though!
Especially as the locals had all said you need a worm on your lure. Ron wasn’t convinced and was determined to prove he could catch one with just the lure and he did!
Western brook has salmon closures because the stocks are really down and in fact quite a few rivers were closed to.salmon fishing and the quota is way down this year. It’s pretty sad to see how fragile our environment is becoming.
We were super keen to see a moose so it was very exciting when Ron spotted a large bull and cow in the forest at the edge of the road. He pulled up and I ran out with the camera only to find my SD card had been locked! Of course! So you just have to believe me…
It turns out that hitting a moose with your car is a major cause of accidents on this province and there are warning signs everywhere.
Western Newfoundlanders do grow some Veges but not a lot.
The short summers make it hard so they mostly grow potatoes and carrots. But it’s great to see the Vege patches in the ditches on the sides of the road sometimes in the middle of nowhere. The reasoning being that this place is so rocky that when roads were dug in and out through it created some tilled land at the edges that was the best place for a Vege garden. Its all public land and everyone is sharing and trusting here. Like the firewood they cut from the forest. They cut it in winter and drag it to the side of the road on sleds pulled.by snowmobile. Then it’s left to dry through the summer. Noone touches anyone elses pile and there is no thieving.
Looking at the huge piles the concern for me would be how long this could be sustainable for.
Everything on this coast seems to be about the sea and is dotted with very quaint and historic looking fishing villages and cabins some in quite wild places. Piles of wooden lobster traps line the shores. Very picturesque. The weather is quite cold and wild and this is meant to be summer but apparently there is a Labrador current that brings down the cold leading to almost arctic weather at a lower latitude.
8 July
Getting to Lanse aux meadows would have been ony bucket list if I believed in bucket lists. It is the archeological site where they have found Norse/ Viking remains. It is believed this is where Leif Erikson an Icelandic Viking came across from Greenland with other Norsemen to be the first Europeans to reach North America – long before Christopher Columbus. It’s thought their interactions with the local indigenous people didn’t go so well which is why they only lasted about ten years here. They’ve done a great job of reconstructing the Viking sod houses using the traditional methods.
Even had a chance to interview some of the locals working there about their experience of the local health system.
I’d never thought about this but the site was presented as the place where the circle was conpleted-that is the journey of peoples across the globe came full circle and met again here…
Ron persuaded me to go on a boat tour to see icebergs and whales. He gets really seasick and wasn’t keen. The tour owner tried to persuade him that due to the open zodiac boats and fresh air he wouldn’t get sick. He declined. However when he dropped me off for the ride it turned out I was the only one booked and they needed two people to go. So Ron sacrificially offered to come and I thought he’d love it because it has warmed up and the sea was so calm and flat.
But literally just as we jumped in the boat the weather unexpectedly turned and the wind whipped up and tossed us around. Thankfully Ron didn’t end up getting sick but it also meant we couldn’t get out to the cape, to any big icebergs or too close to the lovely humpback whales we saw. The guide was very informative and it turned out helpful to talk to some of his staff who were locals and worked at the hospital. But to be honest I think we got more from the icebergs and whales we saw off the shore and that is alot cheaper too!
Some interesting things we did hear from them was how they had noticed a major change in the shape of the icebergs over the years and how they were really concerned about climate change and the way the changing icebergs indicated increased melt of the Greenland ice sheet.
Also they said that from time to time a Polar bear floats down on a berg or some ice and comes into town. They just blow a whistle warning locals to stay indoors until they can dart it and move it north or it may just make its way north itself.
Had another good Seafood dinner at Northern Delight.
9 July
Had a good chat to the lovely local ladies running our BnB and they were telling us how some of the local plants were called cow parsley as cows at it but about 20 years ago people stopped owning cows because the store just became easier.
Headed out to Goose cove which was a definite highlight with a beautiful walk across the cliffs where you could look out and see yet more whales and icebergs. We saw minke and humpback whales. The town itself had an iceberg that had floated right into the bay and we were actually able to pick up a little floating piece to eat. A local grabbed a big chunk to put in their cooler. Whilst we were there it actually broke in two and the crack was frightening! I can’t imagine what the bigger ones sound like?! It was interesting because it looked very stable and just broke out of the blue. They say the local fishermen stay clear of them for that reason as they can tip or break with no notice and be very dangerous . Of course that doesn’t stop the tourist boats from chasing them or people gathering the ice to make iceberg cocktails or for a company that makes iceberg beer,rum and vodka.
Headed to the Lighthouse keepers cafe at fishing point for another nice serve of local fish. Could also see more whales and icebergs here. The little gift shop there is not to be missed because tothe side is a little information centre there that actually had some of the best and most interesting displays and information on the area and its history and nature and it was free ( but give them a donation as they’ve done a great job).
Next stop was Port Saunders where we got to stay with a lovely Egyptian doctor who had generously offered for us to stay and cooked us up a lovely meal and invited the other doctor in town. It was great to get a perspective from the overseas doctors.
10 July
Today we explored around
Port Au Choix and its several fascinating historical sights.
It has a history going back thousands of years being an important site for generations of different Indigenous groups starting with the Paleoeskimos and going onto Basque whalers and French and English cod fishermen and finally fishing families from around Newfoundland who had to move their houses here after Canada took them over and could not supply roads or services to their tiny villages and offered a resettlement program. Many people actually floated their houses across the sea as they had no money to build a new house.
A fish processing plant was built in the 1960’s and it became one of the richest towns in Newfoundland until the cod fishery collapsed in the early 90’s and now there is only inshore fishing and some summer tourism supporting the town.
There’s a great little video of a house by sea moving at the French heritage centre.
Had an interesting perspective from a lady who had grown upon the tougher way fishing days with no TV, living off the land and getting some fruit for Christmas. She went away for twenty years and came back to find to her horror that the tough resilient communities she had known were now a generation of ‘spoiled’ young ones whose parents felt like they had to give them everything because they’d had it so hard and now they all have multiple devices they’re addicted to, eat junk and sugar like no tomorrow, get addicted to alcohol and smokes when they’re older and are not prepared for life out in the wider world. She fears for their future but I’m pretty sure they’re not alone.
Out with the lighthouse are beautiful views out to see and across the limestone barrens that have many rare plant species. The rocks on the beach are full of shell fossils.
Had lunch at the anchor cafe which was lovely fresh seafood but a bit overpriced for the portions compared to other places.
The water here is not potable so you have to buy water in refillable containers. Good ole platy bottle came in handy again. 
Further up the road is an interesting place if you’re at all interested in finding and conservation or nature.
The Torrent river salmon Interpretation centre is a great project working on replenishing salmon stocks and you can watch them underwater in the area they congregate before they go upstream over the ladder they’ve built on the waterfall to spawn.
Further up Ron had another go at a spot of trout fishing in yet another crystal clear river in the forest. There seemed to be a hunting track there and we saw a moose skull left behind. I was hoping to see a live one.
Our picnic today was at the seaside and we stopped to fish at little villages and streams along the way.
The plan was to head back to the campground at Berry Hikl and sleep in the car again before our trip out to Western brook pond the next day. We wrongly made the assumptions could just turn up as we had done before. We came across a closer campsite and pulled in there but the ranger informed us they were full and so was berry hill….thankfully there was another one you couldn’t see from the road at Shallow bay and he radioed them for us and got us a spot. It was even lovelier than the other ones and I’d highly recommend it as a base for Westernbrook pond. We camped in a field of buttercups and slept like babies.
11 July.
The track into westernbrook pond can take up to one hour but 25 mins if fast-paced. If you take your time anyone can do it even an old lady on a walker made it.
It pays to get in early so you can secure a good spot on the boat when you get there. People say not to skimp on the boat tour and they were right-it was fantastic. It is meant to be one of thepurest bodies of water in the world and is like a beautiful fjord. You can get dropped in for a 3-5day hike that sounds amazing. On the way back it is worth doing the 1.5km detour through the forest and along the stream. It is really beautiful with amazing views andovely forest and birds and butterflies.
On the way out Ron was feeling very hungry so we decided to randomly stop at a very unassuming little diner at Frontier Cabins in Wintondale. It had great value food and Ron finally got his moose dinner. Before you get horrified – moose were introduced here for meat and are not native wildlife. Her desserts were tarts made with local wildberries.
**Categories:** Canada/America, Canadian Road (Study) Trip 2018, Travel
**Tags:** adventure, camping, Canada, hiking, Newfoundland
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### [Western Newfoundland](https://www.passingthrough.net/western-newfoundland/)
**Published:** July 13, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
So the planes are getting smaller as we head West.. 
Although after 17 years on and off working for the Royal Flying Doctor Service I’m used to much smaller. In a week’s time we’ll be on an even smaller float plane so can’t wait for that.
Straight from Deer Lake we headed off to Corner brook where I had some very productive and helpful interviews with doctors there who manage the region and one who has worked in Port. Saunders a long time.
Not everyone reading this blog will be interested in the details of my fellowship looking at the retention of remote doctors so I won’t bore you with details- those who are interested will have to wait until the report is published at the end of our trip.
As we head into Canada everyone jokes about not getting eaten by a bear. We laugh- figuring it’s pretty rare ( although the scene from The Revenant plays in my head). But driving along today we hear on the news about a fatal Polar bear attack up north and a grizzly bear attack on a kayaker in his tent! Apparently the polar bear was stalking the guys kids and he jumped into protect them..
As we drive through hundreds of kilometres of small pine forests that look like acres of Christmas trees I am bemused to see a Christmas tree farm advertised???
On recommendation from one of the doctors and with limited time we head up the 5km Lookout trail at Gros Morne park. The sign says it’s a very steep trail but that the track is a nice gravel track with steps and ramps. Well I think they’re working on it but if you go there be warned it is completely washed away and is pretty wild except for a small section of boardwalk near the top.
Magic walk though through forests and across marshes full of wildflowers with a fantastic view of ponds and mountains across the park. And a great view of the Tablelands which is a UNESCO listed site that is the only place in the world where you can see a piece of the earth’s mantle. And being full of heavy metals nothing grows so it stands out as this barren red wasteland that is often used for Mars analogue training!
Stopped in at Trout river which is a picturesque little fishing village with some very character filled historic looking buildings – turns out this area is full of these villages with many people still living a pretty tough basic life of a fisherman just with roads and power now.
Don’t know they did it back in the day- tough people! The Labrador current means almost arctic type weather – cold and harsh. But it meets the gulf stream and produces nutrient rich water that results in what was once one of the world’s biggest fisheries.
In budget travel style we stopped for a picnic dinner at a lookout which also meant dinner with a view. 
Noone warned us about the midges and blackflies though which were particularly bad this night!
So there was hesitation about sleeping in the car tonight. But accommodation options are limited as everything books up in the short summer season. So with not much choice we took a room at the ocean view hotel in rocky harbour which was grossly overpriced for what it was. And again we got caught out by the tax which is a new experience for us- you ask for a price over the phone and then when you go to pay you get slugged up to another 20% in taxes which is always a shock. It’s with meals and everything. Not sure why they can’t just list the final price as we do in Australia?
6 July
Self catering was definitely the way to go. Not only saves money but also leaves you more flexible to travel around the national park. And is healthier too- not a lot of healthy options in this neck of the woods.
We did a short walk at Bery Hill and Berry Hill pond where we spotted our first beaver’s nest. No beaver but we saw where they’d gnawed the small trees down and it was quite amazing.
Ron was busting for a ‘no.2’ on the trail and really couldn’t hold on. He disappeared away from the track with the water bottle and came back to announce he’s discovered ‘backcountry bidet’ is a great technique but I pointed out that might not be so good on a trail where you needed the water and might die of dehydration- although at least with a clean butt!
Also saw the first of many arctic hares. They are grey in summer and snow white in winter. Clever!
Sealskin production was once a big industry here and you can still buy sealskin jackets and boots in a couple of stores.
Had a long meeting and great discussion with Dr Bowen who has been the doctor at Norris Point for 32 years!
Decided to brave the midges that were not so bad now and sleep in the car at Berry Hill campground. It’s a Parks Canada campground and is really beautiful with great facilities.
**Categories:** Canada/America, Canadian Road (Study) Trip 2018, Travel
**Tags:** adventure, camping, Canada, Canadian roadtrip, hiking, Newfoundland
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### [Newfoundland - St Johns](https://www.passingthrough.net/newfoundland-st-johns/)
**Published:** July 3, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
2 July
Have arrived in Newfoundland – St johns. Really different place starting with the temperature going from a heatwave to 8c! Don’t be fooled into not bringing warm clothes jus because it’s summer. After all, this area is known for icebergs from Greenland passing by in summer.
Newfoundland didn’t become part of Canada until 1949 which I never knew. If you come here you must head to the town of Brigus. One of the original British settlements of 1610 it still has a real old village feel and is so pretty. You need to get here by car but really you need a car to get anywhere here I think. Public transport not really an option here.
My Laryngitis is still causing me grief and is frustrating as I so want to talk with Ron about all I see but need to ensure my voice gets better for my interviews with the doctors here.
Newfoundland in Canada is so pretty but also so interesting – a real blend of histories and cultures with its own accents – some sounding more Irish than Canadian. I love the accents here it’s so gorgeous. And buildings that look like something out of Norway or Iceland. ⠀ In 1798 two thirds of Newfoundland were Irish and half were from one part of Ireland by 1800’s. Mostly migrants who came here to work on the cod fishery but many stayed on and it shows in the culture and slang.
3 July
Drove up to Signal hill which used to be a fort and battery but now has wonderful views and is dotted with hiking trails.
You can just see Ron as a blue dot on the left. 
We drove around the other side to the cute little village of Quidi Vidi and did the Ladies lookout walk which takes you to the highest point in the area. Wonderful views and lots of birds. Including a nesting bald eagle with a baby which we wouldn’t have seen except for a super friendly local sitting in his car pointing it out to us at the beginning and even lending us his binoculars. People are so lovely and friendly here.
The Rooms is a local museum well worth a stop. We imagined tiny ‘rooms’ but that is simply the term used for the designated areas each fishing crew had in the early cod fishing days to land their catch and process and salt and dry it. This was an abundant cod fishery for centuries until it was almost fished out in the 1980’s and the government imposed a moratorium that lost 30,000 jobs overnight but there is hope the stock may recover.
There is so much interesting information here on the history and cultures of Newfoundland- would highly recommend this early in the trip to help gain an understanding of this fascinating place.
Johnson geo centre is down the road from signal hill and while a lot of it is focused on local kids it was still pretty impressive with some interesting geology facts and displays. I didn’t realise that the beautiful blue labradorite is from nearby labrador- of course! Having been fascinated by the story of the Titanic as a child it was great to see a big display on that and learn that it was off the shore here in Newfoundland that it hit an iceberg.
Ron was a bit concerned he may need something warmer for our camping trip with the medical students latee but didn’t want to spend aot of money on something he may not carry around the whole trip- so course off to the Thrift store we went! The salvation army gave us a great find of two very nice polar fleece vests and a pair of great hiking pants for Ron.
Long days here in Summer mean you can fit lots in. So we headed off to Cape spears for a dinner picnic and to view the sunset. The site of a historical lighthouse and world war two embattlements- I was more interested in the views and the fact that you are at the most Eastern point of North America. Beautiful views to be had including spotting several whales blowing their spouts and a few even showed us their tails. What a great end to the day.
4 July
So in perfect timing ( pretty much like getting my worst ever laryngitis before two months of interviews) my camera decides to stop working before we hit some of the most beautiful sights in the world. The iPhone is doing a good job but not the same especially when you want to zoom in on a nesting bald eagle for example.. so while I prepared for my first meetings today Ron went to see if the camera can get fixed. Thankfully there is a good little camera repair shop here in St Johns called Phototec. Sadly it turned out to be a warranty job and I had to send it away. Eight weeks in beautiful Canada without a camera seemed too much to bear. So I forked out the dollars for a new camera from Newfoundland Imaging and just hope I get my money back on the other one. Ron got himself some binoculars too as we needed some anyway and will be great for wildlife spotting.
Ron looked the part in his thrift store outfit searching the woods with his binoculars.
I had some great meetings today with the doctors and researchers at Memorial University. They are doing some great things with rural doctor training and are interested in some collaboration. I’m particularly interested in a program they have that trains doctors to work for and care for ‘underserved populations’.
A couple of the doctors I met were from Newfoundland and I loved listening to their accents and more about the interesting culture here. One of them had very strong views about Newfoundland becoming part of Canada in 1949 – apparently a not too uncommon view. He also told me some parts are very Irish, some more British and some more French. The Irish parts are so Irish that someone came from Ireland to do a documentary on the ‘lost Irish’. They have multiple dialects here and lots of local slang words and their own terms.
After my meetings Ron and I headed off to Witless Bay and had something to eat at Captains Table a cute local restaurant with yummy fresh seafood at good prices. As always the staff and people were super friendly.
Then we went looking for vantage points to check ou the view and maybe spot whales. Some spots are sections of the East coast trail that goes for hundreds or kilometres but you can do sections.
At one spot we stopped and spoke to a local lad who was fishing and Ron asked him some tips- he’s hoping to have a fish too.
**Categories:** Canada/America, Canadian Road (Study) Trip 2018, Travel
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### [A Canadian Journey](https://www.passingthrough.net/dead-british-prime-ministers-canadian-road-trips/)
**Published:** June 30, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
This Canadian journey is going to be exciting but it’s something more. The backstory is that late last year I was awarded a #churchilltrust fellowship ( in memory of Sir Winston Churchill) to explore retention of rural and particularly remote doctors. Something I applied for because of the passion I have for my remote Indigenous doctoring work and the difference I believe committed health staff can make to the remote communities we serve.
The award was handed out by the Queensland Governor at Government house. It pays our travel expenses but we don’t get paid. One of my employers has been very supportive though as the findings will be very beneficial to our work.
As you follow this blog I’ll focus on the fun parts of the travel and blog some of the outcomes of the study/meetings separately so I don’t bore those not interested in that aspect!
Queensland Government House where the governor gave us our award.
So here we go (yes Ron is coming – as my ‘support crew’ as he lovingly puts it…) into the wilds of Canada…
My amazing sister in law is looking after the house and ‘our’ boys so we can go together.
If we can actually get in..
Made the mistake of ticking ‘study’ on my entry card when it’s technically not formal study and as far as Canadian government goes it’s just a leisure trip. But I was trying to do the right thing and had no idea why my pink- pen-crossed entry card made the customs guy direct me down a different exit to everyone else??
When we found ourselves ushered into a massive lineup of people who were all holding Mexican, Central American and Asian passports we felt that maybe something wasnt right. Had no idea how it happened but worked out it was the study thing because we had two and a half hours in the line to think about it! We got quite a few strange looks from our fellow travellers who must have been wondering what these tall blonde, white, Australian passport holders were doing in this room?? Ron said they must be looking at us thinking “Wow you guys must be REALLY dodgy!”
Inbetween being quite cranky that someone would be dumb enough to think that an Australian would be trying to illegally immigrate we actually got quite sad seeing all the sad and scared people and the bad predicaments they were in.
Was interesting to experience ‘the other line’.
Ron did another stellar job of driving straight out onto crazy big city roads driving on a different side – I don’t know how he does it.
29 June
Headed off to Niagara Falls on the Canadian side today. Wasnt sure what to expect as most people say it’s worth going and great waterfall but also sounded like it could be quite touristy and cheesy.
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls
Pleasantly suprised to find it wasn’t too corny at all. Maybe because it wasn’t full on tourist season yet. But if you didn’t look behind you at all the casinos and buffet restaurants you could look ahead at the beautiful falls and really enjoy it. It was very impressive.
We stayed overnight and if I could do it again I’d probably just come for a day, check out the falls, do the walk along the river that was lovely – and then avoid the overpriced ripoff accommodations and eateries around Niagara.
Dinner was lovely though as we took trip advisor forum advice to eat outside the 2km radius of the falls and ate at a local restaurant called Moose and Pepper Bistro where the food was delicious, good price and the people super friendly.
That is something we’ve noticed already- Canadians just seem very friendly and kind.
Ron has also noticed that Canadians seem to be allowed to turn right on a red light if traffic is clear. Kinda makes sense and Ron reveals it’s the way he’s always thought it should be but it’s not allowed in Australia – quite illegal really.
So Ron got quite excited when he got the chance to do it and yelled out “I’m doing a Canadian!” as he swerved around the corner!
30 June
St Lawrence Food market and Distillery district
Can you really make a day of food markets? Yes if you’re Ron and Lara and it’s Toronto’s St Lawrence Food market.
---
As is so often a theme of our travels Ron found himself in foodie heaven at Toronto’s St Lawrence markets. Don’t get me wrong I thought it was great too but honestly I think Ron would just be happy to tour the world’s food markets and see nothing else! Lucky he has amazing metabolism!
The Farmers market was on too and there was lots of lovely produce including fresh yummy raspberries. The main hall was full of endless rows of good, reasonably priced food. So we ate our fill for breakfast of cheeses, smoked sausage, olives, mushrooms etc and then decided to walk off to the Distillery district to work up an appetite for lunch back at the market!
The Distillery district is a quirky arty farty little area made up of the old distillery area and is quite atmospheric. Sampled some local beers, watched France smash Argentina out of the world cup and then checked out the amazing gallery of @jasonleobantle who takes beautiful wilderness photos of Canada with proceeds going to conservation.
Then it was back to the markets to fill up again and get some supplies for later before resting the remainder of the day as my laryngitis getting worse.
1st July
Happy Canada Day!
Today is Canada Day and wanted to celebrate it like the locals so we took in a major league baseball game – Toronto Bluejays Vs Detroit Tigers .
Was great fun and a great atmosphere with the very patriotic canadians.
Ron even got to fulfil his goal of eating a hot dog at the baseball.
Was lovely to see how they used the Canada Day game to honour their military and police- especially the ones that attended to the Toronto van attack earlier in the year. They were given a roaring standing ovation and treated like heroes.
The shores of lake Ontario are dotted with lovely parks and shady trees which were great to be under on this hot day which was billed as a record heatwave.
Topped off Canada Day with another local tradition by going to the Ribfest. It was bigger than we expected with acres of cars and having to park miles away. It was a festival of .. yeah you guessed it.. ribs! Multiple vans that looked like what we in Australia call ‘showies’ line up displaying their trophies for their BBQ ribs and other BBQed delights like chicken and pulled pork. We couldn’t believe how many people were there but we got into it too. Ate so much meat I felt like going vegetarian for a week but wow was it good!
**Categories:** Canada/America, Canadian Road (Study) Trip 2018, Travel
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### [Canadian c & study trip wardrobe and packing](https://www.passingthrough.net/canadian-road-study-trip-wardrobe-and-packing/)
**Published:** June 28, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Ok so I ended up with a checkin bag – even I can’t manage carry on only for a 9 week trip that covers work, meetings, study/research, hiking and camping. But I think I’ve done pretty well – what do you think?
I have my @kathmandugear checkin bag (which is carry on size) weighing in at 9 kg – this has all my clothes, shoes, toiletries, jewelry, gps locator etc. for 9 weeks.
Then there is my @sativabags hemp ‘briefcase’ that is basically my portable office for 9 weeks – laptop, phone gear, chargers and adaptors, @skyroamwifi, @cliceyewear sunglasses and reading glasses, notebooks, pens, @anker\_official solar powerport panel for remote area charging, portable keyboard, @livescribesmartpen transcription gear and notebooks.
Lastly my small @pacsafeofficial metro travel bag with passport, papers, purse, snacks, onboard toiletries and my trusty @platypushydration water bottle. The last two weighing in at 6 kg total.
So all up 15 kg for all my clothes, toiletries, shoes and portable office and remote gear for 9 weeks – how do you think I went?
⠀
I’ve already told you what I packed in my 9 kg bag on the right for our 9-week research adventure. But I’m also bringing my husband Ron … and we are hoping to save some money on this unpaid trip by #selfcatering, #sleepinginthecar, #camping etc. and to do that we do need to bring a little extra. But am still trying to #packlight. What could I have done better??? ⠀
So Ron’s bag has all the clothes, toiletries and shoes he needs for 9 weeks of hiking, camping and meetings and social events, PLUS sleeping bags @enlightenedequipment, picnic gear, a car kettle, a coffee plunger (because 1. I can’t live without #coffee and 2. coffee is a big expense on the road), first aid kit, meds (because no good Dr doesn’t bring their own emergency meds), @scrubbaproducts laundry bag (because who wants to waste time looking for a laundromat!) trekking poles, portable fishing rod, headlamps, @seatosummit thermal bag liners, and a whopping big bag of gifts for the doctors I’ll be interviewing about #remotedoctor work. The gifts alone take up about 5kg. So all of this fits in one @kathmandugear trolley/backpack bag and weights in at 19 kg for 9 weeks. Ron’s carry on will be the camera bag with all the camera and gopro gear at 3kg. ⠀⠀
That averages out to 18 kg each for 9 weeks including all our self-catering, sleeping gear, camera gear and portable office for a research trip… ⠀
And if I was any kind of blogger I’d have at least made the bed in the spare room look tidy or made a nice backdrop to the only full length mirror in the house.. oh well. So this is my travel outfit for the plane- looking a bit bleary as it’s 3 am..and I’ve just come down with a bad head cold?
The @eddiebauer jeans are stretchy and light and the jacket is a stretchy travel one that will also look a bit formal for some work meetings although I’d prefer one that’s less heavy. Wearing my hiking boots cos I always wear my heaviest shoes on the plane and they don’t look too bad anyway. The scarf is soft and comfy but is in no way ethical or sustainable that I know of ?except that I’ve owned it forever and a day and still use it.
The @soartd hiking belt I love has been comfy on 24 hrs of flying because it moves with you.
 Next outfit from my backpack is these comfy stretch quick dry capris , the ever essential white tee with my Cambodian silk scarf made by a fairtrade social enterprise in Phnom Penh that trains disabled people to make these. It is great for travel because it scrunches up into almost nothing. A light silk scarf around the neck helps prevent sunburn without being too hot. And my much loved #xero sandals that saved my feet on a walking holiday with plantar fascitis and are as light as a feather.
Next #canadianjourney backpack outfit… Quick dry black t-shirt and Rohan travel jeans with tan and black sandals that go with anything and comfy to walk in ( walked 10kms in them yesterday).⠀
Wore this to the Canada Day baseball game in Toronto and the Ribfest.
The stretch travel jacket and stretch button up shirt look a little more formal for the remote Dr interviews but didn’t need ironing and are super comfy. The blazer is a little heavy but it works well on the plane with some nice internal pockets for passports and tickets.
Still haven’t even busted out the summer clothes as so chilly here in Newfoundland. Amazing what you can fit in a bag. Key is light versatile pieces in useful fabrics. The black merino @kathmandugear shirt is warm as a layer or a great wicking shirt on its own. Went #hiking and felt it wicking as I got sweatier and yet the next day it was as fresh as new and I could keep wearing it! ⠀
Weather is up and down here in Newfoundland so sun comes out and need a cool t-shirt and hat and then cold wind comes in and you need to rug up. Meetings done so doing some hiking and museum visits and had outfits for everything. And sorry for the cowboy look but you know I am in #canada!
The vest was my good find in a Canadian thrift store. Ron was thinking he might be colder than he thought but didn’t want to spend too much money on something we don’t really need at home and might not want to carry for the rest of the trip. So where else to go but the thrift store. St. Johns has several stores but we went to the big Salvation Army one and ended up scoring a great polar fleece vest each and Ron got some great light travel pants to replace an older pair he’d brought along.
This shirt is reversible which gives double the options.
Here are just some more of the outfits I was able to mix n match from my nine week travel wardrobe.
A nice cool quick dry shirt for warming up weather
The trusty white t-shirt makes the blazer more casualBlack t shirt and travel jeans with a convertible cardigan and summer shirt and jeansStaple white t shirt and Capri pants which I find super versatileXero sandalsThe black t shirt goes with everythingCapris with the convertible cardiganConvertible cardigan worn differentlyAnd againThe stretchy travel shirt can double as a jacket over a tank
The blazer adds another layerShirt worn casual with jeans and sandals
The foldable hat and a scrunchy fair trade silk scarf for sun protection
A black travel shirt is cool but provides sun protectionI did buy one item on the trip this fair trade organic cotton shirtChilly days in Alaska meant bringing out the scarf againHad room for a raincoat and hiking boots tooSo at the end of the trip I found that even with my ‘light packing’ I still had come home not having needed everything and I could have left some things at home. I certainly didn’t miss anything I wished I’d brought!
I really learnt that less is better. It certainly helps make it easier to get around.
If you are interested in my complete packing list and what I felt I could have left out keep an eye out for my next blog post by subscribing.
**Categories:** Travel, Travel gear & Packing light
**Tags:** adventure, capsule wardrobe, pack light, packing, travel, travel wardrobe, wardrobe
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### [Weipa Wonders](https://www.passingthrough.net/weipa-wonders/)
**Published:** April 24, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
So off to weipa for work to do some training visits for some docs up there. I wondered why the wonderful lady who books my travel seemed apologetic about her choice of accommodation for me. She knows I’m not too fussy or ‘flash’. Well I realized why when I got there. So turns out all of Weipa was booked out and all that was left was basically a miners camp – cubicles in ATCO relocatable dongas. The owner was a lovely friendly guy called “stretch” who was about as Aussie as you can get. He has a cute little set up with cats and dogs and chooks and a very cute garden and a quirky pool area. So far not so bad. Headed to the accommodation which as I mentioned was really a cubicle. Weipa is one of the hottest places in Australia and the shut up cubicle was like an oven. Yes there’s aircon but turns out it doesn’t work unless the door is closed and the key is in a slot inside. SO…. It was a matter of laying down in the tiny space and waiting for the aircon to cool it down, hoping you didn’t pass out from heat stroke in the meantime for your dehydrated body to be found by someone the next morning!
Well at least there is a single bed and a shower – what else is needed. I looked around for the coffee – not even a sachet of caterers coffee to be found. Then spied a note on the bed that said “you’ve come a long way so there’s a cold beer in the fridge to welcome you”. Well a cold beer was sounding good about now as my temperate steadily rose in the hotbox. I opened the fridge and no beer and no anything except someone else’s half finished bottle of water… hmm.
Never mind. But then I realized I’d counted on at least having an iron in the room to iron my shirt for work tomorrow – even the cheapest Australian hotels I’d stayed in had an iron – at least a share one. Nothing. So am more determined now that my search for the optimum travel wardrobe has to be NO IRON! But for now it would be my ‘hang the shirt in the shower’ trick for getting out the worst of the creases.
One of the doctors I’d come up to give feedback on, invited me out to a trivia night at the Albatross Resort where it turned out some team members were old friends and colleagues so it was a bit of a fun reunion – and we won! I’d forgot how much fun trivia nights can be. Meals were pretty good too.
Had a little giggle to myself the next day as I emerged from my miner’s donga in my ‘nice’ clothes for meetings, feeling a little left out as the only one around not in reflective workgear. I got a few strange looks. At least I wasn’t totally out of place when I jumped into my beast of a contractor’s car complete with reversing siren and spinning lights and spotlights, crane and CB radio. Something tells me not too many health staff get put up in this accommodation. Didn’t bother me but Ron (hubby) sounded a little concerned on the phone when I told him where I was staying … “what you mean you’re all alone there amongst a heap of desperate miners???” I suspect the poor workfellas were just happy to have a beer and a sleep after a hard day of work and weren’t too concerned about some lady old enough to be their mum staying there!
So it was a pretty short and uneventful trip to Weipa and Napranum. Was a good chance to further pursue my self-challenge to pack as light and as simply as possible.
My aim is to be able to achieve this for both long term travel and general living. Some bigger trips coming up where I can really test this – keep posted to see how this develops!
**Categories:** Australia, Travel, Travel gear & Packing light
**Tags:** australia, remote work, travel light, weipa
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### [Travel light for work](https://www.passingthrough.net/travel-light-for-work/)
**Published:** March 10, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
I often travel a lot for work and the older I get, the lighter I want to travel. The lighter I go, the more I realise how much of the ‘stuff’ we have or pack is just not necessary. Even when I pack super light, I often still end up coming home with things I never used.
The advantages are endless – avoiding queues at check-in, floating through airports, no sore arms or shoulders, being able to walk or go anywhere without worrying about bags or finding somewhere to leave them, being flexible with plans.
I’ve prided myself on being able to travel super light for holiday travel. But I figured that when I have to take a briefcase full of work and study, that probably rules out doing carry-on only. It didn’t stop me from trying though, and I found it can be done.
On two recent 3-5 day work trips, these two bags are all I took. They are both so small and light that I could take both as carry on. They were so easy to carry that I was able to walk around Thursday Island visiting people on my last day there without worrying about going back to the hotel to get my bags – just took them with me!
My ‘office in a bag’ and tiny clothes bag
So did I feel like I did without?? No, yet again I came home not having used everything in my bag.
My first trip was most impressive as not only did I have a plane flight and meetings but also was going to be swimming and staying at a caravan park with Ron and the boys who were meeting me in Townsville so had to be prepared for a few different scenarios!
Well, in my Sativa Hemp ‘briefcase’ I had:
Everything I needed for a 3 day work trip and 2 day family weekend in these two little bags.
- Laptop, tab, phone
- Sunnies, hand cream, sunscreen, lip balm
- Pens, notepad
- Journals and papers for a meeting
- Chargers for phone and laptop
In my little black bag (a no frills freebie from a conference) I had:
- Toiletries including a little Nude by Nature makeup for work stuff, a small Left – my office/work bag, Right contains all my clothes and toiletries
Kathmandu jewellery roll for some simple beads and bracelet and hair clips
- Swimsuit, swimshirt, turkish towel, hat
- Outfits for two days of meetings and a plane flight
- Outfits for two days of beach and river fun with Ron and the boys
On my second trip I swapped the swimming gear and beach outfits for yoga gear and walking shoes because I walk quite a bit when on Thursday Island.
Merrell Slides – handy travel shoes
Although if I’m not doing too many miles of walking and I am going super light I pack a multifunction shoe like my black Merrell slides. Because even though they are casual slides, they still look smart enough for work and are really comfortable even when doing quite a lot of walking. I’ve even done some short hikes in these.
Work trips it’s usually not a problem having clothes that need ironing as work pays for hotels with an iron but on the Townsville trip I was in a caravan park so resorted to an old trick someone told me of hanging your shirt up in the cubicle whilst you take a shower and letting the steam and spray smooth out your clothes – it works! But I still prefer clothes that don’t need ironing.
Ecofriendly Sativa Hemp briefcase
I love my Sativa Hemp bag – I had a Sativa laptop backpack that I punished for about a decade, and it’s still in pretty good shape – tough and also eco-friendly. But trying something different now. Haven’t quite found what I want in a small, super light clothes bag yet, so open to suggestions.
If you want to get more tips and follow my journey to simplify and lighten my travels don’t forget to subscribe!
**Categories:** Travel, Travel gear & Packing light
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### [Tasman Peninsula & Southern Tasmania](https://www.passingthrough.net/tasman-peninsula/)
**Published:** January 22, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Headed towards Tasman Peninsula through Dunalley. We remembered hearing about the bushfires in Tasmania in 2016 but didn’t think much of it. It’s not until you see it yourself and go to these places that you realise how affected they have been. Nearly the whole town of Dunalley was burnt down and people were really affected. There were signs everywhere that the community was only just now recovering. We stopped at the Dunalley Fish market which is right on the water. It is renowned for its fish and chips and not without reason. Yes it’s a bit scruffy and run down looking but that’s part of it’s character. Kind of like an old salty seaman. But the fish is to die for and it’s really good value! My mouth is watering now thinking of it again. And you can sit outside facing the blue ocean whilst you devour your ocean catch. You can even buy some nice fresh fillets of fish at good prices to cook at home which we did.
The Tasman peninsula is on the well worn tourist trail but it’s there for a reason. Lots of lovely and interesting spots in a small area. The distances are short so don’t make the mistake I made and allow too much time to cover things in this area as not a lot of time is needed unless heading out on some of the bigger treks but is well worth the stop. Spent a few days staying at Eaglehawk neck in an apartment I got a good deal on through Booking.com. Was handy to have a washing machine to wash everything for our last days of travel. The views were amazing too and it was nice and close to everything. A kitchen is a great way to save money too as again we self catered buying delicious local produce and cooking it up ourselves.
There is a circuit of seaside sights that includes the Blowhole, Tasman Arch, Devil’s Kitchen and the walk to Waterfall Bay. The walk is only a few kms and leaves from Devil’s kitchen and is worth doing for beautiful ocean clifftop views. I was still hobbling a bit with my plantar fasciitis at this point but the path was nice and smooth and I’d found that using my trekking pole made it easier and quite frankly was going to go nuts if I couldn’t do some walking.
The Doo-Lishus van at the blowhole looked like it had some amazing and good value seafood. If we weren’t full we might have eaten there but we did treat ourselves to some seaside oysters.
The day we were there the Blowhole was not blowing much and not that exciting – we wandered off the tourist track to check out the boat ramp which was great because we were treated to a visit by a seal who swam past. The pylons were covered in oysters and other shellfish and I so wanted to climb down and get them but Ron reminded me algal blooms have caused fatal poisoning in people eating wild oysters and there was probably a reason the locals hadn’t eaten these ones. Good point. Ron is the wise one in the family.
The tessellated pavement is also in this area and is an amazing sight – even looking closely you could swear that this was man made paving in areas but it’s all about the patterns of formation and erosion.
Remarkable cave is a worthwhile short detour with magic views on a clear day and lots of seabirds.
Beautiful picnic spots are everywhere which worked well for us with our self catering and taking picnic gear and food with us on the road. Saves a fortune and much healthier plus you get to each lunch in places with awesome views! There is a nice little cove with a picnic table past Port Arthur that has views out to the Isle of the Dead that was a great spot for lunch.
Whites beach is a beautiful sheltered beach that was lovely and warm even when cool winds prevailed elsewhere. The sand was white and the sea turquoise and clear. Had a little paddle and beach comb but thought to myself I could handle hanging out here a few days if we had the time. Had a nice family feel to it too.
Port Arthur historic site is a well known popular tourist site. Sadly for many Australians it is also known to us as the site of our worst ever gun massacre in the 1980’s. Tragic as it was, it was the trigger for the introduction of quite strict gun laws in Australia. For that, many of us are grateful, especially as we increasingly see the horrors of gun violence in the US so regularly on our nightly news.
Port Arthur is definitely worth going to. I’d been there as a child and was mainly going for Ron’s benefit. Came up later that neither of us had been particularly interested in convict history but by the end of it we were really glad we’d come and found it really interesting. The views presented about how it all happened were much more balanced and better researched than it had been when I was young and it was very enlightening. I didn’t realise how much myth was out there about these convict settlements and it was really fascinating. Highly recommend it. Few tips though – book your tickets online – goes quicker at the counter. Get there nice and early before the tour groups arrive – aim to be there when the doors open. Definitely take the included guided ‘tours’. They don’t go around but the information provided is really great and done by enthusiastic volunteers passionate about the true history of the place. Take a hat and sunscreen. Don’t bother paying the extra for the Isle of the dead or Point Pier ( unless this is really your thing) as the included boat cruise goes past these places and gives a summary of the history of them. The wind there can be quite cold even in summer so take a jacket as well.
There are two less advertised convict history sites that are actually really interesting and one is particularly well done. The dog line is an interesting part of the history and worth checking out. It’s where Port Arthur management, in their desperation to stop escaping convicts set up a line of chained up vicious dogs across the narrow isthmus separating the peninsula from the mainland. The other site is the ‘Coal Mines historic site’. There is a really good downloadable guide and map – download it on to your phone before you get to the site as the phone reception there is a bit dodgy. It is a really well done renovated site showing the coal mines where a lot of convicts were taken to work and you can even walk into the ruins and try out what it was like being in one of the solitary isolation cells designed for sensory deprivation which drove some of them mad – creepy!
From the peninsula it’s a pretty short drive back to Hobart.To be honest I didn’t find Hobart that exciting. Although I guess it’s what you’re interested in and I’d come to Tassie for the nature. I did notice there were some lovely parks in Hobart though. We decided to skip Hobart as our timing didn’t coincide for any of the festivals or markets and we drove on to check out Huon valley and the Tahune airwalk.
Huon valley is such a picturesque little place – so pretty to drive through. The little town of Franklin is especially pretty and historic. Summer is a great time to drive through as the place is full of fruits and ciders, cherries and blueberries and apricots being sold on the roadside. And you don’t know what a cherry truly tastes like if you haven’t eaten one fresh from the orchard instead of a supermarket shelf.
I wasn’t sure about doing the Tahune airwalk. I’d read mixed reviews – especially about the cost of the ticket… AND I’m not real good with heights on see-through cantilevered walkways. But it’s a bit of a detour and it seemed silly to get all the way out there and not check it out for the sake of $30 each. Yes it did seem a bit exxy but they have to pay for staff and maintenance and it’s also used to promote and encourage sustainable forestry practices. I managed to calm my fears as I walked through the canopy by randomly singing ‘Yellow submarine’ to myself – dont ask me why!? But it worked. Although I couldn’t quite bring myself to walk right out onto the cantilever. The views were lovely, the trees impressive and some nice little walks around the site as well.
I was disappointed that the nearby Big Tree was no longer signposted as they are trying to protect the area and visits to the tree are no longer allowed which is a shame as it is the biggest tree in the southern hemisphere on recent measures. We had been hoping to visit it. But the trees in the area were still very impressive.
**Categories:** Australia, Tasmania Road Trip 2018, Travel
**Tags:** australia, hobart, huon valley, road trip, tasmania, travel
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### [East Coast Tasmania & Maria Island](https://www.passingthrough.net/east-coast-tasmania-maria-island/)
**Published:** January 8, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
On the way down from Bay of Fires there were lots of pretty seaside towns to stop at or drive through or stay at. So picturesque with the smell of salty sea hanging in the air, noisy seabirds circling around, and wild waves crashing around the numerous lobster boats and fishing trawlers.
We stopped at a little Fish n Chip shop at Bicheno that had been converted from a fishing depot right on the ocean which was the perfect atmosphere to eat yummy fresh fish and chips.
Maria Island is an island off the southeast coast of Tasmania. It was once a convict settlement and then the site of a cement factory and later became and remains a wildlife sanctuary. It’s distance from the mainland makes it a safehaven for native species from predators and disease. For this reason it also became the site of a repopulation and breeding program for the endangered Tassie Devil. No vehicles are allowed and it has lovely walks and bike trails all over the island. Accommodation is camping or staying in old convict buildings made into dormitories.
We opted for camping and found ourselves a lovely little campsite under the sheoaks and near a little dry creek.
The wildlife on Maria Island has to be seen to be believed. Everywhere you turn there are wombats (common and Flinders), Bennett’s wallabies, Forrester kangaroos, Cape Barren geese, Tasmanian native hens etc. The scenery was also spectacular with beautiful gum forests and crystal blue waters and pristine beaches. The walks go to various other spots where you can see vast expanses of ocean from rugged clifftops, look at cliffs full of fossil shells, check out ruined buildings from the convict era and look at the ‘painted cliffs’ that look like some amazing modern art exhibition.
I was still struggling with the plantar fasciitis but didn’t want to miss out on too many walks- I kept going but it was getting pretty sore. Ron suggested getting a bike which I was reluctant to do as I’m not a confident bike rider. I finally gave in and was glad I did as we were able to cover a lot more miles in a painfree fashion and was easier than I thought. It was actually great fun. Having said that I think if you’ve had no mountainbike experience at all and are not agile or adaptable you should probably be cautious about planning to do it all by bike (which they make sound simple in the brochures) as there are lots of hills, rocky paths and sand bogs and very steep slopes where even one experienced mountainbiker athletic looking dude said -” scared the billio out” of him and he pushed his bike down it.
You do have to look out for some not so friendly wildlife too – we saw a venomous tiger snake sit under the water basin that people use and then casually slide into the roof space above the men’s shower.
We’d come pretty prepared expecting a bit of a wilderness experience and were told we even need to bring our own water but when we got on the ferry we got told that just that week they’d installed some new facilities and there was a water tap, a camp kitchen with gas and even hot showers! Quite luxurious and we felt a bit silly as we got on with our bladders of water and dehydrated hiking meals whilst in-the-know locals got on board with their eskies full of food to cook in the kitchen.
Anyway all was not lost as our homemade dehydrated meals sparked some interesting conversations with other campers who were interested in how we’d made them and wanted tips for their hiking trips. It also gave us a good story. When we got there we saw metal bins around the campsite which were to be used for storing food in to keep the critters out. We found a half empty one and figured we’d put our little bag of dehydrated food mix in it.
The next day we went to get it out and the bin had disappeared. A family who’d packed up saw us looking around and we asked if they knew what happened to the bin with our food. They started laughing because it turned out they’d handed it in to the rangers office because they thought our meals with dehydrated greens in them were drugs!
It’s worth checking out the coffee palace building in the convict area as it has some interesting historical displays in it.
Going for a bike ride at sunrise and sunset yields some amazing views and I’d highly recommend making the most of your time there and exploring at all different times of the day.
A night walk or ride is also well worthwhile. We decided to go nightspotting to look for nocturnal animals. We were particularly keen to spot a Tassie Devil in the wild. They are known to be quite elusive. We saw lots of possums and wombats but were thrilled to come across two Devils in the bush who took quite an aggressive nervous stance towards us and then took off. We were so chuffed about our discovery but the wind was taken a bit out of our sails when coming back to the kitchen area I saw three Devil cubs scurrying around the kitchen trying to get into the food and coming up very close to the people. One came within a metre of my leg and actually gave me a fright. Of course Ron was in the shower and missed the whole show and I didn’t have a camera. Sadly the tourists, who are told on signs everywhere to stay away from the wild Devils, were literally chasing them around sticking their phones in their faces.
We later spoke to a ranger who said that the Tassie Devil rescue/breeding program will actually be halted if tourists keep familiarising these wild animals with human presence. Please keep this in mind if visiting.
**Categories:** Australia, Tasmania Road Trip 2018, Travel
**Tags:** australia, maria island, road trip, tasmania
---
### [Berries and Cherries](https://www.passingthrough.net/berries-and-cherries/)
**Published:** January 3, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Headed north from Cradle Mountain towards Launceston and the Tamar Valley. Driving around parts of Tasmania is wonderful because the place is just full of gorgeous little rural towns that one might miss if not driving through. It’s like stepping back into the Australia of by-gone days before Woolworths and McDonald’s – when everyone bought their food from the corner General Store or the local farmer. Farms and fields and rustic little cottages dot the countryside and summer is a time for fruits and berries and vegetables everywhere.
Sheffield was just one of these lovely little towns, and we stopped there for lunch at Bossimi’s cafe. I don’t know if it’s just because Tasmania is so far away from everywhere else and it’s cheaper to use local but I just love how everyone seems to focus on using local produce. Ate at a lovely café called Bossimi’s which had views of the mountains and pies made from local produce like scallops, deer and apricots (not all together!)
Whilst in Sheffield we also stocked up on some yummy local produce. Young’s veggie shed had some awesome fresh local fruit and veges, and there is also a great seafood shop there. Nigel’s meats wasn’t cheap but had some of the most beautiful quality local meat I’ve seen. A great tip is that the famous Tasmanian leatherwood honey is much, much cheaper in the fruit shops than in the tourist sites and comes in the same nice jars.
Headed to Launceston and the Cataract Gorge, which is right in the centre of town. It’s a great facility with a natural gorge, some short walks, swimming in the river or a large man made pool with facilities. The gorge itself is pretty but not as spectacular as many other places, but it’s worth looking at either for a nice swim on a summer’s day or just for the novelty of such a lovely place in the middle of a city. A few nice walks go from here too.
If you venture into the city of Launceston make sure you come armed with coins for parking as all parking is metered, and they don’t take notes or cards.
In Launceston we headed to the harbour for a picnic lunch of our lovely fruit from Sheffield, our oysters from Kyeema, cheese from Ashgrove which we’d stopped at on the way and our Spreyton cider which is by far the best cider we’ve ever tasted!
Our base for this area was a lovely BnB on the banks of the Tamar River in the Tamar valley. A beautiful fertile valley full of orchards and vineyards. We drove around both sides of the Tamar enjoying the scenery and stopping for treats like Miller’s orchard apples and fresh cherries and the Hillwood Berry farm where for a reasonable price we were able to pick fresh raspberries. I can tell you that fresh raspberries off the vine are a totally different beast to the sour soggy things you sometimes get in the shops!
Also drove to the north coast to Greens beach and took a short stroll to West Head lookout which is beautiful and worth looking at with panoramic views of cliffs and wild beaches. Just hang on to any loose clothing or hats though as it blows a gale up on the cliffs.
Our BnB hosts were lovely and had a friendly pair of Border collies as well who joined us for dinner. We enjoyed a BBQ on the provided facilities of local meat, seafood veges on the deck with our amazing view!
A couple of days were easily spent exploring the Tamar valley and then we were headed to the East coast. Our host recommended driving through Scottsdale which was only slightly longer but more scenic. He wasn’t wrong! It’s a magic drive through more quaint and rustic villages and farms with lots of produce stalls on the way selling fruit and veges. Scottsdale itself is the home of the famous RhuBru products made from locally grown Rhubarb. We stopped and had a rhubarb smoothie, which was to die for.
**Categories:** Australia, Tasmania Road Trip 2018, Travel
**Tags:** tasmania
---
### [Cradle Mountain, Tasmania](https://www.passingthrough.net/cradle-mountain-tasmania/)
**Published:** January 2, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Heading to Cradle mountain – the place of many wonderful walks. Not the best time to be going there with a painful foot condition (plantar fasciitis) that could get worse and/or chronic if not rested… Of course, it was decided the Summit was off now, although I suspect given the problems I’d had in the lead up to the trip I was underprepared anyway. Turns out today was the worst weather of our trip and it would not have been safe to do the summit of Cradle Mountain anyway – the last hour up is a scramble up very large and slippery boulders. And the summit was in cloud most of the today anyway, so the view would not have been great. Told myself that anyway.
Ended up ‘limiting’ ourselves to about 8 km of walking around the park and strapping up my foot. Most of this was the 5.5km boardwalk through the valley. I am guessing this is fairly new as it didn’t show up in the walks guides I had seen online. It was a magical walk through various types of forest and grassland with fields of miniature ferns, buttongrass and echidnas, birds and wombats galore. I would highly recommend this boardwalk, even for those not limited.
We also did the pencil pines walk and a section of Dove Lake. The great thing about this park is that you can do this walk and others one way because there are shuttle buses throughout the park. I wasn’t keen on the idea of shuttle buses, but they were great because it limits people taking their cars in and impacting the park, also the roads are narrow, and it would be dangerous to have lots of tourists on them. They run amazingly frequently, so you can just keep looping back and doing all the various walks.
I’d found that one of the best moves I had to relieve the tightness in my left calf and foot was the ‘downward dog’ – doing this frequently, I felt sorry for my fellow tourists being subjected to the sight of my butt in the air at strange places and times.
This park was beautiful in so many ways – not just the mountain scenery but the amazing array of unusual and interesting plants and so much wildlife! We saw wombats and echidnas galore, as well as birdlife and wallabies. Late afternoon seemed to be the best time for wombats.
**Categories:** Australia, Tasmania Road Trip 2018, Travel
**Tags:** tasmania
---
### [Western Tasmania & Wild Rivers - off on a Tasmanian road trip](https://www.passingthrough.net/western-tasmania-wild-rivers-off-on-a-tasmanian-road-trip/)
**Published:** December 30, 2017
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Off to Tasmania now!
Got a phone call from the car rental company checking what time we were coming in as they closed at 6. Seemed very keen to ensure they got away on time today.
So of course Murphy’s law dictated that today was the day our flight would be delayed! We suspected that the car rental employee had something on that night and was determined not to be in a position where they might have to stay behind later so the phone was diverted to ‘after hours’ from about 3pm onwards. The short story is we ended up stranded at Hobart airport with no hire car and no way to talk to anyone about it and facing a $70 taxi ride to our motel and public transport was a 2 hr ride each way. We bit the bullet and caught the taxi hoping we could sort it out in the morning. We suspect that there was a keenness to avoid being ‘dobbed in’ as the next day we got a discount, a refund on one of the taxi fares out of petty cash and a free GPS unit. Still not happy it had mucked up our previous night’s plans and caused a bit of worry but better than nothing. I won’t name and shame as firstly they are far cheaper than competitors so that’s what you get and secondly I am still waiting on a reply as to why they didn’t refund me as per their policy when we had to cut the trip short and gave the required notice. Watch this space. But my tip is if you are hiring from a company that picks you up from the airport then make sure you don’t have a flight close to closing time.
The lovely and helpful staff at the Riverfront Motel in Hobart made up for that unpleasant experience anyway.
After sorting our hire car we stocked up on some groceries for the trip, got a good value breakfast and coffee from the Tasmanian chain Banjo’s bakery (famous for it’s scallop pies and smoked salmon rolls) and hit the road. Headed north west through some very beautiful scenery on the highway towards Derwent Bridge through Mt Field National Park. One could spend a couple of days on a small stretch of road just stopping at every waterfall and waterfall walk so it might be best to pick the highlights such as Montezuma Falls, Russell Falls and Nelson Falls. The rainforest and falls were ‘Lord of the Rings’ magical and atmospheric.
We stopped at the Franklin River Nature trail. It’s super short so may as well do it although it wasn’t as good as I maybe expected. As Aussies the Franklin River wilderness evoked memories of the activism required to save this incredible pristine wilderness from being dammed back in the 80’s. Driving through, it was apparent how beautiful this forest was and what little access there was, so jumped at the chance to get a ‘taste’ on the trail. Lovely little track but didn’t seem to be particularly representative of some of the wild areas we’d driven through.
The drive through to the west coast and Queenstown was beautiful and time should be allowed to enjoy it and stop to drink it in. Tassie is full of awesome picnic spots so crazy not to self cater and stop for picnics along the way – not to mention it being good for the budget.
Queenstown is an interesting place to drive through – the hillsides are scarred by mining giving the place a bit of an apocalyptic feel.
