#standwithukraine
#standwithukraine
WEEK #2
Going into the final stretch, new connections were made, key follow ups accomplished and ideas for continuing refugee support were studied.
The war in Ukraine does not have an immediate end date, and it is important to be thinking long term for rebuilding the country’s infrastructure and maintaining the dignity of its people. Working with both volunteers and the refugees themselves constantly reminded us of the definition of gratitude:
At the start of the week, there was a meeting at Tesco HQ to iron out payment details for the bulk order purchases we made last week for Migration Aid. We are so accustomed to clicking a button and receiving a package that afternoon. The process was more challenging, and it was eye-opening to be back in the corporate world as an advocate for a non-profit. With the IT and finance departments, a solution was found and the order processed.
Zsolt Szekeres and Viktor Ivicsics from the Hungarian Human Rights Foundation (HHRF) brought us to Székesfehérvár, a town 1.5 hours southeast of Budapest to visit with the senior management of Continest at the factory site. Continest produces foldable containers, designed for easy and quick setup and transport. We met with CEO Vidor Kis-Marton and his team for a tour, product demonstration, and briefing on business development plans for the company.
This innovative product can be used for short term housing, storage, shipping - the possibilities are many. For our purposes, we discussed producing an emergency medical unit for pediatric care along the Hungarian/Ukrainian border and potentially in Ukraine proper. With funds raised for HHRF, a mobile unit would be brought to those places where the need is greatest, equipped with basic examination supplies and technology.
Hungarian Helsinki Commitee is the only organization providing legal assistance to refugees coming into Hungary. Like the Legal Aid Society in the US, HHC is a not-for-profit organization helping those unable to protect their own interests. They visit the border on a ongoing basis, handing out information that gives individuals a road map for their next steps and an understanding of their rights. What struck a chord was their commitment to reinforce each refugees’ dignity. With funds raised, we are committing to support HHC. For further information and opportunities to help, please click here.
We continued to work with Migration Aid, developing longer term ideas for the MA hostel and how best to direct funding. Their commitment to supporting the refugees is laudable, and it has been a privilege to partner with them. As we now have established ways to fund purchases, we are committed to our ongoing help.
Through various channels, new connections were initiated to bring both higher education and corporate support to not-for-profits. As some of these discussions are in the early stages, we are not able to provide details, but suffice it so say, our commitment to continuing refugee relief work is 100%, and we will monitor progress on these introductions.
There is much to do, and every little bit helps. Your support and awareness are critical in helping the lives of the Ukrainian refugees. If you have friends who are asking how to help, please share our blog messages, and as noted before, donations can also be made for for local supply purchases and direct donations to refugees:
Venmo @Elisabeth-Cholnoky
Once again, we would like to say:
🇭🇺Nagyon szépen köszönöm🇭🇺
💪🇺🇦❣️
Marianne & Lisa
...please let's not forget to #standwithukraine...