The Wandering Farmer (an feirmeoir fánach)

First, a sincere and heartfelt goodbye and farewell (from older English “fare well,” to travel in good health and spirits) to you remarkable folks I met for my 4 ish weeks in Lviv. I’m so glad I included this city and community in my itinerary.
Like many folks, I first heard about LVK through Twitter. Many of you may have a similar experience where you used to ignore or dislike Twitter, and yet, in February 2022, found yourself scouring the news to frame or understand what was going on. We instinctually just started seeking out reliable news, shit posting on disinformation, and drifted towards this emergent beast known as NAFO. I know many of us are NAFO Fellas, so I just want to shout out how technology is just a tool – both good and ill- and we’ve organically made an insane network of cartoon dogs that has inspired, informed, and driven an amazing amount of information warfare, fundraising, shit posting, and honest-to-god in-person volunteering. I’ve never stood amongst a finer group of people here- Fella or not.
JRR Tolkien, writing for the character Gimli in Lord of the Rings, said “Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.”
In contrast, the collection of people I’ve met here have been the Faithful- a term Tolkien earlier uses to refer to the sliver of humankind who are drawn to the light and goodness and engage in world-healing. We say words of greeting as we arrive closer to metaphorical darkness, usually a foreign-accented attempt at “добрий день.” Not fleeing, but being willing to approach closer to its source believing that’s the best way to fight it.
I get that many of our projects will be small and feel light in comparison to bigger things happening, but I think what draws so many of us is understanding that it is truly small acts that build up and gain victories. We also know that it’s best to put ourselves within our wheelhouse, within our tolerance levels, and not further. Nevertheless, anyone who disrupts a normal life to play any part, whatever it is, has done a remarkable thing by making that step, and has a chance to make a cumulative difference.
In short, let’s keep it up. Let’s let these experiences be fuel in the fire, a source for networking, inspiring ourselves to keep finding new and creative ways to help. Because, in the end, much of what we do as a foreign volunteer, is being done hundredfold, thousandfold, by the people of Ukraine. Long before us, and likely long after us, they arrive to peel carrots, to build networks of aid, etc. I think we all know and get that what we do is just a fraction of the volume of what is being done here, yet it’s still critical, still gives Ukrainians a sense they’re not alone in this fight. In many ways that matter deeply and have horrific consequences – they are alone. And that’s what drives people of conscience to act. And yet in ways that also matter deeply, and have profound positive consequences, they are not, because of these same people – those of conscience, the Faithful- who have a sense that tides can get turned by small acts.
So, with much love, respect, and appreciation to y’all, and with regret, hope, and many other emotions as I leave, I’m out of Lviv for now and off to other things.
I’ll move on with some practical “housekeeping” notes.
I frequently talked about my earlier work in volunteering- I’ve spent much of the past year with All Hands and Hearts- an American organization that originally has focused on natural disaster relief around the world. Its model is all about taking mixed-skilled volunteers of all backgrounds, and giving them the basic training to do disaster relief projects. Historically, they did lots of construction such as concrete or concrete-block schools, or mucking out home after hurricanes but have moved into renovations, into community engagement work like English clubs, arts and crafts, etc, to help with psychosocial support of affected communities.
Poland was their first experience entering a situation where the disaster was man-made- and also ongoing. Normally, they come after a hurricane or earthquake has passed through. Through donor interest and strong financial backing, they’ve sought out ways to help Ukraine in this war.
I wanted to share about them because they’re a great option for helping Ukraine. They currently are helping Polish organizations in Krakow who are helping Ukrainians, but they’re also opening a new program in Uzhorod, Ukraine. They’re searching for their bread-and-butter construction project options (either renovations, or new buildings, or temporary shelters, etc) but also doing community engagement work. Either way- they happily take people from all walks of life and get you trained to do whatever you’re doing.
All Hands also supplies room and board to all volunteers who join their residential program (i.e. agree to live on the base they’ve arranged). While it comes with rules that some of us independent volunteers may find chafing, it does mean there are paid staff (both onsite and remote) taking care of big picture stuff so you just crank out 45 hour workweeks for the project. They rent a place in the area, have staff who focus on keeping the house clean and supplied, etc. So they’re a great option if you are ready to dedicate a lot of time to Ukraine, but not so much money.
After being in Ukraine, I know personally that helping as directly as possible is quite addictive. So perhaps many of you won’t want that option. But I’ll suggest that it may be excellent if you have friends or family who admire what you’ve done in Lviv and elsewhere, and care about Ukraine, but don’t feel comfortable volunteering here yet- or don’t feel comfortable trying to personally arrange housing and the like, within a totally new country. It was my own personal case, that I left my quiet private life in the US, to a safe, well-organized opportunity in Poland, and while discovering my own tolerance levels, made the choice to come to Ukraine later independently. So- if you know someone who wants to help but might not independently come to Ukraine- tell them about AHAH! It’s a great option. It’s also great for those of us dealing with visa tomfoolery. They have staff available to answer new volunteer questions but I’m also happy to give inside scoop on what to expect, what not to expect, etc. I can tell you they’re good stewards of money, considering the fluid nature of disaster responses, and they do a damn good job of making thrifty communal living work.
So, with that, I am off.
Sincerely
Daren