We drove on through to Zeehan as we were staying at the Zeehan Bush camp overnight. I’d googled about the camp and it didn’t look that great and looked like it was actually in town not in the bush but it would do. When we got there I was pleasantly suprised that it was actually in a very lovely picturesque setting. The camp has great facilities with a shared kitchen and lounge area and pretty camp sites.
The owners are very lovely, helpful and accomodating. People comment on Zeehan seeming a bit sad and ghost town like. Yes it surely has seen better days but don’t dismiss it. Much of the ‘empty’ buildings are part of a great heritage centre that is a museum to the early days of the Wild West Coast and it’s mining history. If you stay at Zeehan bush camp you get discounted entry. Zeehan is also a great base for exploring the West Coast and a cheaper option than Strahan as a base for the famous Gordon River cruises and you can buy the tickets from the campsite owners who are super helpful and kind.
1st January- Started off 2018 with a world heritage Gordon river cruise. Fantastic day trip that was suprisingly good value.
We hadn’t actually planned to do this – we were going to be off hiking. Sadly by this point I was starting to realise that the plantar fasciitis in my left foot was only getting worse. It had been escalating since training in my hiking boots instead of runners for this trip. More on that in another post. And yes, as every good doctor does I had been ignoring the increasing pain thinking it was something else.
My lovely husband saw my distress and knew me well enough to know I’d probably push myself not wanting to let him down so he insisted we rearrange some plans and go on the boat trip today instead. Good call because it was really good.
The tour of Sarah island was a highlight. I’d done this cruise as a small child and we only went past it and were told dreadful tales of what they then called devil island. Our fantastic tour guide Kye presented a much more balanced view of the tales of this once convict island as we walked around the ruins of the convict settlement. Her father did the research that led to these tours and wrote some interesting books on it. If you want to buy them and have the money go direct to the author make sure you take your money onto the island and buy them from her rather than from the boat. My other tip is to take some warm wind and sprayproof clothes for this tour even if its the middle of summer – this is the wild west coast after all and the wind chill on the boat is considerable.
The boat takes you through some really wild stretches of river and rainforest that are inaccessible by any other way. It is beautiful and wild. The tannins in the river make it a dark deep colour which on a still day results in perfect reflections. Sadly the weather was a bit rough this day but it was still beautiful and it gave us a feel for what it was like for early explorers facing ‘Hell’s gate’ at the entrance to Macquarie harbour with the wild antarctic winds whipping up the ocean.
Deep into the river’s reaches you get a chance to get off and wander through the rainforest on a track – just make sure you don’t get left behind! It also includes a lunch and is well worth it.
**Categories:** Australia, Tasmania Road Trip 2018, Travel
**Tags:** adventure, camping, tasmania, travel, wilderness
---
### [Phoenix rising](https://www.passingthrough.net/phoenix-rising/)
**Published:** December 29, 2017
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Did some great drives from our base at Gruyere, Victoria. There are beautiful hikes everywhere. We stuck to some smaller ones largely because we only had a couple of days in Victoria and also because I was starting to get a bit worried about a worsening plantar fasciitis I had in my left foot and the upcoming hikes we had planned for Tassie! As it turned out a couple of the walks were closed anyway because of recent big storms that had knocked down big trees across the track. We saw a sign warning that one end of a circuit was closed due to storm damage – we thought perhaps they were just being cautious and figured we could still do the circuit through from the other end being experienced ‘bushies’. However after seeing some of the damage and trees we had to climb over in the ‘open’ track we figured they were serious and we should double back.
Yes this was supposed to be the track..
But even with the serious storm damage and clear evidence of damage from bushfires the forest was still beautiful. Cora Lynn Falls and the Big Tree were great short little tracks that were worth seeing.
 
Cambarville picnic ground with remnants of burnt out tree
Even a way out evidence of the devastation of the 2009 fires was very clear
Cute little Fragas cafe made it back from the 2009 bushfires and now serves up lovely meals like my birthday lunch here of local smoked trout salad
Dead mountain giants from the Black Saturday 2009 fires with the reborn bush coming up underneath
Sad to see so much evidence of the destruction of these giant mountain ash forests still visible from the2009 Black Saturday fires
Beautifull little Marysville rising out of the ashes of the2009 tragedy
Marysville visitor centre talks about black Saturday
Remains of the Main Street payphone kn Marysville, Victoria
New growth in Marysville but can still see the devastation behind
**Categories:** Australia, Travel, Victoria 2018
**Tags:** black+Saturday, bushfire, marysville, Victoria
---
### [Dandenongs](https://www.passingthrough.net/dandenongs/)
**Published:** December 28, 2017
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
We were only passing through Victoria very briefly, so weren’t doing justice to any of the beautiful places. If visiting the Dandenongs along, one could spend days exploring all the gardens and walks and beautiful drives. If you’re a garden fan allow lots of time here because in addition to all the famous gardens there seem to be lots of beautiful gardens dedicated to various people open to the public which look gorgeous. The William Rickett’s sanctuary is a tourist attraction where the sculpture’s of the now deceased William Rickett are scattered through the forest. Funny thing is I came here as a kid and remembered it as a cool kind of magical place. Coming here now as a clinician, I can’t help feel the guy had a few issues, and it seemed a bit creepy – but each to their own.
Even just the drives are beautiful, with gorgeous forest and rainforest everywhere. The Dandenong Botanic gardens were lovely and would be even more amazing in Rhodendron season.
Some of the sculptures at William Ricketts sanctuary
Magnificent forest drive between Marysville and Warburton
Just because I love to stop and focus on the small things sometimes
William Ricketts sanctuary
Dandenong botanic garden
Dandenong botanic garden
Dandenong botanic garden
Driving through the Dandenong ranges
Interesting picnic spot
**Categories:** Australia, Travel, Victoria 2018
---
### [Sherbrooke forest, c](https://www.passingthrough.net/sherbrooke-forestvictoria/)
**Published:** December 28, 2017
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
So much to see in Victoria but we were only here for a couple of days. Has been a full on year so opted to treat ourselves to a nice BnB for a couple of days on the way through to Tasmania and check out the Mountain Ash forests that Ron had always wanted to see. Set ourselves up in lovely Gruyere which with a hire car was a great central place to explore the region for a couple of days. Beautiful farmland with gorgeous views of mountains, birdlife and surrounded by fruit orchards full of delightful fruit in summer. Went for some walks through Sherbrooke Forest which was magical with towering Mountain Ash (the world’s largest flowering tree) and beautiful lush understory of fern trees and rich birdlife. Time was limited, but we saw there were lots of options for longer and more serious hiking if you wanted.8
Crimson rosellas are everywhere
Sherbrooke forest
Sherbrooke forest
Sherbrooke forest
Sherbrooke forest
Ron playing bucking bronco on a fallen mountain ash
**Categories:** Australia, Victoria 2018
**Tags:** forest, hiking, trees, Victoria, walking
---
### [Tasmania - Bay of Fires / East Coast](https://www.passingthrough.net/tasmania-bay-of-fires-east-coast/)
**Published:** January 4, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
It seems I’m not the only one who assumed Bay of Fires is named after the beautiful firey-orange lichen covered rocks that line the white sandy beaches where they meet the turquoise blue sea. Seems like a fair assumption to me.
Turns out though it was named in 1773 by Captain Tobias Furneaux who saw the fires of Aboriginal people on the beaches.
This stretch of Tasmania’s East coast has been named by Lonely Planet as one of the hottest destinations in the world and is regarded as one of the most beautiful places in Australia.
It certainly was gorgeous. The water was an impossibly clear blue and if it was a degree or so warmer or I had a hot shower to go home to I would have ventured beyond the knee height I braved. Even in summer the water has an icy touch to it.
But even though it’s such an amazing place and the campsites are popular it was incredible how few people there seemed to be on the beach. The ones who were there were fishing, looking for rock lobsters and abalone, swimming and enjoying some family fun. But it only took five minutes of rock hopping to find a spot where one could feel alone in a beautiful and wild place.
Campsites are free and to my surprise even supplied a basic composting toilet (bring your own paper/water). Bookings can’t be made and are first come first serve but we still found a spot even in peak season. Travelling light certainly helps – having to find a space for a campervan vs a little tent may have been a bit trickier.
But we found this awesome site right on the beach with amazing views at Cosy Corner which seemed to definitely be one of the prettiest beaches.
Bay of fires – Cosy corner beach
Campsite at Cosy Corner -Bay of Fires
No shops in the campsite areas – part of what makes it so nice, so make sure you stock up in St Helens which is a lovely stop for a seaside coffee anyway.
**Categories:** Australia, Tasmania Road Trip 2018, Travel
**Tags:** australia, bay of fires, camping, road trip, tasmania, travel
---
### [White bears and white whales Pt 2](https://www.passingthrough.net/white-bears-and-white-whales-pt-2/)
**Published:** July 27, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Wednesday 25 July
More wandering and bushwhacking today. I am pretty sure there isn’t a track left in this town we haven’t explored.
The huge tundra buggies that the tourists go out in (mostly in October when the polar bears are out waiting to get back onto the ice) seemed to be all near one area. We started heading out on the nearby tracks before realising that big ditches had been dug into the roads so that only the tundra buggies could pass – I guess they have to find some way to get people to still go on their tours in Summer. We pulled up at a rocky knoll and saw people walking around – are they mad? we thought. But as we got closer we realised one was a guide carrying a gun. We also saw a local going for a bicycle ride with her dogs with a shotgun strapped to her back. I guess the locals do take the polar bear threat seriously.
Guides have to carry guns for the bears
Buggies they take tourists out to the bears in
Saw lots more lovely birds. Apparently up to 200 different species of migratory birds stopover here. If you’re a bird watcher you’d love this place!
Kila
Checked the board at the Northern studies centre to see if there had been any more polar bear sightings and there was only more – yesterday- at the door of the studies centre! That would have been a thrill for the students. Also made us glad we had decided not to go hiking further into the forest wrongly assuming bears don’t go this far!
Weather has turned calm, warm and sunny today – just in time for our trip on the zodiac to see the Beluga whales.
I noted the guy taking the other tour that walks around the fort has shotgun shells strapped to his chest…
Tour guide with shotgun shells for the bears
The day couldn’t have been more perfect to get out on the water. In what was an incredible magical experience we floated around with pods and pods of shiny white Beluga whales swimming around us with their grey calves. Thousands come here every summer to calve and to moult. 
Beluga whalesBeluga whales
Beluga whales
Then we got a radio message from another boat alerting us to a polar bear so we got to see another polar bear Mum and cub!! So lucky! And sorry for all the pics but not every day you get to see a polar bear!
White bears
Beluga whales (white whales)Amazing shaft of light from the setting sun
Inukshuk at sunset
Hudson bay sunset
Finished off the magic sunny day watching a magic sunset over the glassy water as the seals and beluga whales glided through the water. Too beautiful for words.
ChurchillJust in case there was a square inch of Churchill we had missed we did some last minute exploring and found this cute little bay where a local had their little spot. Couldn’t help feeing nervous about what might be in the rocks though!
And yes- I am doing some work in between all of this ?
**Categories:** Canada/America, Canadian Road (Study) Trip 2018, Travel
**Tags:** adventure, Canada, Canadian roadtrip, polar bears, remote work, travel
---
### [Northern Saskatchewan forests & tipis Pt 1](https://www.passingthrough.net/northern-saskatchewan-forests-tipis-pt-1/)
**Published:** August 18, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
9 August
Waskesiu Lake at Prince Albert National Park in Northern Saskatchewan is our stop today on the way to the next doctor meeting. A welcome oasis after yesterday’s crazy long drive through desert and fields.
As a descendant of a Ukrainian mother it’s been very interesting to me to see the strong Ukrainian influence in large parts of Canada. Many of the pioneer farmers were western Ukrainians escaping from the serfdom and poverty of the Austro-hungarian empire. We got chatting to a guy at our accommodation who told us that Saskatchewan is only second to the Ukraine for the number of Ukrainians.
No wonder you’re just as likely to see borscht and pierogis on the menu as ribs and fries and hear Ukrainian accents at the farmers markets.
We’ve seen elk on this trip but no stag elks with the big antlers. I was pretty resigned to not seeing any now. We were driving around Waskesiu and I said that it was the middle of the day so we weren’t going to see any wildlife. Pretty much straight after I said that a magnificent huge stag elk with antlers casually wandered across the road and stood in the grass eating and watching us. Just amazing!
Elk crossing the road
Elk
Elk
Did a lovely walk to kingsmere lake where tha track also has a portage cart for people to take their boats and canoes in for adventures to further afield campsites on the other side of the lake.
kingsmere lake track
View from Kingsmere lake track
The last couple of days have been a heatwave so the idea of spending a week camping by this cool clear water is very appealing! But today a brief swim has to suffice. Found a little track down to the river and swam in the beautiful clear water with no one else in sight.
Swimming off Kingsmere lake track
Part way through the walk I started feeling sick like I was going to spew and pass out and my belly was rumbling. Was it beaver fever? (Locals name for Giardia which is carried by beavers.)
As the day went on I felt a little better and figured better off just keeping my mind off it so went for some more walks. Walked along the river hoping to see beavers. No beavers but saw a couple of deer and some giant mozzies! Drove around looking for animals and beavers – saw beaver nests but still no beavers!
Beaver dams near Waskesiu river
Waskesiu river
Went back to the room to have a rest and write up more notes.
10 aug
Did some short hikes around Waskesiu today. One was through a forest full of wild raspberries. We heard and saw woodpeckers and saw where bears had eaten wood beetle larvae out of the logs. Thankfully we didn’t run into the bears!
Waskesiu river trail
Waskesiu river trail
Treebeard trail
Deer on Waskesiu River trail
Forest mushrooms, Waskesiu
Woodpecker, Waskesiu
Wild blueberries , Waskesiu
Ron spotted another two beaver nests but still no elusive beaver.
Decided to treat ourselves to lunch but there was no treat about it! Totally overpriced for the tourists and tasteless. Hear that’s a common experience around here so might stick to the picnics.
Log cabins from 1800’s ,Waskesiu
Log cabins from 1800’s ,Waskesiu
Mushrooms growing on a cedae
Forest floor ferns, Waskesiu
Evidence of a black bear eating wood beetle larvae
Waskesiu forest walk
Waskesiu Lake is a popular summer boating destination
There is an interesting story here about a guy called ‘Grey Owl’ who lived in the forest with his Mohawk wife claiming to be half Apache, half Scottish. He lived and dressed like an Indian and wrote volumes on his observations of the nature there. Turned out after his death that he was really a full blood Englishman with some kind of Indian fantasy.
‘Grey Owl’
The park was established in his time back in the 1800’s andany of the original log cabin buildings from then are still being used in the park.
The drive to our next stop La Ronge, was beautiful. Lots of forest, creeks and swamps. Saw two beautiful deer cooling off in the swamp.
Lake near La Ronge
Seeing beaver nests everywhere but yet to see the elusive beaver Ron is determined to find.
La Ronge is one big lake but also the site of a first nation community.
La Ronge is quite remote but was much more pleasant than I expected. On a lovely lake and has good services.
We’re staying in a comfortable motel which is good for a change from the car. I did some work and then we went out for a little drive to have a look around and drove through Sucker river Cree ( First Nation) community. It seemed like a nice little place, kids were fishing in the river and families were having bbq’s, some in tipis on their lawns or backyards.
Sucker river Cree communitySucker river Cree community church
We didn’t gawk too much or take photos.
**Categories:** Canada/America, Canadian Road (Study) Trip 2018, Travel
**Tags:** adventure, camping, Canada, Canadian roadtrip, hiking, remote doctors, remote work, road trip, travel, wilderness
---
### [Syrian Refugees - not so other](https://www.passingthrough.net/syrian-refugees-not-so-other/)
**Published:** January 24, 2019
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Driving to a town in The Middle East only 12 days after getting back from remote villages in Bangladesh. As we drive past a refugee camp it occurs to me that this is the first time I will be coming to work with people displaced by war. I have seen and worked with misery and poverty and trauma in many parts of the world including my own. But this is new. I’m not sure how it will feel.
I’m here with a team of really beautiful mature people with lots of life experience who’ve served in Yemen, India, Cambodia, Zimbabwe and with refugees in Australia. We have come to teach English, and do home visits to Syrian refugees who are living outside the camp and being helped by a group here who distributes aid and helps the refugees.
 Our team of volunteers- all teachers except me ( one doctor)  Phil with the biggest cabbage I’ve ever seen! Made the best cabbage rolls  A coffee, cardamom , fig and date shop  Two of the team at the coffee roasters  Sunset  Sunset There are hundreds of thousands Syrian refugees in the UNHCR camps and just as many scattered in other towns and villages with some towns doubling in size.
In most countries where they are refugees, Syrians can’t get a passport,own a business, rent a car and it’s hard to get a job and when you do you are paid less. Many can’t go home to Syria because they will be killed, they have been told they are on a watch list or their homes are physically gone. And they have nowhere else to go. Even when some are offered immigration to other countries ( and that is a small percentage)that can be a devastating decision to make as families are often separated and sent to different countries – that can be soul-destroying for a culture dependent on extended family and a further blow to those already suffering loss and separation from war.
One of the groups visits the refugees in their homes and develops relationships with them, providing emotional support and friendship. They also deliver food aid in partnership with other NGO’s and help facilitate medical care and other things.
 Barren plains with the glimpse of a refugee camp in the far distance  Jane and I on the house balcony  The middle eastern lamb stew with local olives that I made  This amazing bread was thin and chewy and delicious There were many sad stories from the people our teams visited. One man had been jailed, tortured and left for dead until someone rescued him when they saw him moving . His wife and kids had been killed in front of him.
We decided to go out for New Year’s Eve dinner and went to a Yemeni restaurant run by some guys from Yemen, quite likely refugees. One of them was from the same place where one of our team had lived as a teacher for a while and they were quite excited by that. The food was amazing and the way we ate it was fun – the food was all piled up in the middle of the floor on a plastic mat while we sat around it on cushions. We ate our fill of the delicious food and then got the leftovers packed up. Then we watched in amazement as ‘clearing the dishes’ consisted of picking up the plastic mat and taking the entire thing away, liquids, dishes, food and all.
 Just before our Yemeni dinner  After our dinner ( we can hardly move!)  The leftovers from this Yemeni meal fed us for another five meals.  The local Arab sweets shop and our friendly shopkeeper. We got freebies when we went in there.  Traditional Arab sweets  The ladies enjoying their sweet shop freebies  My birthday lunch with Jane and Roz- yummy hummus and tabouleh  Mosque at sunset  The local baker making amazing shrak bread on a turntable oven  Shrak bread orders to go
We’ve divided into pairs to teach different groups of students English. I was thankful with Rose to get the 13 year old teenage girls who have been attending the church school and already know a bit of English. Also with my experience with Kowie teenagers I found it more in my comfort zone. They are a lively bunch of beautiful girls.Almost all are from Homs or Alleppo which have been devastated by the Syrian war. A couple are from Daara where the Syrian war started.
As the days have gone by we have grown closer to the girls. It seems weird to say when you’ve only been teaching them for a few days but I already know all their names and they remind me so much of the Kowanyama girls I love so much and they are so sweet. I wish I could stay and get to know them more.
Today we visited an older couple who are more fortunate in that they’ve been granted immigration to England. But they’ve waited seven years and it’s bittersweet because their children are scattered in Syria,Germany and America and the old lady welled up with tears as she spoke of her grandchildren she has never seen. I was able to share some of my story with her and with their friend, our Arab interpreter.
Some of the others in our team visited a lady who is alone here with lots of children. Her husband was arrested in Syria.They are very poor and rely on UNHCR food coupons, aid from a church and small odd jobs she and her older children can get.
 Delightful children  Local spice and tea shop Another sad story we heard is that often in the summer,wealthy Saudi Arabians come over here to prey on poor families and ‘buy’ a young wife ( and I’m talking about ‘child’ young) only to divorce them at the end of the summer. Essentially a religiously acceptable form of prostitution.
Two of our team have a group of young men and a couple of older men in their English classes who don’t speak a lot of English. Touchingly one old man tried to convey his feelings about these Aussies coming over to ‘help’ them and he said on Google translate on his phone – “thankyou for sympathising with us”.
The ladies in our team are teaching two different groups of women – some with a little English and others with none at all. Some of the stories that came out towards the end as trust was built were gut -wrenching. Some women RAN across the border fleeing war, dragging children crying and screaming and some were pregnant as they fled.
 The men in our team teaching We got to meet a young German guy travelling the world volunteering and two American cousins who are here to learn Arabic for their future work. They have been working in West African refugee camps too. Seeing such young people doing these things with their lives is truly encouraging and inspirational.
 Mose, Emma and Benny some lovely local boys we metOn the way back from a days outing our lovely driver ( who had also driven us from the airport) asked if he could invite us for tea. He seems to have a soft spot for Australians and it was an honour to be asked. We turned up at his family’s olive grove and before you knew it family had rolled up from all around and we were making a fire in the grove from olive wood and being served strong, sweet tea around the campfire. Noone really spoke English but we managed to still have a great time and have conversation of sorts. It’s amazing how much you can still work out. We are pretty sure his mother in law was trying to organise a marriage for the younger ones and was pretty concerned about my husband not being with me, and he was trying to get me to lecture his sister-in-law and mother-in-law about smoking but not him because he ‘only’ smokes 2 a day. It was such a lovely peaceful experience sipping tea around a fire in an olive grove as the sun set over the desert.
 Campfire at sunset  Tea with Khalif  Tea  A laugh with Khalifs wife  Tea in the olive grove  The mother in law  Tea at sunset Today we go to visit again the man whose leg is so badly fractured that he cannot walk without an operation he cannot afford. Phil and I have obtained a leg brace that may give him some increased temporary mobility but he really needs the operation. The NGO hospital contact is on leave until Monday and we can’t get through on their phone line but we are praying that that will be a possibility not only for this man but maybe for others in similar situations here into the future. Whilst I did not see them, it sounds like there are at least two infants with congenital hip dysplasia that has been missed and needs treatment also to avoid life-long disability and hopefully the NGO hospital can help with this too.
Now we’ve since heard back from the hospital and it seems they may be able to help this man with the fracture which is good news. ( Update- the hospital has taken over his care and will give him the surgery he needs).
We have had some amazing experiences here meeting Syrian refugees and some amazing locals . Out of respect and safety I cannot tell everything I want to tell you.
Many families we visited were very poor. Living in shanty’s or on rooftop annexes with no fridge and no heating despite the bitter cold.One family was in a cold damp house and all the kids were sick. They had seen their father’s head cut off in Syria. They escaped Syria with others in three tiered sheep trucks and had to drive with no lights to avoid sniper fire. One truck went off the road in the dark and everyone on board died.
Another family had to drug their babies so they wouldn’t cry as they escaped on foot through the trees trying to avoid snipers.
The refugees tell us that sometimes the Saudis bring help but it comes with conditions – the women have to wear burkas and they must send their children to their Wahabi schools.
One lady had children with chemical burns on their faces. They still don’t know what it is but there was a chemical attack and it came through the windows of their houses.
Another man was blind due to the torture and beating he had received in Syria.
Many families are distressed by the poor education their kids are receiving here. Local schools are struggling to cope. The teachers are not trained in how to respond to kids who have experienced so much trauma and have a lot of issues.
Another man detailed the torture he had received in prison –he said he was imprisoned for being a Sunni. His brother is now in prison. And now he is not being accepted by any countries for immigration because they say he’s a criminal because he was in prison.
One couple had spent two years applying for immigration to the USA and had gone through all the paperwork and jumped through all the hoops but then Trump declared no one from Syria could come in so the doors are shut for them.
Another lady and her four kids had just received the call before we visited that she had been accepted by Canada and she was so happy. She wants nothing but a better future for her kids and for them to have an education. She has been working in the fields in winter for a few dollars a day and lives in a sparse concrete house that she can barely afford the rent for.She has no family here and her husband deserted her.
One of the long term workers here is helping her Syrian refugee friend by taking visitors to her house to have henna designs applied to their hands and they pay a few Dinars. A couple of us went there and we attracted a bit of attention from neighbours and their kids who all came to visit then to have a look and meet us. It was a very nice evening. 
Henna applied by a Syrian lady  Traditional Chicken dish as our farewell dinner  The ‘breakfast’ our Syrian hosts gave us in gratitude for helping their sick daughter. It was probably their food for the week.  Carefree moments with one of the refugee girls The family we visited on the last day had a little girl some of our team had seen the day before. The local worker wanted me to see her as a doctor because she had thick skin coming off in sheets and exposing infected flesh on her hands and feet. It was in fact eczema that had not been able to be treated for 6 months and they didn’t know what it was and it had turned into the most severe case I had ever seen. She needed multiple ointments and antibiotics and thankfully one of the local volunteers is a nurse who was able to come and help translate medical advice and will follow up when I am gone. The poor girl was only ten and was so brave – it must have been agony. Her family were so lovely and grateful. Three generations were sleeping in two rooms and the father and the grandmother had both had strokes. Yet they treated us to an amazing meal and insisted we partake before we left.These people are so generous.
Our last day at the school was very sad. I didn’t realise how attached I’d become to these girls until we had to say goodbye. I fervently prayed that they would have a bright future after all they’d been through. One precious girl told me on the second last day that her home in Homs had been bombed. She had lived near the school and on her first day at school gunmen shot the place up and bombs were dropped. Her sister made ‘boom boom’ noises to illustrate. She said that then when they first came here she was scared to go to school and her mother had to take her but she cried and ran away.
When we said goodbye they all started hugging me and saying they love me and will miss me and I started bawling my eyes out. One of the girls had even written me a letter in broken English and had wrapped up some of her precious possessions as a gift which she didn’t let me open until she had left.
I would love to post some photos of these beautiful girls but we can’t share these or any other photos of any of the other refugees when they are in a vulnerable position and some still live in fear.
I can honestly say that I felt a real warmth and affection and in the case of the girls, even love, for these beautiful human beings who had endured so much. Media portrayals can influence our perceptions but even beneath the Niqab or Burka and behind the different beliefs and cultural practices are human beings loved by God who long for safety, connection and love the same as the rest of us. I will carry the experiences of this trip with me always.
**Categories:** Giving Back, Middle East, Travel
**Tags:** middle east, mission, refugees
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### [Wild Atlantic Ireland pt.1](https://www.passingthrough.net/wild-atlantic-ireland-pt-1/)
**Published:** June 16, 2022
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Excited to be heading off to Ireland for a conference on World Rural Health where I’ll be presenting but will also get to have a bit of a look around. This is my first overseas trip since covid struck. I was booked to speak at this same conference but in Bangladesh and then on to a conference in Canada in April 2020 but we all know what happened there. Another trip was booked and also had to be cancelled. So this is it – heading off overseas with a pandemic still going on, a war involving some of the world’s superpowers raging in Ukraine, and going without my gorgeous husband Ron which is sad. I travel a lot for work by myself but when there is a bit of fun involved it feels weird to not share it with the most important person in your life.
In addition without the extra hands to help with luggage etc the idea of travelling light is even more important and I am determined to do this trip with carry on baggage only- which will also be wise with all the tales I’ve been hearing of airport chaos and lost baggage in this ‘post covid’ period. Travelling light is just so much less stressful. So this is all I have- main bag 10kg, small bag 2kg (2kg under the allowance for international carry on)- for conference and short holiday in a place much colder than I’m used to but with opportunities to swim and hike so need to pack for all kinds of things- even have my laptop! Let’s see how I go with this!
 12kgs total carryon 2 weeks to Ireland and back
**Categories:** Europe, Ireland, Travel
**Tags:** adventure, ireland, remote doctors, road trip, travel, travel light, travel wardrobe, wild Atlantic way
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### [Wild Atlantic Ireland Pt 2](https://www.passingthrough.net/wild-atlantic-ireland-pt-2/)
**Published:** June 18, 2022
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Lovely taxi drive into Limerick. Everything is so green and lovely. The university grounds where I’m staying are beautiful and sit along the banks of the River Shannon which is said to be full of salmon. Straight into the conference with some very inspiring speeches and sessions. The focus on health equity and poorer nations and areas is what I love about this conference.
It’s so apparent how much the Irish love their music as it’s peppered throughout the conference and within the first few hours I’ve heard wonderful fiddle, violin, and bagpipe music and even a display of uillean pipes, a traditional Irish bagpipe that uses air from a pump in the armpit. It was played by someone from the Irish Traveller community- a presentation explained to us that they are a genetically distinct group that has very similar health and social status to marginalised indigenous groups around the world. They are synonymous with the term gypsy but this is not an appropriate term to call them any more. It is believed they separated from the Irish settled community in the 1600s and stayed genetically separate since then.
The afternoon was rounded off with a very inspiring presentation by Dr Mike Ryan from the WHO, a well known face thanks to covid. Being Irish a lot of the Irish doctors were so excited and clearly proud of their compatriot’s role in the pandemic.
There was a lovely social evening organised but unfortunately jet-lag hit me suddenly and I went to bed at 6 pm and didn’t get up till the next morning only waking up once.
 UILLEAN pipes of Ireland  River Shannon  Views from my accommodation at the university  Views from my accommodation at the university
**Categories:** Europe, Ireland, Travel
**Tags:** ireland, pack light, remote doctors, road trip, travel light, wild Atlantic way
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### [Wild Atlantic Ireland Pt 3](https://www.passingthrough.net/wild-atlantic-ireland-pt-3/)
**Published:** June 22, 2022
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
A great couple of last days at the WONCA Rural Family Doctors conference. Got to meet some great and inspiring people from around the globe doing all kinds of great things and working in rural areas for their community. Privileged to share my passion for and work around remote communities at two presentations on the last day. Was also exciting to be in a presentation by a Canadian professor presenting on the Rural Road Map for Canada which is a national policy document to have her tell me that my Churchill fellowship was really helpful and a great piece of work that informed the work they did. In my session one of the speakers was a scientist from Ukraine who had fled the war but the hosting University had invited her in to continue her research and invited her to present at the conference even though it didn’t really fit the theme but did it to support her. She talked about the hope she and her colleagues still had and the gratitude she had for her receiving country taking in her in after fleeing war. It was quite emotional and I was struggling to hold back the tears before I had to get up and speak!
I had big plans to hire a car after the conference and get around and do some car camping. But just before I left I lost my drivers licence. I naively believed that having government documents showing I had a licence and a photo of back and front would be enough. After not getting an answer about this from the car hire company ( thanks Enterprise…) I decided to take a small break from the conference and walk into town to the office. Turns out no car hire companies accept anything except the physical licence. Fair enough. I was super bummed but then realised no point being upset about something I can’t change and may be for a reason – so plan B it is. Town was mostly pretty and interesting with old stone churches and castles but there were also the signs of social disadvantage that come with bigger cities. There seemed to be a lot of gambling establishments appropriately named Ladbroke…. I also noticed a lot of young Ukrainians walking through the streets or busking – I assume they are refugees. Ireland seems to have done a really good job of taking in Ukrainian refugees and I came across them working in hostels as well as hearing them in the streets and meeting them at the University.
 Salmon fishing in the River Shannon, Limerick  River Shannon  St John’s, Limerick  Limerick  House in Limerick  King John’s castle  Limerick
**Categories:** Europe, Ireland, Travel
**Tags:** adventure, ireland, pack light, remote doctors, travel, travel light, travel wardrobe, wild Atlantic way
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### [Wild Atlantic Ireland Pt 4](https://www.passingthrough.net/wild-atlantic-ireland-pt-4/)
**Published:** June 22, 2022
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
In the right place at the right time at end of conference to be offered a lift with some colleagues on a sightseeing afternoon. We drove to Allwee Cave where the thousands of year old remains and hibernation pits of the last bears in Ireland where found and with underground waterfalls. This was in the Burren National Park which is a beautiful amazing rocky limestone area that is both naturally beautiful and interesting but also historically. The rockiness add minerals to the soil and the warm rocks absorbing heat would mean the patches of grass in between would grow further into winter than elsewhere that helped sustain farmers in the past. It also has an interesting ancient history with tombs and stone structures found dating back to Neolithic times. We saw the famous Poulnabrone Dolmen – a portal tomb believed to be dated to around 3000 BC where the remains of around 33 humans were found buried – it’s believed it may have been used as a ritual site right up until the Celtic medieval era. The abundance of rocks also mean that dry stone walls are a major feature in this area being used everywhere. The countryside either side of the Burren is beautiful with rolling green hills, quaint cottages with slate and thatch rooves and stone fences and beautiful seaside villages. We stopped in Ballyvaughan for some dinner (with the sun shining bright in our eyes as the sun sets at 10.50 pm this time of year!). We had a delicious seafood chowder and Irish soda bread overlooking Galway Bay. I was even able to enjoy a Guinness as we discovered they make a 0% alcohol Guinness ( I can’t have alcohol for health reasons) . A truly Irish experience looking over the Galway Bay.
 The Burren with its stone walls and karst formations  The Burren with its stone walls and karst formations  The Burren with its stone walls and karst formations  Yes I can have Guiness in Ireland! #zeropercent  Ballyvaughan cafe  Seafood chowder and soda bread with the boss..  Allwee cave waterfall  Allwee cave ancient bear remains Then off to the famous Cliffs of Moher. There’s a fairly hefty fee to use the carpark and then you walk to the visitor centre and then on to the cliffs. The scenery is amazing, the wind fierce and the sound of the thousands of seabirds nesting in the cliffs impressive. Then a drive back to Limerick on the tiny roads that barely have enough room for two cars and with stone walls either side there really isn’t the option to pull over much either. I am glad I wasn’t driving.
 Driving to cliffs of Moher  Cliffs of Moher  Cliffs of Moher  Cliffs of Moher  Cliffs of Moher  Cliffs of Moher – O’Brien’s tower built for the English tourists who came to the cliffs in 1800s  Cliffs of Moher
**Categories:** Europe, Ireland, Travel
**Tags:** adventure, ireland, pack light, remote doctors, travel, travel light, travel wardrobe, wild Atlantic way
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### [Wild Atlantic Ireland Pt 5](https://www.passingthrough.net/wild-atlantic-ireland-pt-5/)
**Published:** June 22, 2022
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Cruising through the countryside on the bus to Doolin was a great way to appreciate the beauty of the greenery, quaint villages, stone walls, sheep, castles and clear babbling brooks with keen fisherman trying their luck for trout and salmon.
 Traditional thatched roof house Buses are easy and hassle free here. Just two tips: travel light – so much easier with less luggage and carry spare change/ correct amounts if paying cash for a ticket.
Arrived in Doolin several hours before the hostel checkin so left my main bag there and headed off for a walk. Headed out towards the Cliffs of Moher and did a 9km walk along the coast. It was a beautiful walk with lovely green fields, cows, horses, stone walls, views of the Aran Islands and amazing rock formations and magnificent cliffs. There was even what appeared to be one of the ancient dolmens ( portal or wedge tombs) in a field that wasn’t marked. There was also a medieval castle up on the hill called Doonagore. It is a 16th century castle but it’s believed before that there was a fort there as early as 1300. In 1588 a ship from the Spanish Armada sank off the coast here. The 170 crew made it to shore and to the castle – where they were promptly hanged! Had my picnic lunch on the cliffs of locally made Irish crackets and goats milk cheese.
 Doonagare castle  Doonagare castle from the trail  Coastal trail to cliffs of Moher  A bit of funny business on the trail  Coastal trail to cliffs of Moher  Cliffs of Moher  Coastal trail to cliffs of Moher  Coastal trail to cliffs of Moher  Coastal trail to cliffs of Moher  Coastal trail to cliffs of Moher  Coastal trail to cliffs of Moher  Wedge tomb on Coastal trail to cliffs of Moher  View out to the Aran Islands  Cliffs of Moher  Stone walls on Coastal trail to cliffs of Moher  Stone walls on Coastal trail to cliffs of Moher  Cliffs of Moher  Cliffs of Moher  Coastal trail to cliffs of Moher  Coastal trail to cliffs of Moher  Picnic lunch along the Coastal trail to cliffs of Moher  Coastal trail to cliffs of Moher  Coastal trail to cliffs of Moher  Sheep on the Coastal trail to cliffs of Moher  Cliffs of Moher  Coastal trail to cliffs of Moher  Coastal trail to cliffs of Moher  Coastal trail to cliffs of Moher Back to the hostel which is a lovely stone cottage hostel on the banks of the River Aille where I sat and enjoyed the sound of running water under the stone bridge as I answered some work emails. Lovely fresh Atlantic fish for dinner from Russell’s Fish shop and an early night as some long days at conference catching up on me.
 River Ailee in Doolin  Beautiful stonework  The hostel I stayed in in Doolin  River near the hostel in Doolin  Donkey in Doolin  Fish and chips in Doolin
**Categories:** Europe, Ireland, Travel
**Tags:** adventure, capsule wardrobe, ireland, pack light, packing, remote doctors, travel, travel light, travel wardrobe, wild Atlantic way
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### [Wild Atlantic Ireland Pt 6](https://www.passingthrough.net/wild-atlantic-ireland-pt-6/)
**Published:** June 25, 2022
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
There’s a chance you’ve heard of Aran knits or Aran sweaters – even if you didn’t know that they came from the Aran Islands in the wild Atlantic Ocean. Couldn’t have nailed it better – a boat trip to the Aran Islands and I get the sunniest, calmest ( ‘cam’ as the Irish say) day they’ve had all year. Absolutely magic. Blue skies brought out the brilliant blues of the clear Atlantic Ocean and it made for a beautiful day to get about the Island on a bike. I had booked a bus tour but with the change of plans the day I was now going it was full. Which turned out for the best as the bike was definitely the way to go – the island is not big and whilst I didn’t get to see it all I saw most of it and all the main sites I wanted to see. Having said that I think you could easily explore this island for a few days, Riding the bike one gets to soak up the atmosphere and check out the countryside and stop for the views you want to enjoy. What they also don’t mention anywhere that I could see is that the impressive Dun Aunghosa fort is not accessible by any vehicle including the bikes and the only option is a 15 minute climb up a path with some slippery rocks. A warning for those not so able bodied.
 Views from Dun Anghousa fort  Views from Dun Anghousa fort  Artist impression of early life at Dun Anghousa   Views from Dun Anghousa fort  Views from Dun Anghousa fort  Dun Anghousa fort walls  Dun Anghousa walls  Dun Anghousa fort walls  Dun Anghousa fort walls  Dun Anghousa fort walls  views from Dun Anghousa fort  This drops off 100 m down – the site of the Dun Anghousa fort  This drops off 100 m down – the site of the Dun Anghousa fort  Dun Anghousa fort  View from Dun Anghousa fort  Dun Anghousa fort drystone walls  Dun Anghousa fort  This drops off 100 m down – the site of the Dun Anghousa fort  This drops off 100 m down – the site of the Dun Anghousa fort Fascinating to see the way people live/lived on the Island. The whole island is a patchwork of tiny paddocks fenced with impressive rock walls – very intensive cellgrazing. Whilst today was magic I can only imagine what it must be like living here all year round exposed to the harshest of elements in the Atlantic Ocean. Tourism seems to a be a big part of life now with many of the old homes turned into BnB’s and bike rentals everywhere. If you get to the island without a tour booked and don’t want to bike ride there are loads of lovely horse and carts waiting to give you a tour. The famous Aran sweaters named after the islands are of course for sale everywhere.
There were interesting archeological sites across the island. Churches from the 10th century, cross inscribed stone slabs, megalithic tombs, and of course the famous and magnificent Dun Aonghasa, a majestic ancient stone ring fort perched on the edge of a 100m high cliff. It is believed to have first been erected in 1500 BC. It’s most active period was around 800 BC and it was in use until around 1000 AD. It consists of three massive drystone defence walls. Evidence of houses and burials and prehistoric metalworking were found at the site. There are various theories about who lived there and it’s main purpose. It’s thought to have been ceremonial as well as defensive. Some believe it was the Fir Bolg who built it– the fourth group of people to settle Ireland according to Irish myth. What I can’t get my head around is how people survived in these inhospitable environments or came across wild Atlantic seas to settle on rocky islands. People can be so tough….
Another interesting fact is that the islands are a Gaeltacht area where Gaelic ( Irish) is still the first language.
 Church of Ireland built for the protestants during the Great Famine in 1840s  The clear blue Atlantic ocean at Innis Mor  Bike riding amongst the stone walls of Innis Mor- Aran Islands   A cattle trough made with a stone slab that collects the water  Ruins and views on Innis Mor  Ancient stone walls form lots of small paddocks  Bike riding amongst the stone walls of Innis Mor- Aran Islands  Celtic crosses and stone walls  Stone walled fields of Innis Mor  One of the beaches on Innis Mor  Dun Anghousa ancient ring fort from a distance  Ancient cross slab   Teampall Mic Duach a 10th century church  Teampall Mic Duach  Wild fuschias on Innis Mor  Gypsy cob horse  You know the weather’s wild when the trees look like this.    Traditional thatched roves are still used by some.   The Aran knit sweaters the Aran Islands are famous for.   Ancient ring fort on another of the Aran Islands Innis Maan   Fishing boats on Innis Mor  Note the old Gaelic writing on the tombstone  Old thatched roof  Cold water swimming- a big thing here…  Village on Aran islands with horse and cart  Innis Oirr – one of the Aran Islands . Obriens castle – 14th century built on a fort from 400 BC  Stone walled fields of the Aran islands  Stone pool in Doolin Bay  Cold water swimmer in Doolin Bay with Aran islands in background  Ring fort on Aran Islands  Boat tour of Cliffs of Moher  Boat tour of Cliffs of Moher with people for scale  Boat tour of Cliffs of Moher – Obriens tower  Boat tour of Cliffs of Moher  Boat tour of Cliffs of Moher  Hags head and Napoleonic fort at Cliffs of Moher
**Categories:** Europe, Ireland, Travel
**Tags:** adventure, capsule wardrobe, hiking, ireland, pack light, packing, travel, travel light, travel wardrobe, wild Atlantic way
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### [Wild Atlantic Ireland Pt 8](https://www.passingthrough.net/wild-atlantic-ireland-pt-8/)
**Published:** June 26, 2022
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Despite the rain, today was a wonderful day that made up for yesterday. Walked for 32 km through beautiful forests, lakes, abbeys and castles. Started off at Ross Castle which sits on the edge of Lough Leane and built in the 15th century by an Irish Chieftain. It was the last stronghold in Munster to hold out against Cromwell. At the castle I noticed loads and loads of boats that are for the tourist trips across the lake. No one was using them today as the weather was too miserable. But seeing so many made me think of how many people’s livelihoods would have been impacted by the pandemic seeing all those tour boats sitting idle.
 Ross Castle, Killarney  Wet and bedraggled at Ross Castle, Killarney  Lake near Ross Castle, Killarney  Ross Castle, Killarney  I love how the foundation is built into the rock  Views across Lough Leane from Ross Castle  Tour boats for the lake sitting idle.  Views of Muckross lake from the trail.  Views of Lough (lake ) Leane  A traditional jaunting cart.  Those beautiful stone walls are still being made today. Everywhere around here one sees horse and carts called Jaunting cars. It has been a common form of transport in Ireland since the 1800’s. In Killarney they are still used for tourists. The name for the driver was a Jarvey.
 Views across the Killarney Lakes  Burial vaults in Muckross Abbey  Muckross Abbey  Muckross Abbey  Muckross Abbey  A yew tree in the cloister of Muckross Abbey. Yew trees can grow too 2500 years old.  The ‘front lawn’ of Muckross House  Cold, wet and bedraggled at Muckross House  Muckross House  Muckross Houuse  Muckross House gardens  Muckross House gardens  Muckross House gardens  Wild fuchsias  Muckross House gardens  Muckross House  Views from Muckross House Walking along the tracks that form a part of the long distance walking trail the Kerry Way – beautiful farmlands and forests and into the Killarney National Park. Next along was Muckross Abbey. Founded in the 1448 as a Franciscan abbey but there are stories that it may have been originally founded in 1340 and re-founded in 1448It was often subjected to raids by marauding groups and persecuted by Protestant forces and then the Cromwellian forces who finally drove the Franciscans from it in 1652 murdering many of the monks. It is still used as a burial ground today. Then followed the trail further on to Muckross House on the shores of the Muckross Lake. It was originally built in 1843 for wealthy Englishmen. It ended up being sold to wealthy Californians. In 1932 it was presented as a gift to the Irish Nation and became the first National Park in the Irish Free State (now Republic of Ireland). Whilst these old estates are beautiful and impressive there is something disgusting and decadent about them as you think of how one family could own such huge gardens and estates and look out at such a view from their mansions – how could you live like that without somehow thinking yourself above others or exploiting others which of course history is full of. Nice that this ended being gifted to the Irish nation in the end.
The walk continued through Killarney National Park and the Reinadinna wood. An area preserving some of the native forests of Ireland including the largest stand of native Yew in Western Europe. The area also contains the native endangered red deer although unfortunately I didn’t see any of them. I only saw fallow deer. There are also introduced sika deer that they’ve had to keep out of the wood with fences as they eat the young regenerating trees.
I then kept walking for kilometres through forests. I stopped on a moss covered rock overlooking the lake to have my picnic lunch. This is how I like to travel. And after yesterday I realised it’s not just about being cheap – but by walking and doing my own thing I got to see animals like deer grazing, experience views, smell beautiful smells, hear birds, ‘bathe in the forest’, and my little picnic lunch sitting amongst that beautiful nature was far better than any restaurant.
 Walking through Killarney National Park and Reinadinna wood  Picnic lunch in the forest  Picnic lunch in the forest  Walking through Killarney National Park and Reinadinna wood  Walking through Killarney National Park and Reinadinna wood  Walking through Killarney National Park and Reinadinna wood  Grazing deer in Killarney National Park   The Kerry cow – a local breed only found here.  Cold and wet on the shores of a lake on the trail  The old boathouse on Lough Leane.  Muckross Lake  The meeting of the three waters  Killarney House  Killarney House gardens  Reinadinna wood  Grazing deer in Killarney National Park At the very end of the walk was a little cottage tea room at Dinis Cottage where I got myself a coffee and a scone – mainly because I wanted an excuse to sit somewhere warm and dry for a little bit before heading back. But it was lovely. I noticed this a few times on the trip but it really hit me in this cafe – in the past when travelling you’d sit at a table with travellers and in no time at all you’d be swapping tales and tips and maybe even hooking up to share a transport or whatever. Now, when you sit down people glare at you or ignore you and look down into their phones. I guess with all the info on your phone now no one needs to connect with other travellers. Everyone in the cafe was just sitting there looking at their phones. The world is certainly changing…
Just past the cottage was the Meeting of waters where the three lakes of Killarney all drain into each other. Then I headed back home. By the time I was nearing Killarney again I had already walked 31 km. Now my legs were starting to feel it. But once you start it’s hard to stop and you don’t want to miss out whilst you’re there. So I took some more turns to look at other things on the way back including Killarney House and gardens, another decadent monument to the divide between rich and poor. As I approached the hotel I was close to 33km ( my record for one day!) and my legs were starting to feel like my muscles were breaking down and I wouldn’t be able to walk any further. I limped into my hotel room and lowered myself into the bath to recover. I rested for a couple of hours, determined to get out again to make it a to a free concert at the old church of traditional Irish music. That was well worth it – the music was beautiful and the setting of the old church with stained glass windows was lovely. I thought about stopping in at a pub but decided against it as it was Saturday night and getting pretty rowdy and I was guessing it could get pretty rough as suddenly every pub had three security guards at the door. Besides my legs needed to rest!
**Categories:** Europe, Ireland, Travel
**Tags:** adventure, capsule wardrobe, hiking, ireland, pack light, travel, travel light, walking
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### [Wild Atlantic Ireland Pt 7](https://www.passingthrough.net/wild-atlantic-ireland-pt-7/)
**Published:** June 26, 2022
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Arrived in Killarney (Ireland) after two buses and a train. Had a walk around the quaint old town and bought a couple of gifts. The Claddagh is a traditional Irish symbol (hands clasping a heart with a crown) – – symbolising friendship, loyalty and love…. so bought something with that as an appropriate gift for my dear friend.
Grabbed a homemade Murphy’s icecream – picked Dingle ( a seaside town) sea salt and Irish brown bread flavours- not the most appetising sounding but hey when in Ireland… but it was some of the most delicious ice cream I’ve ever had.
Headed back to the hotel and took advantage of the hotel being the local gym and had a swim and a sauna. Was entertained by a group of teenage boys experiencing their first sauna and talking about it in their broad Irish accents. Was very entertaining, as it was for them, when they asked me to say ‘g’day mate’. The young man who was in there too then mentioned he’d worked in Australia and his favourite saying was ‘ chuck a Uey’ ( take a uturn).
Sadly those likeable lads got thrown out cos they were mucking around a bit. Thought it was sad as they were just having innocent fun and the young man said that the youth were getting into a lot of trouble on the streets. Interestingly the young boys all told me their families were from Czechoslovakia ( and the use of that term indicates the timing of when they came out). They all spoke Czech as well as a thick Irish accented English having been born here.
The introvert in me was tempted to go to bed but thought I should experience things whilst here so went for a walk around town to find that bollards had been put up and turned the street into a pleasant mall with buskers and people joining in the singing. Most of the MANY pubs here were playing traditional Irish music which is very nice. I popped into one for dinner and had a delicious Irish stew made with tender lamb and a pint of Guinness zero.
 Streets of Killarney  Killarney pub  Streets of Killarney becomes a mall at night.  Buskers attracting a crowd  St Mary’s Church of Ireland  Traditional Irish pub dinner of Irish lamb stew, brown bread, and a Guiness Zeto  Streets of Killarney at night  Ireland’s national sport The next day was my tour day. Something I’ve always avoided. But having been unable to hire a car and finding that public transport is very difficult here in short time frames I figured it’s what I had to do. There are two main tours that go from here. The famous Ring of Kerry which goes around one peninsula and the Dingle way which goes around the Dingle peninsula. Now having done the research for my planned road trip I knew there were lots of interesting sites, views and historical/archaeological sites on both routes. They seemed pretty famous so I mistakenly assumed that tours would stop at least a few of these. The first tour I was doing was the Ring of Kerry. I have a pretty negative view of bus tours I’ll admit. I know that they are the only option for a lot of people but they’re really not for me whilst I am still able bodied. But this was the situation I was in and I was determined to be open minded and positive about it. It wasn’t a good start that the weather was miserable and raining. But given that they’ve had a dry spell here and the farmers were keen for some rain I wasn’t going to complain about that. Our first stop was at a traditional Irish village reconstruction. It was pretty cute and had a little bit of information but it took about 10 minutes to look at it all. What they didn’t tell us beforehand and wasn’t in the tour information is that the entry fee was additional. And there were no other options at this half hour stop. Apart from of course going to the cafe where they encouraged you to spend a hideous amount of euros on vast trays of Irish coffees which had to be drunk standing up as there was not enough room to sit. What was interesting though was driving through the countryside and seeing the fields where bog peat or turf was still being cut out of the ground to be used for fuel. That was interesting as I had always thought that for environmental reasons that practice had been banned. We also heard that 300 year old butter had been found in a peat bog that was still edible. Apparently it is was a way of preserving and kept things very well preserved including the famous peat bog bodies that have been found well preserved after thousands of years.
Driving through the hills we saw the last flowering of rhododendrons which are beautiful and planted in many a garden in Australia. But unfortunately they have become a pest here causing problems for the native fauna. They were introduced when planted for QUeen Victoria’s visit to the area.
I also learnt that the Irish Kerry bog pony is a mountain and moorland breed of pony that originated in this area. It is a very small but sturdy breed that is native to the peat bogs of this County Kerry. It has a low weight- to height ratio and an unusual footfall pattern that helps it move on soft ground such as peat bogs. They nearly became extinct until someone started a breeding programs in the early 2000’s. They are also now as ‘hobbies’. It is closely related to the Shetland Pony and Icelandic horse. The Irish wolfhound was also at the village and I learned that there are accounts dating back to Roman times of these dogs in Ireland often owned by the Irish chieftains and warriors. They became coveted gifts to emperors and kinds. In 391 AD seven were gifted to Roman statesman Quintus Aurelius. They were well regarded as hunting dogs – hunting deer, elk, boar and wolves and used in battle and as guard dogs. The ones we saw at the village were huge and they’re meant to be the tallest dogs in the world. We also saw ruins of cottages from which people had been evicted or fled during the Irish famine of the 1840’s caused by potato blight that caused all the genetically similar potatoes crops to fail. A real lesson in not putting all your eggs in the same genetic basket. It was a cause of many deaths and also mass migration – many to Australia.
The next stop was at a sheepdog demonstration. Again we were told this was an additional cost and they only took cash. So if you hadn’t brought cash ( because there was no notice of this) then you would have missed out – on what was probably the best part of the trip. It was amazing to watch this old Irish shepherd command his dogs to round up the sheep. He had different sets of commands for the two dogs. So by simply using different words each dog knew when they had to do something. Then for when the dog was too far away to hear his voice he had whistle commands that they knew – each one meant something different like go left, go right, lay down etc. Amazing. Similar to what they do in Australia but it was still green with. He also showed us some of the different rare breeds of sheep including the native Galway sheep believed to a species from Viking times that is now protected.
