The same children we met in Ukraine last Christmas. As speedy and charming as they were then. But the things they have experienced in these months! Bombardments, shelling, nights and days in basements and shelters. The flight, a strange land and language. In Sweden We visited Eskilstuna, Sweden, to meet our dear friends who gather…
Text and photos: Hannu & Oili Two whole years since our latest visit to Ukraine! We desperately wanted to spend the Christmas in Friend’s House, although travelling seemed uncertain due to the pandemic and the threat of war. When we left, someone wished us a good weather – really, the weather was the least of…
Kamianets-Podilskyi is a town unlike any town in Finland. Its name is more difficult than any name in Finland (including Pieksämäki). After the Christmas party in Friend’s House, we wanted to see some new sceneries for the weekend. The bookkeeper of our team, Julia, joined us for a train adventure to Western Ukraine, near the…
Ukraine was something new for us when at Christmas 2014 we wanted to see how people manage there in the midst of Crimean occupation and the war in the east. Mirjam and Boas Adolphi introduced us to some families, to Friend’s House, and to the Ukrainian Team. Since then, not one day has passed without…
Do you find it hard to think of gifts to your near and dear ones? I do. For instance, my mother. She already has everything she needs, and bookshelves full of books waiting to be read. What should I buy her for Christmas, birthday, Mother’s Day? I have now made a new habit of donating…
It’s sad that the children are in quarantine 😢But we have a lot of happy memories to share with you. Here are a few photos of Hannu & Oili from their first visit to Ukraine, Christmas 2014. New and impressive experiences…
Our sixth Christmas in Ukraine was once again colored by the tension over the war in Eastern Ukraine – despite the cease-fire agreement, it is being shooting at Ukrainian targets every day. The political situation is also escalating and the people are gathering for demonstrations. The weather was “like in May” when we, together Viktor…