My first journey to Ukraine March 2022
Despite the dangers and uncertainties of working in an active war zone, I was inspired to go to the aid of those who might be desperate and alone in Ukraine. I initially joined an already established non-profit organization that was said to be doing aid work Ukraine. Unfortunately, I experienced first-hand fraud within the charity system and the devastating effects.
In March 2022, I flew from NYC to Warsaw and turned 27 while in Ukraine. I contacted a non-profit to work with them and rented a car to get to Przmysl. The non-profit had a warehouse with supplies, but they were not properly cared for, becoming mouldy and dirty. Other volunteers left disappointed as very few supplies reached the frontlines and towns in Ukraine. The supplies remained in a wet, open-air warehouse for over a month.
After repeatedly running supplies (what I considered the bare minimum to what they kept hoarding and unmoved) from Poland to Ukraine for the organization, I felt that I could be doing so much more. Instead of moving supplies to just another organization warehouse near the Polish and Ukrainian border where it was the safest and the most supplied, I kept pushing how far I could go east into Ukraine to get supplies to where they really needed them.
2 dogs i rescued from Lutsk animal shelter. The German shorthair had one was on a chain attached to a dog house for approx 2yrs. She had 1 blind eye caused by glucoma, she later went to her new home in the Netherlands. The 3 legged fluffy dog was housed in a shed along with 4 other large dogs. She is now at a sanctuary in Slovakia living her best life.
I was really upset with how they treated animals. I have spent a lot of time taking care of animals with disabilities or special needs. But what they did made the animals sicker and caused diseases to spread unnecessarily. For example, they told me that a certain dog was kept in a cage because it was aggressive and anti-social. But based on my past experiences, I was almost certain that the dog had a condition called cerebella hypoplasia. The reason she kept banging her head on the metal crate was because of uncontrollable muscle spasms from a neurological disorder. It was wrong to isolate her and forget about her. They didn't listen to my suggestions and didn't consider them.
I found Toby tucked away in a crate, shivering, forgotten by Polish animal rescue charity. Later i found out he was stolen from his family in Ukraine. Sadly due to the neglectful transport, he suffered greatly and passed away after 2 days. Thankfully, Toby passed away in my arms knowing he was loved