Even with the horrible weather and a tour that just whizzed past things I was still able to see that it was a beautiful area. Unfortunately we didn’t stop at many of the nicer spots, nor did we stop at any of the historical sites. Strangely we stopped at a an isolated restaurant for lunch were there were not other options to eat or go and we were herded through a gift shop to get to the school cafeteria style lunch restaurant complete with trays and overpriced awful food. Then we had another half hour stop at a hillside cafe and gift shop. Thankfully I ditched that and walked up the road in the rain and around the corner to find some beautiful views that I got to see on my own. After that long stop at the gift shop we rushed past one of the famous viewpoints without stopping. By this point I was thinking ‘ screw these bus tours’ – and my views on them had been simply reinforced. Adding to the frustration I noted that despite the booking saying masks were to be worn on the buses – only two people wore masks, and the driver was coughing half the trip and the lady in front of me sounded like she was coughing up her lungs and was chewing on cold and flu tablets and telling her companion she felt unwell – of course she wasn’t wearing a mask – and this is in a pandemic where cases are rising again in the Uk. I couldn’t get off that bus fast enough. My dismay at the crappy itinerary made me double check the itinerary for the tour tomorrow – and guess what -no mention of any of the main sites in that area either. So I sent them an email on the bus cancelling the trip for tomorrow. And then searched and searched to find a tour that did the historical sites and found none except the private tours where you paid for the whole coach or car and booked it out for a group. So the tip for this area is to either hir a car and do a road trip, bring a group and organise your own private tours or use public transport but you’ll have to allow lots of time for all the connecting buses. The other warning is if you do drive a car take it easy – the roads are so narrow and big buses like the one we were on regularly have standoffs on the narrow bends and more than once we heard our driver mutter ‘Oh Dear God’ into his mike as a car got too close.
So a bit bummed that I’ll miss out on some of the ancient Celtic sites I was excited to see but never mind will make the most of what I can see.
We did get to whizz past some Ogham stones which would have been good to stop at. Ogham stones are stones on which short marks were made in groups of between one and five notches, strokes or diagonal lines, usually on the edge of the stone. Each group signifies a sound in Old Irish, and they are the oldest surviving written form of the language which is still spoken in this area. The letters/sounds which were carved are based on the Latin alphabet which we still use today. The inscriptions can signify a single name, or a phrase such as ‘X son of Y of the family of Z’, but sometimes a little more detail is added. The inscriptions can date from the end of the 4th up to the early 8th century AD. They were sometimes used as boundary markers or land claims or used at burial sites.
We also drove past the birthplace of Daniel O’Connell known in Ireland as the liberator. He was the political leader of Ireland’s Roman Catholic majority in the first half of the 19th century and he helped secure catholic emancipation in 1829 and was elected to the United Kingdom parliament.
 Solar powered power bank can charge whilst travelling in the bus  Castle ruins near Killarney  Beautiful gardens near Killarney  Traditional Irish village demonstration  Burning Bog peat  Traditional Irish village demonstration  Irish wolfhound  Many houses are in ruins from the time of the Irish potato Famine when many people were evicted or had to leave  Ancient bodies have been found well preserved in the peat bogs in this area  Traditional Irish village demonstration  Underneath a thatched roof  Traditional Irish village demonstration  Traditional Irish village demonstration  Pile of cut pieces of Bog peat or turf- used as fuel and still being ‘mined/harvested’ locally.  Replica of an old illegal drinking house  Cooking on a peat fire  Traditional Irish village demonstration  Traditional Irish village demonstration  Bog pony – native to Ireland  Bog peat or turf  I can’t believe I’m seeing this – didn’t we make these illegal in the eighties in Oz??  The Irish kids know to prep for the weather  Sheepdog demonstration  Sheepdog demonstration  Australian merino  The shepherd showing his rare sheep breeds  Rare sheep breeds  Jacobs sheep that go back to biblical times  Views on the Ring of Kerry  Cold water swimmers in the cold Atlantic on ring of Kerry  Views on ring of Kerry  Views on ring of Kerry  Ogham stones  Cold and wet at Waterville  Daniel O’Connell’s birthplace  Native irish Galway sheep  Views on ring of Kerry  View from Molls gap  Views on ring of Kerry  Foxglove  Sheep grazing on the Ring of Kerry
**Categories:** Europe, Ireland, Travel
**Tags:** adventure, forest, ireland, pack light, travel, travel light, wild Atlantic way
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### [Wild Atlantic Ireland Pt 9](https://www.passingthrough.net/wild-atlantic-ireland-pt-9/)
**Published:** June 28, 2022
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Had some very Irish experiences in my last 24 hours in Ireland. Attended a traditional music concert in an old church, had a tender Irish lamb dinner in a pub, watched some Gaelic football, and enjoyed a traditional Irish music jam session in a traditional Irish pub. I’d had a coffee at the pub earlier and was chatting to the nice bartender who told me there’d be a traditional music sesh on so to come back. That was very nice as he knew he wasn’t exactly going to make money out of me as it had come out that I couldn’t drink alcohol. When I came back for the music a few hours later he remembered me and asked if I wanted another coffee. People are very friendly here. He’s from Dublin and he was talking about how he’s from a ‘rough’ part of Dublin where he feels like the police have just given up and there’s a lot of crime and trouble so he was keen to get out. He’d worked in Australia too as many of the young Irish I spoke to had. Met some interesting people at the pub – a really lovely young girl living in Ireland with her Irish dad but from the Sunshine Coast, her friend – an Aussie guy on leave from the army who had done tours in Afghanistan at the same time as the American ex-army guy I also met who is now running a business leasing land to people to grow legal marijuana!! Funniest of all though was realising that one of the band jamming was the young fella I’d been chatting to at the gym – he recognised me at the same time I recognised him and we had a good chat. He seems like a nice young fella and he said if I ever came back ‘with yer man’ he’d show us around and help us out. I also offered for him to come visit the farm. I was talking to the lads about my awful bus tour only for them to realise that was the one they were booked on for the next day – hopefully their experience is much better! Well I’ve had a ‘grand’ time in ole Ireland but can’t wait to get back to see my ‘darlin’ man’ ( as they’d say here).
 Traditional Irish music concert at the local church  Traditional Irish music concert at the local church  A bit of the local language…  Enjoying a traditional Irish lamb lunch  Traditional Irish music – this guy was enjoying it even more than the audience  Traditional Irish music jam session- guy with the drum was the fella I met at the gym  OConnors traditional Irish pub  Met an Aussie and others at the pub. Young fellas in the background had been singing all the Irish tunes at top of their lungs.  Irish pub  More churches and castles on way to airport  Monument to the last wild native red deer that Killarney is known for. 
**Categories:** Europe, Ireland, Travel
**Tags:** adventure, capsule wardrobe, ireland, pack light, packing, remote doctors, travel, travel light, travel wardrobe, wild Atlantic way
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### [Wild Atlantic Ireland Pt 10- packlight- The End](https://www.passingthrough.net/wild-atlantic-ireland-pt-10-packlight-the-end/)
**Published:** July 6, 2022
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
So how did the carry on baggage only go?
Well firstly, as always, it makes travel so much easier in so many ways. Jumping on buses, getting bags up stairs, walking through streets to accommodation is all made so much easier with light minimal baggage. Not to mention the peace of mind knowing that a pandemic- ravaged, understaffed airline hasn’t lost your bags as seems to be happening so much at the moment.
Any regrets? Well usually when asked that people think you’ll regret not bringing more and that you found yourself without. Well my only regret was having brought too much! I found there were a few items I didn’t need to bring or didn’t use so I could have packed even lighter! Having said that it was helped by it being so cold so even when walking a lot I didn’t seem to sweat much so clothes could be worn over and over- some handwashing of smalls got me through too. The other tip is that merino is an amazing fabric, even when I did sweat or get a bit damp the wool kept me warm and dry whilst wicking the sweat away and not smelling at all. I had a merino tshirt, singlet and long sleeves which were my go-to. I’d brought too many tops and didn’t need a cardigan and a puffer/ fleece- one would have done.
Was able to do all kinds of activities with what I had in that little 10kg bag. Conference, hiking, biking, out for dinner, even swimmers for the pool.
So what did I buy over there?
I bought a cheap picnic knife just because I can’t take that in carry on. And a cheap container for picnic stuff.
I did go to the thrift store to buy a blanket for my car camping that didn’t happen so that ended up back with Oxfam. And whilst at the charity thrift shop I found myself a nice jumper to bring home and I bought a couple of small gifts and managed to fit all that in too.
But probably best of all, if I didn’t have carry on only I probably wouldn’t have made it home today. After several delays we got into Australia two hours late and saw people having to wait for their luggage and I was able to sail past them to transfer to domestic which meant I made the connecting flight which I wouldn’t have otherwise. I’m also pretty sure it helped me get waved through customs as they were much more interested in the people with trolleys piled high with bags.
So I’ll do it again, only next time I’ll pack even less!
     
**Categories:** Europe, Ireland, Travel, Travel gear & Packing light
**Tags:** adventure, capsule wardrobe, hiking, ireland, optimumwardrobe, pack light, packing, road trip, travel, travel light, wardrobe, wild Atlantic way
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### [Malawi Pt 1.](https://www.passingthrough.net/malawi-pt-1/)
**Published:** June 14, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
13/6
Flying to Malawi the scenery on the way looked like vast areas of Cape York where I work, in the dry season. But as we approached Malawi the landscape got greener and you could see that nearly every hut had a bit of garden. Some mountains appeared too and the scenery was beautiful.
The airport was pretty basic and we got through okay even if we did have to unexplainedly change visa lines a couple of times.
The car hire guys was waiting for us and that all went smoothly too and they were super friendly.
I’d used my credit card to book so had to be the primary driver. I’d put John down as the additional driver and paid for that. My plan was to get John to drive. I’m a confident driver at home but when it comes to overseas driving it’s always been Ron who’s done it for me and is so much better. I also knew John had much more experience with crazy traffic.
I did know though that most of the car hire companies now don’t like you driving if you’re over 75 & John is just a tad over. I noticed the look on their face when I said John might drive as if they weren’t going to hand over the keys – I quickly said I’d drive. So there I was driving out into Malawi as my first ever foreign driving experience.. and I have to say I did alright if I must say so myself. Managing to stop in the middle of the road being waved down by the car hire guys cos they’d left their keys in the car, and doing a ten point turn to get myself out of a dusty shanty ‘lane’ ( aka slum) that google maps had taken us down looking for the hotel. Poor Elsie was most worried that this back lane with chickens and pit latrines was where we might be staying- not helped by John’s comments to that effect.
We finally made it to our lovely guesthouse up on a hill, sans chickens and with real toilets.
John and I went out to look at the sunset whilst Elsie rested and wandered into what looked like a deserted mansion to get a better view. A groundsman came out but I don’t think he understood us so soon a little girl of about nine came out to chat with us in impeccable English. Her name was Zora and she was delightful. She proceeded to educate us on language, local foods, customs etc which seemed appropriate as she wants to be a teacher.
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14/6
Started the day with a beautiful breakfast then headed off to meet Memory who is a lovely nurse doing her PhD through John’s University. She had arranged the visit for us and we got a grand tour of the hospital and John got all the information and connections he was looking for. The hospital was basic but very well run and clean- it was very impressive. But it was still sad to see the limitations. It is the main referral hospital but has no intubation of children. If a child needs more than CPAP then they have to be let go.
Infants born at under 28 weeks are not able to be cared for. And still way too many kids dying of malaria but they are doing some amazing research there and we got to meet the head research paediatrician from Glasgow.
Memory had organised a lovely tea and snacks for us which was very nice.
We then had the afternoon free so we headed off to Mulanje which is the highest mountain in Central Africa- it is part of a beautiful mountain range and is a giant granite massif – beautiful and impressive. We drove through villages and bright green tea fields so it was a beautiful drive.
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15/6
Today we headed off on our drive to Mangochi where our friends are staying. We drove through villages and between two mountain ranges and the Jomba reserve. Past villages where gorgeous African children played and pumped water and women wrapped in brightly coloured cloth carried big loads on their heads and babies on their backs. Men rode past on bicycles loaded with 2-3 m lengths of purple sugar cane that seem to be sold everywhere on the side of the road as a snack.
Everywhere we stopped people were friendly kind and honest. We hear that corruption is deep and endemic in Malawi yet not once in this limited experience have we felt anyone trying to ‘rip us off’.
There were fields everywhere of corn, pigeon peas, cassava, sweet potatoes, bananas and pawpaws.
We saw more of those beautiful granite mountains.
To our right we went along Lake Malombe with swampy shores dotted with villages.
We arrived in Mangochi and just as we got the down my internet (in my esim)died and I no longer had a map and couldn’t call our friends. Not sure what to do it came back briefly long enough to find our way to the gate and then promptly died again. No one could hear me calling at the gate. So back into town and found a SIM card booth that spoke English and got set up with a local sim that was both cheap and easy & we found our way to our friends.
They are a young couple who have moved to Malawi to help some long term missionaries who are working with the Yawo people. They are an oppressed Muslim minority here with the history being that when the Arab space traders came here they sided with them and helped kidnap slaves- so when slavery was abolished the oppressors became the oppressed. It is very hard for them to get jobs, education etc. These guys have lots of projects with them here but our friends are here to help them setup a social enterprise cafe that the Yawo will eventually run as their own community enterprise that helps fund other projects. Ironically they expect most of their clientele and income will come from the wealthy NGO’s and Aid workers here. It was great to be able to bring a bunch of equipment they needed in our luggage.
Meg and Will have a lovely sprawling old house under the shade of a massive banyan tree which is lovely. They settled us in and then we went for a drive up the mountain to watch the sun set over Lake Malawi and also saw a troupe of baboons walking past our car. A couple had babies on them and one looked like it was going to jump in the window so I had my finger on the button!
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-  One of many typical markets- lots of tomatoes being sold
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-  Carrying loads of sugar cane by bike
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-  Tea at the lake but didn’t see the hippos
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-  Beautiful baobab trees
-  Most people here get around by walking so always people walking down the road.
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-  Fish offered for sale
-  Sugar cane being sold for snacks on the side of the road.
-  Sunset looking over lake Malawi
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-  Baboons on the mountain road
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**Categories:** Malawi 2023
**Tags:** adventure, africa, humanitarian, malawi, medical mission, poverty, remote doctors, road trip, travel, travel light
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### [Malawi Pt 2](https://www.passingthrough.net/malawi-pt-2/)
**Published:** June 17, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
16/6
This morning we had planned to visit a mission hospital in Koche – a visit arranged with the Christian Hospital Association of Malawi. But the sister in charge was off and not answering her phone. The guy from CHAM suggested we just turn up so we did. Sister Rosemary who was an Indian nun who had been in Malawi for 35 years gave us a wonderful tour of their very impressive hospital. It was well equipped thanks to generous donors from Spain. However it was still sad to see that if a child needed cpap then likely it was going to die as there was none available. John explained about our fish tank pump cpap we’d come up with back in Bangladesh and which John had since introduced in a Madagascar hospital. He promised to get some of these to them. Meg and Will came with us which was fantastic and we headed up to Lake Malawi National Park. Elsie and John wanted to see the old missionary graves of missionaries that had come there in the 1800’s and died there. They remembered the graves from many decades ago as small wooden crosses by the lake but it seems they have since made a memorial for them out of the flood zone. As we walked up to the site we saw a couple of big baboons gallop across a soccer field.
When we’d been looking initially we mistakenly went through the National park gate not realising there was a fee( no sign of course!). The guard chased after us on his push bike to tell us and then proceeded to make up a fee- we explained we’d made a mistake and needed to go back and wouldn’t pay so he kept asking “ok how much do you want to pay?” Not your usual National park entry procedure.
We then headed to a lakeside lodge for lunch with Meg and Will and I had some of the famous Lake Malawi fish which was delicious. We then had a swim in the beautiful crystal clear water. We relaxed by the lake and watched the fishermen start heading out and the sun set before heading home- it was magic.
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17/6
Today was an exciting day for our hosts as they were running their second pop up cafe after several practice runs. This was the social enterprise that trained young people from the villages in how to work in and run a cafe and the funds generated would fund the community development and ministry work.
The plan had been to run it from a beautiful riverside location where they also ran an early childhood centre and daycare but Cyclone Freddy that hit Malawi some months ago had flooded it and the river still hadn’t gone down so the cafe was under water. Not deterred, they had continued the training and doing practice pop- ups and were now running it out of their house compound under a beautiful big fig tree. The childhood centre was running in an outside yard. We had visited it yesterday and seen the amazing work they were doing with the kids. 4 year olds doing site words and reading and two year olds learning to count!
Anyway we helped a little with the cafe set up and then I took some nice pictures that they could use for promotions. Then we sat back and enjoyed being customers to support the cafe and provide feedback. The team did a fantastic job and were very professional. It could have been a cafe anywhere and the coffee and snacks were fantastic. The idea is to appeal to the cashed up expat community and NGO workers who are apparently the richest people in town. Sadly, workers from a very prominent NGO that I won’t name – when asked to come along to the cafe for free coffee as a promotional foray- asked to be paid to come and drink the coffee! Needless to say they didn’t get their coffee.
What makes the whole thing more amazing is that these guys and girls were waiting on tables, making barista coffee and serving cakes having mostly come from villages where they’d never had a house with power or running water and had never seen a fridge or a coffee! They were taken to the town as part of their training to go to a cafe and the video of them getting in an elevator for the first time is so precious and just a little funny. They took photos of themselves with an office chair because they said it cost more than their house!They did such a fantastic job and Meg and Will have done a great job training them. It is a great initiative and John made a commitment to fund the repairs of the cafe which hopefully helps them along.
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As the cafe wound down Meg took me to the local market and shopping for chitenge which is the local colourful printed cloths they wrap like a sarong and carry babies in. I’m going to make a shirt for the boys out of a nice bright piece.
Everyone was friendly and prices reasonable and no sense that they were trying to rip us off. Meg introduced me to her ‘fruit and veg stall lady’ at the market. When I asked her for a photo with Meg she spent the next five minutes preening, adjusting her hair, wiping her face etc then took off her apron and struck a pose. Women here take great pride in their appearance and really are beautiful and glamorous amongst all the dust.
Meg then wanted to drive me out briefly to Tim and Mel’s lake house where a lot of the missionary ladies from around the area were having a retreat.
On the way we were stopped at one of the many police road blocks. Mostly they seemed very disinterested in foreigners ( known here as azungus) and just waved us through. At the most they’d ask for our licence and then wish us a good trip. Today they just wanted a licence check but one small problem – Meg wasn’t carrying her licence! Meg smiled sweetly and explained she had one but not on her, even asked if she could show it at a police station tomorrow but no go. He kept saying “ as of now” you cannot drive, “as of now” she must drive, “as of now” you will pay a fine- blah blah. I was waiting for the request of a ‘gift’ of USD but was pleasantly surprised to see he was offering a receipt and the teller gave the same price to Meg as the policeman had. I had pulled my licence out hoping all us white ladies looked the same to them but I’m guessing the fact that it came out of my purse was a giveaway…
So I guess I was driving!
We did wonder what might have happened if I didn’t have my licence on me!? And lucky I had some currency on me!
When Meg was paying the fine the other policeman then proceeded to give me a dressing down as to how I could let my friend drive without a licence!? And got a big lecture on what a lesson I would have learned now.
As we arrived the ladies were just heading out to walk up the nearby hill. They have a ritual where you pick up a rock and carry it up the mountain and place it on the pile as a symbol of something in your life you are going to hand over to God and leave there.
The view from the top was incredible, across villages and Lake Malawi on one side and vast plains of towering Baoboab trees on the other.
It was so peaceful and beautiful and we watched one of the most magic sunsets I’ve ever seen.
It was great to meet those ladies even if only briefly. They had come from all over the world to work and serve in Malawi in all different spheres- rangers, teachers, development workers, baristas and nurses- there was even a nurse from Mozambique who had come across the border.
I was able to talk to the nurse and provide some up to date advice based on our research visit on how to manage the severe cerebral malaria she was seeing. Most of these ladies had been there for many years and even raised families there.
The walk to and from the mountain was great – it was through a little village and these gorgeous kids followed us around looking in wonder. I think the ladies were a bit bamboozled as I, a new visitor, picked out various herbs and veges growing in the bush as we walked along, that they didn’t know and explained their nutrition and uses. I had to explain that I live in the tropics too and grow a lot of those things myself back home and in Kowanyama.
When we got back we saw that Elsie and John weren’t up to going out so Meg and Will took me out to a little local place where we tried the National staple sisema which is a very fine maize flour pounded and pounded into a sticky paste like a thick mashed potato. It was served with veges and tiny fish in tomatoes. It was delicious and a great little atmosphere.
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18/6
Had our last Brekky with Meg and Will and said Happy Birthday to Elsie who was having her 84th birthday today. It was a sad goodbye as we’d had such a special time with this lovely couple and all the others. It would have been great to stay longer. Hit the road then to make sure we had time to drive back to Blantyre to catch our plane. After a few hours I was getting good at this Malawi driving, dodging people walking with loads on their heads and bicycles pushing loads of charcoal and sugar cane up hills, zigzagging between pot holes. But it wasn’t really that bad and I’d recommend driving in Malawi. I was still keen to give John the last little bit in the bigger city as it was closer to the crazy Sydney driving that he had more experience with and then I could navigate. We made it with time to grab some lunch, fuel up and hand in our rental car and check in. That experience wasn’t so smooth and we ended up waiting hours in the airport first for checkin then for the connecting plane to arrive, then for the power to come back on… but we got there in the end.
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**Categories:** Malawi 2023
**Tags:** adventure, malawi, medical mission, remote doctors, remote work, road trip, travel, travel light
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### [Endless fields](https://www.passingthrough.net/endless-fields/)
**Published:** August 17, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
8 August
On the road to Saskatchewan. Endless hours of canola and wheat fields dotted with the occasional oil well. It felt a lot like outback Australia. It was dry, hot, bushfire smoke filled the air and we drove for hours without seeing a soul.
Endless roads and fields
One of many historic looking barns
Solar powered oil wells in the fields
At one point google maps sent us down a ‘main highway’ which was nothing but a gravel road. We started watching our fuel and water and whilst we were fine we thought it better to be safe. So noting the next town was Dorothy thought we’d pull in there for fuel and a drink.
Well this was poor old Dorothy – almost a ghost town…. This is the Dorothy BnB so lucky we weren’t counting on Dorothy for accommodation too!
Dorothy BnB
Dorothy ‘town’
A couple of bikies in the ‘park’ gave us tips on the nearest place to get fuel as they’d come from the other direction. Poor Ron, not having seen the fellow travellers and thinking we were all alone ( which they must have thought too) waltzed into the toilet to be confronted by a bikie with his pants down. His companions were under the tree laughing “We were saying, well Jack is about to have company… hahaha.” Neither Jack nor Ron thought it was that funny..(-:
One could see the effects of ‘big farm’ taking over little family farms with the occasional ‘ghost town’ of an old wooden farm. Some were still being used and were a mix of hundred year old barns and modern silos.
On a couple of occasions we saw these beautiful deer in the fields.
Pronghorn antelope in the fields
Pronghorn antelope
As Dorothy had proven there wasn’t much in the way of places to stay along the way so we put in a marathon effort to drive all the way to Waskesiu Lake ( well Ron did) for a rest.
**Categories:** Canada/America, Canadian Road (Study) Trip 2018, Travel
**Tags:** adventure, Canada, Canadian roadtrip, remote doctors, remote work, road trip, travel
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### [Northern Saskatchewan forests & tipis Pt 2](https://www.passingthrough.net/northern-saskatchewan-forests-tipis-pt-2/)
**Published:** August 26, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
11 August
Today we were meeting one of the longest standing northern doctors and his wife. He has raised two sons here – both have come back to work here as doctors with their doctor wives.
He had invited us to attend an annual cultural camp run by the Stanley River mission Cree (woodland Cree are a First Nations people) community.
This cultural camp was focused on traditional healing and there were tipis setup with different traditional healers in them. Sweat lodges were being run by about three lodge keepers.
Tipis at the Cree cultural camp
First nation sweat lodge
I’d heard of sweat lodges and didn’t know much about them. To be honest I pretty much thought they were just saunas with some Indigenous herbs. But it is very ceremonial and involves offering and prayers to ancestors and several rounds of sauna or ‘sweating’ and sharing of feelings and prayers. We were offered to sweat and the Dr was going to be we politely declined for several reasons. I did sit with the dr’s wife outside though to watch and learn about what goes on. It was interesting.
The camp also involves lots of food. They had caught lots of local fish including a beautiful fish called Walleye, some was fried for lunch and some was filleted and hung over birch branches in a tipi smokehouse to smoke. I was only able to take photos of some things as some people were ok with photos and others weren’t and I always ask.
They also were cutting up several moose. Some was being smoked in a tipi smokehouse, some was made into soup and stew. Some of the dried moose jerky was then put into ‘bags’ made of cut off jeans and pounded with a hammer until it turned into a floss called pamekin. It takes quite a bit of pounding. 
Pamekin pounding ( pounding dried moose)We chatted for quite a while with the guys doing it. The older guy Adam had the greatest sense of humour. He is a woodland Cree elder. Ron ended up talking with them about all kinds of things including the issues facing young people now. Adam was telling us that he actually likes being called Indian ( a lot of First Nations people don’t like that term now). He said Indigenous is the term academics use but he thinks the name came because Indians are genius! Hilarious! He was so funny- great to talk with him.
When I was at the sweat Ron ended up pounding pamekin with the fellas. When I came back Adam said Ron had earned his certificate in pamekin pounding which was in fact ‘anger management’. With this he demonstrated a few good blows with the back of the tomahawk. But then he added I don’t think Ron needs anger management – I don’t think he ever gets angry- very perceptive.
One thing that was sad and maybe I just perceived this more as a doctor who works with similarly traumatised people… was what a high proportion of people looked like they had a sad tale to tell, young people with limps, major scars, burns etc. I was told of how some of the injuries were from attempts at suicide. Very sad.
We did get a very positive story from this great guy here and he gave me permission to share it so I’ll put it up as a separate blog post so keep an eye out for it.
Darcy ( spiritual name ‘wolverine’)
The other thing we got to try was raw marrow from inside the bones of the moose that is a delicacy mixed with a pinch of the pamekin.
Raw marrow with pamekin ( dried moose meat pounded)
Back in the day, Cree used to make what I called the first energy barn from pamekin made from moose or bison , mixed with fat and dried berries and made into a bar or slice for travel. The early fur traders used to buy it from the Cree too.
Kids having fun at the cultural camp
It was a very interesting experience and we felt very fortunate to have been able to go and share in this gathering and meet some of the woodland Cree people. They were very lovely and friendly and welcoming and we enjoyed talking to them.
One thing made me sad though was that there seemed to be an unusually high proportion of people damaged in some way. So many sad stories , people with major injuries and some of them self inflicted through suicide attempts. I couldn’t help thinking they were searching for something they weren’t finding. Turned out this camp was focused just on traditional healing and old Indian spiritual practices. Someone said the majority of the community who are at least nominally Christian didn’t agree with this camp and they hold another cultural camp which sounds good with lots of feasting, dancing and cultural activities.
Stanley mission community was first inhabited by Woodland Cree First Nations people. Then when fur traders came it became one of the first fur trading posts and was actually settled way before anywhere in the south. This church was built there in the 1800’s and is now the oldest building in Saskatchewan.
Stanley mission church
We had a bite to eat in the community with the dr and his wife. Great to see the locals running a great little business.
Everyone has been telling us the best place to see bears is in northern dumps. In bigger centres they’ve cottoned on to transfer stations to solve the issue of problem bears. So we finally got to test the theory when the Dr took us to the Stanley mission dump. Sue enough there were two big black bears. The biggest one took off into the forest but this one actually moved towards us and then stood there looking at us before continuing to eat rubbish.
Black bear at Stanley mission dump
Back at the dr’s house his wife offered us wild Blueberries for desert which were delicious and sweet and tiny. 
Wild blueberries12 aug
Nut point trail is a lovely hiking trail near La Ronge that goes for 30km one way along a rocky ridge on the pre-cambrian shield through beautiful forest. We only did a short section of it but it was beautiful with different types of forest, rocky outcrops and lots of patches of wild blueberries. 
Picking wild blueberries on Nut Point trail
Picking wild blueberries on Nut Point trailPicking wild blueberries on Nut Point trail
Nut point trail on the Trail spurNut point trail –on the pre-cambrian shield
One side trail – the trail spur, led to a high point where you could look out over the forest and the remnants of a tipi that someone had made. Ron hadn’t eaten breakfast so he picked blueberries for brekky answer picked enough to take with us.
The Dr and his wife kindly offered to take us down the river on his pontoon boat and invited several other drs so I could interview them on a nice relaxed boat trip!
Pontoon boat on Lac La Ronge
La Ronge docs with family
La Ronge docs with family
Dr James and Trudy and docs and their families
Pontoon boat on Lac La Ronge- Ron and Dr13 August
This morning I had some Video hookups with other drs in other areas before heading to La Ronge clinic to interview some more of the La Ronge doctors. Some more wonderful information (and more to write up! Argh!)
I was given a tour of the Homeless shelter as we took the rest of the lunch from the meeting over there. The lady running it is amazing and so dedicated. The people attending there are pretty damaged and mostly seem to be in the grip of alcohol and drugs with IV drug use a bit problem. Which means many of them also have HIV and Hep C. The health service does clinics over there too.
Homeless shelter garden of hope
We’d been told that Robertson’s trading post was a must see. Interesting place- is a general store that has a bit of everything. Butchered and smoked meats, groceries, Indian beaded souvenirs, fishing and hunting gear and lots of furs and hides. Yes that’s right. It is a fur trading post- like back in the day with Hudson’s bay company that helped settle this country and traded with Indians. The father of the current owner worked for the Hudson’s bay Company until he went independent and set up this fur trading post 50 years ago. Locals still bring him furs to sell and you can buy furs of all kinds of animals that you would think would be protected? Canada is funny like that….
First at the Robertsons fur trading post
Furs, stuffed animals and Indian artefacts at Robertson trading post- note the tags on the furs
Furs, stuffed animals and Indian artefacts at Robertson trading postFurs, stuffed animals and Indian artefacts at Robertson trading post
They also have an amazing collection of Indian arts, crafts and artefacts. Some are for sale and many are not.
Whilst we were there we saw local First Nations bringing in wild blueberries that he was buying off them. He picked up on my accent and once he knew my background he really let go with his views on what was happening in this area. Because of his fathers trade he had grown up with First Nations in very remote areas and had gone to residential school with them. He seemed very saddened by how things were going these days – in fact he referred to it as a disaster. He said if it was up to him he’d raise ‘all hell’ by cutting welfare and doubling tax on alcohol. His view was that education was the way out for most.
Very interesting to hear his take on it.
He offered me a piece of rat root that he sells which is a traditional Indian medicine used for just about everything. A cree lady came in to sell him something and he got her to tell me all the things she uses it for.
If you’re not used to it you can make a tea out of it but locals often put a piece of it inside their lip and suck on it but he warned me it’s strong. Being a hardhead I went straight for for the latter but sooner regretted it! Ugghhh!
Me adjusting to rat root medicine
Indian art made by biting patterns into folded birch bark
The visitor centre was also a nice little stop on the way out and the map they have of the amazing wilderness canoe paddles you can do here made we wish we were coming here for a canoe adventure!
Next doctors meeting is in Ile a la Crosse. Turns out that the ‘highway’ on Google maps is a gravel road. We’ve been assured that it’s a good road but nonetheless with a hire car we want to take it easy so we’ve decided to poke along and camp in the forest halfway.
Driving through here is a great experience- true northern wilderness with just the very occasional First Nations community and you’d also spot some First Nations people picking mushrooms or berries in the forest. Either for personal use or to sell with their being a big market for some of the more exotic mushrooms.
Mushroom and berry pickers parked by the forest
As the sun was setting we saw a wolf cross the road ahead of us. It was too fleeting to take a photo but exciting to see and another wildlife spotting to add to our list. We pulled into a small track off into the forest to sleep and found ourselves surrounded by blueberries so I filled up the jar again and picked them until the crazy mozzies drove us into the car.
Yup! More berries!
Did I mention I like berries
Wilderness between Ile a La Crosse and La Ronge
Wilderness between Ile a La Crosse and La Ronge
14 August
Was able to have blueberries galore for breakfast. Love this wild foraging thing. What I don’t love is the stinking black flies- haven’t seen them since Kuujjaaq and they’re supposed to be gone now but a couple snuck in between the giant mozzies and gave us a couple of nasty bites again.
Wild blueberry breakfast
Berries galore!
Ile-a-lacrosse is a Metis’ First Nation community named by the French fur traders for the ‘Indians’ they saw playing la Crosse on an island.
Ile a la crosse
Ile a la Crosse health centre- love that it is also the centre for the daycare, school – everything!
Black bear
Black bear
You know what they say about bears
As we drove in we saw another big black bear on the side of the road eating flowers – he went into the forest to lie down and then took off into the bush.
Had another great interview with some longstanding doctors there that was super helpful and got some more contacts for my survey.
Ile a la Crosse doc
**Categories:** Canada/America, Canadian Road (Study) Trip 2018, Travel
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### [Beavers and Barns](https://www.passingthrough.net/beavers-and-barns/)
**Published:** August 29, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
15 August
Leaving the north now and kind of sad knowing we’re leaving the wilder parts of this country. Has been beautiful and amazing. I know life can be tough up here but I also see why so many of the doctors I’ve interviewed for this report love it so much and are drawn to it- just like I am to the remote community I’ve been working in.
As we drove back across two states we drove past lots of old barns and farms and fields of wheat like before but much greener in this area than the route we took heading out here.
Old barns of rural Canada
Old barns of rural Canada
Old barns of rural Canada
Old barns of rural Canada
As we got closer to Alberta the smoke got worse and worse til we could hardly see down the end of the road. The radio said that BC had declared a state of emergency with over 550 fires burning across the state.
Smoke filled air on an Alberta road
Welcome to smoky Alberta
Elk Island National Park was our destination tonight. It is Canada’s largest enclosed National Park. They keep it enclosed for several reasons – firstly it’s a little too close to populated areas and I suspect that in Canada if you don’t fence them in its not only roads that threaten them but trigger happy hunters too?
Secondly they are a sanctuary for two types of bison: plains bison and woods bison that they are trying to conserve and want to keep separate so they don’t interbreed.
Back in pre-settlement times millions of these beasts roamed North America. First nations people made good use of them using pretty much every part of their bodies. They were an important part of their existence. When settlers started coming in to farm they wanted to get rid of the bison so they could graze cattle ( bison are too hard to tame and farm commercially). The other disturbing rumour is that the government also wanted them all slaughtered to ensure the extinction of the First Nations who relied on them. Disgusting if that’s true. One legend of a guy managed to persuade the government to allow him to keep a herd at Elk Island park and so a species was saved from extinction and has been bred back up and released back into the wild in places.
We were hoping to see bison at this park on the way through back to Calgary.
Heading to our campsite we pulled into Beaver pond as it was late afternoon. We figured we could do a reconnaissance and if it looked promising we’d come back later.
Not far into the track there were terraces of beaver dams so we figured we’d have a bit of a look. Didn’t take long to spot a baby beaver swimming around! Was very exciting! Our long search for the beaver was finally over!
Dams built by beavers
Beaver activity!
Dams built by beaversTrees felled by beavers
Finally a baby beaver!!
Ducks trying to hide?After waiting a while we didn’t see anything else so thought we’d do the rest of the hike quickly. Most of it quickly moves away from the water so whilst it was good to stretch our legs it wasn’t much use for sighting beavers.
Birdlife at Beaver pond
Wild wasp nest at Beaver pond
Bumblebees on fireweed
Beaver teeth marks on birch
As we headed back and came closer to the ponds we heard an almighty splash! It sounded like something fairly big had jumped into the water and all we could see were ripples. IT was followed shortly by another two similar sounds. Was we rounded the corner back to near the beginning of the trail we saw a beaver slap it’s tail making the same noise and disappearing. The sound we’d heard was the sound beavers make by slapping their tail as a warning signal of danger.
Coming back to the beaver dams it was getting much later and it was now a hive of beaver activity. We ended up sitting and watching for ages as beavers of all sizes swam around, moved from dam to dam, climbed over dams, went up banks and cut down trees, chewed on trees, and crawled under the little bridge we were sitting on after warily checking us out. It was amazing! Like sitting in the middle of a David Attenborough doco on beavers!
Beaver
Beaver
Muskrat
Papa Beaver
Mama Beaver
Mama Beaver
The baby beaver swimming right up to Ron
Beaver dam
Muskrats were also swimming around and sitting on the banks.
Muskrat
Eventually we left after being eaten alive by mozzies – we hadn’t planned to stay so late so weren’t prepared for dusk bugsville and I was determined to film the little blighters even when the mozzies were biting my face off.
We drove on and then realised we’d stayed out so late we may as well keep going with our dusk wildlife spotting. Further down we saw a herd of woods bison. Very imposing creatures and impressive even in a small group so can only wonder what it would have been like to see the millions roaming North America when Indians roamed the lands.
Woods bison
Woods bison
Woods bison
Woods bison
Just when we thought it couldn’t get any better Ron spotted a gorgeous Coyote sitting up on a crest, looking around as if surveying his kingdom.
Then driving to our campsite we saw. Bison coming down the road toward us. What a crazy place!
Woods bison on road
16 aug
After another lovely night of car camping in the forest and a little campfire we headed out and saw another Bison sitting in the fields. We also saw the plains bison on the other side of the park.
Plains bison on park boundary
We were talking about our beaver experience last night and Ron came to the conclusion that maybe beavers are actually filthy little animals and not so cute. Because they build dams that make the water stagnate and then poop their Giardia laden poop in the water they lived in. Eww..
On the way back to Calgary to drop off our hire car we dropped into the Ukrainian heritage village. This is a reconstructed village that recounts the settlement of large swathes of Canada back in the 18-1900’s by Western Ukrainians. This had a huge impact on the history of Canada as the tough Ukrainians opened up most of the country that became farming land. I was particularly interested because of my own Ukrainian heritage. This history still is evident today in Canada with Borscht and Pierogi as likely to be on the menu as ribs and fries. Many people’s names are Ukrainian and there are still Ukrainian accents in the farmers markets.
Replica Ukrainian settler garage
Replica Ukrainian settler sod house
Replica Ukrainian settler sod house
Vintage grain silo
Replica Ukrainian settler sod houseOriginal Ukrainian settler farm house has lasted over 100 years
Original Ukrainian settler farm house has lasted over 100 yearsActor playing the part of a Ukrainian farmers wife in 1900’s
Original Ukrainian settler farm house has lasted over 100 years
Original Ukrainian settler farm house has lasted over 100 yearsOriginal Ukrainian settler farm house has lasted over 100 years
Original Ukrainian settler farm house has lasted over 100 years
Ukrainian settlers Orthodox Church from 1900’s
Ukrainian settlers school house with actors
Original Ukrainian settler farm house has lasted over 100 years
Mostly it was Western Ukrainians under the Austro-Hungarian empire who had suffered under serfdom and now extreme poverty and loss of land. The offer of going to Canada where they could receive 160 acres of free land was obviously tempting and millions took it up. In some cases entire villages moved to Canada to start afresh. The only catch was that they had to clear minimum amounts of the gnarly forests each year which most of them had to by hand. Every member of the family including kids had to take part . Acres and acres of forest had to be cleared each year by hand. They were given no tools or animals and couldn’t even get a horse to pull a plough until they had earned some money to get one. They were tough times and in the first winters they faced starvation and had to deal with bears and fires and all sorts of challenges. They were the most successful in settling the land though and became the most permanent immigrants because of their culture to work together and help each other – lending each other equipment as it became available and helping their neighbours. They were also much more self-sufficient than other settlers ( maybe that’s where I get it from!) and were able to settle extremely remote areas with no access to towns because they could do and make everything themselves.
**Categories:** Canada/America, Canadian Road (Study) Trip 2018, Travel
**Tags:** adventure, Canada, Canadian roadtrip, road trip, travel, wildlife
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### [Zanzibar / Tanzania Pt 1](https://www.passingthrough.net/zanzibar-tanzania-pt-1/)
**Published:** July 1, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
18/6
Dar es salaam was a bit of a surprise looking like a massive shiny clean metropolis as we flew in. Our hotel was in an older part of town that had more character and reminded us all more of the Singapore of old with all the street hawkers.
The hotel itself – Urban Rose apartments – was lovely and the staff even lovelier.
They upgraded us so we had a lovely big comfortable room to sleep in before catching the ferry.
19/6 -20/6
Today we caught the ferry from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar. As the driver got closer to the ferry he was started being chased by tens of porters tapping on the windows. They of course all wanted to help in the hope of a hefty tip.
It took quite a bit of effort to fend them off. A very official looking guy ended up helping me with the ticket at the office despite my protestations that I was okay. Another guy kind of followed him but didn’t really do anything. Then at the end he announces that I can “give him something now; like maybe $20 usd” for them to share! Equivalent of about two days average Tanzanian wage for both of them! I could honestly say I only had 2 usd on me as I was going to go to the atm on the island.
They turned their noses up at it so I said well if that offends you I’ll give nothing and walked away. He then followed me and said “ok five each is enough”. I reiterated that I only had two so suddenly that was okay.
Sailing out of Dar Es Salaam there were some stark contrasts with sailing dhows and bustling riverside markets and fishermen that would not look out of place in the 19th century against a backdrop of very modern high rises.
-  Fishermen near Dar es salaam
-  Sailing out of Dar Es salaam
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The ferry was interesting with some of the passengers being men in traditional Masaai tribal wear. We also went past small hand hewn timber outrigger canoes being used by fishermen out in very open waters.
We were met by the car hire guy who took us down the street to where our car was parked. It was a bit of a bomb but I got in, then was shocked when he told us it was empty of petrol and we’d have to go and get petrol straight away. I’d never heard of such a thing and it was so empty I’m sure they siphon it before handing it over. What a pain too because I’d planned to get some money later and he said the service stations only take cash. Of course it’s a scam because no one can ever risk bringing it back bone dry like it’s given to them. So I drove about five metres and it made an awful sound- he tapped on the window and told me it was the 4wd and that I was not to use it as it wasn’t working- well that’s interesting given I’d hired a 4wd!!
Anyway it did the job for next couple of days as we explored the island. John and I explored the old town on foot after Elsie had to go back early because her knee was giving her grief.
We walked past David Livingstone’s old house ( under renovation so couldn’t go in). This was of particular interest as John had in recent years found out that Livingstone was like a great great uncle of his!
Zanzibar is very touristy so lots of touts but generally a smile and a firm ‘no thanks’ moved them on.
We explored much of the sober history of the island as one of the main ports for the East African slave trade that Livingstone helped abolish.
We saw the church built in the memorial site of the old slave market, and the fascinating museum full of history on the slave trade. We then made our way to the Slave chambers on the coast where slaves were chained and hidden awaiting transportation onto boats.
-  Old slave market site memorial
-  Slaves freed by British navy
-  Slave trade museum photo
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-  Cathedral in Zanzibar
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-  Slave chambers near coast
-  Slave chambers
-  Inside slave chambers
-  Holes in slave chambers were posts were placed to chain slaves to
-  Slave chambers
-  Slave chambers
-  Coast where ships would come to load slaves
-  Coast where ships would come to load slaves
-  Poles that’s slaves were chained to
-  At the slave chambers
We suspect not many people make their own way there without a tour as it was very poorly signed and could have been easily missed but it was well worth going to see even if it was awful to think of those poor souls being treated like that and sold as chattels.
We enjoyed some time at the hotel which was an old 19th century sultans palace still full of original antiques and facing the beautiful blue water with lots of traditional fishing boats bobbing around and sailing dhows cruising past the sunset.
-  View fromHotel in Zanzibar
-  Zanzibar beach
-  Zanzibar fishing boats
-  Sailing dhow Zanzibar
-  Fishing boat Zanzibar
-  Local kids jumping off jetty
-  Sunset Zanzibar
-  One of the many famous ornate doors from hundreds of years ago in Zanzibar
-  One of the many famous ornate doors from hundreds of years ago in Zanzibar
-  One of the many famous ornate doors from hundreds of years ago in Zanzibar
-  Old town Zanzibar
-  Old town Zanzibar
-  One of the many famous ornate doors from hundreds of years ago in Zanzibar
-  David Livingstone’s house in background
21/6
After a lovely couple of days we were brought back to reality. Jumped in the hire car at 5 am to go to the airport and it didn’t start!
Thankfully we’d left earlier than we needed to and the hotel reception helped rouse our hire company to come and give us a lift.
Then there was a long wait at the airport to checkin, the flight was delayed and then just to top it off they took us to the wrong airport. I’d booked a hire car to be waiting for us at Arusha airport but instead they took us to the Kilimanjaro airport an hour away. The frustrating thing was that I had been suss and looked at tags they put on our bags and asked very clearly at least three times if we were going to Arusha and not Kilimanjaro and three times they lied to me and said no problem it also went to Arusha.
Turned out two other guys going to the same conference as us had the same thing happen. We concluded that there hadn’t been enough bookings on our flight so they just cancelled it and chucked us on this one. Now would have been no biggie except John was speaking at the conference this morning and we had to get him there on time!
I had to push and push to get the airline to acknowledge their mistake and get us on a bus to Arusha. It was the staff bus that they assured us was about to leave. So we all jumped on and then waited another 40 minutes for some staff to get on.
We then dropped John off at the conference so he could make it to his talk and asked them to take us to the car hire place . It was me and an elderly lady and all our bags which is why I couldn’t believe it when they tried to dump us in a street about 15 mins drive from the car hire place. I put my foot down and they ended up taking us there.
Then just to top off our day I find this hire car also has a bone dry fuel tank! Is this an African thing?? So off to the petrol station to fill up.
Okay- we were nearly there. I contacted our accommodation again and found it strange that they kept not giving me the address.
The address on the booking site was walking distance from our conference and the pictures looked beautiful with a lovely yard to sit in.
The guy gave as an address to meet him in and he’d guide us from there. I started getting nervous as he started directing us down some dirt rocky back streets. We were driving into the back slums. I was relieved when I saw a nice gated compound but was still confused as to the location.
We got out and I asked were the garden was that I’d seen on the pictures – that was when he announced it was a different property. I was too shell shocked to answer and aware that we were trying to get to the conference in time for John’s talk. So I said I’d deal with him when I came back.
On the way out it dawned on me that 1. This was an outright scam where he’d lied about his property and used false pictures and 2. There was no way I could be taking an elderly couple down these rocky dirt lanes into a ‘slum’ every day no matter how nice it was inside. So I ended up telling the guy we were cancelling and gently explained that he can’t do things like that as people will write bad reviews and then no one will ever book with him again. He took it pretty well. I quickly booked another hotel much closer to the conference site and we got settled in. What a day!!
We could finally take a deep breath and relax a bit at the conference. There were some speeches and an inspiring cultural night with some songs and dances from some of the 106 countries represented at the conference! Of course the African performances were the liveliest and many had gone all out dressing up in traditional gear and singing and dancing to African praise songs.
- 
Apparently Oceania had to do something and with five minutes notice we were told to get up on stage and stand behind some flags whilst we tried to sing amazing grace in Pidgin, Māori; Pitjantjatjara and English languages reading off someone’s phone. It was a pretty pathetic effort.
Although the last verse of English amazing grace where the audience was invited to join in was rather moving- as we all sang together, 106 nations, about being set free to the words of a repentant slave trader who had traded in African slaves who were shipped from these very shores. Brought a tear to my eye.
**Categories:** Tanzania 23
**Tags:** adventure, humanitarian, medical mission, remote doctors, road trip, tanzania, travel
---
### [Tanzania Pt 2](https://www.passingthrough.net/tanzania-pt-2/)
**Published:** July 1, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
22/6-23/6
The next couple of days were spent at the conference with some inspirational sessions hearing from doctors all over the world doing some amazing humanitarian work.
We heard from the Tanzanian Lutheran archbishop in an opening speech about how the church here is running over 140 health centres and hospitals in Tanzania.
One evening I think John and Elsie had had enough African exuberance and decided to check out the ‘evening joy’ service at the local cathedral. Turns out they were into African exuberance too which I actually enjoyed. They know how to groove!
24/6
The car didn’t start today- it had been struggling previously but today just wouldn’t start. Turned out to be the fuel intake. I was trying to ask for a new car but it became apparent they didn’t have one and we’d just have to get this one repaired. I told them we were going into the bush tomorrow and made them promise to fix it properly otherwise they’d have it in their conscience that we were stranded out there with this elderly couple!
We attended more inspirational Conference sessions whilst waiting for our car to be fixed and then in the afternoon went for a drive to the base of Mt Meru, the second highest mountain after Mt kilimanjaro. The scenery out of town was lovely and everywhere we went there was were Maasai tribesmen herders, herding goats and cattle on the plains using a stick and carrying their Masaai swords.
                 25/6
Today we took our hire 4wd to the Arusha National Park and saw some amazing animals. By hiring a car and just paying the park fees we had saved a fortune on tours! The best part was being able to go where you wanted and linger longer with the animals if you wanted.
We saw a massive herd of giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, warthogs, baboons, monkeys, flamingos and various types of gazelles and birds. We also saw an impressive crater with much of this area being old volcanic craters.
There was some pretty serious four wheel driving in places so I was glad to have had that experience.
                            26/6
Elsie woke up sick today. She has been unwell on and off for the whole trip but she had diarrhoea and vomiting this morning and couldn’t eat or drink anything. I thought she might want to stay home but it settled a little and she still came to Lake Manyara National Park.
We had some magnificent experiences with a couple of elephants and a few other animals but it was disappointing to not see the hippos and the tree climbing lions that are purported to be here. The vegetation was so dense that it was hard to see much but the elephants put on a great show for us!
                        27/6-28/6
Today was our last day in Africa. We drove to the village of Moshi at the base of Mt Kilimanjaro. It was meant to be a fine day so we could see the mountain but alas the weather man got it wrong. Moshi was a lovely town and we learned that this was Chaga tribe area, one of the first tribes to connect with the Lutheran church and the region had the best schooling systems in Tanzania.
We visited Courage cafe which is a beautiful cafe with delicious food and a lovely setting. But most importantly it funds the work they do here running long term safe houses for victims of human trafficking. We got to chat with the director Joel and Stephanie who are from America. We enjoyed a lovely coffee and bought a couple of gifts in their shop.
Then it was off to the airport to travel to Warsaw for next stage of our journey. The flights from Tanzania to Ethiopia to Frankfurt all went smoothly although we were quite worried about Elsie who was nearly passing out. Then ironically it all went pear shaped when we got to the German airport of Frankfurt.
It was the most horribly inefficient and confusing airport we’d been to. The security went through everything and we had to go through two securities and passport control even though it was just a connecting flight. All of this, combined with the conflicting advice we got from rude and unhelpful people who really didn’t care that we were going to miss our flight.
We ended up splitting up with John who was also getting confusing advice and directions and only got reunited at the gate after we’d missed our flight!
After much waiting in lines and firm insistence we got another flight booked for us a couple of hours later. We arranged a buggy for Elsie who could hardly walk. I was trying to organise some medical attention but was getting a bit of resistance. Anyway we eventually made it to Warsaw.
**Categories:** Tanzania 23
**Tags:** adventure, humanitarian, medical mission, remote doctors, remote work, road trip, travel, ukraine
---
### [Poland 2023](https://www.passingthrough.net/poland-2023/)
**Published:** July 2, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
28/6 John and I went for a walk around Warsaw while Elsie continued to recover. We came across a cathedral that had been used to shelter people during World war 2 but the Nazis killed all the people sheltering in the basement. It was nice to speak to a lovely young couple who had gone there to pray about whether to have their wedding there or not. When we asked if they’d like to visit Australia they said they would but they were scared of all our dangerous animals!
We also went for a bit of a shop and brought some groceries and I got just a little excited to see a cabinet full of assorted pickled fish- memories from my childhood!
                  29/6
Elsie was starting to feel a bit better so we decided to crack on to Cracow! It was a lovely 3.5 hour drive through fields do wheat and canola and little
Arriving in Krakow we went for a walk – Elsie was struggling a bit so they jumped in a boat to cruise up the Vistula river while I walked around the Wawel castle and cathedral. Originally built in the 12th century it was a huge impressive castle compound from when Krakow was the capital.
We then walked into the old town and main square which was full of beautiful old buildings and lovely oak and birch treed parks.
30/6- I wanted to do a bit of prep for our journey to Ukraine and catch up on a bit of work so I stayed at the apartment whilst Elsie and John went to Auschwitz. Ron and I had been before and it’s not really the kind of place you need to see twice. It is quite harrowing but also a reminder of the importance of shining the light of truth into dark places and not being silent about evil.
In between work I grabbed a few extra groceries including some beautiful fresh summer stone fruits from one of the many lovely little green grocers around.
**Categories:** Poland
**Tags:** charity, humanitarian, medical mission, remote doctors, travel, travel light, ukraine
---
### [Journey to Japan: Kowie boys spread their wings](https://www.passingthrough.net/journey_to_japan/)
**Published:** April 19, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Journey to Japan - where two Indigenous boys from a remote community, experience a series of firsts from Tokyo's tech wonders to the serene traditions of Izu
**Content:**
1.1K\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text\]
# **Journey to Japan**
A very special journey to Japan for some very special boys. Two Indigenous youth who have been boarding with us for several years from their remote community of **Kowanyama**. These guys have been working hard at school and also saving up for a long time to go to **Japan** – a country they have been learning about at school and whose language they were learning. Thanks to the generosity of ‘Aunty Deb’ (our sister/sister-in-law) with her club accommodation points and our Freq flyer points, this became a reality! First ever passport, first ever overseas travel, first monkeys, first snow – lots of firsts. They grew so much as they gained confidence and learned how to navigate with Google Maps, use tickets and trains, speak different languages, mingle with and understand other cultures, eat different foods, pack for travel, exchange money, budget, etc.
\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_gallery interval=”3″ images=”11084,11076,11063,11083″ img\_size=”full”\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text\]**Tokyo**
First stop was in **Tokyo** – Aunty Deb wanted to take the boys for a day out so they learned to navigate the streets and transport of Tokyo – having a go at skylines, monorails, trains and buses. They loved spotting the fancy cars and of course have never seen a place as big as Tokyo. They went to the science and innovation museum and saw robots and technology including robots that will be aged care assistants in the future. At Nissan crossing they saw some cool Nissans, a busy Tokyo intersection to blow their minds and had a coffee and hot chocolate with their photos designed into the foam! I think their highlight was dropping into the BMW showroom where the friendly salesman decided to let them all jump in all the ridiculously expensive cars and have photos taken in them, pretend to drive them etc. Imagine a couple of murri kids being encouraged to do that in Australia! So friendly and so cool giving the boys an amazing experience.
