Our conversation takes place at the organization's warehouse - a building flying the Ukrainian flag on its facade in a neighborhood of beautiful Dutch houses in the town of Vlaardingen. Inside, there are large bales of goods that will soon be shipped to Ukraine. On one of the walls there is a huge mural depicting a Ukrainian landscape recently painted by Ukrainian and Dutch artists.

How did you start helping Ukraine and what were your reasons for doing so?

- I first came to Ukraine in 1989. My husband's mother was Ukrainian, and she would always stress that she is not Russian - she is Ukrainian. I could not understand what that was all about. Then I said to my husband: let's go to Ukraine to visit the family. And so we went - in a car with a caravan attached. We drove to Kyiv, and our relatives offered us to visit the village from where their family originated.

When I came to the village and saw all these poor people, I realized that we should help Ukrainians. But then the family told us that it was not necessary and talked me out of it. However, in 1991, when Ukraine became independent, they wrote us a letter asking to help Ukrainians who needed it the most - pensioners, Chornobyl victims, orphanages, psychiatric hospitals and the like.

At that time I was a member of the municipal council and offered opening a small store at the city center, the profits from which would go to help Ukrainians. People would also bring things there to be shipped to Ukraine. First, we thought of it as a one-time thing. But then we went to the Sumy region to deliver the things and money we had gathered to the people living there, not the administration, but to common people. And it was a very positive experience because we saw how happy these people were to receive our help. When we returned to the Netherlands, we learned that there was still some money left at our store, and realized that there were still many people who needed them. It was then that I said: “Let's make an organization!”. And so it happened - that is how we started this journey 22 years ago.

- What is the main focus of your work? Whom are you helping in the first place?

- We are partnered with several organizations in Ukraine. For three years we had been helping people in the town of Romny, Sumy region. Then we were told, "Your work here is done, there are other people who need help too."

Now we have some partner organizations in Zhashkiv, Kyiv, Brovary. We have now resumed contacts with Romny again. There are several Dutch organizations in Romania and Poland that would like to help Ukraine now because they understand the current needs. They asked me for an advice. And now these organizations launched a foundation that is helping Ukraine.

- How has your work changed since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine?

- Last year, we gave two ambulance vehicles to Zhashkiv, I know that are being used now for the purposes of anti-terrorist operation in the Donbas conflict zone. The initial plan had been that one of them would be used by an orphanage, and another - by a Zhashkiv hospital. But then, it was decided that there was more need for them in eastern Ukraine.

We are planning now to write a letter to the organizations involved in the provision of medical equipment and supplies. We are also going to contact Ukrainian hospitals regarding their needs for medical and rehabilitation equipment to treat the victims of the conflict. We see many people in Ukraine left disabled because of the conflict whom we would like to help. There are also refugees displaced from the east of Ukraine and Crimea who need our help. Last week, a factory gave us 19 rolls of floor carpeting that we would give these people for them to use in their houses and apartments. And we can get more. The factory's director also gave us 1,000 Euros to buy clothing, shoes and toys for Ukrainians and their children. She also contacted a large fruit company that gave us fruit packages - oranges,tangerines and pears.

- So you are helping everyone now both military and civilian?

- We do not distinguish whether they are military or civilians, Catholics or Orthodox, Ukrainians or Crimean Tatars. We help everybody who needs it.

- Where do all these goods that you send to Ukraine come from? Are they collected by organizations or also by common Dutch people?

- It is both. Common people bring some goods. Also, companies are calling us. Recently, for example, we have received a large shipment of clothing. Yesterday, a school furniture manufacturing company called us. They said next week we would be invited to pick up 300 units of school furniture.

- How difficult is it for you to explain to fellow Dutch citizens what kind of needs do Ukrainians have? Are they keen to help?

- It is not difficult at all. The Dutch are very openhearted.

- So, it means that the Dutch can empathize with the tragedy Ukrainians are living through?

- In general, little is known about Ukraine in the Netherlands. Many of those who come to us say: it must be much more difficult for you to deliver aid to Ukraine now when there is a war there. And we show each one of them a map and say: just 7% of the territory of Ukraine is devastated by war and there is Crimea, but everywhere else the situation is calm. We show that to people. I speak every two weeks on the radio, we hold events, explain that to people. In Vlaardingen, people already know about Ukraine since we have been doing this for 20 years here.

We try to get people involveed in cultural terms, we cook Ukrainian food for people to get familiar with the Ukrainian cuisine, invite Ukrainian musicians every year. People know that and come. We are planning an event soon, we want to make crosses with the names of victims of the war. I have already received messages on Facebook from people willing to help with that. I don't know them personally, but they want to help.

- How many people are constantly working at your organization?

- There are seven people constantly working here. Of those, only I have some family ties with Ukraine. They all are working two or three or even four days a week for 6 hours. They do this because they want to help. Last Saturday, when we had to load the truck, there were 22 people who showed up.

- During these 20 years of working with Ukrainian communities did you notice any particular features of the Ukrainian character. Perhaps, there were some cultural misunderstandings?

- All my friends say that I am more Ukrainian than Dutch. So nothing like that has ever happened.

- How often do you visit Ukraine?

- Usually, I go there four times a year.

- What social changes have you observed during those 20 years?

- I see them even here in the Netherlands. There are more and more Ukrainians who come and want to help.

- Have you felt any emotional satisfaction with what you have been doing?

- Of course, there's a huge gratitude. It's like a warm blanket. It's a very positive experience.

Maryna Gonta. The Hague