Martin, we are very grateful to you for agreeing to tell us about your experience of volunteer work in Ukraine.
First of all, would you please introduce yourself. What do you do for MOORE and for how long?
Sure. Hello, my name is Martin and I have been working for MOORE for almost two years. I started as an intern in the public sector of the consulting department and about half a year later I switched to recruiting. Over the last year, I’ve been doing almost exclusively IT recruiting for our group as well as for our clients.
When and where did you first go as a volunteer? What prompted you to do this?
I went to Ukraine for the first time in 2015. There were a few reasons for my trip. I had just graduated from a Firefighter Training School, but I didn't want to join the fire department straight away. I wanted to go abroad and experience some adventure. At that time, it looked like there was a need for people with my background in Ukraine. And if adding a similar language and culture to the decisive factors, Ukraine was a perfect choice for my "helping adventure." So few days after graduation I packed my bag, hopped on the train in my hometown, and went all the way to Mariupol. I got to the Order of the Knights of Malta and helped them out as a paramedic for about a month and a half. That was quite a challenge but I met good friends there, and with some of them I'm still in touch. When the full-fledged invasion began in February, they were the main reason why I went out to Ukraine again. I arrived in Lviv on the 8th day of the invasion and helped there for a month. Then I returned back to Prague and helped from there.
What do you usually do as a volunteer? Responsible for what? What is your goal when you visit places (humanitarian aid, assistance in the resettlement of refugees, cooking, finding medicine for the sick, transporting the injured, etc.)?
This question is difficult to answer since every sphere I was part of in terms of volunteering was a huge chaotic mess. I do my best. In Lviv, I focused mainly on providing humanitarian aid to refugees arriving from the east to the main train station. At the same time, I was raising funds and getting equipment for my "old" friends whom I met back in 2015 and also for some new friends I met in Lviv and their friends. The latter engagement has stuck with me to some extent until today. After leaving Lviv and returning to Prague, I also continued my work with refugees. The transition was very smooth. I just changed the location and slept in my own bed again instead of the kitchen floor. However, over time I reoriented more on military aid. As my new friend from Lviv Oleh says: "It all starts with our soldiers. If the soldiers are not equipped to defend our people, refugees will keep coming." His words stuck with me. Everyone wants to help moms and kids fleeing from the war, but few people want to give fathers weapons to protect them, so they don't have to flee from their homes. That is why I try to prioritize military aid. The situation has been relatively calm for the last two months, fewer refugees are arriving, and the demand for equipment among my friends has also decreased. However, I'm still ready to scale up my help, if needed.
What organizations do you cooperate with?
Currently, I mainly help my friends, so we do not cooperate with many third parties. However, in the past I was helping through Hlavák association which assists refugees on a long-term basis and organizes aid at the Prague main train station. For a while, I also helped at Post Bellum, a non-profit organization, which produced bulletproof vests for Ukrainian soldiers. These were the ones I spent most time at.
What difficulties did you face? And how did you solve them?
There was and still is a very broad spectrum of problems I encounter during this volunteering journey. I probably won't bore readers by reciting the list. However, I once again experienced that when there is a mountain of problems in front of you and tasks that you don't even know how to solve, you simply need to roll up your sleeves, arm yourself with patience, and go one by one. It is amazing how much you can achieve if you refuse to give up.
What was the difference between your work in Ukraine in 2015 and volunteering this year?
It was quite different. 2015 was a much more intense but shorter experience. Mariupol was just behind the front line. We frequently got into nasty situations like shelling or sniper fire. But that experience prepared me to handle many hardships thrown at me this year with a calm mind. Also, there was a difference in people's behavior. When I first arrived in 2015, the war in Donbas had been going on for some time and people seemed quite tired. This year I got there right at the beginning, and it felt like the whole Ukraine had united and everyone wanted to contribute to the defense as much as they could. It was touching to see people fighting for spots to make sandwiches for refugees simply out of a desire to help.
Does your family support you in your noble cause? Do they worry about you a lot?
I partially kept it a secret from them so they wouldn't worry too much but they know everything now. Surely, my parents worried about me but after some time we had a talk and they said they were proud of me. That was very touching. My parents also support Ukraine, although not as strong as I do. Still, I am glad that we share the same opinion. Some of my Czech friends are not that lucky, unfortunately.
How do people react when they find out that you came to help from another country?
It was a mix of surprise and emotion that quickly turned into gratitude. I felt that our mere presence (of international volunteers) was a tremendous moral support for Ukrainians all around us. Sometimes I even felt like I didn't deserve so much attention when I was just handing out soup, for example.
Do you have any memorable events in your volunteering? Tell us about the cases that impressed/inspired you the most.
As with all stories, the best ones would get you in trouble if they were published. However, the best thing about volunteering is the people around you. Those who are willing to help even at the cost of their own comfort. I met a girl while volunteering at the main train station in Prague. Unfortunately, her name escaped me right now. We talked the other day about the impact of volunteering on our mental health. For me, the experience in Prague was not traumatic at all, especially after Lviv and Mariupol. However, a number of Prague volunteers including her struggled with their mental health. She said she needed an hour or two after every shift just to be alone. Sometimes she even cried, as she felt so sorry for all those people. Nevertheless, she kept coming and, in the end, did more shifts and worked longer hours than I did. I admired her incredible inner strength. Her determination was very inspiring. You don't have to be a tough guy, nor of a sensitive type to be able to help others. The most important thing is your willingness to help. That is all that matters. Sometimes you won’t see the result of your efforts, but believe me, those you are doing it for will feel it!