Whilst the boys were with Deb, Ron and I made the most of having a car and went for a drive into the countryside of Chiba prefecture. To our suprise it didn’t take much driving out of Tokyo to be in beautiful farmland and countryside with quaint rural villages and rice paddies. We drove to the ocean but had a bit of trouble getting down to the beach as there had clearly been a lot of erosion damage and we recalled that there had been a bad typhoon not long ago that had probably caused this. For lunch we found a random stop in the backstreets of a village that was a little cafe that had been set up in someone’s front sunroom. THey couldn’t speak any English but we managed the menu and ordering thanks to Google Translate. The owner was amazed and we taught him how to download the Google translate app on to his phone and he was so excited.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_gallery interval=”3″ images=”11078,11077,11082,11081,11080,11059,11057,11060,11083,11076,11073,11072,11071,11070,11069,11068,11067,11066,11065,11064,11062,11079″ img\_size=”large”\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text\]**Izu peninsula**
On the way to **Izu** we stopped at **Odawara castle** which was a reconstruction of one torn down in 1872 and on the site of castles and fortifications that have been built there over 1000 years. We then stopped for lunch at a local café hidden behind a wharf that had amazing and cheap delicious traditional seafood Japanese set lunch.
Arrived in **IzuKogen**. This was our first stay in an onsen hotel and one of the ones that Aunty Deb had organised for us for free using her club points. That is one where the bathing is a public onsen where water is pumped in from local hotsprings. There are a lot of customs and culture associated with this. At first Deb and I were particularly petrified- neither of us being keen to be seen naked and especially not keen to see each other naked! We were dreading this. Strangers seeing us naked was less frightening than people we knew so we promised to bathe without peeking at each other! The procedure is that one undresses in the change room and then proceeds to the bathing room – you are only allowed to take a small towel for washing – it would cover most bits for a small Asian woman but didn’t cover much for me! Then you sit on a small stool near a hand shower where you wash yourself with the towel. You can use the hand shower or fill your bowl with water from the hot spring bath which you’re sitting next to. you must wash thoroughly and most places we were at provided lots of washes, shampoos and treatments so there was no excuse to not be totally clean and beautified! You then go to the hot tub and sit in that but you must place the small towel on your head so it doesn’t go near the water ( having been previously used to wash your ‘bits’ this seemed like a reasonable rule!) Once we got over our fears (and admittedly worked out timing so that we mostly had the onsen to ourselves) we found the onsen experience very relaxing… and I don’t think I’ve ever been so clean in my life! We also slept Japanese style sleeping on futon mats on top of bamboo tatami mats.
Whilst in the Izu area we went for a short hike along the **Jogasaki coast**– a coastline made of lava flows with beautiful cypress pines and deep blue sea. We went to a cherry blossom park where we did the Japanese thing and did Hamami – a picnic under the cherry blossoms. We drove through beautiful countryside, saw forests, giant cedars and raging clear rivers. We passed by traditional Japanese villages and farms, rice paddies and temples. We looked at woodcraft and bamboo forest and suspension bridges. The day we went to **Izu panorama park** was perfect weather and we had a clear view across the countryside and most importantly across to the iconic **Mt Fuji**. We caught a cablecar up a mountain and then did the tracks around the top with different forests, shrines and views galore. Finished off with an icecream as we sat and enjoyed the mountain view. Another day we went to **Kawazu Seven waterfalls** – walk up to a series of seven beautiful waterfalls along a crystal clear blue river amongst the beautiful forest.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_gallery type=”flexslider\_slide” interval=”3″ images=”11092,11091,11090,11088,11089,11093,11094,11095,11096,11097,11109,11110,11111,11112,11113,11116,11117,11118,11107,11106,11105,11104,11103,11102,11108,11101,11100,11099,11098,11114,11122,11121,11120,11119,11124,11125,11135,11133,11134,11132,11131,11130,11129,11128,11127,11126,11369,11368,11367,11366,11365,11364,11363,11362,11361″ img\_size=”large”\]\[vc\_column\_text\]**Joren Falls** was another beautiful river and falls and was in an area famous for it’s Amagi Wasabi. Wasabi ( Japanese horseradish) grows in the water in beds alongside the rivers. It is thought that the incredible clear and clean water here grows the best Wasabi. It was also a spot where you could hire Japanese bamboo fishing gear and catch rainbow trout and a Japanese fish called Amagu. The boys caught plenty of both and for $6 AUD the fish were gutted for us and we could use a bbq on our table to cook them all up and we had enough to fill us all up for lunch! Delicious!
**Shuzenji** was another stop in the area where they say it’s like a little Kyoto but with less tourists. A picturesque town with traditional houses and a raging river running through it with hot springs popping out of it. (the discovery of the springs in the time of the Samurai led to the founding of the town). It was surrounded by beautiful bamboo and cypress forests that we were able to walk through in the surrounding hills. Some yummy Japanese lunch and sweets including interesting things like a black sesame drink ( tastes better than it sounds!) finished off by a footbath in the hot springs on the side of the river.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_gallery interval=”3″ images=”11136,11137,11138,11139,11140,11141,11142,11143,11144,11145,11146,11164,11161,11162,11165,11163,11166,11160,11159,11158,11157,11147,11148,11149,11150,11151,11152,11154,11156,11167,11168,11185,11184,11183,11182,11178,11181,11180,11177,11179,11176,11175″ img\_size=”large”\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text\]**Nagano Area**
This was a beautiful hilly forested area and having a car made getting here easy. The drives through the countryside were beautiful. Snow topped mountains, rice paddies and traditional style Japanese villages with gardens and tiled rooves. Clear running rivers and cypress and beech forests and cherry blossom trees just starting to go into bloom.
Our accommodation was a very old and traditional Japanese style Ryokan. Rooms were Japanese style sleeping on mats and bathing was in an iron rich hot spring onsen. You were provided with a yukata (traditional robe) for putting on after having your onsen. The boys got right into this! Every day hot green tea and biscuits were provided in the room to have overlooking the beautiful turquoise coloured river and forests. The breakfast here was amazing – a traditional Japanese breakfast served with great care and kindness.
We explored the **Kakizore Ravine** and **Atera valley** which has the clearest bluest river water I’ve ever seen. It is to do with the type of hard base rock that doesn’t dissolve so it is very pure water. We found a little restaurant down the road that had beautiful food made from fresh produce and was very cheap and the people friendly. Once we worked out the menu with Google Translate we went for it! We went there both nights.
In this area we went to several ‘post towns’. These are villages that were along the **Nakasendo highway** which was the main highway in the Edo period between Kyoto and Edo (now Tokyo). They have been maintained as heritage sites so retain their original buildings and it’s like stepping back in time. Some of the houses have bene preserved as museums and you can see what they were like hundreds of years ago. The gardens were beautiful as well and we all enjoyed the lovely shaped trees with topiary pines everywhere and also cherry blossoms, camelias, magnolias and the occasional azalea flowering a little early. At one town we walked to a shrine at the end of the town and found that there was a pile of snow that had been pushed together and hadn’t melted like the rest of snow in town. The boys were super excited having never seen snow in their lives before and an impromptu snowball fight ensued.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_gallery interval=”3″ images=”11186,11187,11188,11189,11190,11191,11192,11193,11194,11195,11196,11197,11198,11199,11200,11201,11202,11203,11204,11205,11206,11207,11208,11209,11210,11211,11212,11213,11214,11215,11216,11217,11218,11219,11220,11221,11222,11223,11224,11225,11226,11227,11228,11229,11230,11231,11232,11233″ img\_size=”large”\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text\]**Nasu area**
On the way to the Nasu area we stopped at the famous **Ashikaga flower park**. The flowers were magnificent but we were a tad early for the Wisteria flowering and seeing the hundreds of years old wisterias with metres of branches one could imagine they’d be a sight to behold when they were dripping with purple racemes of fragrant flowers.
**Nasu** was even more mountainous and we were staying in another onsen hotel up a hill amongst the forest. This was another treat thanks to Aunty Deb’s club points and they’d upgraded us so we had a very lovely fancy room with our own massage chair and a choice of beds and a mini-onsen and kitchenette. The nearby creek steamed with the hotsprings when the temperature dropped. There were still little pockets of snow around the place which thrilled the boys. We had a couple of days here and weather was looking good. So we figured we’d do a hike the next day after a day at a theme park. The boys had opted out of Disneyland when realising they’d spend all their time lining up so Aunty Deb being the awesome aunty she is, volunteered to go on all the rides with the boys ( I’m sure that wasn’t her top pick activity for a trip to Japan!) while we watched and were glad that we weren’t the ones being thrown around. **Nasu Highland park** was a very cool, retro feel, Japanese style theme park with none of the lines that the bigger parks have. Everyone had a ball. Sadly the next day the weather forecast changed and it came in windy and raining and very cloudy so there was no point going on the mountain top hike we had planned to a steaming volcano. What a bummer! I woke up with a twinge in my leg that had me a bit worried so it was probably a good thing for me anyway. So looking for rainy day activities we went for a drive to a few different places. First was the site of the **Killing stone** – a place of legend that also sits amongst sulfurous fumaroles with the whole area stinking of sulfur gas. The remains of thatched covers from the days of Samurai were still seen where grass covers would collect the sulfur from the gas pouring out and be collected for sale and trade. We checked out a great suspension bridge with lovely views – I even faced my fears and walked across it. Deb and the boys headed back along a trail and we met them with the car – on the way they’d seen a tree that had been quite recently clawed by a bear! Ron and I saw the telltale hills of Japanese moles but not the creatures themselves. The **Nasu Animal Park** was a pleasant surprise – never too sure about zoos in other countries. Some of the exhibits were very interactive and the animals were free-roaming. You could pat capybaras, toucans flew over your head and marmoset monkeys and sloths reached out to you in an open setting with no bars or cages. The boys enjoyed the all you can eat Japanese BBQ that went with it where you cooked the food at your table. We also saw a giant cedar that was 100’s of years old and was surrounded by a forest filled with these really pretty yellow/white flowers. The nature here is very beautiful.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_gallery interval=”3″ images=”11234,11235,11236,11237,11241,11240,11239,11238,11242,11243,11244,11245,11246,11247,11248,11249,11250,11252,11251,11264,11266,11273,11272,11271,11270,11263,11262,11261,11269,11268,11260,11267,11259,11258,11257,11256,11254,11253,11274,11276,11277,11275,11278,11279″ img\_size=”large”\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text\]On the way back to **Tokyo** we drove through more beautiful scenery and stopped at the **Nikko shrine** in **Nikko national park**. It was a very impressive temple complex clearly hundreds of years old with massive trees intertwined amongst it. It was set in a beautiful forest setting and was a lovely stopover. It looks like beautiful forest around here and if I came again I’d love to do some hiking around here.
On the way back we drove through some areas where cherry blossoms were starting to blossom more. We drove past another flower park and saw a hill with more cherry blossoms flowering but decided to push on as Aunty Deb had to get to Tokyo to catch a plane that night.
Our plan was to go through **Tokyo’s Ueno park** before dropping her at a nearer train station that went directly to the airport. Ueno park is a famous old park for beautiful cherry blossom viewing. What we didn’t realise was that it was a Sunday and the last day of the Cherry Blossom festival in the park and nearly all of Tokyo must have been there. Getting a park seemed to be impossible. We finally found a paid parking lot with a space and pulled in. We tried working out the ticket machine but it kept saying our space was not valid. Eventually it was decided that Deb would part ways with us here – we’d continue and she could walk through the park and get her ticket to the airport. We’d kind of been hoping to spend some time in the park with her and then walk with her to the station to make sure she got on – somehow it didn’t feel right just ‘leaving her there’ even though she’s totally capable of travelling alone. I got a bit teary at the thought and then she got all teary and we were all sooking! So we said our goodbyes and it was the end of a lovely time with ‘Aunty Deb’ in Japan. Turned out later that we could have parked there – we later learned that unlike in Australia – you don’t get your ticket until the end of your parking time when you’re leaving – that’s why it wouldn’t register as we’d only just arrived!
Headed to our hotel,sad at the realisation that this was the end of our Onsens and back to ordinary showers. We still had a couple of days to enjoy Japanese toilets though. Whilst not very environmentally friendly they are a delight! Even the most lowly of toilets seems to have a vast panel of choices such as a front bidet, a back bidet, warm air, heated seat, music or flushing sounds to drown out yours(!) and sometimes automated flushing. And of course everything is clean. Noone wears shoes in the buildings and you even have different shoes to wear in the toilet so the floors are always immaculately clean.
Speaking of environmentally friendly though I do have to mention that one negative we observed was the horrendous amount of packaging for everything that was almost unavoidable! It was like every day we’d find ourselves producing more plastic wrapping and waste than what we normally would in a month. That was terrible and we did wonder what they do with all their waste!?
There were other things in Japan that I appreciated that I would not normally go near at home. Vending machines are absolutely everywhere in Japan. Mostly they are for drinks but they can have all kinds of things in them. And it can be really convenient. I really liked that they had a really good assortment of coffee drinks including really nice black filter coffee in bottles that you could get out of the machines for around $1-$1.60 AUD. Seven elevens was another tip we’d been given. Unlike our seven-elevens that are mostly junk food, you can go into a seven eleven there and get a range of freshly made meals, salads and sushi. Warm meals can be heated up for you at the counter and prices were good. We also found that supermarkets could sometimes be even better and even though it was a supermarket they’d often have a vast array of prepared foods and meals including cheap sashimi and sushi packs, gyoza and other meals. Having said that – if I went again – I think I’d give some of the more local restaurants more of a go as by the end we realised that some of them were comparable in price to seven-eleven meals and probably would have been even nicer – but live and learn. We did have some lovely seven -eleven and supermarket feasts in our room.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_gallery interval=”3″ images=”11280,11281,11282,11283,11285,11284,11286,11287,11288,11289,11290,11291,11292,11293,11294,11295,11296,11297,11299,11298,11330,11329,11328″ img\_size=”large”\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text\]Our last two days in Tokyo the plan was to do a few things more for the boys and also have a chance to do a little bit of shopping for things to take home.
We’d booked into a Samurai and Ninja experience at the **Samurai museum**. It was very interesting and we learnt a lot of facts about Samurai and Ninja. We got to dress up in Samurai costumes and muck around and take some photos. Then we had a tour of the museum and then changed into our ninja clothes. We learnt about the ninja and then were shown how to throw ninja stars and blow darts. Our team won the blowdart competition and Migs got the perfect bullseye earning him the title of “real Ninja” from the instructor. He then taught us a samurai sword practice routine which was fun. The boys were laughing at me getting a bit too ‘into it’ – perhaps my Cossack blood coming to the fore!? 😉
We walked around our area as down the road from us was the famous **Senso-Ji temple**. It was very beautiful with the cherry blossoms coming out and there were locals who had hired traditional costumes to do photo shoots in the picturesque grounds. We ate some snacks and enjoyed the dwindling sunlight – was definitely a good time to go as crowds were down and the next day it was crazy and swarming with people.
I knew the boys were particularly keen on the ‘Tokyo drift’ and ‘Fast and Furious’ type cars so I’d found out that there was a car meet in a portside car park only accessible by car that was famous for car-watching. **Daikoku car park** – so we drove there and the boys were super excited when all the cool cars started rolling in. Ron and I enjoyed it too as it was a real wide range of cars including some old classics.
We ate more delicious food (ate way too much on this trip!). The last day we did some shopping for gifts to take back, the boys went in to the Red Tower amusement arcade in **Tokyo Tower** which is an amazing place with lots of VR and AR activities. Ron and I chilled and checked out the 100 year old Maple park across the way. Then it was off to the airport to catch our flight back home.
This trip was a great experience for the boys and a much needed break. However I was ever conscious of the fact that the focus of our charity – the humanitarian needs in Ukraine – were ever increasing as Russian bombardment increased. It was disturbing to note that the hotel we were staying in at the end in Tokyo was full of Russians. One or two burly men who looked like Russian mafia types out of the movies and gaggles of very young girls with puffed up lips. There were definitely people meeting there who didn’t know each other, as on three occasions I was approached by a young girl to say hello or as if she was supposed to be meeting me who would then scurry off startled when I answered in English without an accent. Not sure how to feel about the fact that I must look like a Russian madam? I looked it up and apparently Russia does do a lot of human trafficking through Japan.\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_gallery interval=”3″ images=”11300,11301,11302,11303,11304,11305,11306,11307,11308,11309,11310,11314,11313,11312,11311,11315,11317,11318,11319,11320,11321,11322,11324,11325,11326,11327,11332,11334,11335,11337,11336,11340,11341,11339,11338,11333,11343,11354,11360,11353,11352,11344,11342,11350,11349,11348,11347,11346,11345,11351,11355,11356,11357,11358,11359,11372″ img\_size=”large”\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_column\_text\]It was good to know though as we travelled Japan that it is one of the countries making great commitments to Ukraine and very supportive of them. I guess they know what it’s like to have Russia as a neighbour. Please don’t forget about the great needs in Ukraine right now and please check out my other stories and blogs on Ukraine and consider donating – no matter how small, every bit helps. [***Donate HERE***](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating)\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]
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**Categories:** Asia, Japan, Travel
**Tags:** Indigenous, japan, mentor youth, pack light, travel
---
## Pages
### [Home: OPT Ukraine (Only Passing Thru Ltd)](https://www.passingthrough.net/)
**Published:** March 14, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
[Ukraine humanitarian trip](https://www.passingthrough.net/category/all-things-ukraine/ukraine-humanitarian/)
## [Final Days in Ukraine: Van Handover and Farewell from Lviv](https://www.passingthrough.net/final-days-in-ukraine/)
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[  ](https://www.passingthrough.net/final-days-in-ukraine/)
Our final days in Ukraine: handing over the humanitarian van to CMA in Lviv, Lara’s soft skills medical conference, and an emotional farewell to Ukraine.
[Continue Reading](https://www.passingthrough.net/final-days-in-ukraine/)
20/01/2026 [2 comments]() 705 views
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by [opt@passingthrough.net](https://www.passingthrough.net/author/lwielandvtown-com-au/) 07/12/2025 8 minutes read
Mobile medical clinics near the Russian border, air defence lighting up the night sky, and a shahed shot down right in front of us. Ukraine’s frontline reality.
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---
### [🛡️ THE HEROES BOARD](https://www.passingthrough.net/heroes-board/)
**Published:** February 19, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
🫶200 Ordinary People. One Extraordinary Amazing Consistent Extraordinary Stand...
Heroes of Freedom - Ukraine Support
# 🇺🇦 Heroes of Freedom 🇺🇦
Heroic Monthly Supporters
"Standing with Ukraine for Truth, Decency and Freedom"
\#LoveInAction
Heroes Enrolled
0
of 200 heroes
Minium Monthly Support
$0
committed per month
Annual Impact
$0
yearly commitment
Click [HERE](https://www.passingthrough.net/200-heroes-for-ukraine/) to see what we can achieve if we reach our goal
0%
⭐ Roll of Honour ⭐
Each hero commits at least $20/month* — just a cup of coffee a week — to support Ukraine
**Hero Enrolled** - Committed supporter
**Awaiting Hero** - Open spot
[Join the Heroes of Freedom](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/) For a minimum of $20/month (the cost of one cup of coffee a week),
you can stand with Ukraine and earn your place on this Roll of Honour.
**200 heroes. 200 commitments. One cause: Truth, Decency and Freedom.**
*Ordinary people. Extraordinary commitment.*
[see what 200 heroes can achieve](https://www.passingthrough.net/200-heroes-for-ukraine/)
```
*This board includes people who may be donating less than this but have been committed supporters since the beginning. THANKYOU!
```
---
### [Health Professionals: Make a Difference in Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/health-professionals-make-a-difference-in-ukraine/)
**Published:** June 14, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Ukraine’s healthcare system continues to face unprecedented challenges. As health professionals, you have skills and knowledge that can make a real difference in supporting Ukrainian medical colleagues and the communities they serve.
Through our partnership with the **[Christian Medical Association of Ukraine](http://www.cmaukraine.com)**, we’ve created multiple pathways for health professionals to contribute meaningfully to Ukraine’s healthcare recovery and development.
## WAYS YOU CAN HELP
**Direct Service in Ukraine**
For those called to serve on the ground, we can help facilitate short and long-term placements working alongside Ukrainian healthcare professionals. These opportunities range from clinical work in hospitals and clinics to training programs in medical institutions.
**Ready to explore serving in Ukraine?** Complete our **[Expression of Interest form](https://www.passingthrough.net/eoi-medical-mission/)** to begin the conversation about how your skills might best be utilised.
**Remote Support and Teaching**
Distance doesn’t limit your ability to make an impact. Ukrainian health professionals are eager to learn from international colleagues through:
- **Online teaching sessions** – Share your expertise through webinars, virtual rounds, or structured courses
- **Mentorship programs** – Provide ongoing guidance to Ukrainian colleagues in your specialty
- **Curriculum development** – Help design training materials and educational programs
- **Telehealth consultations** – Offer expert opinions on complex cases
Complete the [**Expression of Interest form**](https://www.passingthrough.net/eoi-medical-mission/)
**Resource Development**
Your knowledge can be transformed into lasting resources:
- **Educational materials** – Develop training guides, protocols, or reference materials
- **Program design** – Help structure medical education or quality improvement initiatives
- **Best practice sharing** – Document approaches that could be adapted for Ukrainian contexts
- **Research collaboration** – Partner on studies addressing Ukraine’s specific healthcare needs
**Observership Programs**
Create powerful learning opportunities through medical observerships:
- **Sponsor an observership** – Fund Ukrainian medical professionals to observe and learn at leading medical institutions ( or contribute in part)
- **Host an observership** – Open your hospital or practice to Ukrainian colleagues for hands-on learning experiences ( we encourage hosts to also assist with accommodation and fundraising for costs)
- **Design observership programs** – Help structure meaningful learning experiences that maximise knowledge transfer
- **Facilitate placements** – Connect Ukrainian professionals with appropriate observership opportunities in your network
## Current Priority Areas
*This section is regularly updated with pressing needs and specific opportunities*
**Immediate Needs**
- Family medicine/General Practice education
- Specialist surgery – ENT, plastic, reconstruction, opthalmologic etc. (surgery missions plus training and mentoring)
- Trauma surgery and training
- Mental health support for healthcare workers
- Mental healthcare training
- Rehabilitation medicine/allied health expertise
- Tacmed training/ACLS/ATLS
**Emerging Opportunities**
- Telemedicine platform development
- Medical English language training
- Online education modules
- Online webinars and case discussions in your speciality
**Note:** Even if you don’t see your specialty listed above, there are always opportunities to contribute. Ukrainian healthcare needs span every medical discipline, and we work to match your skills with the most appropriate opportunities.
## Getting Started
**For Those Considering Service in Ukraine**
If you’re exploring the possibility of serving in Ukraine, the first step is completing our **[Expression of Interest form.](https://www.passingthrough.net/eoi-medical-mission/ "EOI Medical Mission")** This helps us understand your background, availability, and interests so we can match you with appropriate opportunities.
**For Medical Service for Ukraine from your home base**
Whether you’re interested in remote teaching, resource development, sponsoring or hosting observerships, or other forms of support, we want to hear from you. Use the [**Expression of Interest**](https://www.passingthrough.net/eoi-medical-mission/) form to tell us about your background and how you’d like to contribute.
**Interested in observerships?** Please include details about:
- Your hospital/practice capacity for hosting Ukrainian observers
- Specialties and departments available for observation
- Preferred duration and timing for observerships
- Any funding you might be able to provide for sponsored observerships
- Any accommodation billets you could arrange in your city
Want to help in some other way outside of your medical skills or know someone who does?
[**Complete our Interest in Helping Ukraine Form →HERE**](https://www.passingthrough.net/interest-in-helping-ukraine/)
## Why Your Contribution Matters
Ukrainian healthcare professionals are working under extraordinary circumstances, often with limited resources but unlimited dedication to their patients. Your support doesn’t just fill gaps – it builds capacity, shares knowledge, and demonstrates the global medical community’s solidarity with Ukrainian colleagues.
Every contribution, whether it’s a single webinar or a multi-month placement, strengthens Ukraine’s healthcare system and ultimately saves lives. And of course [**donations** ](www.passingthrough.net/donating)are always needed and helpful.
## Ready to Help?
The Ukrainian healthcare system needs professionals like you. Whether you have two hours or two months to give, there’s a way for you to make a meaningful difference.
**Contact us today to explore how your skills can support Ukrainian healthcare:**
[**Expression of Interest form**](https://www.passingthrough.net/eoi-medical-mission/)
NB Please be aware you will be required to cover your own costs and contribute financially to our partners’ costs of organising activities if going to Ukraine. All costs will be finalised before you commit to anything.
*This page is updated regularly with new opportunities and priority areas. Check back frequently or contact us directly to stay informed about emerging needs.*
[ DONATE TODAY ](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating)
---
### [OPT Shop For Good](https://www.passingthrough.net/opt-shop-for-good/)
**Published:** April 1, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
- PLEASE NOTE OUR SHOP IS TEMPORARILY ‘CLOSED’ WHILST WE ARE IN UKRAINE. Reach out to opt@passingthrough.net with any inquiries.
All profits from your purchases support humanitarian work in Ukraine (unless otherwise specified) through our charity [Only Passing Thru](https://www.passingthrough.net/home/about-opt-only-passing-thru/)
As a small volunteer run charity with limited resources for managing this store we do request a $30 minimum purchase. Thankyou for your understanding.
---
### [What We Can Achieve With 200 heroes](https://www.passingthrough.net/200-heroes-for-ukraine/)
**Published:** April 29, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
🇺🇦 This is what your $20 a month makes possible
Two hundred ordinary people. One commitment. Real impact on the ground in Ukraine.
Here's exactly where the money goes — and why it matters.
[ 🏅 See the Heroes Board View who's already standing with Ukraine ](https://www.passingthrough.net/heroes-board/) [ 🇺🇦 Donate Now One-off or regular — every amount helps ](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)
---
### [JOIN US](https://www.passingthrough.net/join-us/)
**Published:** April 10, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Get involved
# Ways to walk alongside Ukraine
Whether you give, share, or serve, every act of kindness creates real impact. Choose how you'd like to be part of something bigger.
Scan to set up your monthly gift
200 Heroes for Ukraine
## Become a regular giver
One-off gifts help. Regular giving changes what's possible. When you give each month, you let our Ukrainian partners plan ahead — steady medical care, ongoing education and long-term support that doesn't stop when the headlines do.
Dependable funding partners can build around
More care delivered, less spent on fundraising
A committed community, walking alongside for the long journey
[Join the 200 Heroes ](https://www.passingthrough.net/200-heroes-for-ukraine/)
[ ## Donate
Your gift funds practical medical and humanitarian support delivered through trusted local partners. OPT is an ACNC-registered charity with DGR status.
Give now ](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/) [ ### Sign up to keep up to date
Follow the journey. Get stories from the field and updates on where your support goes, straight to your inbox.
Subscribe ](https://www.passingthrough.net/subscribe-to-blog-posts/) [ ### Health professional remote online volunteer work
Support Ukrainian colleagues from anywhere through MedLearnUke — sharing knowledge and strengthening medical education online.
Learn more ](https://www.passingthrough.net/about-med-learn-uke/) [ ### Volunteer in Australia
Lend your time, skills and heart closer to home. Register your interest in helping the mission from within Australia.
Register interest ](https://www.passingthrough.net/interest-in-helping-ukraine/) [ ### Medical volunteer in Ukraine
Health professionals can make a difference on the ground. Find out how to serve alongside trusted partners in Ukraine.
Find out how ](https://www.passingthrough.net/health-professionals-make-a-difference-in-ukraine/)
---
### [DONATING](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)
**Published:** December 11, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
# 💛🩵Thank you so much for your support! 💛🩵
Stand with Ukraine - standing up for life, freedom and truth
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Can you commit to a regular gift of support? (for amounts less than $10/mth pls do direct debit to avoid fees) \*- YES! I'd love to support monthly, even if it's a small amount, to provide certainty to those I'm supporting. ($20 a month or more and you'll be on our HEROES BOARD!)
- No it will just be a one off donation this time.
YOUR GIFT OF SUPPORT (donations over $2 are tax deductible) \*- $50 AUD
- $20 AUD
- $100 AUD
- $10 AUD
- $25 AUD
- $250 AUD
- $500 AUD
- OTHER
OTHER AMOUNT (over $2 is tax deductible) \*Minimum Price: $10.00
#### For direct bank transfers without fees see bottom of page.
Please select where you would like your donation to go: \*- MEDICAL MISSIONS TO UKRAINE
- MEDICAL EDUCATION SUPPORT
- UKRAINE MEDICAL AID
- UKRAINE HUMANITARIAN AID
- NO PREFERENCE (or specify other in notes)
(if you choose more than one please write in the notes how you would like it split, you can also provide more specific details of where you would like your money directed)
Your Name \*First
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Donor message:Here you can indicate any specific wishes for your donation and/or a message of encouragement to our Ukrainian partners
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# **Support with Confidence**
We are now on the ground in Ukraine quite regularly, ensuring close oversight and transparent reporting. As an all-volunteer, tax-deductible charity, your **specified Ukraine donations go directly to trusted local partners**, with no admin costs deducted. Our volunteers self fund travel costs also.
### PLEASE STAND WITH UKRAINE THROUGH REGULAR GIVING – EVEN IF IT’S ONLY SMALL AMOUNTS LIKE THE COST OF A CUP OF COFFEE.
### Direct Bank Transfer:
### Please also send an email telling us who you are and where you’re like your donation to go.
### mail:info@passingthrough.net
### Account name:OPT -Only Passing Thru
**BSB** 084512
**AC** 299319963
\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*
### How to Donate via PayID
**For general donations:**
- PayID (ABN): 62633573145
- PayID (Email):
**For medical mission travel costs specifically:**
- PayID:
**Questions about payments?**
Email (we respond within 24 hours)
---
### [Interest in Med-Learn-Uke](https://www.passingthrough.net/interest-med-learn-uke/)
**Published:** October 1, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
This project is a collaborative initiative between **Only Passing Thru Ltd** and the **Christian Medical Association of Ukraine** to strengthen Ukraine’s healthcare system and support Ukrainian health professionals through accessible, high-quality medical education and mentoring. It centres on the development of *MedLearnUke*, an AI enabled bilingual (English–Ukrainian) online learning platform delivering a structured Family Medicine certificate aligned with internationally recognised standards, alongside modular specialty resources, live webinars, and case-based discussions. Designed specifically for clinicians working in wartime and resource-constrained settings, the platform uses AI-enabled translation and dubbing to remove language barriers and connect Ukrainian health professionals with global expertise. An equity-based access model ensures free or very low-cost participation for Ukrainian clinicians and volunteers, subsidised by international users, creating a sustainable, scalable education ecosystem that improves clinical skills, reduces professional isolation, and supports resilient primary care in Ukraine during the war and beyond.
ARE YOU A…
- **Motivated Primary Health Care professional in Ukraine or Australia that would like to know more about access to expertise and certificate courses from around the world in English and Ukrainian?**
- **Experienced clinician and/or educator in any health field?**
- **A Health Professional who would love to share your knowledge and experience and present a topic or two, or connect in discussion forums, mark assignments, etc?**
DO YOU ….
- **Want to be notified when we are doing demos or walkthroughs to explain more?**
- **Want to be the first to know when our innovative bilingual medical education platform is launched?**
- **Want to request more information?**
- **Know that you’d just like to be involved somehow?**
- **Want to support this project financially or technicallly?**
If you answered YES to any of these then fill out the form below.
We promise there will be no pressure!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Name \*First
Last
Email \*
AddressAddress Line 1
Address Line 2
City
State / Province / Region
Postal Code
--- Select country ---AfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBolivia (Plurinational State of)Bonaire, Saint Eustatius and SabaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBrunei DarussalamBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCabo VerdeCambodiaCameroonCanadaCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaChristmas IslandCocos (Keeling) IslandsColombiaComorosCongoCongo (Democratic Republic of the)Cook IslandsCosta RicaCroatiaCubaCuraçaoCyprusCzech RepublicCôte d'IvoireDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEswatini (Kingdom of)EthiopiaFalkland Islands (Malvinas)Faroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuernseyGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard Island and McDonald IslandsHondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIran (Islamic Republic of)IraqIreland (Republic of)Isle of ManIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJerseyJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKorea (Democratic People's Republic of)Korea (Republic of)KosovoKuwaitKyrgyzstanLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacaoMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMicronesia (Federated States of)Moldova (Republic of)MonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorth Macedonia (Republic of)Northern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestine (State of)PanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairnPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarRomaniaRussian FederationRwandaRéunionSaint BarthélemySaint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da CunhaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint Martin (French part)Saint Pierre and MiquelonSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSamoaSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSint Maarten (Dutch part)SlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSurinameSvalbard and Jan MayenSwedenSwitzerlandSyrian Arab RepublicTaiwan, Republic of ChinaTajikistanTanzania (United Republic of)ThailandTimor-LesteTogoTokelauTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluTürkiyeUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandUnited States Minor Outlying IslandsUnited States of AmericaUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVatican City StateVenezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)VietnamVirgin Islands (British)Virgin Islands (U.S.)Wallis and FutunaWestern SaharaYemenZambiaZimbabweÅland IslandsCountry
I have a message / question or would like to request a copy of a presentation: (please specify below)
I would like to be one of the first to know about the launch of Med-Learn-Uke global medical education platform. \*- Yes, sign me up!
- No, but I'd like to choose what other updates I can get
- No, I'm okay to miss out.
[SIGN UP TO YOUR PREFERRED UPDATES HERE](https://passingthrough.us11.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=ca23cc672e0f751715c4204d6&id=1ab708a21e)
I'd like to find out more about being a volunteer contributor to the Medical Education Platform as an educator (e.g. lectures, case discussions, mentoring, content writing etc) - including being notified when there is going to be a demo or walkthrough? - Yes
- No
You can fill out this Expression of Interest form [ HERE ](https://www.passingthrough.net/health-professionals-make-a-difference-in-ukraine/eoi-medical-mission/).
I'd like to make a donation towards supporting Ukrainian doctors' education \*- Yes
- No
Donation amount \*- $25 AUD
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---
### [Tax Deductible Ukraine Donations Australia | Support Ukraine Through OPT](https://www.passingthrough.net/eofy-giving/)
**Published:** June 1, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Tax-Deductible EOFY Donation for Ukraine | OPT Ukraine Medical Missions Only Passing Thru
OPT Ukraine
End of Financial Year
# Make Your EOFY Donation Count for Ukraine
Your tax-deductible gift today brings practical medical help and hope to Ukraine.
[Donate Now](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating)  When you give, you are part of something bigger — standing with Ukraine in its fight for life, truth, and freedom.
## Give before 30 June and make your EOFY donation count
**Donations of $2 or more to Only Passing Thru Ltd are tax deductible in Australia.**
Your generosity helps equip and support Ukrainian medical teams, clinics, volunteers and communities affected by war.
Every dollar you give helps practical support go further.
[Give Before 30 June](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating)  ## Choose the impact you’d like your gift to have
Every donation helps provide practical support through our medical missions and trusted humanitarian partners in Ukraine.
$25
Supply lifesaving medicines for a month.
$50
Buy a tourniquet and haemostatic bandage kit for emergency treatment.
$100
Help deliver water and bread to a remote village affected by war.
$450
Provide fuel and supplies for a mobile clinic reaching devastated areas.
$500
Provide transport of medical aid and supplies to a clinic or hospital.
$600
Support three healthcare workers to attend training provided by our volunteers.
No matter the amount, your gift becomes practical help where it is needed most.
[Donate Today](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating)
 ## Your support saves lives and builds hope
➕ Medical aid and equipment for hospitals, clinics and mobile medical teams.
👥 Support and training for healthcare workers and volunteers serving under pressure.
♥ Help for displaced people, vulnerable families and communities affected by war.
🤝 Working with trusted local Ukrainian partners for practical, accountable impact.
$
Low overheads
No wages. Volunteer-run. Donations directed to the mission.
✓
Accountable
Clear purpose, careful stewardship and partner-led support.
⌖
Flexible
We respond with trusted partners to meet real needs on the ground.
♡
Trusted
Led with integrity, medical insight and long-term commitment to Ukraine.
 ## A note from Dr Lara Gillespie
“As an Australian doctor, I have seen firsthand the resilience of the Ukrainian people and the dedication of healthcare workers serving under extraordinary circumstances. Thank you for standing with them.”
Dr Lara Gillespie
Managing Director, Only Passing Thru Ltd
## Be part of something bigger
Join our community of regular givers and stand with Ukraine every month.
We are seeking 200 regular givers.
✓ Even $20 per month helps create predictable support for Ukraine.
✓ Regular giving provides steady support for ongoing needs.
✓ You can be part of our 200 Heroes for Ukraine.
✓ Cancel or change anytime.
[Join the Heroes](https://www.passingthrough.net/200-heroes-for-ukraine/)Be a hero. Make a difference.
 ## 200 Heroes for Ukraine
These are some of the Ukrainian healthcare workers, volunteers and partners you help support through OPT Ukraine.
Together we can ensure practical medical and humanitarian assistance continues to reach those who need it most.
Will you be one of the heroes?
[Learn More](https://www.passingthrough.net/200-heroes-for-ukraine/) ## Tax-deductible donations for Ukraine
If you are looking for a tax-effective way to support Ukraine before the end of the Australian financial year, a donation to OPT Ukraine can help fund practical medical and humanitarian work through trusted partners.
### End of Financial Year Giving Australia
EOFY is a meaningful time to review your giving and make a tax-deductible donation before 30 June.
### Ukraine Medical Missions
Your gift can support mobile clinics, medical aid, emergency supplies, training and practical care for communities affected by war.
### Humanitarian Aid Ukraine
We work through trusted Ukrainian partners who understand local needs and can respond with flexibility and compassion.
### Regular Giving for Ukraine
Monthly giving helps create steady support so our partners can plan, respond and keep serving beyond the EOFY period.
## Thank you!
Because of you, medical teams can keep going. Lives are helped. Hope is strengthened. Ukraine is not forgotten.
[Donate Now](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating)[passingthrough.net/donating](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating)
Donations over $2 are tax deductible in Australia.
[Donate](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating) | [200 Heroes for Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/200-heroes-for-ukraine/) | [Website](https://www.passingthrough.net)
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**Only Passing Thru Ltd (OPT Ukraine)**
Volunteer-run Australian charity supporting medical missions, humanitarian aid, and medical education in Ukraine.
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### [Cookie Policy](https://www.passingthrough.net/cookie-policy/)
**Published:** June 13, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
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### [About Med-Learn-Uke](https://www.passingthrough.net/about-med-learn-uke/)
**Published:** May 20, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
MedLearnUke — Bilingual Medical Education for Ukraine
Only Passing Thru × CMA Ukraine
# Med-Learn-Uke
Bilingual medical education for Ukraine — and the world. Because no clinician should face the frontlines alone.
Learn · Connect · Serve
[Donate Now](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating) [Volunteer Your Expertise](https://www.passingthrough.net/interest-med-learn-uke/)
> We have the patients… and the motivation… but we don't always have the training or support.
— Young doctor, rural Ukraine
About the Project
## A partnership built on trust.
Only Passing Thru × CMA Ukraine
Out of relationships formed through mobile clinics, teaching visits, and humanitarian work in Ukraine has grown **MedLearnUke.org** — a bilingual medical education platform developed by the volunteer-run Australian charity **Only Passing Thru** in partnership with the **Christian Medical Association of Ukraine**.
Led by rural generalist and medical educator **Dr Lara Wieland** — whose career spans decades of work in remote Indigenous communities in Australia and repeated medical missions in Ukraine — the project is grounded in a simple belief: no doctor should feel professionally isolated because of geography, conflict, language, or limited resources.
The platform combines practical family medicine teaching, specialty hubs, webinars, case discussions, and asynchronous mentoring — fully bilingual in English and Ukrainian.
[Only Passing Thru](https://www.passingthrough.net) [CMA Ukraine](https://www.cmaukraine.com)
The Education Crisis Inside the Crisis
## Ukraine's clinicians need us now.
The war hasn't just destroyed buildings — it has fractured the entire medical education infrastructure that Ukraine's health workers depend on.
🏥
### Healthcare Facilities
**2,000+ damaged or destroyed** across Ukraine — hospitals, clinics, training centres.
👥
### Workforce Displaced
Millions relocated **internally and internationally**, severing professional networks.
🎓
### Training Disrupted
Universities damaged, **residency programs interrupted**, mentors out of reach.
🔗
### Professional Isolation
Clinicians **cut off from peers and CPD** — while patients still need care every day.
Damaged hospital, Ukraine
What the Platform Delivers
## A full learning ecosystem. Fully bilingual.
MedLearnUke.org is powered by Moodle — mobile-friendly and low-bandwidth compatible — built for real conditions in wartime Ukraine.
📋
### 7-Module Family Medicine Certificate
Case-based curriculum mapped to international standards. Fully bilingual English ⇆ Ukrainian throughout.
🏛️
### Specialty Resource Hubs (20+ fields)
Cardiology, paediatrics, emergency medicine, military health, mental health and more — contributed by global specialists.
🎥
### Live Webinars & Case Discussions
Monthly sessions with international experts. Archived with EN⇆UA dubbing so nothing is ever lost.
🌐
### AI-Powered Translation
DeepL + ElevenLabs: instant bilingual text, video captions, and audio. AI voice cloning preserves the educator's own tone.
💬
### Peer Forums & Mentorship
Global Q&A threads, specialty discussions, case sharing. You are never professionally alone.
🏆
### Internationally Recognised CPD Certificates
Portable, credentialled certificates on completion — supporting Ukraine's doctors wherever they practise.
EN
⇆
UA
One toggle. Everything changes.
Interface & navigation
All forum posts & replies
Case discussion threads
Video captions & content
Assessment questions
AI video dubbing in the educator's own voice
Truly Bilingual — Powered by AI
## Your voice. Their language.
Not subtitles. Not a generic voice-over. AI voice cloning means Ukrainian clinicians hear the educator's own voice — in Ukrainian. Learning stays personal and human.
#### AI Handles
- Assessment generation
- Translation of all content
- Captioning & dubbing
- Administrative scaffolding
#### Humans Provide
- Video lectures & expertise
- Live mentoring & forums
- Real case discussions
- Connection & experience
Access That Puts Ukraine First
## Built on an equity model.
International supporter subscriptions directly subsidise free access for Ukrainian clinicians — a simple act of global solidarity.
FREE
Volunteers & Military Clinicians
Vetted via CMA Ukraine — thank you for your service
Priority
FREE
CMA Members
Join CMA Ukraine (mobile clinic volunteers) and enrol at no cost
CMA
~$35USD/yr
Ukrainian Students & Nurses
~1,500 UAH/yr — very low barrier to entry
Accessible
~$70USD/yr
Ukrainian Doctors
~3,000 UAH/yr — affordable professional rate
Professional
$300AUD/yr
International Supporters
Your subscription directly funds free access for Ukrainian colleagues
Solidarity
Where We Are Now
## Almost ready. Help us cross the finish line.
80%
Platform deployment ready
500
User capacity at launch
8
Course modules completed
20+
Specialty hubs drafted
✅Hosting selected (EU primary, AU secondary)
✅All core plugins configured (translation, certs, webinars)
✅Family Medicine course content developed
✅Menu & specialty hub structures finalised
→**In progress:** Pilot launch with Ukrainian clinician group
→**In progress:** CME/CPD accreditation pathway
Contribute Your Expertise
## There's a role for every clinician.
Whether you can give an hour or an ongoing commitment, your expertise will directly reach clinicians working under extraordinary conditions.
### 💡 Contributor
- Upload a lecture or presentation
- Share a quick-reference guide
- Write a case vignette
- Contribute a specialty resource
One-off — no ongoing commitment needed
### 🎓 Tutor / Teacher
- Host a live webinar (1–2/year)
- Run a case discussion thread
- Mark assessments
- Mentor Ukrainian clinicians
- Build a specialty module
Flexible schedule, deep impact
### 🏛️ Academic Advisor
- Review curriculum content
- Provide specialty oversight
- Co-author learning objectives
- Help build accreditation pathway
Invited strategic role
**Tip for contributors:** Recording lectures or webinars? Speaking slowly and clearly in plain English significantly improves AI translation and voice dubbing quality — making your teaching more accessible for clinicians working under difficult conditions.
Get Involved Today
## Three ways to make a difference.
1
### Teach or Contribute Content
- Upload a lecture or presentation
- Run a live webinar (1–2 per year)
- Share a case vignette or resource
- Mentor Ukrainian clinicians online
No long-term commitment required. One contribution can reach hundreds of clinicians across Ukraine — in their own language.
[Register Your Interest](https://www.passingthrough.net/interest-med-learn-uke/)
2
### Subscribe as an International Supporter
- $300 AUD per year
- Full platform access for yourself
- Directly funds free access for Ukrainian colleagues
- Be notified when platform launches
Your subscription is an act of solidarity. Every international fee underwrites free access for the clinicians who need it most.
[Join the Waitlist](https://www.passingthrough.net/interest-med-learn-uke/)
3
### Donate to the Project
- Tax-deductible in Australia (DGR)
- Funds hosting & infrastructure
- Provides scholarships for Ukrainian learners
- Supports platform development
Only Passing Thru is a registered Australian charity. Your donation goes directly to building and sustaining the platform.
[Donate Now](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating)
> What we've built for Ukraine solves universal rural medicine problems.
— Dr Lara Wieland, Rural Generalist & Founder, Only Passing Thru [Donate Now](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating) [Volunteer Your Expertise](https://www.passingthrough.net/interest-med-learn-uke/)
## Be part of rebuilding Ukrainian healthcare.
One lecture. One webinar. One donation. Join a global network of clinicians who believe that geography and conflict should never determine the quality of medical care.
[Donate Today](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating) [Volunteer Your Expertise](https://www.passingthrough.net/interest-med-learn-uke/)
MedLearnUke.org
A project of [Only Passing Thru (OPT) Ltd](https://www.passingthrough.net) in partnership with the Christian Medical Association of Ukraine.
ABN 62 633 573 145 | Registered Australian Charity |
[Donate](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating) · [Volunteer](https://www.passingthrough.net/interest-med-learn-uke/) · [passingthrough.net](https://www.passingthrough.net)
---
### [Subscribe to blog posts](https://www.passingthrough.net/subscribe-to-blog-posts/)
**Published:** March 19, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
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### [Family Medicine and the Primary Health Care System in Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/family-medicine-in-ukraine/)
**Published:** June 7, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
***Caring for communities under pressure — and strengthening the doctors who keep showing up***
Ukraine’s primary health care system has undergone major reform in recent years, moving toward a family medicine model in which doctors provide broad, continuous care for people of all ages. Before the full-scale invasion, more than 30 million Ukrainians had enrolled with primary care doctors, and family medicine was becoming an increasingly important part of the country’s health system.
But war has changed everything.
Today, family doctors in Ukraine are caring for patients in the shadow of missile attacks, damaged infrastructure, disrupted supply chains, staff shortages, displacement, and enormous psychological strain. And yet, they continue to serve.
In many ways, family medicine in Ukraine now looks like rural and remote medicine under extreme pressure: broad scope, limited backup, difficult logistics, and constant adaptation.
**What we have seen firsthand**
In 2025, our team travelled across Ukraine — including Lviv, Odesa, Mykolaiv, Dnipro, Kharkiv, and nearby villages — working alongside Ukrainian doctors and health workers.
What stood out was not only the destruction, but the persistence of care.
Clinics were still running.
Doctors were still showing up.
Patients were still waiting.
But beneath that resilience was a quieter crisis: a system under pressure not only from war, but from **professional isolation, exhaustion, and disrupted access to continuing education and support**.
One doctor told us:
*“We are still treating everything. But sometimes we don’t know if we are doing it the best way anymore.”*
This is not only a crisis of buildings, equipment, and medicines.
It is also a crisis of **connection — to knowledge, to peers, to mentorship, and to ongoing learning.**
**Why family medicine matters so much in Ukraine**
Family doctors are central to Ukraine’s health system. They provide comprehensive care across the lifespan and are often the first — and sometimes only — point of contact for patients.
But the pressures are immense:
- Over 2,500 healthcare facilities damaged or destroyed
- Ongoing attacks on healthcare workers, clinics, and supply chains
- Disruption to electricity, heating, and water
- Severe difficulty accessing medicines
- Workforce shortages and ageing clinicians
- Growing mental health burden among patients and clinicians
In frontline and rural areas especially, doctors are managing:
- chronic disease and preventive care
- acute illness and trauma-related issues
- mental health conditions
- limited investigations and referral pathways
- continuity of care in unstable environments
This is family medicine at its most stretched — and also at its most vital.
**The hidden crisis: professional isolation**
One of the greatest challenges is not always the most visible.
Many clinicians in Ukraine have limited access to:
- continuing professional development (CPD)
- specialist advice
- peer discussion
- mentorship
- practical, context-relevant education
Doctors are often carrying responsibility for entire communities while working with uncertainty, limited diagnostics, and ongoing emotional strain.
For those of us who have worked in rural medicine, this feels familiar.
In Ukraine, it is amplified.
**A shift in thinking: education is part of the infrastructure**
Rebuilding healthcare is not only about reconstructing clinics and replacing equipment.
It is about ensuring clinicians can:
- keep learning
- stay connected
- practise safely and confidently
- support one another
Through our partnership with the **Christian Medical Association of Ukraine (CMA Ukraine)**, we recognised that **education is a critical part of healthcare infrastructure**.
**Our response: MedLearnUke**
**MedLearnUke** is a bilingual medical education platform developed by **Only Passing Thru (OPT)** and **CMA Ukraine** to support healthcare professionals in Ukraine and beyond.
It is designed specifically for clinicians working in:
- rural settings
- conflict-affected areas
- low-resource environments
The platform provides:
- a structured **Family Medicine Certificate**
- practical, case-based learning modules
- specialty resource hubs
- live and recorded webinars
- case-based discussion forums
- English ⇄ Ukrainian learning access
But more than anything, it provides something clinicians repeatedly told us they needed:
**Connection.**
A place to ask questions.
A place to learn.
A place to not feel alone.
**Why this matters**
In one village, we met clinicians managing everything from chronic disease to acute trauma.
They had:
- no regular CPD
- no peer group
- no easy way to discuss complex cases
And yet, they were responsible for an entire community.
When we described a platform where they could connect, learn, and collaborate, the response was simple:
*“This would change everything.”*
**The role of CMA Ukraine**
The **Christian Medical Association of Ukraine** is central to this work.
Their strength lies in deep local relationships, long-standing educational programs, and a commitment to combining clinical care with training and mentorship.
They ensure that:
- education is grounded in real-world Ukrainian practice
- content is relevant and practical
- frontline clinicians are reached
- the work is built *with Ukraine*, not imposed from outside
**A model that puts Ukraine first**
MedLearnUke is designed with equity at its core:
- Free access for volunteers and some frontline clinicians
- Very low cost for Ukrainian students, nurses, and charity clinicians
- Affordable access for Ukrainian doctors
- Pay-it-forward pricing for international clinicians
This ensures that those who need education most are not excluded from it.
**Looking ahead**
Ukraine’s health system continues to demonstrate extraordinary resilience.
But rebuilding is not just about infrastructure.
It is about people.
Family doctors need:
- skills
- support
- mentorship
- community
- ongoing learning
One doctor said to us after a long day:
*“We are tired. But we keep going because people need us.”*
The least we can do is make sure they are not doing that alone.
**Support this work**
We are committed to strengthening family medicine in Ukraine through practical education, partnership, and long-term support.
**You can help us do that.**
👉 **Donate here:**
**[www.passingthrough.net/donating](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating)**
**Interested in MedLearnUke?**
Whether you are:
- a **doctor, nurse, or health professional** wanting to learn
- an **educator, specialist, or rural clinician** willing to teach or mentor
- or someone who wants to contribute to meaningful, global collaboration
We would love to connect with you.
👉 **Join MedLearnUke (learners & contributors):**
****
**Help strengthen family medicine in Ukraine**
Support bilingual medical education, practical training, and ongoing connection for clinicians serving communities through war and beyond.
[ DONATE TO OUR WORK ](http://www.passingthrough.net/donating)
[ EOI for Health Professionals ](https://www.passingthrough.net/eoi-medical-mission/)
---
### [404 page error](https://www.passingthrough.net/custom-404/)
**Published:** April 10, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Looks like this page has moved or doesn’t exist.
But you can still make a real impact today.
[ ❤️ DONATE ](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)
[ 🏠 HOME ](https://www.passingthrough.net/)
[ 🛍 SHOP ](https://www.passingthrough.net/opt-shop-for-good/)
---
### [⚔️Under Black Banners](https://www.passingthrough.net/black-banners/)
**Published:** March 25, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Go to [OPT – Only Passing Thru charity home page](https://www.passingthrough.net) | [За українською версією натисніть ТУТ](https://www.passingthrough.net/%d1%87%d0%be%d1%80%d0%bd%d0%b8%d0%bc%d0%b8-%d0%bf%d1%80%d0%b0%d0%bf%d0%be%d1%80%d0%b0%d0%bc%d0%b8/)
# UNDER BLACK BANNERS:
## Feodosiy Shchus And The Long Fight For Ukrainian Freedom
A masterpiece rediscovered that echoes through time.
In the chaos of revolution, one man's story illuminates a nation's struggle. Nikodym Pliczkowsky's long-lost manuscript resurfaces to challenge everything you thought you knew about Ukraine's fight for independence.
Step into a time machine and witness the birth of a nation through the eyes of those who lived it. This isn't just another history book — it's a visceral journey into the heart of revolution.
- **Eyewitness Account:** Written by a man who survived the Ukrainian Revolution (1917–1922), the Holodomor, and World War II.
- **Unfiltered Narrative:** Challenges both Soviet propaganda and Western misconceptions.
