Hi!

From the 12th of March, we - Marit, Cathelijn, and Lauren - will be driving to the Polish-Ukrainian border to transport necessary supplies for Ukrainians in need. On our return trip, we will provide transport for Ukrainian refugees to the Netherlands.

This trip is part of the student initiative Keep Them Warm. Since the start of the war, they have provided humanitarian aid to Ukrainians by making over 15 similar trips and raising over 13,000 EUR in donations. Through their efforts, they aim to help Ukrainians and encourage students to contribute to this cause. If you want to know more about this initiative - such as stories about previous trips - take a look at their website here.

Our trip has two main goals:

1. Delivering supplies for Ukrainian civilians

What kind of supplies do we bring?

The Keep Them Warm initiative has close contact with various humanitarian aid organizations working in Ukraine who keep us updated about the necessities. These include food, heaters, power banks, hygiene products, medicine, and warm clothes.

Where do the supplies go?

One of our partners, The Canada Way - a group of ex-military men who for 10 months now, constantly drive from the Polish border to the civilians in Ukraine who suffer the most. That way they know exactly what necessities there are.

2. Transporting Ukrainian refugees to the Netherlands

Who do we bring with us?

Ukrainian refugees with the right documentation to travel. The organization On My Way UA arranges all of this for us in collaboration with their contacts at the shelters located at the Polish-Ukrainian border. They maintain a waiting list of refugees who wish to travel to the Netherlands.

How do we find them a place to stay in the Netherlands?

On My Way UA has a great network of people wanting to provide shelter for Ukrainian refugees in their homes. Additionally, the Dutch Red Cross has a great system of temporarily sheltering people and matching them to more long-term places to stay.

To reach these goals, we are raising money to cover the cost of fuel, overnight stays for the refugees, and supplies for Ukrainians.

Donate now and help us reach the border at Przemysl, Poland!

Thanks,

Marit Looye, Cathelijn Lombaers, and Lauren Vierhoven