Four years after outbreak of conflict, the Joy Foundation is still taking vital supplies to Ukraine

ON February 24th 2022 Russia began to invade and attack Ukraine.

As the world watched almost eight million Ukrainians were displaced because of the conflict. A huge humanitarian crisis was taking place.

Many of those made their way across the border into Poland.

Local charity The Joy Foundation, who had worked in Poland for 10 years, watched as the situation escalated.

They had previously been involved in providing essential aid in the Warsaw area to the poor and needy.

Gary Adair from the Foundation said: “We decided that in some way we had to do something to help in this situation.

“We agreed that we would take a van load of essential aid out to the area of Poland where many Ukrainian families had come to.

“We contacted our good friend Pastor Pawel Kugler in Elblag Baptist Church Poland to see how we could help. He put us in contact with The Baptist Union in Poland who gave us a list of items most needed, we then made people aware of what we were doing.

“The response from people in Northern Ireland was overwhelming. Within 10 days The Joy Foundation left with not one van but five vans full of aid.

“This was just the beginning. Since 2022 the Joy Foundation has transported over fifty van loads of aid across to Poland with teams of drivers taking the 1,500 mile journey.

“We now work along side our Polish friend Marcin. When we transport the aid across to Poland, Marcin then continues the journey into Ukraine taking the aid close to the front line of the conflict.

“On April 1st this year we once again will be travelling with another four vans of essential aid. We are so grateful for the support of so many people and volunteers who help us practically and financially. We also are indebted to companies like McBurney Transport who assist us in booking ferry crossings and RentaMerc who provide the vans.

“Most of all we want to thank almighty God who has helped us the most in keeping us safe on our travels and blessed us in so many ways.”

Items that the drivers are taking out this time include hygiene products such as shower gel, deodorant and medical supplies such as bandages.

If there is anyone who’d like to help, please contact Gary on 07762217632 or Liam on 07895 149023.

Gary added: “We are also involved in taking children’s camps in Elblag, Poland each summer, taking teams out to evangelise many children, many coming from children’s homes. We are willing to come along to churches and youth groups to share stories about The Joy Foundation’s work.”

For more information, please contact Gary or Liam.