- **Hidden Figures Revealed:** Uncovers the complex legacy of Feodosiy Shchus, the sailor-turned-revolutionary.
Get Your CopyEvery purchase supports humanitarian aid in Ukraine through OPT charity.
### 📖 Print Edition
**Best for Ukraine aid:** Buy direct from our Australian store (limited stock).
[Buy from Our Store (Australia)](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/under-black-banners-paperback/)Or order Print on Demand via Amazon:
[🇦🇺 Australia](https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0645946842) [🇺🇸 US](https://www.amazon.com/dp/0645946842) [🇬🇧 UK](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0645946842) [🇨🇦 Canada](https://www.amazon.ca/dp/0645946842) [🇩🇪 Germany](https://www.amazon.de/dp/0645946842) [🇯🇵 Japan](https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/0645946842) [🇵🇱 Poland](https://www.amazon.pl/dp/0645946842) [🇸🇪 Sweden](https://www.amazon.se/dp/0645946842)
📦 European readers: [store.streetlib.com](https://store.streetlib.com/biografie/under-black-banners-feodosiy-shchus-and-the-long-fight-for-ukrainian-freedom-851889/) may suit you better for print.
### 📱 Ebook Edition
**Best for Ukraine aid:** Purchase from Streetlib — the largest share goes directly to Ukrainian medical aid. Available as epub or mobi; send to Kindle or upload to any platform.
[English Ebook (Streetlib)](https://store.streetlib.com/biografie/under-black-banners-feodosiy-shchus-and-the-long-fight-for-ukrainian-freedom-851889/) [Ukrainian Ebook (Streetlib)](https://store.streetlib.com/biografie/851062/) 🇮🇹 Streetlib is an Italian site — most browsers auto-translate. [Detailed ordering instructions here.](https://www.passingthrough.net)
Also available on **Kindle, Kobo, Barnes & Noble** and other platforms.
Please consider leaving a review on **Goodreads** and spreading the word — thank you!
## About the Book
Under Black Banners is an immersive retelling of Ukraine's years of revolution and struggle for independence in the early 20th century. While fictional in form, the author's status as an eyewitness lends gravity to the events he describes. Told through the eyes of the famous Makhnovist anarchist Feodosiy Shchus, a complicated and ultimately tragic story is delivered with passion and purpose… As Ukraine once again faces an existential struggle along the very same front lines the reader encounters in Under Black Banners, the book's publication is as timely as it is thought-provoking.
— Sean Patterson, author of *Makhno and Memory: Anarchist and Mennonite Narratives of Ukraine's Civil War, 1917–1921*
Pliczkowsky probes questions of local and national identity, autonomy, and ideology. Eyewitness to the Ukrainian Revolution, the Holodomor, and World War II, his account challenges both Soviet propaganda and Western misconceptions about Ukraine's origins as a nation.
[Read about how this manuscript came to be →](https://www.passingthrough.net/journey-of-a-lost-manuscript/)
## Why This Book Matters
As Ukraine once again fights for its freedom, *Under Black Banners* offers crucial insights into the nation's enduring spirit and historical identity. This eyewitness account directly challenges Russia's current disinformation campaign, which falsely claims Ukraine didn't exist as a distinct entity in 1917.
Pliczkowsky's vivid narrative proves that Ukrainian national awareness and identity were alive and thriving during the revolutionary period, counteracting attempts to erase Ukraine's historical legitimacy. The struggles of yesterday not only echo in today's headlines but provide a powerful rebuttal to those who would deny Ukraine's right to exist.
## From the Editor
My grandfather wrote: *"The Great Ukrainian Revolution of 1917–1922 was a spontaneous phenomenon that caught Ukrainian political parties and the small conscious Ukrainian intelligentsia unprepared for the grand revolutionary events unfolding under the pressure of the masses."*
But make no mistake — the Ukrainian people knew who they were. Outsiders didn't grant our identity; it was forged in the furnace of history, in the hearts and minds of ordinary Ukrainians fighting for their freedom. This book stands as testament to Ukraine's long struggle for independence, a struggle that continues to this day. To understand Ukraine's present, one must confront its past — unvarnished, complex, and undeniably Ukrainian.
About the Author
"I have raised the heroes of this story from their bloody graves not for judgment or condemnation, not for glorification or justification, but for historical truth – to caution the Ukrainian people against making mistakes in the subsequent struggles for the independence of the Ukrainian state."
— Nikodym Pliczkowsky
Nikodym Pliczkowsky (1905–1992) was a remarkable individual whose life spanned some of the most tumultuous periods in Ukrainian history. Born in southern Ukraine to a family with Zaporizhian Cossack roots, Pliczkowsky's experiences provide a unique lens through which to view the 20th-century struggle for Ukrainian independence.
As a young boy, Pliczkowsky witnessed Ukraine's fight for sovereignty from 1917 to 1922, including the famous Battle of Dibrivka in his hometown. He survived the Holodomor, the man-made famine of the 1930s that claimed millions of Ukrainian lives.
During World War II, he was conscripted into the Red Army, captured by German forces, and narrowly escaped death in the gulags by forging documents to make his way to Australia with his wife and daughter — where he continued the struggle for Ukrainian independence.
## Book Excerpt
Shchus: "But you don't understand, Natalka. You don't know the Bolsheviks. They will never forgive us for daring to take up arms for our freedom! They will never forgive us for not wanting to go under their yoke. Sooner or later, they will destroy us if we lay down our arms. They will destroy everyone! They won't spare our women and children… they will drive everyone into the communes and starve them to death… I have no choice, Natalka! either we will win, or… or we will all perish! We will perish, as Shevchenko wrote: *'You will perish, Ukraine, there will not even be a trace left on the earth'*… remember, how we read this in the 'Kobzar'?"
[  ](https://store.streetlib.com/biografie/under-black-banners-feodosiy-shchus-and-the-long-fight-for-ukrainian-freedom-851889/)
Historical Context
- 1917Russian Empire collapses; Ukrainian People's Republic declared.
- 1918–1921Ukrainian War of Independence; Makhnovist movement gains strength.
- 1922Soviet Union formed; Ukraine becomes a Soviet republic.
- 1932–1933The Holodomor — a man-made famine in Soviet Ukraine — kills millions.
- 1930s–50sSoviet repression intensifies: mass arrests, executions, and deportations.
- 2004Orange Revolution: Ukrainians protest election fraud.
- 2013–2014Maidan Revolution: protests lead to ousting of Kremlin-backed President Yanukovych.
- 2014Russia invades and annexes Crimea and eastern Ukraine.
- 2022–presentRussia launches full-scale invasion; fierce Ukrainian resistance and international condemnation.
## Get your copy and support a cause!
Every purchase of *Under Black Banners* supports humanitarian efforts in Ukraine through our charity OPT. Join us in preserving history and shaping the future.
[Buy Print (Australia)](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/under-black-banners-paperback/) [Buy Ebook (Streetlib)](https://store.streetlib.com/biografie/under-black-banners-feodosiy-shchus-and-the-long-fight-for-ukrainian-freedom-851889/) [Visit OPT Charity](https://www.passingthrough.net)
## About the Editor
Lara Gillespie, granddaughter of Nikodym Pliczkowsky, has taken on the monumental task of editing and publishing her grandfather's life's work. Growing up immersed in her grandfather's vivid tales of Ukraine, the characters of history and the struggles against Soviet oppression, Lara recognised the importance of preserving this history for future generations.
She lived with the author in his last years and watched him typing this tale on his manual Ukrainian typewriter. He completed it before his death on 24th August 1992 — the 1st anniversary of the Independence of Ukraine after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
The manuscript was lost and has been found again in recent years, now finally translated to English and published. Having immersed herself in medical and humanitarian aid for Ukraine through her charity OPT, she realises more than ever the importance of this work and will be donating all the proceeds to Ukrainian aid.
**This book is dedicated** to a beloved grandfather and author Nikodym Pliczkowsky, and to all those who fight for freedom, truth and justice — past, present and future.
**All proceeds go to Ukraine aid.**
All rights reserved © Lara Gillespie | [About OPT – Only Passing Thru](https://www.passingthrough.net/about-opt-only-passing-thru/)
---
### [ПІД ЧОРНИМИ ПРАПОРАМИ – Феодосій Щусь і довга боротьба за українську свободу](https://www.passingthrough.net/чорними-прапорами/)
**Published:** March 30, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Англійською мовою: [⚔️ Under Black Banners](https://www.passingthrough.net/black-banners/) | [Перейдіть на сторінку благодійної організації OPT ТУТ](https://www.passingthrough.net)
# ПІД ЧОРНИМИ ПРАПОРАМИ
## Феодосій Щусь і довга боротьба за українську свободу
Віднайдений шедевр, який відлунює крізь час.
У хаосі революції історія однієї людини висвітлює боротьбу цілої нації. Давно втрачений рукопис Нікодима Плічковського знову випливає на поверхню, щоб кинути виклик усьому, що ви думали про боротьбу України за незалежність.
Це не просто ще одна історична книга — це чуттєва подорож у саме серце революції.
- ✦**Розповідь очевидця:** Написана людиною, яка пережила Українську революцію (1917–1922), Голодомор та Другу світову війну.
- ✦**Нефільтрований наратив:** Кидає виклик як радянській пропаганді, так і західним хибним уявленням.
- ✦**Розкриття прихованих постатей:** Розкрийте складну спадщину Феодосія Щуся, моряка, який став революціонером.
Придбати книгуКожна покупка підтримує гуманітарну допомогу в Україні через OPT.
### 📖 Друковане видання
**Найкраще для України:** Замовте в нашому австралійському магазині.
[Купити (Австралія)](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/under-black-banners-paperback/)Amazon (друк на вимогу):
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📦 Для читачів з Європи: [store.streetlib.com](https://store.streetlib.com/biografie/851890/)
### 📱 Електронна книга
**Найкраще для України:** Streetlib — найбільша частка йде на медичну допомогу Україні. Формати epub або mobi.
[Українська е-книга (Streetlib)](https://store.streetlib.com/biografie/851062/) [Англійська е-книга (Streetlib)](https://store.streetlib.com/biografie/under-black-banners-feodosiy-shchus-and-the-long-fight-for-ukrainian-freedom-851889/)🇮🇹 Streetlib — італійський сайт, браузер перекладає. [Інструкції тут.](https://www.passingthrough.net)
Також на **Kindle, Kobo, Barnes & Noble**.
Будь ласка, залиште відгук на **Goodreads** — дякуємо!
## Про книгу
У хаосі революції історія однієї людини висвітлює боротьбу цілої нації. Давно втрачений рукопис Нікодима Плічковського знову випливає на поверхню, щоб кинути виклик усьому, що ви думали про боротьбу України за незалежність. Це не просто ще одна історична книга — це чуттєва подорож у саме серце революції.
- ✦**Розповідь очевидця:** Написана людиною, яка пережила Українську революцію (1917–1922), Голодомор та Другу світову війну.
- ✦**Нефільтрований наратив:** Кидає виклик як радянській пропаганді, так і західним хибним уявленням.
- ✦**Розкриття прихованих постатей:** Розкрийте складну спадщину Феодосія Щуся, моряка, який став революціонером.
## Чому ця книга важлива
В той час, як Україна знову бореться за свою свободу, книга пропонує важливе розуміння незламного духу та історичної ідентичності нації. Ця розповідь очевидця безпосередньо кидає виклик дезінформаційній кампанії, яка помилково стверджує, що України не існувало як окремого утворення в 1917 році.
Яскравий наратив Плічковського доводить, що українська національна свідомість та ідентичність були живими і процвітали в революційний період, протидіючи спробам стерти історичну легітимність України. Боротьба минулого не лише відлунює в сьогоднішніх заголовках, але й дає потужну відсіч тим, хто заперечує право України на існування.
## Від редактора
Мій дідусь написав: *Велика Українська революція 1917–1922 років була стихійним явищем, яке застало зненацька українські політичні партії та нечисленну свідому українську інтелігенцію, неготовими до грандіозних революційних подій, що розгорталися під тиском мас.*
Але не помиляйтеся — український народ знав, ким він є. Нашу ідентичність не дарували нам сторонні люди; вона була викувана в горнилі історії, у серцях і умах простих українців, які боролися за свою свободу. Ця книга є свідченням тривалої боротьби України за незалежність, боротьби, яка триває і до сьогодні.
Про автора
Я підняв героїв цієї історії з їхніх кривавих могил не для суду чи осуду, не для прославлення чи виправдання, а заради історичної правди — щоб застерегти український народ від помилок у подальшій боротьбі за незалежність Української держави.
— Нікодим Плічковський
Нікодим Плічковський (1905–1992) був визначною особистістю, життя якої охопило одні з найбуремніших періодів в історії України. Народжений на півдні України в родині із запорізьким козацьким корінням, досвід Плічковського дає унікальну призму, через яку можна розглядати боротьбу за незалежність України у 20 столітті.
Ще хлопчиком Плічковський став свідком боротьби України за суверенітет з 1917 по 1922 рік, включаючи знамениту битву під Дібрівкою в його рідному місті. Він пережив Голодомор — штучний голод 1930-х років, який забрав мільйони українських життів.
Під час Другої світової війни його призвали до лав Червоної Армії, він потрапив у полон до німецьких військ і ледь не загинув у таборах, підробивши документи, щоб разом з дружиною та донькою дістатися Австралії — де продовжив боротьбу за незалежність України.
## Уривок з книги
Щусь: Але ж ти не розумієш, Наталко. Ти не знаєш більшовиків. Вони нам ніколи не пробачать, що ми насмілилися взяти в руки зброю за нашу свободу! Вони нам ніколи не пробачать, що ми не хочемо йти під їхнє ярмо. Рано чи пізно, вони нас знищать, якщо ми складемо зброю. Вони знищать усіх! Вони не пощадять наших жінок і дітей… вони всіх заженуть у комуни і заморять голодом… Я не маю вибору, Наталко! або ми переможемо, або… або ми всі загинемо! Ми загинемо, як писав Шевченко: *Погинеш, згинеш, Україно, не стане знаку на землі*… пам'ятаєш, як ми це читали в Кобзарі?
[  ](https://store.streetlib.com/biografie/851062/)Придбайте книгу зараз і підтримайте гуманітарну допомогу в Україні.
[Купити зараз](https://store.streetlib.com/biografie/851062/) [Друкований примірник (Австралія)](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/under-black-banners-paperback/)
Історичний контекст
- 1917Російська імперія розпадається; проголошено Українську Народну Республіку.
- 1918–1921Українська війна за незалежність; набирає сили махновський рух.
- 1922Утворено Радянський Союз; Україна стає радянською республікою.
- 1932–1933Голодомор — штучний голод в радянській Україні — забирає життя мільйонів.
- 1930–1950-тіПосилюються радянські репресії: масові арешти, страти та депортації українців.
- 2004Помаранчева революція: українці протестують проти фальсифікації виборів.
- 2013–2014Революція Гідності: протести призводять до усунення від влади президента Януковича.
- 2014Росія вторгається і анексує Крим та Східну Україну.
- 2022–дотеперРосія вдається до повномасштабного вторгнення; запеклий опір українців.
## Отримайте свій примірник і підтримайте справу!
Кожна покупка підтримує гуманітарні зусилля в Україні через нашу благодійну організацію OPT. Приєднуйтесь до нас у збереженні історії та формуванні майбутнього.
[Купити е-книгу (Streetlib)](https://store.streetlib.com/biografie/851062/) [Купити друкований примірник](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/under-black-banners-paperback/) [Відвідати OPT](https://www.passingthrough.net)
## Про редактора
Лара Гіллеспі, онука Никодима Плічковського, взяла на себе монументальне завдання редагування та публікації життєвої праці свого діда. Зростаючи в оточенні яскравих дідових розповідей про Україну, Лара усвідомила важливість збереження цієї історії для прийдешніх поколінь.
Вона жила з автором в останні роки його життя і спостерігала, як він друкував цю розповідь на своїй механічній українській друкарській машинці. Він завершив її перед своєю смертю 24 серпня 1992 року — в першу річницю Незалежності України після розпаду Радянського Союзу.
Рукопис було втрачено і знайдено знову в останні роки, і тепер нарешті перекладено англійською мовою та підготовлено до публікації. Займаючись медичною та гуманітарною допомогою Україні через свою благодійну організацію OPT, вона передасть весь прибуток на допомогу Україні.
**Ця книга присвячується** улюбленому дідусеві та автору Никодиму Плічковському та всім тим, хто бореться за свободу, правду та справедливість — у минулому, теперішньому та майбутньому.
**Весь прибуток спрямовується на допомогу Україні.**
Всі права захищені © Лара Гіллеспі | [Про нас — OPT Only Passing Thru](https://www.passingthrough.net/about-opt-only-passing-thru/)
---
### [About OPT- Only Passing Thru](https://www.passingthrough.net/about-opt-only-passing-thru/)
**Published:** February 25, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
At Only Passing Thru (OPT), we are dedicated to making a tangible difference in the world through targeted support in critical areas. As a registered charity, our primary focus currently lies in helping our partners address the urgent humanitarian needs in Ukraine amidst the ongoing invasion by Russia. However, our commitment extends to other vital causes as well and we build on over two decades of community development work through our founding charity Out There Kowanyama.
### A Journey of Purpose
Our journey at OPT is inspired by our founder’s passion for travel and humanitarian work. (Read more about our founder **[HERE](https://www.passingthrough.net/meeting-our-founder-dr-laras-journey-from-cape-york-to-ukraine/)** ). The “Only Passing Thru” philosophy embodies our love for exploring new horizons and our commitment to helping those in need as we ‘pass through’ this one life we have. It also serves as a reminder that our time on this earth is fleeting, urging us to make a meaningful impact. In a world changed by the pandemic, travel signifies life’s journey—encouraging us to ‘travel light’ in both literal and figurative senses, focusing on what truly matters in putting **‘love into action**‘ in serving our fellow human beings.
### Contributing to Change
One of our biggest passions is supporting charities that are effective, have a real impact, and use their donor’s dollars efficiently. To that end, we keep our admin costs very low and ensure that no admin costs are taken out of any donations to Ukraine at this time. We are proud to be an all-volunteer organisation. Specific fundraisers and donations for Ukraine all go directly to our partners in Ukraine, minus bank fees only. Sales of ‘Support Ukraine’ items in our shop go to Ukraine. All other profits are allocated, with 80% directed towards [Symbiosis International](https://symbiosis.org.au/) and 20% to Out There Kowanyama. We ensure that every contribution is used effectively to create a better world for those we serve.
### Our Mission and Vision
OPT’s directors have firsthand experience volunteering with these organisations and have been profoundly impressed by their empowerment approach to community development and their accountability and effectiveness. Our mission is to explore innovative fundraising and social enterprise opportunities to sustainably support these causes and facilitate effective giving that helps them do their work.
## Here’s how we make an impact:
### Aiding Ukraine: In the Face of Immense Humanitarian Suffering
In response to the devastating war of aggression by Russia against Ukraine, OPT has stepped up to support local NGOs addressing urgent needs on the ground. Following a revealing visit to Ukraine by one of our directors in July 2023, we identified trusted partners and critical areas where support was most needed.
Since August 2023, we have been actively receiving tax-deductible donations for Ukraine, ensuring that aid is delivered directly to those who need it most, with a strong focus on accountability and effectiveness.
Our primary partner, [Christian Medical Association of Ukrain](https://www.cmaukraine.com)e, provides vital humanitarian and medical assistance across the country. Through this partnership, we support not only frontline care but also a broad network of grassroots NGOs, churches, medic posts, clinics, and hospitals.
Beyond financial support, OPT is increasingly engaged in practical, on-the-ground collaboration. This includes contributing to strategic planning and systems development with our partners, participating in medical missions, and helping strengthen healthcare delivery in challenging and resource-limited environments.
We are also working together on innovative medical education initiatives designed to equip and support Ukrainian health workers. These projects aim to provide accessible, high-quality training and ongoing professional support for those delivering care under the immense pressures of war, helping to build resilience and capacity within the Ukrainian health system for the long term.
### Supporting Indigenous Youth in Australia: Out There Kowanyama
We have run Out There Kowanyama (www.otk.org.au) for many years ( it is now merged into the OPT charity) to empower remote Indigenous youth in Australia, providing them with the tools and opportunities to choose better lives. Our programs focus on education, capacity development, and community engagement to create lasting change. In the last few years, our activities in this area have been considerably scaled down, but we are still involved in some projects, which can be best followed on our [OTK Facebook page](https://www.facebook.com/OutThereKowanyama)
### Empowering Communities in Bangladesh: Symbiosis International
Our partnership with [Symbiosis Internationa](https://symbiosis.org.au/)l is dedicated to supporting them in uplifting the landless poor in Bangladesh. Through initiatives in education, healthcare, literacy, and employment, they strive to empower individuals and foster sustainable development. You can read more of their work at [www.symbiosis.org.au](http://www.symbiosis.org.au) and donate directly to them as they are also tax-deductible in Australia. You can purchase items in our [online shop](https://www.passingthrough.net/opt-shop-for-good/) with proceeds of some items going to this charity.
### [Join Us](https://www.passingthrough.net/category/support/)
We invite you to join us in our mission to make a difference. Your support can bring hope and change to Ukraine, remote Australian communities and Bangladesh. Visit our donation page to make a tax-deductible donation: [www.passingthrough.net/donating.](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating)
Please also [Email me](mail:opt@passingthrough.net) for ideas on how you can partner with us in different fundraising initiatives, volunteer, or share your ideas.
[Sign up](https://www.passingthrough.net/subscribe-to-blog-posts/) to our blog and newsletter to follow the journey and be inspired. Support us as we support others doing life-changing work.
Yours on the narrow road, Dr Lara (OPT founder and director)
#### ***James 4:14***
[ SUPPORT OR VOLUNTEER ](https://www.passingthrough.net/interest-in-helping-ukraine/)
[ DONATE TODAY ](http://www.passingthrough.net/donating)
[ FOLLOW OUR BLOG ](https://www.passingthrough.net/subscribe-to-blog-posts/)
Qld Charity No. CH4586237 | ABN 62633573145 | ACNC Registered Charity
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[  ](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/support-ukraine-pendant-in-the-form-of-ukrainian-coat-of-arms/)
[Quick View](# "Quick view")
### [\#SupportUkraine Pendant in the form of Ukrainian coat of arms.](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/support-ukraine-pendant-in-the-form-of-ukrainian-coat-of-arms/)
- 1
- [2](/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1788780508.8703339099884033203125&product-page=2)
- [3](/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1788780508.8703339099884033203125&product-page=3)
- [4](/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1788780508.8703339099884033203125&product-page=4)
- …
- [13](/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1788780508.8703339099884033203125&product-page=13)
- [14](/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1788780508.8703339099884033203125&product-page=14)
- [15](/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1788780508.8703339099884033203125&product-page=15)
- [→](/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1788780508.8703339099884033203125&product-page=2)
---
### [Check-Out](https://www.passingthrough.net/checkout-2/)
**Published:** March 31, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
---
### [Unsubscribe Email Bookmark Notifications](https://www.passingthrough.net/unsubscribe-email-bookmark-notifications/)
**Published:** February 19, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
[pencibf_unsubscribe]
---
### [Report Jan-May 2024](https://www.passingthrough.net/report-jan-may-2024-2/)
**Published:** July 25, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
In the 5 months since our last report in December 2023, we received $79,689 in donations and $2,865 in fundraising, plus $5,000 private sponsorship for a Ukrainian neurosurgeon to come here
for upskilling in August. Of the donations, $74,269 was donated for Ukraine, $5,000 for OTK, and
$422 in general donations.
We transferred $77,666 to our partners in Ukraine (92% went to CMA and 8% to FOG). This included
contributing to fundraisers for Ecoflow power generation for medevac drones and vehicles for
medevac as well as ongoing critical medical aid. It also allowed our partners to provide the
logistics for the millions of dollars worth of donated medical aid from other countries that were
offered if logistics could be provided.
$5,000 was donated for our OTK work in Kowanyama and will be used to assist with a community
project later in the year upgrading a community space and public toilet used by community groups,
kids, general public, and the church. $200 was donated to Symbiosis in Bangladesh.
In summary, in the last 5 months, we received $77,556 in donations and fundraising and $77,866.90
was passed on to our partners directly.
Our expenses for this period were $5,451 covering insurance, web costs, video projects, equipment
and video translations, merchant fees, fundraising supplies, internet, and supporting our
Kowanyama projects.
We pay no wages. Every dollar received goes directly to our charity partners.
---
### [Refund and Returns Policy](https://www.passingthrough.net/refund_returns/)
**Published:** November 10, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
**READ FIRST:**
If you have an issue with any of our products please contact us directly first and we will do our best to assist. We are a volunteer run charity and will appreciate your understanding.
### Overview
Our refund and returns policy lasts 30 days. If 30 days have passed since your purchase, we can’t offer you a full refund or exchange unless you are entitled to a refund under Australian Consumer law.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.
Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Perishable goods such as food or herbal teas cannot be returned.
Please contact us first.
Then to complete your return, we require a receipt or proof of purchase.
If the item is to be returned, you can post it to OPT Returns, PO Box 350, Malanda 4885.
## Refunds
Once your return is received and inspected, we will send you an email to notify you that we have received your returned item. We will also notify you of the approval or rejection of your refund.
If you are approved, then your refund will be processed, and a credit will automatically be applied to your credit card or original method of payment, within a certain amount of days.
There will be circumstances where we may issue a refund without you being required to return the item if you can show proof of a faulty or damaged item that is our fault, but we will notify you.
**Late or missing refunds**
If you haven’t received a refund yet, first check your bank account again.
Then contact your credit card company, it may take some time before your refund is officially posted.
Next contact your bank. There is often some processing time before a refund is posted. Normally you should receive a refund within 5 working days of being notified of a refund.
If you’ve done all of this and you still have not received your refund yet, please contact us at opt@passingthrough.net
## Exchanges
We only replace items if they are defective or damaged. If you need to exchange it for the same item, send us an email at opt@passingthrough.net and send your item to: PO Box 350 Malanda 4885
## Gifts
If the item was marked as a gift when purchased and shipped directly to you, you’ll receive a gift credit for the value of your return. Once the returned item is received, a gift certificate will be mailed to you.
If the item wasn’t marked as a gift when purchased, or the gift giver had the order shipped to themselves to give to you later, we will send a refund to the gift giver and they will find out about your return.
## Shipping returns
To return your product, you should mail your product to: PO Box 350 Malanda 4885
You will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item, unless there is a fault with the item that we are responsible for. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.
Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you may vary. We will endeavour to provide tracking services where possible.
If you are returning more expensive items, you may consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item. If we have evidence that you shipped the item within the refund policy timeframe we will allow for any delays in postage.
## Need help?
Contact us at opt@passingthrough.net for questions related to refunds and returns. We will do our best to sort things out to your satisfaction.
---
### [Privacy Policy](https://www.passingthrough.net/privacy-policy/)
**Published:** November 23, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
## Who we are
Our website address is: https://www.passingthrough.net.
## Comments
When visitors leave comments on the site we collect the visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string to help spam detection.
An anonymised string created from your email address (also called a hash) may be provided to the Gravatar service to see if you are using it. The Gravatar service privacy policy is available here: https://automattic.com/privacy/. After approval of your comment, your profile picture is visible to the public in the context of your comment.
## Media
If you upload images to the website, you should avoid uploading images with embedded location data (EXIF GPS) included. Visitors to the website can download and extract any location data from images on the website.
## Cookies
If you leave a comment on our site, you may opt-in to saving your name, email address and website in cookies. These are for your convenience so that you do not have to fill in your details again when you leave another comment. These cookies will last for one year.
If you visit our login page, we will set a temporary cookie to determine if your browser accepts cookies. This cookie contains no personal data and is discarded when you close your browser.
When you log in, we will also set up several cookies to save your login information and your screen display choices. Login cookies last for two days, and screen options cookies last for a year. If you select “Remember Me”, your login will persist for two weeks. If you log out of your account, the login cookies will be removed.
If you edit or publish an article, an additional cookie will be saved in your browser. This cookie includes no personal data and simply indicates the post ID of the article you just edited. It expires after 1 day.
## Embedded content from other websites
Articles on this site may include embedded content (e.g. videos, images, articles, etc.). Embedded content from other websites behaves in the exact same way as if the visitor has visited the other website.
These websites may collect data about you, use cookies, embed additional third-party tracking, and monitor your interaction with that embedded content, including tracking your interaction with the embedded content if you have an account and are logged in to that website.
## Who we share your data with
We do not share any of your information with anyone without your consent.
## How long we retain your data
If you leave a comment, the comment and its metadata are retained indefinitely. This is so we can recognise and approve any follow-up comments automatically instead of holding them in a moderation queue.
For users that register on our website (if any), we also store the personal information they provide in their user profile. All users can see, edit, or delete their personal information at any time (except they cannot change their username). Website administrators can also see and edit that information. It will not be shared with anyone else.
## What rights you have over your data
If you have an account on this site, or have left comments, you can request to receive an exported file of the personal data we hold about you, including any data you have provided to us. You can also request that we erase any personal data we hold about you. This does not include any data we are obliged to keep for administrative, legal, or security purposes.
## Where your data is sent
Visitor comments may be checked through an automated spam detection service.
---
### [Legacy Giving to Only Passing Thru - OPT](https://www.passingthrough.net/legacy-giving/)
**Published:** May 29, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
## Creating lasting impact through thoughtful estate planning
### Why Include Only Passing Thru in Your Will?
Your legacy gift to OPT ensures that our vital work continues long into the future, touching lives and creating positive change for generations to come. By including us in your estate plans, you’re making a statement about the values that matter most to you and ensuring those values live on. Legacy gifts, regardless of size, provide crucial stability that allows us to plan ahead, expand our programs, and respond to emerging needs. Many impactful charitable initiatives have been made possible through the foresight and generosity of donors who chose to remember charities in their wills. Your bequest costs nothing today but creates immeasurable value tomorrow—it’s one of the most powerful ways to multiply your impact and ensure the causes you care about continue to thrive.
### Quick Reference: Essential Information for Your Will
**Key Details for Your Attorney or Will Preparation**
**Legal Name:** Only Passing Thru -OPT Ltd
**Address:** PO Box 350 Malanda, 4885
**ABN: 62633573145**
**Legal Status:** ACNC registered charity (non-profit company limited by guarantee)
**Sample Bequest Language (Copy and Share)**
“I give, devise, and bequeath to Only Passing Thru, an ACNC registered nonprofit organisation located at PO Box 350, Malanda, 4885 , ABN **62633573145** , the sum of $\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \[or \_\_\_% of my estate\] \[or the following described property: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\] for its general charitable purposes.”
### Types of Bequests: Choose What Works for You
**Specific Bequest**
Leave a specific dollar amount or particular asset. This is the most common and straightforward approach.
**Sample Language:** “I give and bequeath the sum of $10,000 to Only Passing Thru for its general charitable purposes.”
**Percentage Bequest**
Leave a percentage of your estate, which automatically adjusts based on the final value of your estate.
**Sample Language:** “I give and bequeath 5% of my residual estate to Only Passing Thru for its general charitable purposes.”
**Residual Bequest**
Leave all or a portion of what remains after other bequests and expenses are paid.
**Sample Language:** “I give and bequeath all \[or \_\_\_\_%\] of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate to Only Passing Thru for its general charitable purposes.”
**Contingent Bequest**
Designate OPT as a backup beneficiary if your primary beneficiaries predecease you.
**Sample Language:** “If any of my primary beneficiaries do not survive me, I give their share to Only Passing Thru for its general charitable purposes.”
### Complete Will Preparation Guide
**Important Legal Note**
While this guide provides helpful information, every person’s situation is unique. We strongly recommend consulting with an attorney specialising in estate planning to ensure your will meets all legal requirements in your state and properly reflects your wishes.
**Essential Elements Every Will Must Include**
**Legal Requirements Checklist**
✓ Written document (handwritten or typed – check your state’s requirements)
✓ Your full legal name and address
✓ Clear statement that this is your will and revokes all previous wills
✓ Your signature and date
✓ Witness signatures (typically 2-3 witnesses, depending on state law)
✓ Notarisation (required in some states)
**Key Decisions to Make Before Writing Your Will**
**Questions to Consider**
**Executor:** Who will carry out your wishes? Choose someone trustworthy and organised.
**Beneficiaries:** Who will receive your assets? Be specific with full names and relationships.
**Guardianship:** If you have minor children, who will care for them?
**Assets:** What do you own? Consider property, investments, personal items, and digital assets.
**Charitable Giving:** Which organisations matter to you? How much would you like to leave?
**Step-by-Step Will Writing Process**
**Step 1: Inventory Your Assets**
Create a comprehensive list including real estate, bank accounts, investments, retirement accounts, life insurance, vehicles, jewellery, and personal property. Don’t forget digital assets like online accounts and cryptocurrency.
**Step 2: Choose Your Beneficiaries**
Decide who gets what. Consider naming alternate beneficiaries in case your first choice predeceases you. Be specific about relationships and include full legal names.
**Step 3: Select an Executor**
Choose someone you trust completely who is organised and willing to serve. Consider naming an alternate executor as well. Discuss this responsibility with them beforehand.
**Step 4: Consider Special Situations**
If you have minor children, name guardians. If you have pets, arrange for their care. If you own a business, plan for its continuation or sale.
**Step 5: Draft Your Will**
You can use online tools, software, or work with an attorney. The more complex your situation, the more important professional help becomes.
**Step 6: Execute Properly**
Sign your will in the presence of witnesses (who should not be beneficiaries). Some states require notarisation. Follow your state’s specific requirements exactly.
**Step 7: Store Safely and Inform Others**
Keep your will in a safe, accessible place. Tell your executor and key family members where to find it. Consider registering it with your state’s will registry if available.
### Working with Professionals
**When to Hire an Attorney**
Consider professional help if you have a large estate, own property in multiple states, have a blended family, own a business, have concerns about family disputes, or want to minimise taxes. Many attorneys offer fixed-fee will preparation services.
**Questions to Ask Your Attorney**
✓ What are the specific requirements for a valid will in my state?
✓ How should I structure my bequest to minimise taxes for my heirs?
✓ Should I consider a trust instead of or in addition to a will?
✓ How often should I update my will?
✓ What happens if I move to another state?
**Information to Bring to Your Attorney**
Prepare a complete asset inventory, list of potential beneficiaries with contact information, names of potential executors and guardians, any existing estate planning documents, and your goals for charitable giving including your desired bequest to Only Passing Thru.
### Important Considerations
**Tax Benefits of Charitable Bequests**
Charitable bequests to qualified charitable organisations like Only Passing Thru are generally deductible from your estate for federal tax purposes, potentially reducing the tax burden on your other beneficiaries. Consult with a tax professional about your specific situation.
**Updating Your Will**
Review and update your will after major life events such as marriage, divorce, birth of children or grandchildren, death of beneficiaries, significant changes in assets, or changes in tax law. Minor changes can often be made through a codicil, while major changes may require a new will.
**Communicating Your Plans**
Consider sharing your philanthropic intentions with family members to avoid surprises and explain your charitable values. You might also want to let Only Passing Thru know about your planned gift so we can plan accordingly and express our gratitude.
### Alternative Giving Options
**Beneficiary Designations**
You can name Only Passing Thru as a beneficiary on retirement accounts, life insurance policies, or bank accounts. This transfers assets directly without going through probate and can be easily changed.
**Living Trusts**
Consider including charitable giving in your living trust, which can provide more control and privacy while avoiding probate.
**Charitable Gift Annuities**
These provide income during your lifetime while supporting our mission after your death. Contact us to learn more about this option.
### How your bequest will be used
You can read more on our website about what our charity does. When you make a bequest to generable charitable giving it will be directed to the project or needs that are most critical at that time.
However if you would like to leave a bequest for a particular purpose you are welcome to do that and can contact us with any questions or for more details.
You can also choose to have your legacy recognised on our website in perpetuity.
### We're Here to Help
Our team is happy to work with you and your attorney to ensure your charitable bequest is structured properly. We can provide additional sample language, answer questions about our organisation, or discuss how your gift will be used.
**Contact Information:**
Email:
[ YOU CAN ALSO DONATE TODAY ](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating)
*This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Laws vary by state and individual circumstances. Please consult with qualified legal and tax professionals before making estate planning decisions.*
---
### [Everything Else](https://www.passingthrough.net/everything-else/)
**Published:** January 29, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/meeting-our-founder-dr-laras-journey-from-cape-york-to-ukraine/ "From Cape York to Ukraine: our founder Dr Lara’s Journey")
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/meeting-our-founder-dr-laras-journey-from-cape-york-to-ukraine/ "From Cape York to Ukraine: our founder Dr Lara’s Journey") [](https://www.passingthrough.net/meeting-our-founder-dr-laras-journey-from-cape-york-to-ukraine/ "From Cape York to Ukraine: our founder Dr Lara’s Journey")### [ From Cape York to Ukraine:... ](https://www.passingthrough.net/meeting-our-founder-dr-laras-journey-from-cape-york-to-ukraine/)
Meeting our founder Dr. L…
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/christmas-gifts-that-give-twice/ "CHRISTMAS GIFTS THAT GIVE TWICE")
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/christmas-gifts-that-give-twice/ "CHRISTMAS GIFTS THAT GIVE TWICE") [](https://www.passingthrough.net/christmas-gifts-that-give-twice/ "CHRISTMAS GIFTS THAT GIVE TWICE")### [ CHRISTMAS GIFTS THAT GIVE TWICE ](https://www.passingthrough.net/christmas-gifts-that-give-twice/)
Shop handmade jewellry th…
---
### [Giving back](https://www.passingthrough.net/giving-back/)
**Published:** January 29, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
### Practical love in action — locally and globally
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/dr-chris-goes-to-ukraine/ "Dr Chris Goes To Ukraine")
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/dr-chris-goes-to-ukraine/ "Dr Chris Goes To Ukraine") [](https://www.passingthrough.net/dr-chris-goes-to-ukraine/ "Dr Chris Goes To Ukraine")### [ Dr Chris Goes To Ukraine ](https://www.passingthrough.net/dr-chris-goes-to-ukraine/)
An Australian doctor head…
[ Read more ](https://www.passingthrough.net/dr-chris-goes-to-ukraine/)
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/medical-mission-to-ukraine-2/ "Medical Mission in Ukraine 2025 (2)")
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/medical-mission-to-ukraine-2/ "Medical Mission in Ukraine 2025 (2)") [](https://www.passingthrough.net/medical-mission-to-ukraine-2/ "Medical Mission in Ukraine 2025 (2)")### [ Medical Mission in Ukraine 2025... ](https://www.passingthrough.net/medical-mission-to-ukraine-2/)
From frontline medical in…
[ Read more ](https://www.passingthrough.net/medical-mission-to-ukraine-2/)
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/medical-mission-to-ukraine/ "Medical Mission to Ukraine starting soon")
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/medical-mission-to-ukraine/ "Medical Mission to Ukraine starting soon") [](https://www.passingthrough.net/medical-mission-to-ukraine/ "Medical Mission to Ukraine starting soon")### [ Medical Mission to Ukraine starting... ](https://www.passingthrough.net/medical-mission-to-ukraine/)
Our medical mission heads…
[ Read more ](https://www.passingthrough.net/medical-mission-to-ukraine/)
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/beyond-the-operating-room/ "Beyond the Operating Room: A Ukrainian Doctor’s Journey")
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/beyond-the-operating-room/ "Beyond the Operating Room: A Ukrainian Doctor’s Journey") [](https://www.passingthrough.net/beyond-the-operating-room/ "Beyond the Operating Room: A Ukrainian Doctor’s Journey")### [ Beyond the Operating Room: A... ](https://www.passingthrough.net/beyond-the-operating-room/)
In the shadow of war, a y…
[ Read more ](https://www.passingthrough.net/beyond-the-operating-room/)
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/healing-amidst-chaos-a-surgeons-mission-in-war-torn-ukraine/ "Healing Amidst Chaos: A Surgeon’s Mission in War-Torn Ukraine")
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/healing-amidst-chaos-a-surgeons-mission-in-war-torn-ukraine/ "Healing Amidst Chaos: A Surgeon’s Mission in War-Torn Ukraine") [](https://www.passingthrough.net/healing-amidst-chaos-a-surgeons-mission-in-war-torn-ukraine/ "Healing Amidst Chaos: A Surgeon’s Mission in War-Torn Ukraine")### [ Healing Amidst Chaos: A Surgeon’s... ](https://www.passingthrough.net/healing-amidst-chaos-a-surgeons-mission-in-war-torn-ukraine/)
Dr. Ryan Winters’ ongoing…
[ Read more ](https://www.passingthrough.net/healing-amidst-chaos-a-surgeons-mission-in-war-torn-ukraine/)
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/quick-dispatches-ukraine-our-partners-in-action-no-1/ "Quick Dispatches: Ukraine & Our Partners in Action No.1")
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/quick-dispatches-ukraine-our-partners-in-action-no-1/ "Quick Dispatches: Ukraine & Our Partners in Action No.1") [](https://www.passingthrough.net/quick-dispatches-ukraine-our-partners-in-action-no-1/ "Quick Dispatches: Ukraine & Our Partners in Action No.1")### [ Quick Dispatches: Ukraine & Our... ](https://www.passingthrough.net/quick-dispatches-ukraine-our-partners-in-action-no-1/)
Quick dispatches on our N…
[ Read more ](https://www.passingthrough.net/quick-dispatches-ukraine-our-partners-in-action-no-1/)
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/resilience-in-occupied-eastern-ukraine/ "Resilience in occupied Eastern Ukraine")
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/resilience-in-occupied-eastern-ukraine/ "Resilience in occupied Eastern Ukraine") [](https://www.passingthrough.net/resilience-in-occupied-eastern-ukraine/ "Resilience in occupied Eastern Ukraine")### [ Resilience in occupied Eastern Ukraine ](https://www.passingthrough.net/resilience-in-occupied-eastern-ukraine/)
Discover inspiring storie…
[ Read more ](https://www.passingthrough.net/resilience-in-occupied-eastern-ukraine/)
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/meeting-our-founder-dr-laras-journey-from-cape-york-to-ukraine/ "From Cape York to Ukraine: our founder Dr Lara’s Journey")
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/meeting-our-founder-dr-laras-journey-from-cape-york-to-ukraine/ "From Cape York to Ukraine: our founder Dr Lara’s Journey") [](https://www.passingthrough.net/meeting-our-founder-dr-laras-journey-from-cape-york-to-ukraine/ "From Cape York to Ukraine: our founder Dr Lara’s Journey")### [ From Cape York to Ukraine:... ](https://www.passingthrough.net/meeting-our-founder-dr-laras-journey-from-cape-york-to-ukraine/)
Meeting our founder Dr. L…
[ Read more ](https://www.passingthrough.net/meeting-our-founder-dr-laras-journey-from-cape-york-to-ukraine/)
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/healing-hands-in-ukraine-a-hand-therapists-story-of-hope-and-connection/ "Healing Hands in Ukraine: A Therapist’s Story")
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/healing-hands-in-ukraine-a-hand-therapists-story-of-hope-and-connection/ "Healing Hands in Ukraine: A Therapist’s Story") [](https://www.passingthrough.net/healing-hands-in-ukraine-a-hand-therapists-story-of-hope-and-connection/ "Healing Hands in Ukraine: A Therapist’s Story")### [ Healing Hands in Ukraine: A... ](https://www.passingthrough.net/healing-hands-in-ukraine-a-hand-therapists-story-of-hope-and-connection/)
Through healing hands and…
[ Read more ](https://www.passingthrough.net/healing-hands-in-ukraine-a-hand-therapists-story-of-hope-and-connection/)
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/a-transformative-visit-ukrainian-neurosurgeon-davyd-staryk-in-australia/ "Ukrainian Neurosurgeon in Australia: A Transformative Visit")
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/a-transformative-visit-ukrainian-neurosurgeon-davyd-staryk-in-australia/ "Ukrainian Neurosurgeon in Australia: A Transformative Visit") [](https://www.passingthrough.net/a-transformative-visit-ukrainian-neurosurgeon-davyd-staryk-in-australia/ "Ukrainian Neurosurgeon in Australia: A Transformative Visit")### [ Ukrainian Neurosurgeon in Australia: A... ](https://www.passingthrough.net/a-transformative-visit-ukrainian-neurosurgeon-davyd-staryk-in-australia/)
Ukrainian neurosurgeon vi…
[ Read more ](https://www.passingthrough.net/a-transformative-visit-ukrainian-neurosurgeon-davyd-staryk-in-australia/)
---
### [Annual Reports](https://www.passingthrough.net/annual-reports/)
**Published:** December 8, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Check out our annual reports here:
##  Latest Financial Report: [2024-25 HERE!](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Only-Passing-Thru-Annual-Report-24_25.pdf)
[2023 Annual Report HERE](https://www.storydoc.com/dec3c27d558c1b3c61a6feca6c409b58/908b1522-c5f4-4569-8b55-0e8144e5277c/65729549320d95000be2446c)
[Report Jan-May 2024 HERE](https://www.passingthrough.net/report-jan-may-2024-2/)
[Annual Report 23\_24 HERE](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Annual-Report-OPT-23_24.pdf)
---
### [Contact](https://www.passingthrough.net/contact/)
**Published:** July 24, 2016
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
### ***Get in Touch -We’d love to hear from you.***
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Name \*First
Last
Email \*
Comment or Message
Submit
---
### [Current OtK Projects](https://www.passingthrough.net/current-otk-projects/)
**Published:** March 14, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
# This page is in the process of being updated – thanks for your patience.
# **Current Community Projects in Kowanyama**
#### **Community & Church Park Improvement Project**
Creating spaces for connection is vital, particularly in socially disadvantaged and isolated communities like Kowanyama, where there are limited communal gathering areas. Providing places where families and groups can meet, connect, and relax supports the well-being of those facing hardships.
With input from the local community and church members, this project has been developed using grant funds, donations, and significant volunteer labour from our dedicated members over the years.
The church area is more than just a place of worship—it serves as a hub for numerous community activities, including programs for children, cultural workshops, arts events, funerals, weddings, christenings, and other gatherings. Recognising the importance of this space, we have undertaken various improvements, such as:
- Building a **fence** around the park to keep out bulls and horses.
- Repairing and painting the **toilet block** and later completely rebuilding it after the old structure deteriorated.
- Planting **trees with irrigation** to create shaded areas for future generations.
- Constructing a **public BBQ area** with a picnic table and coin-operated BBQ for all community members to use.
- Erecting a **traditional shelter**, initially led by local men and later expanded with additional shaded areas, picnic tables, and a fire pit.
- Completing **multiple fence repairs** over the years due to damage caused by animals.
- Constructing **basic volunteer accommodation**, which has also been useful for a community development worker assisting local women who used to be one of our OtK workers and is doing amazing long term work in the community.
Through these enhancements, the park has become a well-used and much-loved meeting place that continues to serve as an essential part of the community’s social and cultural life.
---
#### **Konnecting Kowanyama VC Project**
Access to technology can be a game-changer in remote communities. To help bridge the gap, we installed **videoconferencing equipment** in the church to facilitate education, remote participation in funerals (especially for boarding school students who would otherwise miss school), and other community events.
This was made possible through generous donations from **JCU**, our fundraising efforts, and the dedicated volunteer labour of our members, **Joel and Ron**.
We continue to provide training for locals and various community groups to ensure they can make full use of this valuable resource. Additionally, we fund the internet access required to keep the system operational.
Any contributions to help maintain and expand this initiative are greatly appreciated. You can support our work by donating at [**www.passingthrough.net/donating**](www.passingthrough.net/donating).
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
### **Our Ongoing Work with the Community Garden**
While we now spend less time in Kowanyama, the **Community Demonstration Vegetable Garden** continues to serve as a valuable resource for the community. Today, various local organisations utilise the space to support employment, training, and health promotion efforts.
Current and past activities include:
- **NDIS provider Ulaunch** using the garden for training and part-time employment opportunities.
- **Justice Group** engaging community service participants in gardening projects.
- **Kowanyama State School** incorporating the garden into cooking and educational programs.
- **Apunipima Cape York Health Council** utilising produce for health promotion initiatives.
- **Jimmy Little Foundation** filming health education videos in the garden.
- **RISE local workers** propagating hardy, nutritious plants to be distributed and planted around the community.
Additionally, school groups have access to dedicated garden beds for their own vegetable gardening projects, and locals can visit to collect cuttings and seedlings to start their own home gardens.
The other section of the garden land is home to the **Council/Rangers Office Greenhouse**, where the **Cultural Centre, Rangers, and RISE garden workers** propagate local bush tucker and medicinal plants. We supported this by providing automatic irrigation systems and sharing a portion of the greenhouse for plant propagation.
Our commitment to sustainable gardening and nutrition education remains strong, even as our primary focus shifts to other initiatives. The legacy of the garden lives on through the community’s ongoing engagement, and we are excited to see its continued growth and impact in Kowanyama.
---
### [Accommodation booking request](https://www.passingthrough.net/booking/)
**Published:** August 10, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
## Thanks for considering using our charity’s remote community accommodation.
This accommodation is run by our charity to address the shortage of affordable accommodation for those helping the community of Kowanyama. First preference will be given to volunteers and then to visitors doing community development work. All rates cover the costs of this acccommodation with any surplus going directly to our charity work.
Facilities: 1 bedroom caravan with double bed, shower, kitchen, dining/loungette, TV, bathroom, toilet. Airconditioning. Small manual washing machine available.
There is a secure outdoor seating area enclosed with a locked cage.
There is no on-site housekeeping so we request that you please leave the facilities clean and in the same condition you found them.
Please remove all rubbish and perishable food.
If you do not want to wash and dry your linen before you go please bring your own. Regular visitors can make arrangements to leave items in a secure storage.
There are generator facilities should you be in community during a power blackout.
If you need to cancel please contact us at opt@passingthrough.net and we can arrange a refund minus payment fees.
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Total Owing Order Summary Item Quantity Qty Total There are no products selected. Extra guest fee1$75.00Accommodation purpose/price – number of nights – Paid Community Work0$0.00Accommodation purpose/price – number of nights – Paid Community Development0$0.00Accommodation purpose/price – number of nights – Volunteer Work0$0.00Accommodation purpose/price – number of nights – Other ( put more detail in comments and we will contact you)0$0.00Accommodation purpose/price – number of nights – Commercial Accommodation0$0.00Would you like to add a tax deductible donation to our charity’s work? 1$0.00Total$0.00
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---
### [Winter Emergency Appeal](https://www.passingthrough.net/winter-emergency/)
**Published:** January 25, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
[ DONATE TODAY ](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)
*Gauge updates every 24 hours.*
---
### [Donate To OTK - Our Work In Kowanyama](https://www.passingthrough.net/about-otk-kowanyama/donate-to-otk-our-work-in-kowanyama/)
**Published:** January 20, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
#### For direct bank transfers without fees see bottom of page.
Can you commit to a regular gift of support? (for amounts less than $10/mth pls do direct debit to avoid fees) \*- YES! I'd love to support monthly, even if it's a small amount, to provide certainty to those I'm supporting.
- No it will just be a one off donation this time.
YOUR GIFT OF SUPPORT (donations over $2 are tax deductible) \*- $10 AUD
- $100 AUD
- $25 AUD
- $1000
- $500 AUD
- $50 AUD
- OTHER
OTHER AMOUNT (over $2 is tax deductible) \*Minimum Price: $10.00
Please select where you would like your donation to go: - Community development Kowanyama
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---
### [About OtK - Kowanyama](https://www.passingthrough.net/about-otk-kowanyama/)
**Published:** March 14, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
# [OtK Facebook Page HERE](https://www.facebook.com/OutThereKowanyama)
[](https://www.facebook.com/OutThereKowanyama)
### Just a few of our pics - check out more on Facebook
[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_7113-scaled.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_1135-scaled.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_1102-scaled.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_0709.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/boys-scaled.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/072-scaled.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/503275001_4102908173364277_8583437291106517926_n.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/497478183_4081984568789971_1247548844485295194_n.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/496949414_4081985582123203_4268083126498469142_n.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/498156211_4081985248789903_1189871812281900243_n.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/498297723_4081985258789902_4983981847486950629_n.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/497958953_4082176838770744_4262029633101361746_n.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/82773063_2522160358105741_7618408617368092672_n-scaled.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/72143308_2420860068235771_5446829850650214400_n-scaled.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/71170610_2420858394902605_315778932043415552_n-scaled.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/69534459_2420857988235979_3950257734833668096_n-scaled.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/71499372_2420858354902609_4204181509952765952_n-scaled.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/74789160_2440810582907386_4309651900854173696_n-scaled.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/73253069_2440810552907389_8023875640602132480_n-scaled.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/73145412_2440810219574089_843697113563922432_n-scaled.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/65916411_2351151265206652_2461047648228999168_n-scaled.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/65517506_2351151028540009_6418569336696340480_n-scaled.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/65923757_2351150685206710_8697996102311346176_n-scaled.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/65672017_2351150695206709_8130277678629519360_n-scaled.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/43754207_2166973966957717_1945534212727635968_n-scaled.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/43766783_2166973006957813_9180075382076866560_n-scaled.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/44061622_2167810923540688_979029600325599232_n-scaled.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/43445391_2164811120507335_2477237282638135296_n-scaled.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/43531122_2164811257173988_8955434788471177216_n-scaled.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/28783605_1998936890428093_4497124483135438848_n.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/28870868_1998936857094763_1796561472474578944_n.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/502574181_4101467073508387_2245182861954225727_n.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/502476324_4101466696841758_8494588523653727922_n.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/502631536_4101467106841717_5070103388687187337_n.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/503480904_4104447016543726_498864371001336912_n.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/504181314_4104447229877038_733271470128254460_n.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/118523725_2728971450757963_2761676477159373140_n.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/118333923_2728970907424684_6111440077371021323_n.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/118614763_2728971500757958_329027765517712127_n.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/120909685_2763858353935939_8784843261249973530_n-scaled.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/120999147_2763858417269266_3821234573756407905_n.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/120956713_2763857903935984_5030926593257213535_n.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/121059702_2763857960602645_6295688703237558805_n.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/121092106_2763969400591501_8713294153475122076_n-scaled.jpg)[](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/121009503_2763971480591293_16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---
### [Helping Ukraine (non-medical)](https://www.passingthrough.net/interest-in-helping-ukraine/)
**Published:** June 14, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
If you are a health professional who wants to help see [THIS FORM. ](https://www.passingthrough.net/health-professionals-make-a-difference-in-ukraine/eoi-medical-mission/)
If you want to support through donating go [HERE. ](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
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--- Select country ---AfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBolivia (Plurinational State of)Bonaire, Saint Eustatius and SabaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBrunei DarussalamBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCabo VerdeCambodiaCameroonCanadaCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaChristmas IslandCocos (Keeling) IslandsColombiaComorosCongoCongo (Democratic Republic of the)Cook IslandsCosta RicaCroatiaCubaCuraçaoCyprusCzech RepublicCôte d'IvoireDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEswatini (Kingdom of)EthiopiaFalkland Islands (Malvinas)Faroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuernseyGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard Island and McDonald IslandsHondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIran (Islamic Republic of)IraqIreland (Republic of)Isle of ManIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJerseyJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKorea (Democratic People's Republic of)Korea (Republic of)KosovoKuwaitKyrgyzstanLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacaoMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMicronesia (Federated States of)Moldova (Republic of)MonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorth Macedonia (Republic of)Northern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestine (State of)PanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairnPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarRomaniaRussian FederationRwandaRéunionSaint BarthélemySaint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da CunhaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint Martin (French part)Saint Pierre and MiquelonSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSamoaSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSint Maarten (Dutch part)SlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSurinameSvalbard and Jan MayenSwedenSwitzerlandSyrian Arab RepublicTaiwan, Republic of ChinaTajikistanTanzania (United Republic of)ThailandTimor-LesteTogoTokelauTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluTürkiyeUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandUnited States Minor Outlying IslandsUnited States of AmericaUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVatican City StateVenezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)VietnamVirgin Islands (British)Virgin Islands (U.S.)Wallis and FutunaWestern SaharaYemenZambiaZimbabweÅland IslandsCountry
Date of BirthDD12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031MM123456789101112YYYY202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001200019991998199719961995199419931992199119901989198819871986198519841983198219811980197919781977197619751974197319721971197019691968196719661965196419631962196119601959195819571956195519541953195219511950194919481947194619451944194319421941194019391938193719361935193419331932193119301929192819271926192519241923192219211920
GenderMaleFemalePrefer not to say
Checkboxes \*- Personal Assistant
- Clerical Support
- Video Editing
- Accounting
- Bookkeeping
- Video Production
- Website Management
- Running Stalls
- Managing Online Shop
- Organising Fundraisers
- Online LMS technical support
- Making items for fundraiserss
- Other ( specify below)
Details of how I'd like to help/contribute: You can help in a wide variety of ways: clerical/personal assistant video editing documentary medical education content LMS management bookkeeping etc
Any other notes you'd like to add:bookkeeping etc
Qualifications
Skills
Current role(s)
Resume Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload You can upload up to 3 files.
[ I'd also like to make a donation today ](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/)
Submit
---
### [How to order Under Black Banners as an ebook through Streetlib Store](https://www.passingthrough.net/how-to-order-under-black-banners-as-an-ebook-through-streetlib-store/)
**Published:** January 14, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
# How to order Under Black Banners as an ebook through Streetlib Store
by [opt@passingthrough.net](https://www.passingthrough.net/author/lwielandvtown-com-au/)
\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column\]\[vc\_single\_image image=”14002″ img\_size=”medium” alignment=”center” css=””\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]You can buy our ebook “Under Black Banners: Feodosiy Shchus and the long fight for Ukrainian freedom” from a number of platforms including Amazon. However if you want to purchase from the distributor who ensures the most royalities go to aid in Ukraine then Streetlib Store is the go! One catch – it’s in Italian – and some people have found that a little hard to navigate.
That is why we have provided the step by step instructions here which works for both Ukrainian and English versions.
Head to Streetlib Store **[HERE](https://store.streetlib.com/biografie/under-black-banners-feodosiy-shchus-and-the-long-fight-for-ukrainian-freedom-851889/)**
If you still find this too hard you can still purchase this at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Googleplay, Kobo books etc – it will just mean less proceeds go to aid. Please write a review on any platforms you use or Goodreads and help us spread the word!
Thanks for your support!\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[vc\_column\_text css=””\]
# PDF Instructions
[ebook instructions](https://www.passingthrough.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ebook-instructions.pdf)\[/vc\_column\_text\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]
## Video Instructions
[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.passingthrough.net/how-to-order-under-black-banners-as-an-ebook-through-streetlib-store/)[Twitter](https://x.com/intent/tweet?text=Check%20out%20this%20article:%20How%20to%20order%20Under%20Black%20Banners%20as%20an%20ebook%20through%20Streetlib%20Store%20-%20https://www.passingthrough.net/how-to-order-under-black-banners-as-an-ebook-through-streetlib-store/)[Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.passingthrough.net%2Fhow-to-order-under-black-banners-as-an-ebook-through-streetlib-store%2F&description=How+to+order+Under+Black+Banners+as+an+ebook+through+Streetlib+Store)[Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.passingthrough.net%2Fhow-to-order-under-black-banners-as-an-ebook-through-streetlib-store%2F&title=How%20to%20order%20Under%20Black%20Banners%20as%20an%20ebook%20through%20Streetlib%20Store)[Whatsapp]()[Copy Link](https://www.passingthrough.net/how-to-order-under-black-banners-as-an-ebook-through-streetlib-store/)[Bluesky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=How%20to%20order%20Under%20Black%20Banners%20as%20an%20ebook%20through%20Streetlib%20Store%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.passingthrough.net%2Fhow-to-order-under-black-banners-as-an-ebook-through-streetlib-store%2F)[Email](mailto:?subject=How%20to%20order%20Under%20Black%20Banners%20as%20an%20ebook%20through%20Streetlib%20Store&BODY=https://www.passingthrough.net/how-to-order-under-black-banners-as-an-ebook-through-streetlib-store/)[](#)
---
### [EOI Medical Mission](https://www.passingthrough.net/health-professionals-make-a-difference-in-ukraine/eoi-medical-mission/)
**Published:** October 17, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
### Applicant Information- EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
Please use this form to show an expression of interest in volunteer medical work for Ukraine from your home base OR medical missions to Ukraine with our charity OPT in partnership with Christian Medical Association of Ukraine (www.cmaukraine.com) This is an EOI only and does not commit you to anything.
Name \*First
Last
Email Address \*
Phone \*
Date of Birth \*
GenderMaleFemalePrefer Not To Say
AddressAddress Line 1
Address Line 2
City
State / Province / Region
Postal Code
--- Select country ---AfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBolivia (Plurinational State of)Bonaire, Saint Eustatius and SabaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBrunei DarussalamBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCabo VerdeCambodiaCameroonCanadaCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaChristmas IslandCocos (Keeling) IslandsColombiaComorosCongoCongo (Democratic Republic of the)Cook IslandsCosta RicaCroatiaCubaCuraçaoCyprusCzech RepublicCôte d'IvoireDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEswatini (Kingdom of)EthiopiaFalkland Islands (Malvinas)Faroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuernseyGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard Island and McDonald IslandsHondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIran (Islamic Republic of)IraqIreland (Republic of)Isle of ManIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJerseyJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKorea (Democratic People's Republic of)Korea (Republic of)KosovoKuwaitKyrgyzstanLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacaoMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMicronesia (Federated States of)Moldova (Republic of)MonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorth Macedonia (Republic of)Northern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestine (State of)PanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairnPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarRomaniaRussian FederationRwandaRéunionSaint BarthélemySaint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da CunhaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint Martin (French part)Saint Pierre and MiquelonSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSamoaSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSint Maarten (Dutch part)SlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSurinameSvalbard and Jan MayenSwedenSwitzerlandSyrian Arab RepublicTaiwan, Republic of ChinaTajikistanTanzania (United Republic of)ThailandTimor-LesteTogoTokelauTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluTürkiyeUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandUnited States Minor Outlying IslandsUnited States of AmericaUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVatican City StateVenezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)VietnamVirgin Islands (British)Virgin Islands (U.S.)Wallis and FutunaWestern SaharaYemenZambiaZimbabweÅland IslandsCountry
Organisation (if applicable)
Position/Title/job \*
### Expression of Interest
What are you interested in? e.g. medical education, online teaching, mobile clinics, surgery, teaching - name all that apply \*Brief statement expressing the interest and capability.
I would prefer (select all that apply) \*- Utilising my skills remotely from home
- Going anywhere in Ukraine where my skills are needed
- Going to Ukraine in less dangerous areas where my skills are needed
Relevant Qualifications \*Outline of qualifications and skills you think will be helpful
Relevant Experience \*Outline of past experiences or projects that make you a suitable candidate.
Why do you want to volunteer for Ukraine? \*
Why do you want to come to Ukraine? (if different to above) \*
Please describe your state of physical health and fitness? \*
Do you speak Ukrainian? - No
- Yes-basic
- Yes- professional level
Additional Information you'd like to shareSpace to provide any additional relevant information.
Do you have team members that you would like to bring with you? (please list them) Space to provide any additional relevant information.
Do you have any specific questions you would like to ask? We will also send you some general information when we receive this form.
### Supporting Documents
These can be provided later if you prefer.
Resume Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload
Recommendation Letters Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload
Please provide at least one recommendation letter that alludes to your suitability for a trip like this, your willingness to work in a team, share skills and /or teach.
- Sign-up to our newsletter?
You will have the option to unsubscribe at any time you wish and can select which updates you receive.
I would like to make a tax deductible donation \*--- Select Choice ---NoYes
Amount you would like to donate:Minimum Price: $10.00
Where I would like my donation to go:Examples are Medical Missions, Humanitarian aid, medical education, general running costs
Submit[Save and Resume Later](#)
Your form entry has been saved and a unique link has been created which you can access to resume this form.
Enter your email address to receive the link via email. Alternatively, you can copy and save the link below.
Please note, this link should not be shared and will expire in 30 days, afterwards your form entry will be deleted.
Copy Link
Email \*
Send Link
---
### [Past OtK Programs](https://www.passingthrough.net/past-otk-programs/)
**Published:** March 14, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
# This page is in the process of being updated – thanks for your patience.
# **Our Past Programs in Kowanyama**
For many years, we have worked with the Kowanyama community through various programs aimed at empowering youth, improving education, and fostering leadership. These programs were entirely volunteer-run and unfunded, relying on the generosity and dedication of our team. While we no longer run many of these initiatives, we are proud of the lasting impact they have had on many young people and continue to have a connection with this community through **other projects.**
---
### **Leadership Development & Youth Mentoring**
Many Kowanyama youth leave their community for boarding school in Grade 7, facing significant challenges as they transition to a new environment. Our volunteers, many with deep connections to the community, provided mentorship and support to help these students stay engaged in school and avoid dropping out.
Our activities included:
- Weekend outings where students could reconnect with friends and family from Kowanyama.
- Academic support through homework help and assignment guidance.
- Emotional and practical support, including referrals to counselling services.
We also ran a **Leadership Camp** from 2009 to 2020 for Grade 6 and 7 students preparing for boarding school. These camps focused on leadership, resilience, and personal growth. Many past attendees later became youth mentors, demonstrating the long-term benefits of this program.
---
### **Boarding Support Weekends & Primary Boarding**
To further support Kowanyama youth in boarding schools, we ran **Boarding Support Weekends**, offering activities and mentorship to help students navigate their teenage years away from home. These weekends provided a safe space for students to discuss challenges, take a break from boarding life, and access extra academic support.
Recognising the difficulties of transitioning to boarding school, we also ran a **Primary Boarding** program, launched by Ron and Lara in 2006 and later integrated into our charity’s work. Selected primary-aged boys who demonstrated strong attendance and behaviour at school were hosted in a supportive home environment, receiving:
- One-on-one homework assistance.
- School supplies, uniforms, and flights home.
- A family-like setting with mentoring and cultural connection.
By 2025, the last two boys in this program are continuing through high school. One has since received a scholarship at a leading Brisbane school, and the other, now in Grade 10, is thriving in his “second home” environment with Ron and Lara and will hopefully receive their support through to completion.
---
### **COLBI – Conduct Linked Boarding Incentive**
In response to changes in government support to parents of senior students many years ago, we established the **COLBI Scholarship**, which helped remote students stay in school despite financial hardships. Through generous donations from a private donor and supporters like Queensland X-Ray and AMAQ Foundation, COLBI provided:
- Textbooks and uniforms.
- A small weekly stipend, conditional on school effort and behaviour.
This initiative made a real difference in preventing school dropouts. As of 2019, nearly all recipients had completed their education and moved into meaningful employment or further study.
---
### **KidZone – Holiday Programs**
From 2004 onwards, we ran **KidZone**, providing holiday programs for Kowanyama children. Initially filling a gap in community services, KidZone offered week long programs and activities up to 8 times a year such as:
- Sports, crafts, and storytelling.
- Education and health promotion.
- Community events like BBQs and concerts.
While the need for structured holiday programs lessened over time, we continued to offer unique and meaningful activities twice a year. Our work for some of this time was supported by a small grant from DETA, covering transport and materials, while volunteers provided all staffing.
---
### **Support for School Learning Centre & After-School Tuition**
In partnership with Kowanyama State School, we supported an **After-School Tuition Centre** (established in 2013) that provided:
- Literacy and numeracy support.
- Nutritious snacks.
- Learning resources such as books and computers.
Although we had to decline the government grant supporting our holiday programs due to administrative challenges, we continued assisting the school through book donations, educational tools, and incentives to encourage attendance and academic achievement.
### **Past Community Garden Activities**
One of our founding members, Lara, was a medical doctor in Kowanyama, and she and her husband, Ron, both passionate and experienced gardeners, saw the need to promote better nutrition in the community. Recognising the link between poor diet and preventable diseases in remote communities, they worked with the Kowanyama Lands Office and the local council to establish a **Community Demonstration Vegetable Garden**. This initiative encouraged residents to grow highly nutritious and easy-to-cultivate vegetables suitable for the extreme wet/dry tropical climate.
Built with locally sourced and repurposed materials, the garden became a thriving hub where volunteers and local kids contributed to its development. The garden housed an impressive variety of vegetables, including Asian and Papua New Guinean species, providing both a place for hands-on learning and a resource for distributing cuttings and seeds throughout the community. Over the years, it has supported various educational and health-related activities such as:
- Gardening demonstrations for both children and adults.
- Cooking classes where school groups could pick and prepare fresh vegetables.
- Bush cooking workshops, in collaboration with local tribal groups, to incorporate healthier ingredients.
A small grant in 2012 enabled the expansion of the garden, adding raised beds and an automated irrigation system. The project also provided an engaging way for local kids to participate in community-building efforts, fostering a sense of ownership and pride. The garden has been a resource for numerous community initiatives, including the establishment of an edible garden at the Women’s Shelter and the expansion of seating areas to facilitate gatherings and educational sessions.
For years, the garden was a welcoming space where locals could stop by, collect cuttings and seeds, receive gardening advice, or simply relax in a peaceful environment. Many special conversations, mentoring moments, and community counselling sessions took place there, making it a cornerstone of both physical and emotional well-being in Kowanyama.
---
### **A Legacy of Support & Moving Forward**
Although these programs have concluded, we remain deeply committed to supporting Indigenous communities. Our current efforts are focused on other initiatives, including our [**work in Ukraine**](https://www.passingthrough.net/category/all-things-ukraine/).
However, we do continue to support Kowanyama through various projects, and you can learn more about our current projects **HERE**.
---
### [Canadian Road (study) Trip 2018](https://www.passingthrough.net/travel/america-canada/canadian-road-study-trip-2018/)
**Published:** July 12, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
---
### [Travel Gear & Packing Light](https://www.passingthrough.net/travel/travel-gear-packing-light/)
**Published:** January 29, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
---
### [Europe](https://www.passingthrough.net/travel/europe/)
**Published:** January 29, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
---
### [Canada/America](https://www.passingthrough.net/travel/america-canada/)
**Published:** January 29, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
---
### [Australia](https://www.passingthrough.net/travel/australia/)
**Published:** January 29, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
---
### [Asia](https://www.passingthrough.net/travel/asia/)
**Published:** January 27, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
---
### [Africa](https://www.passingthrough.net/travel/africa/)
**Published:** January 29, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
---
### [Travel](https://www.passingthrough.net/travel/)
**Published:** January 27, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
---
### [Nature](https://www.passingthrough.net/nature/)
**Published:** January 29, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
---
### [Lifestyle](https://www.passingthrough.net/lifestyle/)
**Published:** January 29, 2018
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
---
### [My Account](https://www.passingthrough.net/my-account/)
**Published:** July 24, 2016
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
---
## Products
### [Hand-Painted Sunflower Caps #supportUkraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/hand-painted-sunflower-caps-supportukraine/)
**Published:** June 1, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Stand out with a truly unique cap. These 100% cotton caps feature original sunflower and Ukraine-inspired artwork, individually hand-painted so that no two are alike. Comfortable, practical, and full of personality, each cap is a wearable piece of art.
**Content:**
🌻 Wear Hope. Share Hope.
Every piece in this collection is individually hand-painted and completely unique — no two are ever the same. Inspired by Ukraine’s iconic sunflower, these one-of-a-kind creations combine craftsmanship, creativity, and purpose. Made from 100% cotton and painted by hand, each item carries its own character while helping support our humanitarian work.
### Hand-Painted Sunflower Caps
Stand out with a truly unique cap. These 100% cotton caps feature original sunflower and Ukraine-inspired artwork, individually hand-painted so that no two are alike. Comfortable, practical, and full of personality, each cap is a wearable piece of art.
**Product categories:** Clothing - Support Ukraine, Support Ukraine Products
**Product tags:** handmade, sunflowers, support Ukraine products, support ukraine standwithukraine
---
### [Soft warm yellow shawl with sunflowers #supportUkraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/soft-warm-yellow-shawl-with-sunflowers-supportukraine/)
**Published:** May 26, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Soft warm yellow shawl with sunflowers #supportUkraine with all proceeds going to charity in Ukraine.
**Content:**
Soft warm yellow shawl with embroidered sunflowers #supportUkraine with all proceeds going to charity in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Clothing - Support Ukraine, Support Ukraine Products
**Product tags:** sunflowers, support Ukraine products, support ukraine standwithukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine Sunny yellow jacket & denim jeans with embroidered sunflowers. Size 14-16](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-sunny-yellow-jacket-denim-jeans-with-embroidered-sunflowers-size-14-16/)
**Published:** May 25, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** #SupportUkraine Sunny yellow jacket & denim jeans with embroidered sunflowers. Size 14-16 Show your support for Ukraine. All proceeds to charity.
**Content:**
\#SupportUkraine Sunny yellow jacket & denim jeans with embroidered sunflowers. Size 14-16 Show your support for Ukraine. All proceeds to charity.
**Product categories:** Clothing - Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine Products
**Product tags:** handmade, humanitarian, relief, sunflowers, Support ukraine, Ukrainian, womens clothing
---
### [#SupportUkraine Made in Ukraine Christian Medical Association of Ukraine T-shirt](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-made-in-ukraine-christian-medical-association-of-ukraine-t-shirt/)
**Published:** December 22, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Beautiful handpainted hand dyedblouse. Show your support for Ukraine.#SupportUkraine
**Content:**
\#SupportUkraine Made in Ukraine Christian Medical Association of Ukraine T-shirt Size L. Stretch good quality Tshirt. A great conversation starter and a way to show your support for Ukraine. All proceeds go to humanitarian aid for Ukraine. #SupportUkraine Check out some of our other items too – great ways to buy lovely items that also support good causes. Has a small area of thinning at the back that is not very noticeable but has been priced accordingly.
**Product categories:** Clothing - Support Ukraine, Support Ukraine Products
**Product tags:** handmade, humanitarian, relief, sunflowers, Support ukraine, Ukrainian, womens clothing
---
### [#SupportUkraine Handpainted Sunflowers Linen blouse](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-handpainted-sunflowers-linen-blous/)
**Published:** December 22, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Beautiful handpainted linen blouse. Show your support for Ukraine.#SupportUkraine
**Content:**
Beautiful handpainted linen blouse with the national flower -Sunflowers. Says size 14 but is very flowy and fits up to a size 20. A great conversation starter and a colourful way to show your support for Ukraine. All proceeds go to humanitarian aid for Ukraine. #SupportUkraine Check out some of our other items too – great ways to buy lovely items that also support good causes.
**Product categories:** Clothing - Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine Products
**Product tags:** handmade, humanitarian, relief, sunflowers, Support ukraine, Ukrainian, womens clothing
---
### [#SupportUkraine Handpainted Ombre Sunflower Tshirt Size 16](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-handpainted-ombre-sunflower-tshirt-size-16/)
**Published:** December 22, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Beautiful handpainted sunflower T-shirt in size 16. Show your support for Ukraine.#SupportUkraine
**Content:**
Beautiful handpainted T-shirt size 16 with the national flower -Sunflowers. A great conversation starter and a colourful way to show your support for Ukraine. All proceeds go to humanitarian aid for Ukraine. #SupportUkraine Check out some of our other items too – great ways to buy lovely items that also support good causes.
**Product categories:** Clothing - Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine Products
**Product tags:** handmade, humanitarian, relief, sunflowers, Support ukraine, Ukrainian, womens clothing
---
### [#SupportUkraine Handpainted Made in Ukraine Bravery Shirt size 18](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-handpainted-made-in-ukraine-bravery-shirt-size-18/)
**Published:** December 22, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Beautiful handpainted Bravery made in Ukraine sweat shirt reflecting the colours of the national flag and the flower of Ukraine. Show your support for Ukraine.#SupportUkraine
**Content:**
Beautiful handpainted made in Ukraine sweatshirt size 18 that reflect the colours of the Ukrainian Flag with the national flower -Sunflowers. A great conversation starter and a colourful way to show your support for Ukraine. All proceeds go to humanitarian aid for Ukraine. #SupportUkraine Check out some of our other items too – great ways to buy lovely items that also support good causes. This item is a low price because it has a small pale paint stain which is visible in the photo.
**Product categories:** Clothing - Support Ukraine, Support Ukraine Products
**Product tags:** handmade, humanitarian, relief, sunflowers, Support ukraine, Ukrainian, womens clothing
---
### [#SupportUkraine Handpainted Sunflowers on royal blue ombre T-shirt. Size 16-18.](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-handpainted-sunflowers-on-royal-blue-ombre-t-shirt-size-16-18/)
**Published:** December 22, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Beautiful handpainted sunflower T-shirt in size 16-18. Show your support for Ukraine.#SupportUkraine
**Content:**
Beautiful size 16-18 t-shirt in colours of Ukraine flag with handpainted sunflowers. A great conversation starter and a colourful way to show your support for Ukraine. All proceeds go to humanitarian aid for Ukraine. #SupportUkraine Check out some of our other items too – great ways to buy lovely items that also support good causes.
**Product categories:** Clothing - Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine Products
**Product tags:** handmade, humanitarian, relief, sunflowers, Support ukraine, Ukrainian, womens clothing
---
### [#SupportUkraine Delicate set with white daisies](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-delicate-set-with-white-daisies-2/)
**Published:** February 10, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
\#SupportUkraine, Delicate set with white daisies. Be sure – all proceeds go to aid in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, Necklaces-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, earrings handmade jewellry, handmade, Stan dwithukraine
---
### [🛏️ Hand-Painted Sunflower Pillowcase Sets #supportUkraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/🛏️-hand-painted-sunflower-pillowcase-sets-supportukraine/)
**Published:** June 1, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Bring a touch of sunshine into your home with this matching set of two 100% cotton pillowcases. Each set features hand-painted sunflower designs, making every pair completely unique. Beautiful, practical, and created with care, they're perfect for adding warmth and character to any bedroom.
**Content:**
🌻 Every piece in this collection is individually hand-painted and completely unique — no two are ever the same. Inspired by Ukraine’s iconic sunflower, these one-of-a-kind creations combine craftsmanship, creativity, and purpose. Made from 100% cotton and painted by hand, each item carries its own character while helping support our humanitarian work.
### 🛏️ Hand-Painted Sunflower Pillowcase Set
Bring a touch of sunshine into your home with this matching set of two 100% cotton pillowcases. Each set features hand-painted sunflower designs, making every pair completely unique. Beautiful, practical, and created with care, they’re perfect for adding warmth and character to any bedroom.
**Product categories:** Gift sets, Support Ukraine Products
**Product tags:** handmade, sunflowers, support Ukraine products, support ukraine standwithukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine Handpainted Sunflowers on Ocean waves T-shirt size 16-18](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-handpainted-sunflowers-on-ocean-waves-t-shirt-size-16-18/)
**Published:** December 22, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Beautiful handpainted sunflower T-shirt in size 16-18. Show your support for Ukraine.#SupportUkraine
**Content:**
Beautiful size 16-18 t-shirt in colours of Ukraine flag with handpainted sunflowers. A great conversation starter and a colourful way to show your support for Ukraine. All proceeds go to humanitarian aid for Ukraine. #SupportUkraine Check out some of our other items too – great ways to buy lovely items that also support good causes.
**Product categories:** Clothing - Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine Products
**Product tags:** handmade, humanitarian, relief, sunflowers, Support ukraine, t-shirt, Ukrainian
---
### [#SupportUkraine Jeans with handpainted sunflowers. Size 14-16](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-jacket-and-jeans-with-embroidered-sunflowers-size-14-16/)
**Published:** May 25, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Handpainted denim jeans with bright sunny sunflowers of Ukraine. Show your support for Ukraine. All proceeds to charity.
**Content:**
Handpainted denim jeans with bright sunny sunflowers of Ukraine. Show your support for Ukraine. All proceeds to charity.
**Product categories:** Clothing - Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine Products
**Product tags:** handmade, humanitarian, relief, sunflowers, Support ukraine, Ukrainian, womens clothing
---
### [#SupportUkraine Wrist-watch with sunflowers](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-wrist-watch-with-sunflowers/)
**Published:** October 2, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Show your support for Ukraine with this stunning wristwatch featuring a vibrant sunflower design, a symbol of hope and resilience. This beautifully crafted watch combines style with a meaningful cause, making it both a fashion statement and a powerful symbol of solidarity. Each watch is thoughtfully designed to blend elegance and purpose.
## **Key Features:**
- **Elegant Sunflower Design:** The watch face is adorned with beautiful sunflowers, representing hope and the spirit of Ukraine.
- **High-Quality Craftsmanship:** Made with durable materials and precision craftsmanship, ensuring a long-lasting and stylish accessory.
- **Comfortable Fit:** Featuring an adjustable strap, this watch is designed for comfort and suitable for everyday wear.
- **Support Ukraine:** All proceeds from the sale of this watch go towards aiding Ukraine, providing essential support to those affected by the ongoing crisis.
Wear this #SupportUkraine Sunflower Wrist Watch as a reminder of resilience and hope, while contributing to a worthy cause. Perfect for daily wear or as a thoughtful gift, every purchase makes a positive impact.
**Product categories:** Keyrings and Watches, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery, Support Ukraine Products
**Product tags:** floral jewellry, saveukraine, stopwar, sunflower, supportukraine, watch
---
### [Red sandalwood seed and red/gold glass earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/product-3/)
**Published:** October 25, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
**Introducing our exquisite handmade earrings, featuring red sandalwood seeds paired with red/gold Czech glass beads. The red sandalwood seeds, ethically sourced from remote Aboriginal communities in Cape York, carry the unique essence of the land, while the glass beads add a refined, sophisticated touch.**
**By purchasing these earrings, you’re not just adding a beautiful accessory to your collection; you’re also contributing to a meaningful cause. All profits go directly to supporting our charity’s work, making a positive impact in the lives of those who need it most.**
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, Natural products jewellry, SALE
**Product tags:** Australian, beaded, charity, earrings handmade jewellry, handmade, Indigenous
---
### [🌻 Hand-Painted Veja Sunflower Sneakers #supportUkraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/🌻-hand-painted-veja-sunflower-sneakers-supportukraine/)
**Published:** June 1, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Unique hand-painted Veja sneakers featuring sunflower artwork. Sustainable, stylish, and completely one of a kind. 🌻
**Content:**
A one-of-a-kind pair of genuine Veja sneakers, individually hand-painted with vibrant sunflower designs. Combining sustainable fashion with original artwork. Only one pair size US/AU 8 womens available.
- Genuine Veja eco-friendly sneakers
- Hand-painted sunflower artwork
- Unique design – only one pair available
- Comfortable, stylish, and sustainable
**The shoes pictured are the exact pair you will receive.** 🌻
(shoelaces not included, please note these were used once but are in good condition – VEJA sneakers range from $300-$700 new)
**Product categories:** Clothing - Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine Products
**Product tags:** handmade, sunflowers, support Ukraine products, support ukraine standwithukraine
---
### [Christmas Gift Donation- Gift giving that gives!](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/christmas-gift-donation-gift-giving-that-gives-copy/)
**Published:** November 23, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Support Ukraine’s medical and humanitarian work with a gift donation. 100% volunteer-run — every dollar goes where you choose.
**Content:**
Give a gift that brings real help to Ukraine. With this flexible donation, you can choose the amount and direct your gift to the area of greatest need — from medical aid and mobile clinics to education and humanitarian support through our trusted Ukrainian partners.
Every dollar goes exactly where you choose. Our team is entirely volunteer-run, so your contribution reaches those in need — not administration costs.
💙 100% volunteer-run.
💛 100% impact where you choose.
Learn more or donate anytime at [www.passingthrough.net/donating](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/).
Your beautiful gift certificate with photos will be emailed to you and you can print it out if you wish and fill in your own name details or we can add the name for you.
**Product categories:** Gift Card, Gift Donations
**Product tags:** charity, christmas, donation, gift, giving, Support ukraine, ukraine
---
### [💛💙Gift Donation To Ukraine - The Gift giving that gives!](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/💛💙gift-donation-to-ukraine-the-gift-giving-that-gives/)
**Published:** July 10, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Support Ukraine’s medical and humanitarian work with a gift donation. 100% volunteer-run — every dollar goes where you choose.
**Content:**
Give a gift that brings real help to Ukraine. With this flexible donation, you can choose the amount and direct your gift to the area of greatest need — from medical aid and mobile clinics to education and humanitarian support through our trusted Ukrainian partners.
Every dollar goes exactly where you choose. Our team is entirely volunteer-run, so your contribution reaches those in need — not administration costs.
💙 100% volunteer-run.
💛 100% impact where you choose.
Learn more or donate anytime at [www.passingthrough.net/donating](https://www.passingthrough.net/donating/).
Your beautiful gift certificate with photos will be emailed to you and you can print it out if you wish and fill in your own name details or we can add the name for you. Send us an email with the information you would like added to it: opt@passingthrough.net
(for amounts over $1000 contact us for a customised certificate or contact us for custom amounts)
**Product categories:** Gift Card, Gift Donations
**Product tags:** charity, christmas, donation, gift, giving, Support ukraine, ukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine delicate flowers enamelled bracelet](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/ukrainian-delicate-flowers-enamelled-bracelet/)
**Published:** April 27, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Delicate enamelled flower chain bracelet. Daisies and sunflowers, evocative of the flowers of Ukraine. All proceeds go to life-saving medical aid in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Bracelets-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** bracelet, charity, saveukraine, support Ukraine products, support ukraine standwithukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine 7cm Handmade Floral Hair Clip in the Ukrainian Flag Colours](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-7cm-handmade-floral-hair-clip-in-the-colours-of-the-ukrainian-flag/)
**Published:** July 22, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Show your solidarity and add a touch of elegance to your hairstyle with our Handmade Floral Hair Clip featuring the vibrant blue and yellow colours of the Ukrainian flag. This beautifully crafted accessory symbolises hope and resilience, reflecting the enduring spirit of Ukraine. Each clip is made with care, making it a meaningful addition to your collection.
## **Key Features:**
- Each hair clip is meticulously made by skilled artisans, ensuring exceptional quality and detail.
- Adorned with blue and yellow flowers, this clip proudly displays the colours of the Ukrainian flag.
- Measuring 7 cm, it’s ideal for securely holding your hair while making a stylish statement.
- Made with ethically sourced materials, promoting responsible and sustainable practices.
- All proceeds from the sale of this hair clip go directly to aid efforts in Ukraine, providing much-needed support.
Elevate your style and make a difference with this exquisite 7 cm Handmade Floral Hair Clip. Whether for everyday wear or special occasions, this clip is a perfect blend of elegance and purpose. Purchase it as a thoughtful gift or a personal accessory, knowing that each purchase contributes to a worthy cause.
**Product categories:** Floral Hairclips, SALE, Support Ukraine Products
**Product tags:** charity, floral clip, floral jewellry, handmade, stopwar
---
### [Beautiful beaded #supportUkraine necklace and earring sets](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/beautiful-beaded-supportukraine-necklace-and-earring-sets-2/)
**Published:** May 25, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Beautiful handcrafted beaded necklace and earrings sets with all proceeds going to Ukraine.
**Content:**
Beautiful handcrafted beaded necklace and earrings sets with all proceeds going to Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, Necklaces-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** earrings handmade jewellry, handmade, standwithukraine, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products
---
### [Men’s ‘I stand with Ukraine’ metal armband](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/mens-i-stand-with-ukraine-metal-armband/)
**Published:** April 27, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Men’s metal armband with custom script “I stand with Ukraine”. Show your support with all proceeds going to life saving medical aid in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Bracelets-Support Ukraine, Support Ukraine jewellery
---
### [Sunflower #SupportUkraine armband](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/sunflower-supportukraine-armband/)
**Published:** April 27, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Unisex armband with an enamelled sunflower: the flower of Ukraine. Show your support with all proceeds going to life-saving medical aid in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Bracelets-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** bracelet, sunflowers, support Ukraine products, support ukraine standwithukraine, Ukrainian
---
### [#SupportUkraine Golden Sunflower chain earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-golden-sunflower-chain-earrings/)
**Published:** May 14, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** #SupportUkraine
with these beautiful dangly Golden Sunflower chain earrings - reflecting the national flower of Ukraine. All proceeds go to life-saving aid in Ukraine.
**Content:**
# \#SupportUkraine
with these beautiful dangly Golden Sunflower chain earrings – reflecting the national flower of Ukraine. All proceeds go to life-saving aid in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** earrings, earrings handmade jewellry, sunflowers, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products, support ukraine standwithukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine Pendant in the form of Ukrainian coat of arms.](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/support-ukraine-pendant-in-the-form-of-ukrainian-coat-of-arms/)
**Published:** May 21, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
\#SupportUkraine Pendant in the form of Ukrainian coat of arms. Be strong like Ukraine. All proceeds go to aid in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Necklaces-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, handmade, jewellry, saveukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine Earrings with Yellow Daisies and Blue Beads](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-earrings-with-yellow-daisies-and-blue-beads/)
**Published:** October 3, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Show your support for Ukraine with these beautifully handcrafted earrings featuring vibrant yellow daisies paired with striking blue beads, symbolizing the colours of the Ukrainian flag. These earrings blend elegance with purpose, making them a stylish way to express solidarity while supporting a meaningful cause.
## **Key Features:**
- **Handmade with Care:** Each pair of earrings is meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans, ensuring high-quality craftsmanship and attention to detail.
- **Patriotic Design:** Featuring bright yellow daisy flowers and deep blue beads, these earrings represent the colours of the Ukrainian flag and make a powerful statement.
- **Lightweight and Comfortable:** Designed for everyday wear, these earrings are lightweight and comfortable, ideal for any occasion.
- **Support Ukraine:** All proceeds from the sale of these earrings go towards aiding Ukraine, providing essential support to those affected by the ongoing crisis.
Wear your #SupportUkraine Earrings with Yellow Daisies and Blue Beads with pride, knowing that each purchase helps make a positive impact. Perfect for adding a touch of colour to your outfit, these earrings also serve as a symbol of hope and solidarity.
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, donation, floral earrings, floral jewellry, stopwar
---
### [#SupportUkraine ‘Exquisite Sunflower’ Brooch](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-exquisite-sunflower-brooch/)
**Published:** June 15, 2025
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
\#SupportUkraine
‘Exquisite Sunflower’ Brooch. Crafted with gold-bronze leaves and accented by elegant black and bronze sparkly ‘seeds’, this 3cm piece blends earthy warmth with subtle sparkle. A tasteful nod to tradition for the discerning wearer.
**Product categories:** Brooches-Support Ukraine, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** brooch, floral jewellry, sunflower, Support ukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine Lightweight Ukraine soccer shirt size 16 youth](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-lightweight-ukraine-soccer-shirt-size-16-youth/)
**Published:** December 22, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Ukraine soccer shirt. Show your support for Ukraine.#SupportUkraine
**Content:**
\#SupportUkraine Youth size 16 lightweight soccer shirt. A great conversation starter and a way to show your support for Ukraine. All proceeds go to humanitarian aid for Ukraine. #SupportUkraine Check out some of our other items too – great ways to buy lovely items that also support good causes. Has a small area of thinning at the back that is not very noticeable but has been priced accordingly.
**Product categories:** Clothing - Support Ukraine, Support Ukraine Products
**Product tags:** handmade, humanitarian, relief, sunflowers, Support ukraine, Ukrainian, youth clothing
---
### [#SupportUkraine Bright floral handmade earrings in bright sunny colours](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-bright-floral-handmade-earrings-in-bright-sunny-colours/)
**Published:** August 15, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
\#SupportUkraine Bright floral handmade earrings available in bright sunny colours. All proceeds go to aid in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** bright sunny, charity, earrings handmade jewellry, orange and yellow, standwithukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine Handmade Floral Yellow Earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-handmade-ukrainian-colours-earrings/)
**Published:** August 15, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Embrace the beauty of nature and express your support for Ukraine with our Handmade Floral Yellow Earrings. These elegant earrings are crafted with meticulous care, featuring delicate floral designs that represent the courage, optimism, and warmth of the hearts of Ukrainians.
##
Key Features:
- Each pair is expertly made by skilled artisans, ensuring superior quality and unique designs.
- Designed for comfort, these lightweight earrings are perfect for wearing all day, on any occasion.
- Detailed floral patterns add a natural touch of beauty to your style.
- Made from ethically sourced materials, promoting sustainability and responsibility.
- All proceeds from these earrings go towards supporting Ukraine, providing essential aid to those in need.
Add a touch of sophistication and purpose to your jewellery collection with these Handmade Floral Earrings. Whether for a special occasion or a charming addition to your daily look, these earrings show your solidarity with Ukraine. Perfect as a gift or a personal statement, each purchase makes a positive impact.
**Product categories:** SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, floral earrings, handmade, ukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine Handmade Ukrainian Colours Earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-handmade-ukrainian-colours-earrings-3/)
**Published:** August 16, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Introducing our *Handmade Ukrainian Colours Earrings*, a stunning tribute to the vibrant spirit and rich culture of Ukraine. These earrings are not just accessories; they are statements of solidarity, crafted with love and attention to detail.
Inspired by the resplendent colours of the Ukrainian flag, these earrings blend bold blues and radiant yellows in a harmonious design. Each piece is thoughtfully created to capture the essence of Ukrainian heritage, evoking a sense of pride and unity.
## **Key Features:**
- Every pair of these earrings is meticulously handcrafted, ensuring that no two pieces are exactly alike. This artisanal touch adds a unique charm and character to each set.
- The colour palette of these earrings is a meaningful nod to Ukraine’s national identity, making them perfect for anyone who wishes to celebrate and honour Ukrainian culture.
- All proceeds from the sale of the earrings go towards aiding Ukraine, providing essential support to those in need.
### **A Cause Close to Our Hearts**
Your purchase has a profound impact beyond fashion. 100% of the proceeds from these earrings go directly to aid in Ukraine, supporting humanitarian efforts and contributing to relief initiatives.
### **Wear With Purpose**
Embrace a piece of art that tells a story and makes a difference. Wear these earrings with pride, knowing that your contribution aids a noble cause. Whether you’re dressing up for an event or adding a touch of elegance to your everyday outfit, these earrings are a timeless addition to any jewellery collection.
**Order your Handmade Ukrainian Colours Earrings today and be a part of something beautiful and impactful.**
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, floral earrings, handmade, ukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine Daisy Turquoise Earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-daisy-turquoise-earrings/)
**Published:** August 16, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Excerpt:** Elevate your style with our Daisy Turquoise Earrings, crafted with care to support Ukraine during these challenging times. Each pair features delicate daisy-shaped turquoise stones, symbolising hope and resilience, surrounded by intricate silver or gold detailing. These earrings blend timeless elegance with a heartfelt message of solidarity.
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Elevate your style with our Daisy Turquoise Earrings, crafted with care to support Ukraine during these challenging times. Each pair features delicate daisy-shaped turquoise stones, symbolising hope and resilience, surrounded by intricate silver or gold detailing. These earrings blend timeless elegance with a heartfelt message of solidarity.
Perfect for any occasion, from casual outings to special events, these earrings add a touch of natural beauty and charm to your ensemble. Whether you wear them as a personal statement or gift them to spread awareness, every purchase contributes to relief efforts aiding Ukraine’s people.
## **Key Features:**
- Crafted with turquoise stones in daisy shapes
- Lightweight and comfortable for all-day wear
- All proceeds go to aid in Ukraine.
Stand with Ukraine in style with our Daisy Turquoise Earrings—a symbol of support, beauty, and hope.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, donation, saveukraine, Ukrainian
---
### [#SupportUkraine Handmade Floral Blue Earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-handmade-floral-blue-earrings/)
**Published:** August 16, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Admire the wonders of nature and show solidarity with Ukraine by wearing our Handmade Floral Blue Earrings. These stunning earrings are designed with precision, showcasing delicate floral motifs that symbolise hope, infinity, and the expanse of the Ukrainian sky, which is now closed to peaceful people.
## Key Features:
- Expertly crafted by talented artisans, each pair guarantees exceptional quality and unique designs.
- Lightweight and comfortable, these earrings are perfect for all-day wear on any occasion.
- Detailed floral patterns enhance your appearance with a touch of natural elegance.
- All profits from the sale of these earrings are dedicated to supporting Ukraine, providing vital assistance to those in need.
Enhance your jewellery collection with these Handmade Floral Earrings that combine elegance and purpose. Whether you’re dressing up for a special event or adding charm to your everyday style, these earrings allow you to show your support for Ukraine. Ideal as a gift or a personal statement, every purchase contributes to a positive cause.
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, floral earrings, handmade, ukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine Flag Colour Drop Earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-flag-colour-drop-earrings/)
**Published:** September 6, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine** Show your solidarity with Ukraine in style with our Flag Colour Drop Earrings, featuring the iconic blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag. These elegant earrings are designed to make a statement while supporting a meaningful cause. Each pair is carefully handcrafted, making them a unique and thoughtful addition to your jewellery collection.
## **Key Features:**
- **Handmade with Care:** Each pair of earrings is meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans, ensuring exceptional quality and attention to detail.
- **Patriotic Design:** Featuring the blue and yellow colours of the Ukrainian flag, these drop earrings proudly display your support.
- **Lightweight and Comfortable:** Designed for all-day wear, these earrings are lightweight and comfortable, perfect for any occasion.
- **Ethically Sourced Materials:** Made using ethically sourced materials, promoting sustainability and responsibility.
- **Support a Cause:** All proceeds from the sale of these earrings go towards aiding Ukraine, providing essential support to those in need.
Wear your support with pride with these beautiful Flag Colour Drop Earrings. Ideal for everyday wear or special occasions, they combine style with a purpose. Each purchase helps make a positive impact for a vital cause.
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, donation, drop earrings, earrings handmade jewellry, saveukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine Daisy & Czech Glass Earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-daisy-czech-glass-earrings-2/)
**Published:** September 6, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Show your support for Ukraine with these beautifully handcrafted Daisy & Czech Glass Earrings. Featuring delicate daisies and stunning Czech glass beads, these earrings blend elegance with a meaningful cause. Each pair is thoughtfully crafted, making them a unique and stylish addition to your jewellery collection.
## **Key Features:**
- **Handmade with Care:** Each pair of earrings is meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans, ensuring high quality and attention to detail.
- **Delicate Daisy Design:** Adorned with charming daisies and vibrant Czech glass beads, these earrings add a touch of sophistication and style.
- **Lightweight and Comfortable:** Designed for all-day wear, these earrings are lightweight and easy to wear for any occasion.
- **Ethically Sourced Materials:** Made using ethically sourced materials, promoting sustainability and responsibility.
- **Support Ukraine:** All proceeds from the sale of these earrings go towards aiding Ukraine, providing much-needed support to those affected by the crisis.
Wear your support with pride with these #SupportUkraine Daisy & Czech Glass Earrings. Perfect for everyday wear or special occasions, they are not just a fashion statement but a symbol of hope and solidarity. Every purchase helps make a difference.
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, daisy, earrings handmade jewellry, floral earrings, floral jewellry, stopwar
---
### [#SupportUkraine Earrings with Floral Design and Colourful Beads](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-earrings-with-floral-design-and-colourful-beads/)
**Published:** October 2, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Show your support for Ukraine with these beautifully crafted earrings featuring an intricate floral design and vibrant colourful beads. These earrings blend elegance with purpose, making them a stylish way to express solidarity while contributing to a meaningful cause.
## **Key Features:**
- **Handcrafted with Care:** Each pair is meticulously handmade by skilled artisans, ensuring exceptional quality and fine detailing.
- **Floral and Bead Combination:** Featuring a charming floral design adorned with colourful beads, these earrings add a lively and elegant touch to any outfit.
- **Lightweight and Comfortable:** Designed for comfortable all-day wear, these earrings are perfect for everyday use or special occasions.
- **Support Ukraine:** All proceeds from the sale of these earrings go directly to aid efforts in Ukraine, offering critical support to those in need.
Wear your #SupportUkraine Floral and Colourful Bead Earrings with pride, knowing that each purchase makes a difference. Perfect for enhancing your style or as a thoughtful gift, these earrings combine beauty with a powerful cause.
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** beaded, charity, donation, floral earrings, standwithukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine Necklace Featuring a Floral Design: Sunflower and Daisies](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-necklace-featuring-a-floral-design-sunflower-and-daisies/)
**Published:** October 2, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Show your support for Ukraine with this beautifully handcrafted necklace featuring a stunning combination of sunflowers and daisies. Symbolizing hope and resilience, the floral design brings a touch of natural beauty to your style while contributing to a worthy cause.
## **Key Features:**
- **Handcrafted with Care:** Each necklace is thoughtfully handmade by artisans, ensuring exquisite detail and high-quality craftsmanship.
- **Floral Elegance:** Featuring a radiant sunflower paired with delicate daisies, this necklace offers a harmonious and elegant design that enhances any look.
- **Comfortable and Versatile:** Designed for everyday wear, this necklace is lightweight and comfortable, making it a perfect accessory for casual or special occasions.
- **Support Ukraine:** All proceeds from the sale of this necklace go towards aiding Ukraine, providing essential support to those affected by the crisis.
Wear your #SupportUkraine Sunflower and Daisy Necklace with pride, knowing that your purchase makes a positive impact. Whether for yourself or as a meaningful gift, this necklace beautifully blends style with purpose, showing solidarity and support for a vital cause.
**Product categories:** Necklaces-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, donation, floral jewellry, necklace, saveukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine Earrings with Blue Daisies and Glitter Beads](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-earrings-with-blue-daisies-and-glitter-beads/)
**Published:** October 3, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Show your support for Ukraine in style with these handcrafted earrings featuring beautiful blue daisies and sparkling glitter beads. These earrings combine elegance with a powerful message of solidarity, making them a perfect way to contribute to a meaningful cause while adding a bit of sparkle to your outfit.
## **Key Features:**
- **Handmade with Care:** Each pair is thoughtfully handcrafted by artisans, ensuring exceptional quality and intricate detailing.
- **Elegant Floral Design:** Featuring delicate blue daisy flowers paired with shimmering glitter beads, these earrings create a stunning and eye-catching look.
- **Lightweight and Comfortable:** Designed for comfortable all-day wear, these earrings are perfect for both casual and special occasions.
- **Support Ukraine:** All proceeds from the sale of these earrings go towards aiding Ukraine, offering vital support to those affected by the crisis.
Wear your #SupportUkraine Earrings with Blue Daisies and Glitter Beads with pride, knowing that each purchase helps make a difference. Whether as a personal accessory or a thoughtful gift, these earrings combine style with purpose, supporting a cause that matters.
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** beaded, donation, earrings handmade jewellry, floral earrings, saveukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine Earrings with Blue Daisies and Yellow Beads](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-earrings-with-blue-daisies-and-yellow-beads/)
**Published:** October 3, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Show your solidarity with Ukraine by wearing these stunning handcrafted earrings featuring blue daisies paired with vibrant yellow beads, representing the colours of the Ukrainian flag. These earrings combine beauty and meaning, making them a stylish way to express support while contributing to a worthy cause.
## **Key Features:**
- **Handmade with Care:** Each pair of earrings is meticulously handcrafted by artisans, ensuring exceptional quality and attention to detail.
- **Floral Design:** Adorned with delicate blue daisy flowers and striking yellow beads, symbolizing the Ukrainian flag, these earrings offer a bold and meaningful statement.
- **Lightweight and Comfortable:** Designed for all-day wear, these earrings are lightweight and comfortable, perfect for any occasion.
- **Support Ukraine:** All proceeds from the sale of these earrings go towards aiding Ukraine, providing crucial support to those affected by the ongoing crisis.
Wear your #SupportUkraine Earrings with Blue Daisies and Yellow Beads with pride and purpose. Whether as a gift or a personal accessory, each purchase helps make a positive impact and brings hope to those in need.
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, donation, earrings handmade jewellry, floral earrings, standwithukraine, supportukraine
---
### [Red Sandalwood & Nepalese bead earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/red-sandalwood-nepalese-bead-earrings/)
**Published:** October 5, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Handmade earrings featuring red sandalwood and Nepalese wood beads. Ethically sourced, supporting charity work. Unique style with a purpose.
**Content:**
Introducing our handcrafted earrings featuring red sandalwood tree beads and Nepalese wood beads, a unique blend of cultural heritage and natural beauty. The sandalwood beads were ethically collected from a remote Aboriginal community in Cape York, each carrying the essence of the land. Paired with Nepalese wood beads, these earrings represent a connection across continents and a celebration of traditional craftsmanship.
Handmade with care, these earrings are more than just jewelry—they are a symbol of support and hope. All profits from each purchase go directly to our charity’s work, making a positive impact in communities in need.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, Natural products jewellry, SALE
**Product tags:** beaded, charity, earrings, earrings handmade jewellry, handmade, Indigenous
---
### [Red Sandalwood seed earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/red-sandalwood-seed-earrings/)
**Published:** October 5, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Handmade earrings with red sandalwood seed, black glass, and red glass flecked with gold beads. Ethically crafted, supporting charity work with every purchase.
**Content:**
Discover the elegance of our handmade earrings, crafted with a stunning combination of red sandalwood seeds, black glass beads, and red glass beads flecked with gold. Each red sandalwood seed is ethically sourced, carrying the natural beauty of Cape York’s remote Aboriginal communities. The deep black glass beads add a touch of sophistication, while the red glass flecked with gold provides a hint of luxurious sparkle, creating a captivating contrast.
These earrings are a statement of style and purpose. Crafted by hand, each pair is unique, reflecting the care and skill of the artisan. Whether for a special occasion or as an everyday accessory, these earrings are perfect for adding a natural yet refined touch to any outfit.
More than just jewellery, these earrings represent a commitment to making a difference. All profits are directed towards our charity’s work, helping communities in need. Wear them with pride, knowing your purchase is contributing to a meaningful cause.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, Natural products jewellry, SALE
**Product tags:** beaded, charity, earrings, earrings handmade jewellry, handmade, Indigenous
---
### [Red Sandalwood seed earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/red-sandalwood-seed-earrings-2/)
**Published:** October 5, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Handmade earrings with red sandalwood and brass spiral beads. Ethically crafted, combining natural beauty and elegance while supporting charity work.
**Content:**
Embrace the natural elegance of our handmade earrings, featuring red sandalwood beads paired with a brass spiral bead. The warm, earthy tones of the red sandalwood, sourced ethically from remote Aboriginal communities in Cape York, create a beautiful contrast with the intricate brass spiral, adding a rustic yet sophisticated element to the design.
Each pair is handcrafted, ensuring a unique accessory that reflects both nature and artisan craftsmanship. The brass spiral bead symbolises growth and continuity, perfectly complementing the organic beauty of the sandalwood.
These earrings are more than a fashion statement—they are an opportunity to make a difference. All profits from these earrings support our charity’s work, helping to uplift and support communities in need.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, Natural products jewellry, SALE
**Product tags:** beaded, charity, earrings, earrings handmade jewellry, handmade, Indigenous
---
### [Recycled silvery beads & Red Sandalwood seed earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/red-sandalwood-seed-earrings-silver-grey/)
**Published:** October 5, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Handmade earrings with red sandalwood seeds and recycled silver-grey beads. Unique, eco-friendly design supporting charity work for a good cause.
**Content:**
Introducing our handmade earrings featuring red sandalwood seeds combined with recycled silver-grey beads—a perfect blend of natural beauty and sustainability. The red sandalwood seeds, ethically sourced from remote Aboriginal communities in Cape York, carry a unique warmth that pairs beautifully with the subtle elegance of the recycled silver-grey beads. Together, they create a striking yet understated accessory suitable for any occasion.
These earrings are not just a beautiful addition to your jewellery collection but also a step towards positive change. Crafted with care and an emphasis on sustainability, they symbolise our commitment to supporting those in need.
All profits from these earrings go directly to supporting our charity’s work, making a meaningful difference in the lives of communities in need. Add this unique, eco-friendly accessory to your collection and be a part of our mission.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, Natural products jewellry, SALE
**Product tags:** beaded, charity, earrings, earrings handmade jewellry, handmade, Indigenous
---
### [Golden Red Sandalwood seed earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/golden-red-sandalwood-seed-earrings/)
**Published:** October 5, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Handmade earrings with red sandalwood and gold-colored beads. Ethically crafted, combining natural warmth and elegance to support charity work.
**Content:**
Introducing our exquisite handmade earrings, featuring red sandalwood beads paired with gold-colored beads for a timeless look that radiates warmth and elegance. The red sandalwood beads, ethically sourced from remote Aboriginal communities in Cape York, carry the unique essence of the land, while the gold-colored beads add a touch of sophistication and shine.
Each pair is meticulously handcrafted, creating a beautiful blend of nature-inspired and refined elements. These earrings are ideal for any occasion—whether dressing up for an event or adding a subtle, elegant touch to your everyday attire.
By purchasing these earrings, you’re not just adding a beautiful accessory to your collection; you’re also contributing to a meaningful cause. All profits go directly to supporting our charity’s work, making a positive impact in the lives of those who need it most.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, Natural products jewellry, SALE
**Product tags:** beaded, charity, earrings, earrings handmade jewellry, handmade, Indigenous
---
### [Golden Brass Red Sandalwood seed earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/golden-brass-red-sandalwood-seed-earrings/)
**Published:** October 6, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Handmade earrings with red sandalwood and golden brass-coloured beads. Ethically crafted, combining natural warmth and elegance to support charity work.
**Content:**
Introducing our exquisite handmade earrings, featuring red sandalwood beads paired with golden brass coloured beads for a timeless look that radiates warmth and elegance. The red sandalwood beads, ethically sourced from remote Aboriginal communities in Cape York, carry the unique essence of the land, while the golden brass-coloured beads add a touch of warmth.
By purchasing these earrings, you’re not just adding a beautiful accessory to your collection; you’re also contributing to a meaningful cause. All profits go directly to supporting our charity’s work, making a positive impact in the lives of those who need it most.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, Natural products jewellry, SALE
**Product tags:** beaded, charity, earrings, earrings handmade jewellry, handmade, Indigenous
---
### [Vintage Bronze & Red Sandalwood seed earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/golden-red-sandalwood-seed-earrings-2/)
**Published:** October 6, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Handmade earrings with red sandalwood and vintage bronze beads. Ethically crafted, combining natural warmth and elegance to support charity work.
**Content:**
Introducing our exquisite handmade earrings, featuring red sandalwood beads paired with Vintage bronze beads for a timeless look that radiates warmth and elegance. The red sandalwood beads, ethically sourced from remote Aboriginal communities in Cape York, carry the unique essence of the land, while the vintage beads add a touch of warmth.
By purchasing these earrings, you’re not just adding a beautiful accessory to your collection; you’re also contributing to a meaningful cause. All profits go directly to supporting our charity’s work, making a positive impact in the lives of those who need it most.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, Natural products jewellry, SALE
**Product tags:** beaded, charity, earrings, earrings handmade jewellry, handmade, Indigenous
---
### [Silvery Red Sandalwood seed earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/silvery-red-sandalwood-seed-earrings/)
**Published:** October 6, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Handmade earrings, featuring red sandalwood seeds paired with silver beads for a timeless look that exudes elegance and charm. All profits go directly to supporting our charity’s work, making a positive impact in the lives of those who need it most.
**Content:**
Introducing our exquisite handmade earrings, featuring red sandalwood seeds paired with silver beads for a timeless look that exudes elegance and charm. The red sandalwood seeds, ethically sourced from remote Aboriginal communities in Cape York, carry the unique essence of the land, while the silver beads add a refined, sophisticated touch.
By purchasing these earrings, you’re not just adding a beautiful accessory to your collection; you’re also contributing to a meaningful cause. All profits go directly to supporting our charity’s work, making a positive impact in the lives of those who need it most.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, Natural products jewellry, SALE
**Product tags:** beaded, charity, earrings, earrings handmade jewellry, handmade, Indigenous
---
### [Silvery Red Sandalwood seed earrings (3-stack)](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/silvery-red-sandalwood-seed-earrings-three/)
**Published:** October 6, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Handmade earrings, featuring red sandalwood seeds paired with silver beads for a timeless look that exudes elegance and charm. All profits go directly to supporting our charity’s work, making a positive impact in the lives of those who need it most.
**Content:**
Introducing our exquisite handmade earrings, featuring red sandalwood seeds paired with silver beads for a timeless look that exudes elegance and charm. The red sandalwood seeds, ethically sourced from remote Aboriginal communities in Cape York, carry the unique essence of the land, while the silver beads add a refined, sophisticated touch.
By purchasing these earrings, you’re not just adding a beautiful accessory to your collection; you’re also contributing to a meaningful cause. All profits go directly to supporting our charity’s work, making a positive impact in the lives of those who need it most.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, Natural products jewellry, SALE
**Product tags:** beaded, charity, earrings, earrings handmade jewellry, handmade, Indigenous
---
### [Red sandalwood seed and black glass earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/product-3-2/)
**Published:** October 25, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
**Introducing our exquisite handmade earrings, featuring red sandalwood seeds paired with red and black Czech glass beads. The red sandalwood seeds, ethically sourced from remote Aboriginal communities in Cape York, carry the unique essence of the land, while the glass beads add a refined, sophisticated touch.**
**By purchasing these earrings, you’re not just adding a beautiful accessory to your collection; you’re also contributing to a meaningful cause. All profits go directly to supporting our charity’s work, making a positive impact in the lives of those who need it most.**
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, Natural products jewellry, SALE
**Product tags:** Australian, beaded, charity, earrings handmade jewellry, handmade, Indigenous
---
### [Red sandalwood seed and red/black glass earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/product-3-3/)
**Published:** October 25, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
**Introducing our exquisite handmade earrings, featuring red sandalwood seeds paired with red/black Czech glass beads. The red sandalwood seeds, ethically sourced from remote Aboriginal communities in Cape York, carry the unique essence of the land, while the glass beads add a refined, sophisticated touch.**
**By purchasing these earrings, you’re not just adding a beautiful accessory to your collection; you’re also contributing to a meaningful cause. All profits go directly to supporting our charity’s work, making a positive impact in the lives of those who need it most.**
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, Natural products jewellry, SALE
**Product tags:** Australian, beaded, charity, earrings handmade jewellry, handmade, Indigenous
---
### [#SupportUkraine Bright floral handmade earrings in flag colours](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-bright-floral-handmade-earrings/)
**Published:** November 2, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
\#SupportUkraine
Celebrate hope and unity with our **Bright Floral Handmade Earrings**, crafted in the vibrant blue and yellow hues of the Ukrainian flag. These stunning earrings are more than just an accessory — they’re a symbol of solidarity and a way to make a real difference.
Perfect for everyday wear or special occasions, these earrings add a cheerful touch to any outfit. By wearing them, you’ll not only elevate your style but also show your support for Ukraine.
Choose from four unique options, each featuring a different type of flower, making it easy to find a design that suits your taste.
Order your **Bright Floral Handmade Earrings** today and be part of something truly impactful!
**Product categories:** SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, floral earrings, standwithukraine, Ukrainian
---
### [#SupportUkraine Handmade Earrings with Enamelled Flowers – Blue and Yellow Daisies](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-handmade-earrings-with-enamelled-flowers-blue-and-yellow-daisies/)
**Published:** November 20, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
Embrace style and purpose with these handmade earrings featuring enamelled blue and yellow daisy charms. Symbolising hope and resilience, these earrings are a perfect way to show solidarity with Ukraine while adding a touch of elegance to your outfit.
## **Key Features:**
- **Handmade with Care**: Each pair is meticulously crafted by artisans, ensuring high quality and unique detailing.
- **Beautiful Floral Design**: Featuring enamelled blue and yellow daisies, these earrings offer a vibrant and meaningful look.
- **Lightweight and Comfortable**: Designed for all-day comfort, suitable for both casual and special events.
- \#**SupportUkraine**: A portion of the proceeds from these earrings will go towards aiding Ukraine and supporting those in need.
Wear your #SupportUkraine Handmade Earrings with pride, knowing that each purchase makes a difference and supports a significant cause. Perfect as a personal accessory or a thoughtful gift.
**Product categories:** SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** donation, earrings handmade jewellry, enamelled flowers, floral jewellry, saveukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine Handmade Earrings with Enamelled Flowers – Blue Blossom with Crystal](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-handmade-earrings-with-enamelled-flowers-blue-blossom-with-crystal/)
**Published:** November 20, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
Elevate your style and show your #SupportUkraine with these stunning handmade earrings featuring enamelled blue blossom charms, accented with sparkling crystals. A perfect blend of elegance and purpose, these earrings make a meaningful statement.
## **Key Features:**
- **Handcrafted with Care**: Each pair is thoughtfully made by artisans, ensuring high quality and attention to detail.
- **Elegant Floral Design**: The enamelled blue blossoms paired with crystal accents create a sophisticated and eye-catching look.
- **Lightweight and Comfortable**: Perfect for comfortable all-day wear, suitable for both everyday use and special occasions.
- **\#Support Ukraine**: Proceeds from these earrings contribute to aid efforts in Ukraine, offering vital support to those in need.
Wear these #SupportUkraine Handmade Earrings with pride, knowing your purchase supports an important cause. Ideal for personal use or as a heartfelt gift.
**Product categories:** SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, donation, earrings handmade jewellry, enamelled flowers, floral earrings, floral jewellry, stopwar
---
### [#SupportUkraine Handmade Beaded Earrings with Enamelled Small Blue and Yellow Daisies](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-handmade-beaded-earrings-with-enamelled-small-blue-and-yellow-daisies/)
**Published:** November 21, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
\#SupportUkraine Celebrate style and solidarity with these handmade earrings featuring enamelled small blue and yellow daisies paired with delicate beads. A vibrant accessory that symbolises hope and unity.
## **Key Features:**
- **Handcrafted with Care**: Each pair is meticulously handmade by artisans, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail.
- **Beautiful Floral Design**: Features enamelled blue and yellow daisies complemented by delicate beading for a unique and eye-catching look.
- **Lightweight and Comfortable**: Designed for effortless wear throughout the day, perfect for any occasion.
- **\#SupportUkraine**: Proceeds from these earrings contribute to aiding Ukraine, supporting those in need during challenging times.
Wear your #SupportUkraine Handmade Earrings with pride, knowing each purchase helps make a difference. A meaningful gift or a lovely addition to your jewellery collection.
**Product categories:** SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** beaded, donation, enamelled flowers, floral earrings, saveukraine, standwithukraine
---
### [Handmade Earrings with Red Seeds and Beads](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/handmade-earrings-with-red-seeds-and-beads/)
**Published:** November 22, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
These unique handmade earrings combine vibrant red seeds with turquoise and silver-toned beads to create a bold and colourful accessory. Perfect for adding a pop of colour to any outfit, these earrings are a striking blend of natural and crafted materials.
## **Key Features:**
- **Unique Design**: Features bright red seeds paired with turquoise and silver accents for a striking look.
- **Handcrafted with Care**: Each piece is carefully handmade, ensuring high-quality and attention to detail.
- **Lightweight and Comfortable**: Designed for easy all-day wear, these earrings are as comfortable as they are stylish.
- **Versatile Accessory**: Perfect for casual or festive occasions, adding charm to any outfit.
Add these handcrafted earrings to your collection for a truly eye-catching and unique accessory!
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, Natural products jewellry, SALE
**Product tags:** beaded, drop earrings, earrings handmade jewellry, handmade, natural
---
### [Handmade Earrings with Red Seeds and Black Beads](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/handmade-earrings-with-red-seeds-and-black-beads/)
**Published:** November 22, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
These handmade earrings beautifully showcase the natural charm of vibrant red seeds paired with sleek black beads. Their bold and elegant design makes them a versatile accessory, perfect for any occasion.
## **Key Features:**
- **Bold Colour Combination**: The striking contrast of red seeds and black beads creates a stylish and sophisticated look.
- **Artisan Crafted**: Handmade with care, ensuring each piece is unique and full of character.
- **Lightweight and Comfortable**: Designed to be worn comfortably all day, whether casual or formal.
- **Timeless Design**: The classic pairing of red and black makes these earrings a timeless addition to your jewellery collection.
Elevate your style with these distinctive handcrafted earrings, combining natural beauty with artistic design.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, Natural products jewellry, SALE
**Product tags:** beaded, earrings handmade jewellry, handmade, natural, red sandalwood seeds, red seeds
---
### [“Blue Skies for Ukraine” Earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/blue-skies-for-ukraine-earrings/)
**Published:** November 26, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Handcrafted 3 cm royal-blue disc earrings adorned with delicate blue and yellow 3D flowers. Each pair is made with care to celebrate Ukraine’s resilience. All proceeds support life-saving medical aid programs through our volunteer-run charity. A beautiful way to stand with Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE
**Product tags:** earrings, handmade crafts, support Ukraine products
---
### [“Ukrainian Bloom” Disc Earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/ukrainian-bloom-disc-earrings/)
**Published:** November 26, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Handcrafted 3 cm yellow disc earrings adorned with delicate blue and yellow 3D flowers. Each pair is made with care to celebrate Ukraine’s resilience. All proceeds support life-saving medical aid programs through our volunteer-run charity. A beautiful way to stand with Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE
**Product tags:** blue and yellow, handmade earrings, support Ukraine products, ukraine earrings
---
### [“Blue Bloom Dangle” Earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/blue-bloom-dangle-earrings/)
**Published:** November 26, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Royal-blue wooden square earrings with a dangling yellow disc and delicate handcrafted blue flowers. About 4 cm long. Every pair helps support vital medical aid in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE
**Product tags:** blue and yellow, handmade earrings, support Ukraine products
---
### [“Flower fields of Ukraine” Hair Clip Set](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/flower-fields-of-ukraine-hair-clip-set/)
**Published:** November 26, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
A trio of 3 cm snap clips adorned with lightweight 3D flowers inspired by Ukrainian fields and traditional headdresses. Every set purchased helps provide medical aid in Ukraine.
[www.passingthrough.net/donating](http://www.passingthrough.net/donating) 💙💛
**Product categories:** Floral Hairclips, SALE
**Product tags:** flowers, hairclips, support Ukraine products, ukraine
---
### [Traditional Ukrainian Red Wooden Bead Necklace](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/traditional-ukrainian-red-wooden-bead-necklace/)
**Published:** December 4, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Traditional Red Wooden Bead Necklace (Made in Ukraine)
A classic strand of vibrant red wooden beads, handcrafted in Ukraine using traditional folk techniques. Lightweight, timeless, and full of cultural meaning, this necklace adds a bold touch of Ukrainian heritage to any outfit.
**Product categories:** Necklaces-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, jewellery, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products, Ukrainian
---
### [#SupportUkraine ‘Bee on a Flower’ brooch](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-bee-on-a-flower-brooch/)
**Published:** June 15, 2025
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Excerpt:** #SupportUkraine
Stunning ‘Bee on a Flower’ brooch – a sweet nod to Ukrainian vibes! Crafted with love, this little beauty adds a touch of tradition to any outfit. Perfect for showing off your style with a bit of cultural flair.
**Content:**
\#SupportUkraine
Stunning ‘Bee on a Flower’ brooch – a sweet nod to Ukrainian vibes! Crafted with love, this little beauty adds a touch of tradition to any outfit. Perfect for showing off your style with a bit of cultural flair.
**Product categories:** Brooches-Support Ukraine, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** brooch, floral jewellry, flower, support Ukraine products
---
### [#SupportUkraine ‘Yellow-Blue Swallow’ brooch](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-yellow-blue-swallow-brooch/)
**Published:** June 15, 2025
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
\#SupportUkraine
Charming ‘Yellow-Blue Swallow’ brooch – a ripper little beauty with Ukrainian spirit! This bird, decked out in rhinestones, carries a twig in its beak and measures about 3cm wide. In Ukrainian culture, swallows symbolise fresh starts, home, and family warmth, as well as peace and hope.
**Product categories:** Brooches-Support Ukraine, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** birds, brooch, jewellery, Support ukraine, Ukrainian symbolism
---
### [Delicate #SupportUkraine enamelled daisy drop earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/delicate-supportukraine-daisy-earrings/)
**Published:** February 11, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Beautiful Daisy and sunflower drop earrings to show your support for Ukraine – beautiful flowers of #Ukraine and the proceeds go to life-saving medical aid in Ukraine. Different colours.
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** daisy, earrings handmade jewellry, sunflowers, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products, ukraine
---
### [#supportUkraine Daisy & Sunflower earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-daisy-sunflower-earrings/)
**Published:** May 25, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Beautiful enamelled flower earrings – blue and yellow colours of Ukraine or Sunflowers of Ukraine. Proceeds to charity work in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, daisy, earrings, earrings handmade jewellry, standwithukraine, sunflowers, support Ukraine products
---
### [Beautiful beaded #supportUkraine necklace and earring sets](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/beautiful-beaded-supportukraine-necklace-and-earring-sets/)
**Published:** May 25, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Beautiful handcrafted beaded necklace and earrings sets with all proceeds going to Ukraine.
**Content:**
Beautiful handcrafted beaded necklace and earrings sets with all proceeds going to Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, Necklaces-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** earrings handmade jewellry, handmade, standwithukraine, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products
---
### [Colours of Ukraine unique hand sculpted flowers and resin necklace and earring set](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/colours-of-ukraine-unique-hand-sculpted-flowers-and-resin-necklace-and-earring-set/)
**Published:** May 25, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Unique handcrafted flowers and resin necklace and earring set in the colours of Ukraine. All proceeds support Ukraine!
**Content:**
Unique handcrafted flowers and resin necklace and earring set in the colours of Ukraine. All proceeds support Ukraine!
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, Necklaces-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** earrings handmade jewellry, sunflowers, support Ukraine products, support ukraine standwithukraine
---
### [Beautiful long strand beaded necklaces #supportUkraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/beautiful-long-strand-beaded-necklaces-supportukraine/)
**Published:** May 25, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Beautiful sunny colours handmade beaded necklaces with unique details. All proceeds support Ukraine.
**Content:**
[IMG\_8329](https://www.passingthrough.net/?attachment_id=21596) Beautiful sunny colours handmade beaded necklaces with unique details. All proceeds support Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Necklaces-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** earrings handmade jewellry, support Ukraine products, support ukraine standwithukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine Flower enamel earring and necklace set](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/ukraine-flower-enamel-earring-and-necklace-set/)
**Published:** May 26, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Beautiful delicate enamelled sunflower and daisy necklace and earring sets. Evocative of the flower fields of Ukraine. Proceeds go to life-saving medical aid in Ukraine.
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Beautiful delicate enamelled sunflower and daisy necklace and earring sets. Evocative of the flower fields of Ukraine. Proceeds go to life-saving medical aid in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, Necklaces-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** daisy, pendant; sunflower, sunflowers, support Ukraine products, support ukraine standwithukraine, ukraine
---
### [Naturally Tinted Nourishing Lip Balm](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/naturally-tinted-nourishing-lip-balm/)
**Published:** June 29, 2026
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** A gentle, homemade lip balm made with rich, nourishing ingredients to soften, protect, and enhance your lips naturally.
**Content:**
A gentle, homemade lip balm made with rich, nourishing ingredients to soften, protect, and enhance your lips naturally.
Each balm is handcrafted with home-sourced beeswax, creamy shea butter, raspberry seed oil, and natural mica pigments. The beeswax helps seal in moisture, while shea butter gives a smooth, conditioning feel. Raspberry seed oil is known for its skin-loving properties and may offer some natural sun-protective benefits, while the mica pigments add a subtle, lightly tinted sheen that enhances your natural lip colour without feeling heavy or overly made-up.
Perfect for everyday use, this balm gives lips a soft, healthy glow while helping keep them comfortable and moisturised.
Available in:
- Lip tube
- Small metal pocket tin
- Small clear pocket tin
- Larger metal tin
A beautiful little gift or everyday essential — handmade with care, and sold in support of OPT’s work.
**Product categories:** Support Ukraine Products
**Product tags:** beeswax, handmade, lip balm, natural, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products
---
### [#SupportUkraine Handmade daisies hoop earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/support-ukraine-handmade-daisies-hoop-earrings/)
**Published:** March 21, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Beautiful Ukrainian daisy hoop earrings with colours of Ukraine. All profits go to aid in Ukraine
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Beautiful Ukrainian daisy hoop earrings with colours of Ukraine. All profits go to aid in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** blue, daisy, earrings handmade jewellry, handmade, hoop earrings, humanitarian, jewellery, jewellry, saveukraine, standwithukraine, Support ukraine, yellow
---
### [#SupportUkraine Handmade Earrings with Enamelled Blue Flowers](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-handmade-earrings-with-enamelled-blue-flowers/)
**Published:** November 21, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
Add a touch of elegance to your look with these handmade earrings featuring delicate enamelled blue flower charms. These earrings are not only a beautiful accessory, but also a way to show your #SupportUkraine.
## **Key Features:**
- **Handcrafted with Care**: Each pair is uniquely made by artisans, ensuring high-quality craftsmanship.
- **Charming Floral Design**: Featuring enamelled blue flowers for a simple yet sophisticated look.
- **Lightweight and Comfortable**: Designed for all-day wear, perfect for any occasion.
- **Support Ukraine**: Proceeds from the sale of these earrings go towards aiding Ukraine and supporting those in need.
Wear your #SupportUkraine Handmade Earrings with pride and contribute to a meaningful cause. Perfect for personal use or as a thoughtful gift.
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, donation, earrings handmade jewellry, floral earrings, floral jewellry, stopwar
---
### [#SupportUkraine Handmade Earrings with Enamelled Blue Swirl Flowers](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-handmade-earrings-with-enamelled-blue-swirl-flowers/)
**Published:** November 21, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
\#SupportUkraine Add a touch of charm to your outfit with these handmade earrings featuring enamelled blue swirl flowers. Combining intricate design with purpose, these earrings let you show your support in style.
## **Key Features:**
- **Handcrafted with Care**: Each pair is expertly crafted by artisans, ensuring exceptional quality and unique detailing.
- **Elegant Floral Design**: The blue swirl flower charms add a whimsical and sophisticated touch to any look.
- **Lightweight and Comfortable**: Designed for all-day wear, perfect for casual outings or special occasions.
- **\#SupportUkraine**: Proceeds from the sale of these earrings help provide aid to those in need in Ukraine.
Wear your #SupportUkraine Handmade Earrings with pride, knowing your purchase supports a meaningful cause. Ideal for personal use or as a thoughtful gift.
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, donation, earrings handmade jewellry, enamelled flowers, floral earrings, floral jewellry, handmade
---
### [#SupportUkraine Blue Hoop Earrings: 4 cm Hoops](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-blue-hoop-earrings-4-cm-hoops/)
**Published:** June 19, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Make a stylish statement while supporting Ukraine with our Blue Hoop Earrings featuring 4 cm hoops. Each pair is crafted with care, combining vibrant blue hues with a commitment to solidarity and support. These earrings symbolise unity and strength during challenging times, making them more than just a fashion accessory.
Perfect for every day or special occasions, these earrings add a touch of elegance and purpose to your ensemble. Whether you wear them as a personal tribute or gift them to raise awareness, your purchase contributes to humanitarian efforts aiding Ukraine’s people.
## **Key Features:**
- 4 cm hoops for a classic and comfortable fit
- Vibrant blue colour to brighten any outfit
- Lightweight and easy to wear all day
- Secure closure for peace of mind
- All proceeds go to aid in Ukraine.
Show your support with style: wear our Blue Hoop Earrings and stand in solidarity with Ukraine, spreading hope and awareness with every wear.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, earrings handmade jewellry, standwithukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine Creative handmade earrings with big daisies and yellow beads](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-creative-handmade-earrings-with-big-daisies-and-yellow-beads/)
**Published:** June 11, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
\#SupportUkraine Creative handmade earrings with big daisies and yellow beads.
All proceeds go to aid in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, earrings handmade jewellry, floral earrings, standwithukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine enamelled flower drop earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/support-ukraine-enamelled-flower-drop-earrings/)
**Published:** April 30, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Beautiful handmade earrings using the flowers and colours of Ukraine. Turn heads, start conversations and provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** daisy, drop earrings, earrings handmade jewellry, saveukraine, standwithukraine, sunflowers, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products
---
### [#SupportUkraine Daisy earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/daisy-supportukraine-earrings/)
**Published:** April 28, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
\#SupportUkraine Beautiful wooden daisy earrings evocative of the meadows of Ukraine. Proceeds go to life saving medical aid in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** daisy, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products, support ukraine standwithukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine Handmade Sunflower earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/sunflower-supportukraine-earrings/)
**Published:** April 28, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
\#SupportUkraine Beautiful wooden sunflower earrings in different styles with glass beads. Sunflowers are the national flower of Ukraine and a symbol of peace and resilience. Proceeds go to life-saving medical aid in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** sunflowers, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products, support ukraine standwithukraine
---
### [Delicate #SupportUkraine enamelled flower drop earrings with Czech glass bead](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/delicate-supportukraine-enamelled-flower-drop-earrings-with-czech-glass-bead/)
**Published:** April 28, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Beautiful Daisy and sunflower drop earrings to show your support for Ukraine – beautiful flowers of #Ukraine and the proceeds go to life-saving medical aid in Ukraine. Some styles have a blue and yellow Czech glass bead.
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** daisy, earrings handmade jewellry, sunflowers, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products, ukraine
---
### [Support Ukraine Sunflower earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/support-ukraine-sunflower-earrings/)
**Published:** January 25, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Handmade Support Ukraine Sunflower earrings with the national flower of Ukraine - symbolising strength and resilience and a desire for peace and freedom. Show your support for Ukraine.
**Content:**
Beautiful handmade earrings with the national flower of Ukraine – the sunflower – symbolising strength and resilience and a desire for peace and freedom. Show your support for Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, earrings, handmade, humanitarian, jewellery, jewellry, saveukraine, Support ukraine, ukraine, Ukrainian
---
### [#SupportUkraine Creative handmade hoop earrings with small daisies and beads](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-creative-handmade-earrings-with-small-daisies-and-beads/)
**Published:** June 11, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
\#SupportUkraine Creative handmade hoop earrings with small daisies and blue beads.
All proceeds go to aid in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, daisy, earrings handmade jewellry, saveukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine Handmade beaded daisy earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-handmade-beaded-daisy-earrings/)
**Published:** August 7, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Excerpt:** These charming earrings feature intricate beaded daisies, offering a delightful and stylish accent to any outfit. Each pair is carefully crafted, making them a unique and meaningful addition to your accessory collection.
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Add a touch of elegance and whimsy to your jewellery collection with our Handmade Beaded Daisy Earrings. These charming earrings feature intricate beaded daisies, offering a delightful and stylish accent to any outfit. Each pair is carefully crafted, making them a unique and meaningful addition to your accessory collection.
## **Key Features:**
- Each pair of earrings is meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans, ensuring exceptional quality and detail.
- Featuring intricately beaded daisies, these earrings add a playful and elegant touch to your look.
- Designed for all-day wear, these earrings are lightweight and comfortable, perfect for any occasion.
- Made using ethically sourced materials, promoting sustainability and responsibility.
- All proceeds from the sale of these earrings go towards aiding Ukraine, providing essential support to those in need.
Enhance your style with these exquisite Handmade Beaded Daisy Earrings and show your support for Ukraine. Perfect for everyday wear or special occasions, these earrings combine elegance with a purpose. Whether as a gift or a personal accessory, each purchase helps make a positive impact.
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** beaded, charity, donation, earrings handmade jewellry, handmade, stopwar
---
### [#SupportUkraine Dainty earrings with delicate daisies](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/support-ukraine-dainty-earrings-with-delicate-daisies/)
**Published:** May 21, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Dainty earrings with delicate daisies and sunflowers – reflecting the flowers of Ukraine. Available in white, yellow and purple colours. All proceeds go to aid in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, earrings, floral earrings, standwithukraine, Support ukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine dainty white and blue daisy earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-dainty-white-and-blue-daisy-earrings/)
**Published:** May 14, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** #SupportUkraine with these beautiful dangly dainty white enamelled daisy earrings with turquoise blue beads. All proceeds go to life-saving aid in Ukraine.
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
with these beautiful dangly dainty white enamelled daisy earrings with a larger blue daisy. All proceeds go to life-saving aid in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, daisy, earrings, earrings handmade jewellry, jewellery, standwithukraine, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products
---
### [#SupportUkraine long dangly daisy earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-long-dangly-daisy-earrings/)
**Published:** May 14, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Don’t be indifferent, these beautiful dangly dainty white enamelled daisy earrings really help save lives. All proceeds go to life-saving aid in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, daisy, earrings, earrings handmade jewellry, saveukraine, standwithukraine, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products
---
### [Golden chain daisy or sunflower earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/golden-chain-daisy-or-sunflower-earrings/)
**Published:** May 12, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Beautiful Daisy and Sunflower golden chain earrings. Flowers that evoke the fields of Ukraine and all proceeds go to aid for war torn Ukraine.
**Content:**
Beautiful Daisy and Sunflower golden chain earrings. Flowers that evoke the fields of Ukraine. All proceeds go to aid for war torn Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** daisy, sunflower, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products, support ukraine standwithukraine, Ukrainian
---
### [Chain link sunflower and daisy earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/chain-link-sunflower-and-daisy-earrings/)
**Published:** April 30, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Handmade enamelled flower earrings. All proceeds go to humanitarian aid in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** daisy, sunflower, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products
---
### [#SupportUkraine Blue glass and daisy earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/blue-glass-and-daisy-earrings/)
**Published:** April 30, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Beautiful head turning earrings, evoking the meadows of flowers and blue skies of Ukraine. All proceeds go to aid in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** daisy, earrings handmade jewellry, support Ukraine products, support ukraine standwithukraine
---
### [Yellow daisy and crystal earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/yellow-daisy-and-crystal-earrings/)
**Published:** April 30, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Beautiful and bright daisies and crystal beads – the flowers and golden colours of Ukraine. All proceeds go to humanitarian aid in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** daisy, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products, support ukraine standwithukraine
---
### [Upcycled vintage bead and daisy earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/upcycled-vintage-bead-and-daisy-earrings/)
**Published:** April 30, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
Beautiful earrings made with blue and bronze upcycled vintage beads and daisies. Proceeds go to humanitarian aid in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** daisy, earrings handmade jewellry, saveukraine, support Ukraine products, support ukraine standwithukraine, upcycled
---
### [#SupportUkraine Golden Tryzub Earrings Gift Pack](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-golden-tryzub-earrings-gift-pack/)
**Published:** November 2, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** 💙💛Celebrate the spirit of Ukraine with this unique gift pack, featuring a set of magnetic sunflower bookmarks and handmade steel Tryzub earrings adorned with delicate daisies. Send a heartfelt gift that gives back.
**Content:**
\#SupportUkraine with this unique gift pack, featuring a set of magnetic sunflower bookmarks and handmade golden Tryzub earrings adorned with delicate daisies. The bookmarks show the national flower of Ukraine while the earrings beautifully symbolise Ukrainian heritage. Each pack is wrapped with care and includes a personalised message for the recipient. 100% of the proceeds go directly to aid efforts in Ukraine, supporting essential relief during the ongoing crisis.
Gift with purpose. Show your solidarity and support Ukraine today. 💙🌻💛
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, earrings, earrings handmade jewellry, humanitarian, standwithukraine, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products, support ukraine standwithukraine, tryzub
---
### [#SupportUkraine Delicate set with white daisies](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-delicate-set-with-white-daisies/)
**Published:** June 11, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
\#SupportUkraine, Delicate set with white daisies. Be sure – all proceeds go to aid in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, Necklaces-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, earrings handmade jewellry, handmade, Stan dwithukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine Sunflower pendant and earring set](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/support-ukraine-sunflower-pendant-and-earring-set/)
**Published:** April 27, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Delicate enamelled sunflower pendant and earring set. Sunflowers are a symbol of peace and resilience for the Ukrainian people. Proceeds go to life saving medical aid in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, Necklaces-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, earrings, pendant; sunflower, saveukraine, support ukraine standwithukraine, ukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine Sunflower Gift Pack with skirt](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-sunflower-gift-pack-skirt/)
**Published:** October 26, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** 🌻#SupportUkraine with our Sunflower Gift Packs: unique items inspired by Ukraine's wildflowers. Send a heartfelt gift that gives back.
**Content:**
## **Sunflower Gift Packs for Ukraine**
Celebrate the spirit of Ukraine with our beautifully curated *Sunflower Gift Packs*. Each unique bundle is crafted with love, featuring a variety of items inspired by the vibrant wildflowers of Ukraine, and the resilient sunflower. From stylish tote bags perfect for everyday use to exquisite handmade earrings, each pack offers a different, special collection of treasures that highlight the beauty and strength of Ukraine.
Every purchase also includes the option to add a personalised message, making it a heartfelt gift for someone special. And with all proceeds going directly to medical aid through our charity, you’re not only giving a meaningful gift but also supporting essential healthcare for those in critical need.
*Send a gift that blooms with hope and purpose.* 🌻
All beautifully gift wrapped with a customised message.
Contents of this pack:
- one size fits all chiffon lined sunflower skirt
- sunflower gold and blue design zip pocket bag
- sparkling wheat hair clip
- sparkling sunflower inspired brooch
- blue and yellow sunflower teardrop earrings
- blue sunflower socks
- folding waterproof sunflower landscape shopping bag
**Product categories:** Gift sets, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery, Support Ukraine Products
**Product tags:** charity, daisy, earrings, earrings handmade jewellry, humanitarian, standwithukraine, sunflowers, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products, support ukraine standwithukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine Sunflower Gift Pack - watch,earrings, bag](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-sunflower-gift-pack-copy/)
**Published:** October 26, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** 🌻#SupportUkraine with our Sunflower Gift Packs: unique items inspired by Ukraine's wildflowers. Send a heartfelt gift that gives back.
**Content:**
## **Sunflower Gift Packs for Ukraine**
Celebrate the spirit of Ukraine with our beautifully curated *Sunflower Gift Packs*. Each unique bundle is crafted with love, featuring a variety of items inspired by the vibrant wildflowers of Ukraine, and the resilient sunflower. From stylish tote bags perfect for everyday use to exquisite handmade earrings, each pack offers a different, special collection of treasures that highlight the beauty and strength of Ukraine.
Every purchase also includes the option to add a personalised message, making it a heartfelt gift for someone special. And with all proceeds going directly to medical aid through our charity, you’re not only giving a meaningful gift, but also supporting essential healthcare for those in critical need.
*Send a gift that blooms with hope and purpose.* 🌻
Each pack can be sent carefully gift wrapped and with a customised message.
Contents of this pack:
- sunflower shopping tote bag
- sunflower wristwatch
- magnetic sunflower bookmarks
- handmade wooden sunflower bead earrings
- handmade lightweight sunflower button earrings
- sunflower watch band
**Product categories:** Gift sets, Keyrings and Watches, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery, Support Ukraine Products
**Product tags:** charity, daisy, earrings, earrings handmade jewellry, humanitarian, standwithukraine, sunflowers, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products, support ukraine standwithukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine Daisies Gift Pack - flowers jewellery,watch, socks](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-daisies-gift-pack-flowers-jewellerywatch-socks/)
**Published:** October 28, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** 🌻#SupportUkraine with our Sunflower Gift Packs: unique items inspired by Ukraine's wildflowers. Send a heartfelt gift that gives back.
**Content:**
## **Sunflower Gift Packs for Ukraine**
Celebrate the spirit of Ukraine with our beautifully curated *Sunflower Gift Packs*. Each unique bundle is crafted with love, featuring a variety of items inspired by the vibrant wildflowers of Ukraine, and the resilient sunflower. From stylish tote bags perfect for everyday use to exquisite handmade earrings, each pack offers a different, special collection of treasures that highlight the beauty and strength of Ukraine.
Every purchase also includes the option to add a personalised message, making it a heartfelt gift for someone special. And with all proceeds going directly to medical aid through our charity, you’re not only giving a meaningful gift but also supporting essential healthcare for those in critical need.
*Send a gift that blooms with hope and purpose.* 🌻
Contents of this pack:
- Daisies wristwatch
- Two pair set handmade Ukrainian flower earrings in flag colours
- Handmade blue and yellow daisy wooden earrings
- Handmade enamelled daisy and turquoise bead earrings
- Two pairs of daisy ankle socks
- Daisy bracelet
**Product categories:** Bracelets-Support Ukraine, Gift sets, Keyrings and Watches, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery, Support Ukraine Products
**Product tags:** charity, daisy, earrings, earrings handmade jewellry, humanitarian, standwithukraine, sunflowers, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products, support ukraine standwithukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine Sunflower Gift Pack with watch and jewellry](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-sunflower-gift-pack-watch-jewellry/)
**Published:** October 26, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** 🌻#SupportUkraine with our Sunflower Gift Packs: unique items inspired by Ukraine's wildflowers. Send a heartfelt gift that gives back.
**Content:**
## **Sunflower Gift Packs for Ukraine**
Celebrate the spirit of Ukraine with our beautifully curated *Sunflower Gift Packs*. Each unique bundle is crafted with love, featuring a variety of items inspired by the vibrant wildflowers of Ukraine, and the resilient sunflower. From stylish tote bags perfect for everyday use to exquisite handmade earrings, each pack offers a different, special collection of treasures that highlight the beauty and strength of Ukraine.
Every purchase also includes the option to add a personalised message, making it a heartfelt gift for someone special. And with all proceeds going directly to medical aid through our charity, you’re not only giving a meaningful gift, but also supporting essential healthcare for those in critical need.
*Send a gift that blooms with hope and purpose.* 🌻
Each pack can be sent carefully gift wrapped and with a customised message.
Contents of this pack:
- sunflower shopping tote
- blue and yellow tryzub wristband
- blue and yellow wheat diamante brooch
- sparkling sunflower brooch
- handmade bright sunflower disc earrings
- sunflower wristwatch
**Product categories:** Gift sets, Keyrings and Watches, Support Ukraine jewellery, Support Ukraine Products
**Product tags:** charity, daisy, earrings, earrings handmade jewellry, humanitarian, standwithukraine, sunflowers, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products, support ukraine standwithukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine Luxury Gift Pack Jewellry and Silky Shawl](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-luxury-gift-pack-jewellry-and-silky-shawl/)
**Published:** October 28, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** 🌻#SupportUkraine with our Sunflower Gift Packs: unique items inspired by Ukraine's wildflowers. Send a heartfelt gift that gives back.
**Content:**
## **Sunflower Gift Packs for Ukraine**
Celebrate the spirit of Ukraine with our beautifully curated *Sunflower Gift Packs*. Each unique bundle is crafted with love, featuring a variety of items inspired by the vibrant wildflowers of Ukraine, and the resilient sunflower. From stylish tote bags perfect for everyday use to exquisite handmade earrings, each pack offers a different, special collection of treasures that highlight the beauty and strength of Ukraine.
Every purchase also includes the option to add a personalised message, making it a heartfelt gift for someone special. And with all proceeds going directly to medical aid through our charity, you’re not only giving a meaningful gift but also supporting essential healthcare for those in critical need.
*Send a gift that blooms with hope and purpose.* 🌻
Contents of this pack:
- Large shawl size silky blue and yellow scarf
- diamante blue and yellow Ukraine brooch
- handmade enamelled blue and crystal daisy earrings
- handmade austrian crystal and daisy earrings
- magnetic sunflower bookmark
**Product categories:** Gift sets, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery, Support Ukraine Products
**Product tags:** charity, daisy, earrings, earrings handmade jewellry, humanitarian, standwithukraine, sunflowers, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products, support ukraine standwithukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine Sunflower Gift Pack- infant clothing. Size 12-18 month](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-sunflower-gift-pack-flowers-jewellerywatch-bag-2/)
**Published:** October 28, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** 🌻#SupportUkraine with our Sunflower Gift Packs: unique items inspired by Ukraine’s wildflowers. Send a heartfelt gift that gives back.
**Content:**
## **Sunflower Gift Packs for Ukraine**
**Celebrate the spirit of Ukraine with our beautifully curated *Sunflower Gift Packs*. Each unique bundle is crafted with love, featuring a variety of items inspired by the vibrant wildflowers of Ukraine, and the resilient sunflower.**
**Every purchase also includes the option to add a personalised message, making it a heartfelt gift for someone special. And with all proceeds going directly to medical aid through our charity, you’re not only giving a meaningful gift, but also supporting essential healthcare for those in critical need.**
***Send a gift that blooms with hope and purpose.*** 🌻
**Contents of this pack:**
**you are my sunshine- sunflower pants and tshirt and headband Two strappy dresses-blue with sunflowers and blue polka dots Sunflower tote bag**
**Product categories:** Gift sets, SALE, Support Ukraine Products
**Product tags:** charity, daisy, humanitarian, standwithukraine, sunflowers, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products, support ukraine standwithukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine handcrafted Tryzub necklace and earring set](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-handcrafted-tryzub-necklace-and-earring-set/)
**Published:** November 2, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Support Ukraine with this exclusive necklace and earring set, handmade by Miss Perles Creations in France. Featuring intricate cabochons in vibrant yellow and blue with Tryzub accents, this unique set is designed to celebrate Ukrainian heritage with elegance. All proceeds go directly to aid efforts in Ukraine, helping provide essential relief during these difficult times. Wear your support, share your hope. 💙💛
**Content:**
\#SupportUkraine with this exclusive necklace and earring set, handmade by Miss Perles Creations in France. Featuring intricate cabochons in vibrant yellow and blue with Tryzub accents, this unique set is designed to celebrate Ukrainian heritage with elegance. Also included are magnetic sunflower bookmarks to complement your gift. Each set is beautifully wrapped and comes with a personalised message, perfect for expressing your solidarity.
All proceeds go directly to aid efforts in Ukraine, helping provide essential relief during these difficult times. Wear your support, share your hope. 💙💛
**Product categories:** Gift sets, Necklaces-Support Ukraine, Support Ukraine jewellery, Support Ukraine Products
**Product tags:** charity, daisy, earrings, earrings handmade jewellry, humanitarian, standwithukraine, sunflowers, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products, support ukraine standwithukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine Hair clip with flowers](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-hair-clip-with-flowers/)
**Published:** June 16, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Introducing our beautiful 8 cm Hair Clip adorned with delicate flowers, a symbol of solidarity with Ukraine. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, each petal represents strength, resilience, and hope for a brighter future.
This elegant accessory not only adds a touch of grace to your hairstyle but also serves as a powerful statement of support for Ukraine during these challenging times. Whether you wear it as a subtle accent or a bold statement piece, this hair clip is a tangible reminder of unity and compassion.
Handcrafted with care, each flower is a testament to the beauty of Ukrainian culture and the unwavering spirit of its people. By wearing this hair clip, you not only showcase your style but also stand in solidarity with Ukraine, spreading awareness and fostering support for those in need.
Join us in showing support and solidarity for Ukraine with every graceful twist and turn of your hair, as we stand together in solidarity, blooming hope for a brighter tomorrow.
All proceeds go to aid in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Floral Hairclips, SALE
**Product tags:** charity, floral clip, saveukraine, standwithukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine 7cm Handmade Hair Clip with Blue Flowers](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-7cm-handmade-hair-clip-with-blue-flowers/)
**Published:** July 22, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine** Enhance your hairstyle with our beautifully crafted Handmade Hair Clip featuring vibrant blue flowers. Symbolising hope and resilience, this elegant accessory reflects the enduring spirit of Ukraine. Each clip is meticulously handcrafted, making it a meaningful addition to your collection.
## **Key Features:**
- Each hair clip is made with exceptional attention to detail and quality.
- Adorned with vivid blue flowers, this clip adds a touch of natural beauty and elegance to any hairstyle.
- Measuring 7 cm, it securely holds your hair in place while making a stylish statement.
- All proceeds from the sale of this hair clip go towards providing essential aid to those in need in Ukraine.
Show your support for Ukraine with this exquisite Handmade Hair Clip. Ideal for daily wear or special occasions, it combines style with purpose. Whether as a gift or a personal accessory, each purchase helps make a positive impact.
**Product categories:** Floral Hairclips, SALE
**Product tags:** charity, floral clip, handmade, saveukraine, stopwar
---
### [#SupportUkraine 6cm Handmade Floral Crocodile Clip in Ukrainian Colours](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-6cm-handmade-floral-crocodile-clip-in-ukrainian-colours/)
**Published:** July 23, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Celebrate your style and show your support for Ukraine with our Handmade Floral Crocodile Clip, featuring the vibrant blue and yellow colours of the Ukrainian flag. This elegant and meaningful accessory is designed to add a touch of national pride and beauty to your hairstyle. Each clip is carefully crafted, making it a unique and thoughtful addition to your collection.
## **Key Features:**
- Each crocodile clip is meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans, ensuring high quality and attention to detail.
- Adorned with delicate flowers in the iconic blue and yellow colours of the Ukrainian flag, this clip beautifully displays your support.
- Measuring 6 cm, this clip is perfect for securely holding your hair in place with style and grace.
- Made using ethically sourced materials, promoting sustainability and responsibility.
- All proceeds from the sale of this clip go towards aiding Ukraine, providing essential support to those in need.
Enhance your hairstyle and make a statement with this exquisite 6 cm Handmade Floral Crocodile Clip in Ukrainian colours. Ideal for everyday wear or special occasions, this clip combines style and purpose. Whether as a gift or a personal accessory, each purchase helps make a positive impact.
**Product categories:** Floral Hairclips, SALE
**Product tags:** charity, hair accessory, hair clip, standwithukraine, stopwar
---
### [#SupportUkraine 6cm Handmade Colourful Floral Hair Clip](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-6cm-handmade-colourful-floral-hair-clip/)
**Published:** July 23, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Add a burst of colour and charm to your hairstyle with our Handmade Colourful Floral Hair Clip. This delightful accessory features an array of vibrant flowers, bringing a playful and stylish touch to any look. Each clip is carefully crafted, making it a unique and meaningful addition to your collection.
## **Key Features:**
- Each hair clip is meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans, ensuring high quality and attention to detail.
- Adorned with a variety of vibrant flowers, this clip adds a lively and eye-catching accent to any hairstyle.
- Measuring 6 cm, this clip is perfect for securely holding your hair in place with elegance and flair.
- Made using ethically sourced materials, promoting sustainability and responsibility.
- All proceeds from the sale of this clip go towards aiding Ukraine, providing essential support to those in need.
Enhance your hairstyle with this beautiful 6 cm Handmade Colourful Floral Hair Clip and show your support for Ukraine. Perfect for everyday wear or special occasions, this clip combines style and purpose. Whether as a gift or a personal accessory, each purchase helps make a positive impact.
**Product categories:** Floral Hairclips, SALE, Support Ukraine Products
**Product tags:** charity, floral clip, hair accessory, handmade, stopwar
---
### [#SupportUkraine Handmade Hair Clip with Pink Flowers](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-7cm-handmade-hair-clip-with-pink-flowers/)
**Published:** July 22, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Add a touch of elegance and support a meaningful cause with our Handmade Hair Clip featuring delicate pink flowers. This charming accessory is a symbol of hope and resilience, reflecting the spirit of Ukraine. Each piece is carefully crafted to bring beauty and purpose to your collection.
## **Key Features:**
- Each hair clip is meticulously made by skilled artisans, ensuring exceptional quality and detail.
- Adorned with delicate pink flowers, this clip adds a lovely accent to any hairstyle.
- Measuring 7 cm, it’s perfect for securely holding your hair while making a stylish statement.
- Made with ethically sourced materials, promoting responsible and sustainable practices.
- All proceeds from the sale of this hair clip go directly to aid efforts in Ukraine, providing much-needed support.
Elevate your style and make a difference with this exquisite 7 cm Handmade Hair Clip. Whether for everyday wear or special occasions, this clip is a perfect blend of elegance and purpose. Purchase it as a thoughtful gift or a personal accessory, knowing that each purchase contributes to a worthy cause.
**Product categories:** Floral Hairclips, SALE
**Product tags:** floral clip, freedom, hair accessory, standwithukraine, stopwar
---
### [#SupportUkraine Handmade Hair Clip with Yellow Flowers](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-7cm-handmade-hair-clip-with-yellow-flowers/)
**Published:** July 22, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Add a touch of brightness and solidarity to your hairstyle with our Handmade Hair Clip featuring vibrant yellow flowers. This beautifully crafted accessory symbolises hope and resilience, reflecting the spirit of Ukraine. Each clip is made with care, making it a meaningful addition to your collection.
## **Key Features:**
- Each hair clip is meticulously made by skilled artisans, ensuring exceptional quality and detail.
- Adorned with vibrant yellow flowers, this clip adds a cheerful accent to any hairstyle.
- Measuring 7 cm, it’s ideal for securely holding your hair while making a stylish statement.
- Made with ethically sourced materials, promoting responsible and sustainable practices.
- All proceeds from the sale of this hair clip go directly to aid efforts in Ukraine, providing much-needed support.
Elevate your style and make a difference with this exquisite 7 cm Handmade Hair Clip. Whether for everyday wear or special occasions, this clip is a perfect blend of elegance and purpose. Purchase it as a thoughtful gift or a personal accessory, knowing that each purchase contributes to a worthy cause.
**Product categories:** Floral Hairclips, SALE
**Product tags:** charity, floral clip, hair clip, handmade, saveukraine, stopwar
---
### [#SupportUkraine 6cm Handmade Daisy Hair Clip](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-6cm-handmade-daisy-hair-clip/)
**Published:** June 23, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Add a touch of nature-inspired elegance to your hairstyle with our Handmade Daisy Hair Clip. This charming accessory features delicate daisy details, bringing a fresh and cheerful look to any outfit. Each clip is carefully crafted, making it a unique and meaningful addition to your collection.
## **Key Features:**
- Each hair clip is meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans, ensuring high quality and attention to detail.
- Adorned with delicate daisy flowers, this clip adds a playful and stylish accent to any hairstyle.
- Measuring 6 cm, this clip is perfect for securely holding your hair in place with elegance and charm.
- Made using ethically sourced materials, promoting sustainability and responsibility.
- All proceeds from the sale of this clip go towards aiding Ukraine, providing essential support to those in need.
Enhance your hairstyle with this beautiful 6 cm Handmade Daisy Hair Clip and show your support for Ukraine. Perfect for everyday wear or special occasions, this clip combines style and purpose. Whether as a gift or a personal accessory, each purchase helps make a positive impact.
**Product categories:** Floral Hairclips, SALE
**Product tags:** charity, floral clip, hair accessory, stopwar
---
### [#SupportUkraine 6cm Blue Handmade Floral Crocodile Clip](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-6cm-blue-handmade-floral-crocodile-clip/)
**Published:** June 23, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Add a touch of elegance and support a meaningful cause with our Handmade Floral Crocodile Clip in beautiful blue. This charming accessory is designed to enhance your look with its delicate floral details. Each clip is carefully crafted, making it a unique and thoughtful addition to your collection.
## **Key Features:**
- Each crocodile clip is meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans, ensuring high quality and attention to detail.
- Adorned with delicate flowers in a vibrant blue hue, this clip adds a stylish accent to any hairstyle.
- Measuring 6 cm, this clip is ideal for securely holding your hair in place with grace and style.
- Made using ethically sourced materials, promoting sustainability and responsibility.
- All proceeds from the sale of this clip go towards aiding Ukraine, providing essential support to those in need.
Elevate your hairstyle with this exquisite 6 cm Blue Handmade Floral Crocodile Clip and show your support for Ukraine. Perfect for everyday wear or special occasions, this clip combines style and purpose. Whether as a gift or a personal accessory, each purchase helps make a positive impact.
**Product categories:** Floral Hairclips, SALE
**Product tags:** donation, floral clip, hair accessory, saveukraine, stopwar
---
### [#SupportUkraine Handmade 5cm Crocodile Clip in Ukrainian Colours](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-handmade-5cm-crocodile-clip-in-ukrainian-colours/)
**Published:** June 23, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Show your support for Ukraine with our Handmade Crocodile Clip featuring the vibrant blue and yellow colours of the Ukrainian flag. This stylish and meaningful accessory is designed to add a touch of national pride and elegance to your hairstyle. Each clip is carefully crafted, making it a unique and thoughtful addition to your collection.
## **Key Features:**
- Each crocodile clip is meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans, ensuring high quality and attention to detail.
- Adorned in the iconic blue and yellow colours of the Ukrainian flag, this clip proudly displays your support.
- Measuring 5 cm, this clip is perfect for securely holding your hair in place with style.
- Made using ethically sourced materials, promoting sustainability and responsibility.
- All proceeds from the sale of this clip go towards aiding Ukraine, providing essential support to those in need.
Elevate your hairstyle and make a statement with this exquisite 5 cm Handmade Crocodile Clip in Ukrainian colours. Ideal for everyday wear or special occasions, this clip combines style and purpose. Whether as a gift or a personal accessory, each purchase helps make a positive impact.
**Product categories:** Floral Hairclips, SALE
**Product tags:** charity, floral clip, hair accessory, stopwar
---
### [#SupportUkraine Handmade 5cm Crocodile Clip in Lilac Colours](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-handmade-5cm-crocodile-clip-in-lilac-colours/)
**Published:** June 22, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine** Add a touch of elegance and serenity to your hairstyle with our Handmade Crocodile Clip in beautiful lilac colours. This charming accessory is designed to enhance your look with its delicate hue while supporting a meaningful cause. Each clip is carefully crafted, making it a unique and thoughtful addition to your collection.
## **Key Features:**
- Each crocodile clip is meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans, ensuring high quality and attention to detail.
- Adorned in soothing lilac colours, this clip adds a subtle yet stylish accent to any hairstyle.
- Measuring 5 cm, this clip is perfect for securely holding your hair in place with elegance.
- Made using ethically sourced materials, promoting sustainability and responsibility.
- All proceeds from the sale of this clip go towards aiding Ukraine, providing essential support to those in need.
Elevate your hairstyle with this exquisite 5 cm Handmade Crocodile Clip in lilac and show your support for Ukraine. Ideal for everyday wear or special occasions, this clip combines style and purpose. Whether as a gift or a personal accessory, each purchase helps make a positive impact.
**Product categories:** Floral Hairclips, SALE
**Product tags:** charity, floral clip, hair clip, handmade, standwithukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine Handmade Hair Clip with Blue-White Flowers](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-7cm-handmade-hair-clip-with-blue-and-white-flowers/)
**Published:** June 22, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Add a touch of elegance and solidarity to your hairstyle with our Handmade Hair Clip. This beautifully crafted accessory symbolises hope and resilience, reflecting the spirit of Ukraine. Each clip is made with care, making it a meaningful addition to your collection.
## **Key Features:**
- Each hair clip is meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans, ensuring high quality and attention to detail.
- Features a stunning arrangement of blue and white flowers, symbolising peace and unity.
- Measuring 7 cm, this hair clip makes a striking statement while securely holding your hair in place.
- All proceeds from the sale of this hair clip go towards aiding Ukraine, providing essential support to those in need.
Enhance your hairstyle with this beautiful 7 cm Handmade Hair Clip and show your support for Ukraine. Perfect for everyday wear or special occasions, this hair clip combines style and purpose. Whether as a gift or a personal statement, each purchase helps make a positive impact.
**Product categories:** Floral Hairclips, SALE
**Product tags:** floral clip, floral jewellry, handmade, standwithukraine, stopwar
---
### [#SupportUkraine Handmade 5cm Crocodile Clip with Sunny Flowers](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-handmade-5cm-crocodile-clip-with-sunny-flowers/)
**Published:** July 22, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Brighten up your hairstyle with our Handmade Crocodile Clip featuring cheerful sunny flowers. This charming accessory is designed to add a touch of joy and elegance to any look while supporting a meaningful cause. Each clip is carefully crafted, making it a unique and thoughtful addition to your collection.
## **Key Features:**
- Each crocodile clip is meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans, ensuring high quality and attention to detail.
- Adorned with vibrant sunny flowers, this clip brings a burst of brightness to your hairstyle.
- Measuring 5 cm, this clip is perfect for securely holding your hair in place with style.
- Made using ethically sourced materials, promoting sustainability and responsibility.
- All proceeds from the sale of this clip go towards aiding Ukraine, providing essential support to those in need.
Enhance your hairstyle with this beautiful 5 cm Handmade Crocodile Clip and show your support for Ukraine. Ideal for everyday wear or special occasions, this clip combines style and purpose. Whether as a gift or a personal accessory, each purchase helps make a positive impact.
**Product categories:** Floral Hairclips, SALE, Support Ukraine Products
**Product tags:** floral clip, floral jewellry, handmade, standwithukraine, stopwar
---
### [#SupportUkraine Tryzub earrings with colourful beads](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-tryzub-earrings-with-colourful-beads/)
**Published:** June 11, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
\#SupportUkraine Introducing our stunning Tryzub Earrings, adorned with vibrant, colourful beads, a celebration of Ukrainian heritage and resilience.
Each earring features the iconic Tryzub, the emblematic trident symbolizing strength, independence, and unity.
Surrounding the Tryzub are intricately handcrafted beads, each bursting with hues reminiscent of the lively Ukrainian culture. From the azure of the sky to the golden fields of sunflowers, every color tells a story of tradition and vitality, weaving together a tapestry of beauty and strength.
These earrings are more than just accessories; they are a tribute to the spirit of Ukraine and its people. With every wear, you carry with you a piece of Ukrainian heritage, showcasing your solidarity and support for a nation that has faced challenges with resilience and grace.
Whether you’re attending a cultural event or simply adding a pop of colour to your everyday attire, these Tryzub Earrings are sure to turn heads and spark conversations. Join us in honoring Ukrainian heritage and standing in solidarity with its people through these exquisite earrings, a symbol of hope, unity, and enduring beauty.
All proceeds go to aid in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** donation, handmade, saveukraine, standwithukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine Delicate Daisy Petal Earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-delicate-daisy-petal-earrings/)
**Published:** July 22, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine** Express your solidarity with Ukraine through our Delicate Daisy Petal Earrings, a symbol of hope, peace and harmony. These earrings are carefully crafted. Each pair showcases harmonious daisy-shaped, well detailed designs. These earrings combine elegance with a meaningful message, making them a striking accessory for any occasion.
Crafted from premium materials, these earrings are not only stylish, but also contribute to humanitarian efforts supporting the people of Ukraine. Whether you wear them as a personal statement or give them to raise awareness, each purchase helps those affected by the ongoing crisis.
##
Key Features:
- Elegant daisy-shaped design for a timeless appeal
- Lightweight and comfortable for all-day wear
- Ethically sourced materials
- All proceeds go towards aid in Ukraine.Show your support for Ukraine with style and purpose—wear our Daisy Earrings and make a meaningful impact with every wear.
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, donation, earrings handmade jewellry, floral earrings, saveukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine Daisy Colourful Earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-daisy-earrings/)
**Published:** June 19, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Show your solidarity with Ukraine with our Daisy Earrings, a symbol of hope and resilience crafted with care. Each pair features delicate daisy-shaped designs, intricately detailed to capture the beauty of nature and the strength of unity. These earrings blend elegance with a meaningful message, making them a powerful statement piece for any occasion.
Crafted from high-quality materials, these earrings are not only stylish, but also contribute to humanitarian efforts aiding Ukraine’s people. Whether you wear them as a personal gesture or gift them to raise awareness, each purchase plays a part in supporting those affected by the ongoing crisis.
## **Key Features:**
- Delicate daisy-shaped design for a timeless look
- Lightweight and comfortable for all-day wear
- Ethically sourced materials
- All proceeds go to aid in Ukraine.
Stand with Ukraine in style and substance—wear our Daisy Earrings and make a meaningful impact with every adornment.
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, daisy, earrings handmade jewellry, saveukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine Handmade Floral White Earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-handmade-floral-earrings/)
**Published:** July 2, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Celebrate the beauty of nature and show your support for Ukraine with our Handmade Floral Earrings. These exquisite earrings are crafted with attention to detail, featuring delicate floral designs that embody hope, resilience, and the enduring spirit of Ukraine.
## **Key Features:**
- Each pair is meticulously crafted by skilled artisans, ensuring high quality and unique designs.
- Designed for all-day wear, these earrings are lightweight and comfortable, perfect for any occasion.
- Featuring intricate floral patterns that add a touch of natural beauty to your look.
- All proceeds from the sale of these earrings go towards aiding Ukraine, providing essential support to those in need.
Add a touch of elegance and purpose to your jewellery collection with these Handmade Floral Earrings. Whether you’re dressing up for a special occasion or adding a charming accent to your everyday look, these earrings allow you to stand in solidarity with Ukraine. Perfect as a gift or a personal statement, each purchase helps make a positive impact.
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, floral earrings, handmade, ukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine - Handpainted Ukrainian Sunflowers on flowy shirt and shorts set. Size 14-16](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-handpainted-ukrainian-sunflowers-on-flowy-shirt-and-shorts-set-size-14-16/)
**Published:** December 22, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Beautiful handpainted top and shorts in size 14-16. Show your support for Ukraine.#SupportUkraine
**Content:**
Beautiful handpainted top and shorts that reflect the national flower of Ukraine. Size 14-16. A great conversation starter and a colourful way to show your support for Ukraine. All proceeds go to humanitarian aid to #SupportUkraine.
**Product categories:** Clothing - Support Ukraine, Support Ukraine Products
**Product tags:** handmade, humanitarian, relief, sunflowers, Support ukraine, Ukrainian, womens clothing
---
### [#SupportUkraine Handpainted /hand dyed Sunflowers Blouse size 16-18](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-handpainted-hand-dyed-sunflowers-blouse-size-16-18/)
**Published:** December 22, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Beautiful handpainted hand dyedblouse. Show your support for Ukraine.#SupportUkraine
**Content:**
Beautiful handpainted and hand dyed blouse with the national flower -Sunflowers. size 16-18. A great conversation starter and a colourful way to show your support for Ukraine. All proceeds go to humanitarian aid for Ukraine. #SupportUkraine Check out some of our other items too – great ways to buy lovely items that also support good causes. Has a small area of thinning at the back that is not very noticeable but has been priced accordingly.
**Product categories:** Clothing - Support Ukraine, Support Ukraine Products
**Product tags:** handmade, humanitarian, relief, sunflowers, Support ukraine, Ukrainian, womens clothing
---
### [#SupportUkraine sunflower earrings in flag colours](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-sunflower-earrings-in-flag-colours/)
**Published:** May 14, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** #SupportUkraine with these beautiful dangly dainty white enamelled daisy earrings with blue beads to reflect the colours of the Ukrainian flag. All proceeds go to life-saving aid in Ukraine.
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
with these beautiful dangly dainty white enamelled daisy earrings with blue beads to reflect the colours of the Ukrainian flag. All proceeds go to life-saving aid in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, earrings, earrings handmade jewellry, handmade, sunflowers, support Ukraine products, support ukraine standwithukraine
---
### [$25 Gift Card - Merry Christmas](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/25-gift-card-merry-christmas/)
**Published:** December 21, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** A gift card that can be used on ANY items in OPT charity store with proceeds going to medical and humanitarian aid in Ukraine
**Product categories:** Gift Card
**Product tags:** charity, earrings handmade jewellry, gift card, gift voucher, standwithukraine, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products
---
### [$100 Gift Card - Merry Christmas](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/100-gift-card-merry-christmas/)
**Published:** December 21, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** A gift card that can be used on ANY items in OPT charity store with proceeds going to medical and humanitarian aid in Ukraine
**Product categories:** Gift Card
**Product tags:** charity, earrings handmade jewellry, gift card, gift voucher, standwithukraine, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products
---
### [$50 Gift Card - Merry Christmas](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/50-gift-card-merry-christmas/)
**Published:** December 21, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** A gift card that can be used on ANY items in OPT charity store with proceeds going to medical and humanitarian aid in Ukraine
**Product categories:** Gift Card
**Product tags:** charity, earrings handmade jewellry, gift card, gift voucher, standwithukraine, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products
---
### [$50 Gift Card - I Love You](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/50-gift-card-i-love-you-2/)
**Published:** December 21, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** A gift card that can be on ANY items in OPT charity store with proceeds going to medical and humanitarian aid in Ukraine
**Product categories:** Gift Card
---
### [$50 Gift Card - I Love You](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/50-gift-card-i-love-you/)
**Published:** December 21, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** A gift card that can be used on ANY items in OPT charity store with proceeds going to medical and humanitarian aid in Ukraine
**Product categories:** Gift Card
**Product tags:** charity, earrings handmade jewellry, gift card, gift voucher, standwithukraine, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products
---
### [$50 Gift Card - 'A Gift for You'](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/50-gift-card-a-gift-for-you/)
**Published:** December 21, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** A gift card that can be used on ANY items in OPT charity store with proceeds going to medical and humanitarian aid in Ukraine
**Product categories:** Gift Card
**Product tags:** charity, earrings handmade jewellry, gift card, gift voucher, standwithukraine, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products
---
### [$50 Gift Card](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/50-gift-card/)
**Published:** December 21, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** A gift card that can be used on ANY items in OPT charity store with proceeds going to medical and humanitarian aid in Ukraine
**Product categories:** Gift Card
**Product tags:** charity, earrings handmade jewellry, gift card, gift voucher, standwithukraine, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products
---
### [$100 Gift Card](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/100-gift-card/)
**Published:** December 21, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** A gift card that can be used on ANY items in OPT charity store with proceeds going to medical and humanitarian aid in Ukraine
**Product categories:** Gift Card
**Product tags:** charity, earrings handmade jewellry, gift card, gift voucher, standwithukraine, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products
---
### [$100 Gift Card - 'A Gift for You'](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/100-gift-card-a-gift-for-you/)
**Published:** December 21, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** A gift card that can be used on ANY items in OPT charity store with proceeds going to medical and humanitarian aid in Ukraine
**Product categories:** Gift Card
**Product tags:** charity, earrings handmade jewellry, gift card, gift voucher, standwithukraine, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products
---
### [$100 Gift Card - I Love You](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/100-gift-card-i-love-you/)
**Published:** December 21, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** A gift card that can be used on ANY items in OPT charity store with proceeds going to medical and humanitarian aid in Ukraine
**Product categories:** Gift Card
**Product tags:** charity, earrings handmade jewellry, gift card, gift voucher, standwithukraine, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products
---
### [$25 Gift Card - I Love You](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/25-gift-card-i-love-you/)
**Published:** December 21, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** A gift card that can be used on ANY items in OPT charity store with proceeds going to medical and humanitarian aid in Ukraine
**Product categories:** Gift Card
**Product tags:** charity, earrings handmade jewellry, gift card, gift voucher, standwithukraine, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products
---
### [$25 Gift Card - 'A Gift for You'](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/25-gift-card-a-gift-for-you/)
**Published:** December 21, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** A gift card that can be used on ANY items in OPT charity store with proceeds going to medical and humanitarian aid in Ukraine
**Product categories:** Gift Card
**Product tags:** charity, earrings handmade jewellry, gift card, gift voucher, standwithukraine, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products
---
### [$25 Gift Card](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/25-gift-card/)
**Published:** December 21, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** A gift card that can be used on ANY items in OPT charity store with proceeds going to medical and humanitarian aid in Ukraine
**Product categories:** Gift Card
**Product tags:** charity, earrings handmade jewellry, gift card, gift voucher, standwithukraine, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products
---
### [$150 Gift Card - 'A Gift for You'](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/150-gift-card-a-gift-for-you/)
**Published:** December 21, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** A gift card that can be used on ANY items in OPT charity store with proceeds going to medical and humanitarian aid in Ukraine
**Product categories:** Gift Card
**Product tags:** charity, earrings handmade jewellry, gift card, gift voucher, standwithukraine, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products
---
### [$40 Gift Card - 'A Gift for You'](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/40-gift-card-a-gift-for-you/)
**Published:** January 25, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** A gift card that can be used on ANY items in OPT charity store with proceeds going to medical and humanitarian aid in Ukraine
**Product categories:** Gift Card
**Product tags:** charity, earrings handmade jewellry, gift card, gift voucher, standwithukraine, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products
---
### [Under Black Banners - Feodosiy Shchus And The Long Fight For Ukrainian Freedom PAPERBACK](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/under-black-banners-paperback/)
**Published:** January 14, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** From sailor to revolutionary leader, Feodosiy Shchus's fight for Ukrainian freedom comes alive in this eyewitness account. All proceeds aid Ukraine.
**Content:**
**PLEASE NOTE – PURCHASING THIS BOOK HERE ENSURES MOST FUNDS COME THROUGH TO THE CHARITY. HOWEVER IF PURCHASING FROM OUTSIDE OF AUSTRALIA SHIPPING MAY BE VERY EXPENSIVE AND YOU MAY WISH TO PURCHASE THROUGH AMAZON ( available globally) WHERE SOME PROCEEDS STILL COME THROUGH TO THE CHARITY. THANKS!**
**Experience a lost chapter of Ukrainian history through this remarkable historical novel, “Under Black Banners: Feodosiy Shchus and the Long Fight for Ukrainian Freedom.” Written by Nikodym Pliczkowsky a survivor of the Ukrainian Revolution, the Holodomor, and World War II, this rediscovered manuscript offers an unparalleled firsthand account of Ukraine’s struggle for independence in the early 20th century. Through the story of Feodosiy Shchus, a sailor turned revolutionary leader, readers witness the complex world of the Makhnovist movement and Ukraine’s fight for sovereignty—a struggle that eerily mirrors current events.**
**From Sean Patterson, author of [*Makhno and Memory: Anarchist and Mennonite Narratives of Ukraine’s Civil War, 1917–1921*](https://uofmpress.ca/books/detail/makhno-and-memory)**
***” ‘Under Black Banners’ is an immersive retelling of Ukraine’s years of revolution and struggle for independence in the early 20th century. While fictional in form, the author’s status as an eyewitness lends gravity to the events he describes. Told through the eyes of the famous Makhnovist anarchist Feodosiy Shchus, a complicated and ultimately tragic story is delivered with passion and purpose. Pliczkowsky probes questions of local and national identity, autonomy, and ideology. As Ukraine once again faces an existential struggle along the very same front lines the reader encounters in Under Black Banners, the book’s publication is as timely as it is thought-provoking.”***
**100% of proceeds from this book support humanitarian medical aid in Ukraine through established NGO partnerships. Discover the fascinating journey of how this manuscript was preserved and finally published after three decades in [this behind-the-scenes account](https://www.passingthrough.net/journey-of-a-lost-manuscript/), and learn more about this extraordinary historical narrative at our [dedicated book page](https://www.passingthrough.net/under-black-banners-2).**
**Paperback, A4, 631 pages**
###### **N.B. Due to it’s length ( the equivalent of two novels, similar to ‘War and Peace’) it has had to be printed in a large A4 size format.**
**Product categories:** Books-Under Black Banners, Support Ukraine Products
**Product tags:** biographical novel, biography, book, charity, historical novel, history, humanitarian, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products, support ukraine standwithukraine, ukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine earrings and pendant with sunflower and dove](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/support-ukraine-earrings-with-the-national-flower-of-ukraine-and-a-blue-peace-dove/)
**Published:** May 21, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
\#SupportUkraine earrings and pendant with the sunflower. Sunflower is a national flower of Ukraine and a blue peace dove. All proceeds go to aid in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Necklaces-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, earrings handmade jewellry, standwithukraine, support Ukraine products
---
### [#SupportUkraine Tryzub Earrings Gift Pack](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-supporter-jewellery-gift-pack/)
**Published:** November 2, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** 💙💛Celebrate the spirit of Ukraine with this unique gift pack, featuring a set of magnetic sunflower bookmarks and handmade steel Tryzub earrings adorned with delicate daisies in Ukraine’s national colours. Send a heartfelt gift that gives back.
**Content:**
\#SupportUkraine with this unique gift pack, featuring a set of magnetic sunflower bookmarks and handmade steel Tryzub earrings adorned with delicate daisies in Ukraine’s national colors. The bookmarks show the national flower of Ukraine while the earrings beautifully symbolise Ukrainian heritage. Each pack is wrapped with care and includes a personalised message for the recipient. 100% of the proceeds go directly to aid efforts in Ukraine, supporting essential relief during the ongoing crisis.
Gift with purpose. Show your solidarity and support Ukraine today. 💙🌻💛
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, earrings, earrings handmade jewellry, humanitarian, standwithukraine, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products, support ukraine standwithukraine, tryzub
---
### [#SupportUkraine ‘White Chamomile’ Brooch](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-white-chamomile-brooch/)
**Published:** June 15, 2025
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
\#SupportUkraine
Elegant ‘White Chamomile’ Brooch – a timeless piece with a delicate pearlescent sheen. Measuring approximately 3 cm in width, this refined accessory embodies understated grace. Perfect for adding a touch of natural sophistication to any ensemble.
**Product categories:** Brooches-Support Ukraine, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** brooch, Elegant, floral jewellry, Support ukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine ‘Wheat Ears’ brooch](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-wheat-ears-brooch/)
**Published:** June 15, 2025
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
\#SupportUkraine
Elegant ‘Wheat Ears’ brooch. Featuring one ear in blue rhinestones and the other in yellow, mirroring the national flag. At 3cm wide, it’s a timeless piece blending nature and heritage. Simply classy!
**Product categories:** Brooches-Support Ukraine, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** brooch, jewellery, Support ukraine, Ukrainian symbolism
---
### [Beaded #SupportUkraine earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/beaded-support-ukraine-earrings/)
**Published:** January 13, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Support Ukraine with these beautiful earrings that provide aid.
**Content:**
What a beautiful way to #SupportUkraine with earrings in the colour of the Ukrainian flag and 100% of proceeds go to aid for Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** blue, earrings, earrings handmade jewellry, freedom, handmade, humanitarian, jewellery, jewellry, saveukraine, Ukrainian
---
### [#SupportUkraine Hand painted Ukraine earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-hand-painted-ukraine-earrings/)
**Published:** August 15, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Introducing our exquisite Hand-Painted Ukraine Earrings, crafted with precision and passion to showcase the rich culture and vibrant spirit of Ukraine.
Each earring is a masterpiece, meticulously hand-painted with traditional Ukrainian motifs, reflecting the country’s artistic heritage and resilience.
These earrings are more than just accessories; they are a celebration of Ukrainian culture and a symbol of solidarity with its people. With every stroke of the brush, we honour the traditions and craftsmanship that define Ukraine, while also supporting its communities during challenging times.
Whether you’re attending a cultural event or simply adding a touch of elegance to your everyday ensemble, these earrings are sure to spark conversations and admiration. Each pair tells a story of creativity, strength, and hope, reminding us of the beauty that exists even in the face of adversity.
Wearing these Hand-Painted Ukraine Earrings is not just a fashion statement; it’s a statement of solidarity and support for Ukraine. Join us in showcasing the beauty of Ukrainian artistry and standing with its people as they navigate towards a brighter future.
All proceeds go to aid in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, donation, earrings handmade jewellry, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products, Ukrainian
---
### [#SupportUkraine Handmade Sunflower Hoop earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-handmade-sunflower-hoop-earrings/)
**Published:** December 4, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Beautiful handmade earrings reflecting the colours of the national flag and the flower of Ukraine. Show your support for Ukraine.#SupportUkraine
**Content:**
Beautiful handmade earrings that reflect the colours of the Ukrainian Flag with the national flower -Sunflowers. A great conversation starter and a colourful way to show your support for Ukraine. All proceeds go to humanitarian aid for Ukraine. #SupportUkraine
Check out some of our other items too – great ways to buy lovely items that also support good causes.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** earrings, handmade, humanitarian, jewellery, relief, saveukraine, ukraine, Ukrainian
---
### [#SupportUkraine Handmade earrings with coloured beads](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-handmade-earrings-with-coloured-beads/)
**Published:** August 7, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Excerpt:** These stunning earrings are designed to provide a stylish accent to any outfit while supporting a meaningful cause. Each pair is carefully crafted, making them a unique and thoughtful addition to your accessory collection.
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Add a splash of colour and elegance to your jewellery collection with our Handmade Earrings featuring vibrant coloured beads. These stunning earrings are designed to provide a stylish accent to any outfit while supporting a meaningful cause. Each pair is carefully crafted, making them a unique and thoughtful addition to your accessory collection.
## **Key Features:**
- Each pair of earrings is meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans, ensuring exceptional quality and detail.
- Adorned with colourful beads, these earrings add a lively and eye-catching touch to your look.
- Designed for all-day wear, these earrings are lightweight and comfortable, perfect for any occasion.
- Made using ethically sourced materials, promoting sustainability and responsibility.
- All proceeds from the sale of these earrings go towards aiding Ukraine, providing essential support to those in need.
Enhance your style with these exquisite Handmade Earrings with Coloured Beads and show your support for Ukraine. Perfect for everyday wear or special occasions, these earrings combine elegance with a purpose. Whether as a gift or a personal accessory, each purchase helps make a positive impact.
**Product categories:** Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** beaded, charity, earrings, handmade, saveukraine, stopwar
---
### [#SupportUkraine Golden sunflower earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-golden-sunflower-earrings/)
**Published:** March 21, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Golden sunflower earrings that support Ukraine
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Golden sunflower earrings with all profits going to humanitarian aid for Ukraine.
**Product categories:** SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, earrings, earrings handmade jewellry, handmade, Support ukraine, Ukrainian, Vinok
---
### [#SupportUkraine sunflower armband](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/support-ukraine-sunflower-armband/)
**Published:** April 30, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
\#SupportUkraine
Colours of the Ukrainian flag with the beautiful sunflower of Ukraine is a great way to wear your support on your wrist. Proceeds go to humanitarian aid in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Bracelets-Support Ukraine, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** sunflower, support Ukraine products, support ukraine standwithukraine, vintage
---
### [Sunflower and blue earrings-#SupportUkraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/sunflower-and-blue-earrings/)
**Published:** April 30, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** #SupportUkraine earrings with the national flower of Ukraine - the Sunflower. All proceeds go to life-saving aid in Ukraine.
**Content:**
# \#supportUkraine
Beautiful head-turning unique handmade earrings. In the colours and flowers of Ukraine they are a great conversation starter and all proceeds go to humanitarian aid in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
---
### [#SupportUkraine Beautiful crystal blues and enamel daisy handmade earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/beautiful-crystal-blues-and-enamel-daisy-handmade-earrings/)
**Published:** April 30, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Blues and yellows of Ukraine, with daisies that evoke the meadows of Ukraine. All proceeds go to humanitarian aid in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** crystal, daisy, earrings handmade jewellry, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products
---
### [#SupportUkraine Pendant with Ukrainian emblem](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-pendant-with-ukrainian-emblem/)
**Published:** June 16, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Introducing our remarkable pendant, a fusion of iconic symbolism representing the resilience and beauty of Ukraine. Crafted in the form of the Ukrainian coat of arms adorned with a radiant sunflower, this piece encapsulates the nation’s rich heritage and unwavering spirit.
The pendant features the emblematic trident, a symbol of strength and independence that has endured throughout the country’s history. Surrounding it is the graceful sunflower, a quintessential Ukrainian motif, reflecting the nation’s fertile lands and vibrant culture.
Whether worn as a personal accessory or gifted as a symbol of solidarity, this pendant serves as a tangible reminder of support for Ukraine and its people.
With every wear, you carry with you the resilience and optimism of Ukraine, shining a beacon of hope for a brighter tomorrow. Join us in honouring Ukrainian heritage and standing in solidarity with its people through this exquisite pendant, a testament to strength, unity, and enduring beauty.
**Product categories:** Necklaces-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, pendant; sunflower, saveukraine, standwithukraine, tryzub
---
### [Handmade #supportUkraine earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/handmade-supportukraine-earrings-3/)
**Published:** March 10, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Beautiful handmade earrings that support humanitarian aid in Ukraine and reflect the beautiful blues and yellows of blue skies, fields of wheat and the Ukrainian flag.
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Handmade with a mix of wooden beads, Czech glass or vintage glass in colours of the Ukrainian flag. Show your support for Ukraine and grab a beautiful conversation starter. All profits go to charity.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
---
### [Handmade beaded hoop earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/handmade-beaded-hoop-earrings/)
**Published:** March 14, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Beautiful handmade beaded hoop earrings. Profits go to our charity projects.
**Content:**
Beautiful handmade beaded hoop earrings. Profits go to our charity projects.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, SALE
**Product tags:** earrings, handmade, humanitarian, jewellery
---
### [#SupportUkraine Handmade glass Daisy drop earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/product-2/)
**Published:** April 27, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Handmade glass daisy drop earrings. Flowers that evoke the fields of Ukraine. Proceeds go to life saving medical aid in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, daisy, drop earrings, standwithukraine, Support ukraine, Ukrainian
---
### [#SupportBangladesh Natural wooden beads drop earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/natural-wooden-beads-drop-earrings/)
**Published:** April 28, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
**\#SupportBangladesh**
Beautiful natural wood and glass earrings, with proceeds going to community development in Bangladesh.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, Natural products jewellry, SALE
---
### [#SupportUkraine Handmade Sunflower earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/handmade-ukrainian-sunflower-earrings/)
**Published:** November 25, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Beautiful handmade earrings of the national flower of Ukraine. Show your support for Ukraine.#SupportUkraine
**Content:**
Beautiful handmade earrings that reflect the colour of the Ukrainian flag and the national flower of Ukraine. A great conversation starter and a colourful way to show your support for Ukraine. All proceeds go to humanitarian aid for Ukraine. #SupportUkraine
Check out some of our other items too – great ways to buy lovely items that also support good causes.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** earrings, handmade, humanitarian, jewellery, relief, saveukraine, ukraine, Ukrainian
---
### [#SupportUkraine - Handmade Ukrainian Sunflower earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/handmade-ukrainian-sunflower-earrings-2/)
**Published:** December 4, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Beautiful handmade earrings of the national flower of Ukraine. Show your support for Ukraine.
**Content:**
Beautiful handmade earrings that reflect the colour of the Ukrainian flag and the national flower of Ukraine. A great conversation starter and a colourful way to show your support for Ukraine. All proceeds go to humanitarian aid to #SupportUkraine.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** earrings, handmade, humanitarian, jewellery, relief, saveukraine, ukraine, Ukrainian
---
### [#SupportUkraine Handmade Sunflower earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/handmade-ukrainian-sunflower-earrings-2-2/)
**Published:** December 4, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Beautiful handmade earrings of the national flower of Ukraine. Show your support for Ukraine.
**Content:**
Beautiful handmade earrings that reflect the colour of the Ukrainian flag and the national flower of Ukraine. A great conversation starter and a colourful way to show your support for Ukraine. All proceeds go to humanitarian aid for Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** earrings, handmade, humanitarian, jewellery, relief, saveukraine, ukraine, Ukrainian
---
### [Handmade beautiful bronze glass earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/handmade-beautiful-bronze-glass-earrings/)
**Published:** December 4, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Handmade glass earrings in beautiful bronze warm colours
**Content:**
Handmade glass earrings in golden warm colours. Buying these beautiful earrings, all proceeds go to charity.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, SALE
**Product tags:** earrings, handmade, jewellry
---
### [Teardrop handmade beaded #SupportUkraine earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/teardrop-handmade-beaded-support-ukraine-earrings/)
**Published:** January 13, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
What a beautiful way to #SupportUkraine with earrings in the colour of the Ukrainian flag and 100% of proceeds go to aid for Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** blue, charity, earrings handmade jewellry, handmade, humanitarian, saveukraine, ukraine, Ukrainian
---
### [Support Ukraine Beaded earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/support-ukraine-beaded-earrings/)
**Published:** January 25, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Handmade Support Ukraine earrings with the national flag colours of Ukraine. Show your support for Ukraine.
**Content:**
Beautiful handmade earrings with the colours of the flag of Ukraine. Show your support for Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, earrings, handmade, humanitarian, jewellery, jewellry, saveukraine, Support ukraine, ukraine, Ukrainian
---
### [#SupportUkraine Handmade Flag Colour Drop Earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-handmade-flag-colour-drop-earrings/)
**Published:** June 27, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
**#SupportUkraine**
Show your support for Ukraine with these elegant flag colour drop earrings. Featuring the iconic blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag, these earrings are a beautiful symbol of solidarity and hope. Crafted with care, they are perfect for any occasion, allowing you to express your support stylishly and meaningfully.
## **Key Features:**
- Each pair is meticulously crafted to ensure high quality and attention to detail.
- Designed for all-day wear, these earrings are lightweight and comfortable, making them ideal for any event.
- Featuring the vibrant blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag, representing unity and resilience.
- Made using ethically sourced materials, ensuring sustainability and responsibility.
- All proceeds from the sale of these earrings go towards aiding Ukraine, providing essential support to those in need.
Add a meaningful touch to your jewellery collection with these flag colour drop earrings. Whether you’re dressing up for a special occasion or adding a touch of elegance to your everyday look, these earrings allow you to stand in solidarity with Ukraine. Perfect as a gift or a personal token of support, each purchase helps make a positive impact.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, Earrings-Support Ukraine, SALE, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, donation, earrings handmade jewellry, saveukraine, stopwar
---
### [#SupportUkraine Bright floral handmade earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-bright-floral-handmade-earrings-2/)
**Published:** August 14, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine Bright floral handmade earrings, in the colours of the Ukrainian flag. All proceeds go to aid in Ukraine.**
**Product categories:** Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, floral earrings, standwithukraine, Ukrainian
---
### [#SupportUkraine Floral earrings with turquoise drop](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/sunflower-daisy-and-turquoise-drop-earrings/)
**Published:** April 27, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Delicate enamelled flowers and faux daisy turquoise earrings. Flowers of Ukraine and colours of the flag. Show your support with all proceeds going to life-saving medical aid in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** daisy, earrings, earrings handmade jewellry, sunflowers, support Ukraine products, support ukraine standwithukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine daisy and turquoise earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-daisy-and-turquoise/)
**Published:** August 14, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** #SupportUkraine
with these beautiful dangly dainty white enamelled daisy earrings with turquoise blue beads. All proceeds go to life-saving aid in Ukraine.
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Beauty that can save at least one life. Check out our beautiful dangly dainty white enamelled daisy earrings with turquoise blue beads. All proceeds go to life-saving aid in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, daisy, earrings, earrings handmade jewellry, saveukraine, standwithukraine, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products
---
### [#SupportUkraine Charming Daisy Blossom Earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-charming-daisy-blossom-earrings/)
**Published:** August 15, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine** Stand in solidarity with Ukraine by wearing our Charming Daisy Blossom Earrings, crafted as a symbol of beauty and love. Each pair features beautifully designed daisy shapes, capturing the elegance of nature and the strength of unity. These earrings blend sophistication with a powerful message, making them an ideal accessory for any occasion.
Made from high-quality materials, these earrings are both stylish and supportive of humanitarian efforts for Ukraine. Whether you wear them as a personal statement or give them to spread awareness, each purchase aids those affected by the ongoing crisis.
## Key Features:
- Beautiful daisy-shaped design for timeless elegance
- Lightweight and comfortable for everyday wear
- Ethically sourced materials
- All proceeds go towards aiding Ukraine.
Show your support for Ukraine with our Daisy Earrings—wear them with pride and make a positive impact with every adornment.
**Product categories:** Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, earrings handmade jewellry, handmade, standwithukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine Elegant Handmade Earrings with Enamelled Flowers – Sparkling Blue Rose](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-elegant-handmade-earrings-with-enamelled-flowers-sparkling-blue-rose/)
**Published:** November 20, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
Show your #SupportUkraine with these elegant handmade earrings featuring beautiful blue rose charms with enamelled flowers and delicate crystal details. These earrings are a blend of elegance and purpose, making them an ideal accessory that reflects solidarity and compassion.
## **Key Features:**
- **Handmade with Care**: Crafted with precision by artisans, each pair showcases exceptional quality and unique detailing.
- **Stunning Floral Design**: The blue rose charms are surrounded by intricate gold accents and sparkling crystals, creating an elegant, eye-catching look.
- **Lightweight and Comfortable**: Designed for all-day wear, perfect for both everyday use and special occasions.
- \#**SupportUkraine**: Proceeds from the sale of these earrings contribute to supporting Ukraine, providing vital aid to those affected by the ongoing crisis.
Wear your #SupportUkraine Elegant Handmade Earrings with pride, knowing that your purchase not only adds beauty to your collection but also supports a meaningful cause
**Product categories:** Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, donation, earrings handmade jewellry, enamelled flowers, floral earrings, floral jewellry, stopwar
---
### [RARE vintage genuine Tahitian shell necklaces](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/vintage-genuine-tahitian-shell-necklaces/)
**Published:** March 14, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** A rare opportunity to buy vintage genuine Tahitian shell necklaces - these were made in 1970 and brought back from Tahiti to Australia in 1971.
**Content:**
A rare opportunity to buy vintage genuine Tahitian shell necklaces – these were made in 1970 and brought back from Tahiti to Australia in 1971. Beautiful delicate necklaces and all profits go to our charity projects.
**Product categories:** Natural products jewellry
**Product tags:** charity, jewellery, jewellry, shells, tahitian, vintage
---
### [#SupportUkraine Handmade earrings with blue and yellow flowers](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-handmade-earrings-with-blue-and-yellow-flowers/)
**Published:** August 15, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
\#SupportUkraine Handmade earrings with blue and yellow flowers. All proceeds go to aid in Ukraine.
**Product categories:** Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** charity, floral earrings, saveukraine, support Ukraine products
---
### [#SupportUkraine Sunflower Gift Pack- flowers jewellery,watch, bag](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-sunflower-gift-pack-flowers-jewellerywatch-bag/)
**Published:** October 28, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** 🌻#SupportUkraine with our Sunflower Gift Packs: unique items inspired by Ukraine's wildflowers. Send a heartfelt gift that gives back.
**Content:**
## **Sunflower Gift Packs for Ukraine**
Celebrate the spirit of Ukraine with our beautifully curated *Sunflower Gift Packs*. Each unique bundle is crafted with love, featuring a variety of items inspired by the vibrant wildflowers of Ukraine, and the resilient sunflower. From stylish tote bags perfect for everyday use to exquisite handmade earrings, each pack offers a different, special collection of treasures that highlight the beauty and strength of Ukraine.
Every purchase also includes the option to add a personalised message, making it a heartfelt gift for someone special. And with all proceeds going directly to medical aid through our charity, you’re not only giving a meaningful gift but also supporting essential healthcare for those in critical need.
*Send a gift that blooms with hope and purpose.* 🌻
Contents of this pack:
- Sunflower wristwatch
- Two pair set handmade Ukrainian flower earrings in flag colours
- Handmade large bright disc earrings in Ukrainian flag colours and flowers
- Large folding sunflower landscape shopping bag
- magnetic sunflower bookmark
**Product categories:** Keyrings and Watches, Support Ukraine jewellery, Support Ukraine Products
**Product tags:** charity, daisy, earrings, earrings handmade jewellry, humanitarian, standwithukraine, sunflowers, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products, support ukraine standwithukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine Handmade Earrings with Enamelled Flowers – Blue Blossom](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-handmade-earrings-with-enamelled-flowers-blue-blossom/)
**Published:** November 20, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
Show your #SupportUkraine with these handmade earrings featuring beautiful blue blossom charms with enamelled detailing. These earrings combine style and purpose, making them a perfect accessory to express solidarity.
## **Key Features:**
- **Handcrafted with Care**: Each pair is made by skilled artisans, ensuring exceptional quality and unique detailing.
- **Charming Floral Design**: Featuring enamelled blue blossoms, these earrings add a touch of elegance and sophistication.
- **Lightweight and Comfortable**: Designed for comfortable all-day wear, perfect for both casual and special occasions.
- **Support Ukraine**: Proceeds from the sale of these earrings go towards aiding Ukraine and providing crucial support to those in need.
Wear your #SupportUkraine Handmade Earrings with pride, knowing your purchase helps make a difference. Ideal as a personal accessory or a thoughtful gift.
**Product categories:** Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** donation, earrings handmade jewellry, enamelled flowers, floral earrings, stopwar
---
### [#SupportUkraine Handmade Earrings with Enamelled Blue Flower and Diamanté](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-handmade-earrings-with-enamelled-blue-flower-and-diamante/)
**Published:** November 21, 2024
**Author:** Mariia Pylypenko
**Content:**
Elevate your style with these stunning handmade earrings, featuring enamelled blue flowers accented with sparkling diamanté. Perfect for any occasion, these earrings combine elegance with a meaningful cause.
## **Key Features:**
- **Handcrafted with Care**: Expertly made by artisans, each pair reflects exceptional quality and attention to detail.
- **Elegant Design**: Enamelled blue flowers paired with diamanté accents create a timeless and eye-catching look.
- **Lightweight and Comfortable**: Designed for effortless wear throughout the day or evening.
- **\#SupportUkraine**: Proceeds from the sale of these earrings help provide vital aid to those in need in Ukraine.
Wear your #SupportUkraine Handmade Earrings with pride and contribute to a cause that matters. A beautiful addition to your collection or a thoughtful gift for someone special.
**Product categories:** Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** donation, earrings handmade jewellry, floral jewellry, saveukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine Sunflower Gift Pack](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-sunflower-gift-pack/)
**Published:** October 28, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** 🌻#SupportUkraine with our Sunflower Gift Packs: unique items inspired by Ukraine's wildflowers. Send a heartfelt gift that gives back.
**Content:**
## **Sunflower Gift Packs for Ukraine**
Celebrate the spirit of Ukraine with our beautifully curated *Sunflower Gift Packs*. Each unique bundle is crafted with love, featuring a variety of items inspired by the vibrant wildflowers of Ukraine, and the resilient sunflower. From stylish tote bags perfect for everyday use to exquisite handmade earrings, each pack offers a different, special collection of treasures that highlight the beauty and strength of Ukraine.
Every purchase also includes the option to add a personalised message, making it a heartfelt gift for someone special. And with all proceeds going directly to medical aid through our charity, you’re not only giving a meaningful gift but also supporting essential healthcare for those in critical need.
*Send a gift that blooms with hope and purpose.* 🌻
Contents of this pack:
- blue and yellow sunflower pencilcase or makeup bag
- blue sunflower socks
- handmade enamelled blue and crystal daisy earrings
- handmade enamelled and glass bead sunflower earrings
- magnetic sunflower bookmark
**Product categories:** Support Ukraine jewellery, Support Ukraine Products
**Product tags:** charity, daisy, earrings, earrings handmade jewellry, humanitarian, standwithukraine, sunflowers, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products, support ukraine standwithukraine
---
### [#SupportUkraine Sunflower Gift Pack Socks & Jewellery](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/supportukraine-sunflower-gift-pack-copy-2/)
**Published:** October 28, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** 🌻#SupportUkraine with our Sunflower Gift Packs: unique items inspired by Ukraine's wildflowers. Send a heartfelt gift that gives back.
**Content:**
## **Sunflower Gift Packs for Ukraine**
Celebrate the spirit of Ukraine with our beautifully curated *Sunflower Gift Packs*. Each unique bundle is crafted with love, featuring a variety of items inspired by the vibrant wildflowers of Ukraine, and the resilient sunflower. From stylish tote bags perfect for everyday use to exquisite handmade earrings, each pack offers a different, special collection of treasures that highlight the beauty and strength of Ukraine.
Every purchase also includes the option to add a personalised message, making it a heartfelt gift for someone special. And with all proceeds going directly to medical aid through our charity, you’re not only giving a meaningful gift but also supporting essential healthcare for those in critical need.
*Send a gift that blooms with hope and purpose.* 🌻
Contents of this pack:
- blue and yellow sunflower pencilcase or makeup bag
- blue sunflower socks
- handmade enamelled blue and crystal daisy earrings
- handmade enamelled and glass bead daisy earrings
- magnetic sunflower bookmark
**Product categories:** Support Ukraine jewellery, Support Ukraine Products
**Product tags:** charity, daisy, earrings, earrings handmade jewellry, humanitarian, standwithukraine, sunflowers, Support ukraine, support Ukraine products, support ukraine standwithukraine
---
### [Gift wrapping / gift 'basket'](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/gift-wrapping-gift-basket/)
**Published:** March 9, 2023
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
All your cart items will be nicely wrapped and arranged as a gift parcel, all price tags removed, a personalised message included and labels attached to indicate that the purchase of these items has donated to charity. Please write the message you want to send in the order notes at checkout.
**Product categories:** Gift wrapping and other services
**Product tags:** gift
---
### [Delicate daisy & sunflower handmade #supportUkraine earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/handmade-supportukraine-earrings-2/)
**Published:** March 14, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Delicate daisy and sunflower handmade #supportUkraine earrings that reflect flowers of Ukraine and the colours of their flag. All profits go to humanitarian aid for Ukraine.
**Content:**
Delicate daisy and sunflower handmade #supportUkraine earrings that reflect flowers of Ukraine and the colours of their flag. All profits go to humanitarian aid for Ukraine.
Handmade #supportUkraine earrings make a great talking point.
**Product categories:** Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** earrings, earrings handmade jewellry, humanitarian, jewellery, jewellry, saveukraine, Support ukraine, ukraine, Ukrainian
---
### [#SupportUkraine Conversion of earrings to CLIP-ONS](https://www.passingthrough.net/product/conversion-of-earrings-to-clip-ons/)
**Published:** May 6, 2024
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Excerpt:** Clip on earring conversion service
**Content:**
**\#SupportUkraine**
Add this to your order to have your earrings of choice converted to clipons. Add the earrings you want as well and specify which earrings from your order you want converted. Add one for each pair you want converted.
**Product categories:** Beaded Jewellry- Handmade, Gift wrapping and other services, Support Ukraine jewellery
**Product tags:** clip on earring
---
## Post Template
### [basic blog post](https://www.passingthrough.net/post-template/elementor-15314/)
**Published:** March 24, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
**Content:**
[Home](https://www.passingthrough.net/) basic blog post
# basic blog post
0 [Home](https://www.passingthrough.net/) basic blog post
# basic blog post
0**\#SupportUkraine**
Add this to your order to have your earrings of choice converted to clipons. Add the earrings you want as well and specify which earrings from your order you want converted. Add one for each pair you want converted.
[ DONATE TODAY Tax deductible in Australia ](https://WWW.PASSINGTHROUGH.NET/DONATING)
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---
## Penci Block
### [Footer](https://www.passingthrough.net/penci-block/footer/)
**Published:** February 25, 2025
**Author:** opt@passingthrough.net
---
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**Description:** An eight week journey through Canada
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## Product categories
### [Natural products jewellry](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-category/natural-products-jewellry/)
**Description:** All profits from your purchases support humanitarian work in Ukraine (unless otherwise specified) through our charity Only Passing Thru. As a small volunteer run charity with limited resources for managing this store we do request a $40 minimum purchase. Thankyou for your understanding.
---
### [Beaded Jewellry- Handmade](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-category/beaded-jewellry-2/)
**Description:** All profits from your purchases support humanitarian work in Ukraine (unless otherwise specified) through our charity Only Passing Thru. As a small volunteer run charity with limited resources for managing this store we do request a $40 minimum purchase. Thankyou for your understanding.
---
### [Gift wrapping and other services](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-category/gift-wrap/)
---
### [Support Ukraine jewellery](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-category/support-ukraine-jewellery/)
**Description:** All profits from your purchases support humanitarian work in Ukraine (unless otherwise specified) through our charity Only Passing Thru. As a small volunteer run charity with limited resources for managing this store we do request a $30 minimum purchase. Thankyou for your understanding. Follow our socials to see the updates.
---
### [Support Ukraine Products](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-category/support-ukraine-products/)
**Description:** (Also see SUPPORT UKRAINE JEWELLRY) All profits from your purchases support humanitarian work in Ukraine (unless otherwise specified) through our charity Only Passing Thru. As a small volunteer run charity with limited resources for managing this store we do request a $40 minimum purchase. Thankyou for your understanding. Follow our socials to see the updates.
---
### [Gift Card](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-category/gift-card/)
**Description:** Gift cards that can be used in our online store with all proceeds going to medical and humanitarian aid in Ukraine. All profits from your purchases support humanitarian work in Ukraine (unless otherwise specified) through our charity Only Passing Thru. As a small volunteer run charity with limited resources for managing this store we do request a $40 minimum purchase. Thankyou for your understanding.
---
### [Books-Under Black Banners](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-category/support-ukraine-products/book-black-banners/)
**Description:** All profits from your purchases support humanitarian work in Ukraine (unless otherwise specified) through our charity Only Passing Thru. As a small volunteer run charity with limited resources for managing this store we do request a $40 minimum purchase. Thankyou for your understanding. Follow our socials to see the updates.
---
### [Gift sets](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-category/support-ukraine-products/gift-sets/)
**Description:** Beautiful gift sets that Support Ukraine and have themes of Ukrainian sunflowers and meadow flowers. All profits from your purchases support humanitarian work in Ukraine (unless otherwise specified) through our charity Only Passing Thru. As a small volunteer run charity with limited resources for managing this store we do request a $40 minimum purchase. Thankyou for your understanding. Follow our socials to see the updates.
---
### [Keyrings and Watches](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-category/support-ukraine-products/keyrings-watches/)
**Description:** Beautiful field flower themed watches and keyrings that support Ukraine aid. All profits from your purchases support humanitarian work in Ukraine (unless otherwise specified) through our charity Only Passing Thru. As a small volunteer run charity with limited resources for managing this store we do request a $40 minimum purchase. Thankyou for your understanding. Follow our socials to see the updates.
---
### [Floral Hairclips](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-category/support-ukraine-products/floral-hairclips/)
**Description:** Beautiful lightweight handmade hairclips inspired by the field flowers of Ukraine – that support Ukraine aid. All profits from your purchases support humanitarian work in Ukraine (unless otherwise specified) through our charity Only Passing Thru. As a small volunteer run charity with limited resources for managing this store we do request a $40 minimum purchase. Thankyou for your understanding. Follow our socials to see the updates.
---
### [SALE](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-category/sale/)
**Description:** All profits from your purchases support humanitarian work in Ukraine (unless otherwise specified) through our charity Only Passing Thru. As a small volunteer run charity with limited resources for managing this store we do request a $40 minimum purchase. Thankyou for your understanding.
---
### [Earrings-Support Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-category/support-ukraine-jewellery/earrings-ukraine/)
**Description:** All profits from your purchases support humanitarian work in Ukraine (unless otherwise specified) through our charity Only Passing Thru. As a small volunteer run charity with limited resources for managing this store we do request a $40 minimum purchase. Thankyou for your understanding. Follow our socials to see the updates.
---
### [Necklaces-Support Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-category/support-ukraine-jewellery/necklace-ukraine/)
**Description:** All profits from your purchases support humanitarian work in Ukraine (unless otherwise specified) through our charity Only Passing Thru. As a small volunteer run charity with limited resources for managing this store we do request a $40 minimum purchase. Thankyou for your understanding. Follow our socials to see the updates.
---
### [Bracelets-Support Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-category/support-ukraine-jewellery/bracelet-ukraine/)
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### [Brooches-Support Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-category/support-ukraine-jewellery/brooches-ukraine/)
**Description:** All profits from your purchases support humanitarian work in Ukraine (unless otherwise specified) through our charity Only Passing Thru. As a small volunteer run charity with limited resources for managing this store we do request a $40 minimum purchase. Thankyou for your understanding. Follow our socials to see the updates.
---
### [Gift Donations](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-category/support-ukraine-products/gift-donations/)
**Description:** All profits from your purchases support humanitarian work in Ukraine (unless otherwise specified) through our charity Only Passing Thru. As a small volunteer run charity with limited resources for managing this store we do request a $40 minimum purchase. Thankyou for your understanding. Follow our socials to see the updates.
---
### [Clothing - Support Ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-category/support-ukraine-products/clothing-support-ukraine/)
**Description:** All profits from your purchases support humanitarian work in Ukraine (unless otherwise specified) through our charity Only Passing Thru. As a small volunteer run charity with limited resources for managing this store we do request a $40 minimum purchase. Thankyou for your understanding. Follow our socials to see the updates.
---
## Product tags
### [vintage](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/vintage/)
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### [crystal](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/crystal/)
---
### [blue](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/blue/)
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### [shells](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/shells/)
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### [handmade](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/handmade/)
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### [Australian](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/australian/)
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### [natural](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/natural/)
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### [ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/ukraine/)
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### [charity](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/charity/)
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### [sunflowers](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/sunflowers/)
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### [earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/earrings/)
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### [Ukrainian](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/ukrainian/)
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### [relief](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/relief/)
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### [humanitarian](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/humanitarian/)
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### [jewellry](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/jewellry/)
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### [freedom](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/freedom/)
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### [saveukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/saveukraine/)
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### [jewellery](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/jewellery/)
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### [earrings handmade jewellry](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/earrings-handmade-jewellry/)
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### [Support ukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/support-ukraine/)
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### [standwithukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/standwithukraine/)
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### [hoop earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/hoop-earrings/)
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### [support ukraine standwithukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/support-ukraine-standwithukraine/)
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### [hair accessory](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/hair-accessory/)
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### [Vinok](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/vinok/)
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### [necklace](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/necklace/)
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### [tahitian](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/tahitian/)
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### [daisy](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/daisy/)
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### [yellow](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/yellow/)
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### [Stan dwithukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/stan-dwithukraine/)
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### [drop earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/drop-earrings/)
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### [beaded](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/beaded/)
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### [pendant; sunflower](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/pendant-sunflower/)
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### [bracelet](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/bracelet/)
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### [support Ukraine products](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/support-ukraine-products/)
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### [upcycled](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/upcycled/)
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### [sunflower](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/sunflower/)
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### [clip on earring](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/clip-on-earring/)
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### [floral earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/floral-earrings/)
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### [floral clip](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/floral-clip/)
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### [donation](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/donation/)
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### [tryzub](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/tryzub/)
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### [stopwar](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/stopwar/)
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### [floral jewellry](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/floral-jewellry/)
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### [hair clip](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/hair-clip/)
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### [bright sunny](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/bright-sunny/)
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### [orange and yellow](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/orange-and-yellow/)
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### [watch](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/watch/)
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### [supportukraine](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/supportukraine/)
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### [gift](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/gift/)
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### [Indigenous](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/indigenous/)
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### [enamelled flowers](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/enamelled-flowers/)
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### [red seeds](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/red-seeds/)
---
### [red sandalwood seeds](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/red-sandalwood-seeds/)
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### [gift card](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/gift-card/)
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### [gift voucher](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/gift-voucher/)
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### [book](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/book/)
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### [history](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/history/)
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### [biography](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/biography/)
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### [biographical novel](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/biographical-novel/)
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### [historical novel](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/historical-novel/)
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### [brooch](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/brooch/)
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### [flower](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/flower/)
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### [birds](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/birds/)
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### [Ukrainian symbolism](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/ukrainian-symbolism/)
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### [Elegant](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/elegant/)
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### [giving](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/giving/)
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### [christmas](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/christmas/)
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### [handmade crafts](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/handmade-crafts/)
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### [ukraine earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/ukraine-earrings/)
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### [handmade earrings](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/handmade-earrings/)
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### [blue and yellow](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/blue-and-yellow/)
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### [hairclips](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/hairclips/)
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### [flowers](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/flowers/)
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### [t-shirt](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/t-shirt/)
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### [womens clothing](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/womens-clothing/)
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### [youth clothing](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/youth-clothing/)
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### [lip balm](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/lip-balm/)
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### [beeswax](https://www.passingthrough.net/product-tag/beeswax/)
---