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A new foundation has been created to support Ukraine thanks to “a mother’s love and a desire to do good”.
Humanitarian Aid Guernsey was established in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Natalia Silvester, who said she stepped out of her comfort zone to be the face of the foundation, said she has wanted to “give back” for a while.
“I have always had the feeling that I would like to do something and I think a lot of people feel the same way,” she said.
Pictured: Natalia Silvester and her son, Rafcio.
Ms Silvester continued: “I am sure I am not alone in reaching a point where I was happy and successful in my work but there was still a hole in my heart, which is where my family and child come in, but there was still a desire to do good.
“I didn’t have anything missing in my life, but there are many people who are missing things and I wanted to give back and help those people.”
Ms Silvester organised a donation drive at one of her business, Crepe Maison, and said the response was unprecedented.
“We were hoping for a small community project and to post perhaps between 10 and 30 boxes to Ukraine,” she recalled.
“From that initial idea it turned into an overwhelmingly large community effort and we stopped counting at 1,200 boxes.”
Pictured: Natalia Silvester, with a group of volunteers, arranged the delivery of humanitarian aid to Poland.
Three vans and a lorry full of donations travelled from Guernsey two weeks ago and successfully reached Ukrainian refugees in Poland.
“We have remained in open communication with people on the ground [in Ukraine] to establish exactly what is needed, which is so important,” said Ms Silvester.
“We asked for donations of specific items for a reason, it is because we know that those are the items that are needed. We didn’t take any clothing donations because we know that those are not needed at the moment.”
Ms Silvester has stepped out her comfort zone to promote the foundation.
“I am not someone who likes to plaster my face over social media, I am not 100% comfortable in front of a camera and this was very difficult for me,” she said.
“I realised that I needed to put my face out there because the more real I am and the more I can show my emotion and show why this is important, the more people will hopefully help.”
Pictured: Natalia Silvester.
Ms Silvester, who was born in Poland, said that islanders have similarities with Ukrainians.
“It is important to remember that these are people, who are now refugees, were living lives just like we are here in Guernsey before this war started,” she said.
“They were living in beautiful houses, they were going to work, children went to school, they were living normal European lives.
“This war is not something Ukrainian people believed was really going to happen; much in the same way that we did not believe that coronavirus was going to impact us when it started in Wuhan and suddenly it was on our doorstep.
“If this conflict is not resolved and it crosses borders we might all be dealing with something much bigger, not just close to home, but at home.”
Pictured: Donations from Guernsey arrived safely in Poland.
Ms Silvester, who has a two-year-old son, was particularly affected by the child victims of the war.
“I am lucky to be in a privileged place and I was sat in my warm home, looking at my child and it really hits you that there are children suffering so much,” she said.
“I felt very out of place and that to not do anything, to not be helping, was wrong. I keep repeating the message that, if you have the ability to respond, then it becomes your responsibility.
“The foundation mission statement is simple; it is about a mother’s love and supporting children and going wherever the need is most important.”
Pictured: Volunteers drove three vans and a lorry of donations to Poland for Ukrainian refugees.
Ms Silvester explained that the role of the foundation will vary.
“At the moment what is needed it donations of products and funds, but that won’t always be what is needed,” she said.
“We will adapt to what is needed, eventually we need to help the economy over there rather then taking donations into the country, but what we are currently doing is the right thing for now.”
Ms Silvester said being a business owner has helped with her work setting up the foundation.
“I am very business-minded and that is the approach I used to get the donation drive up and running; to be successful in business you have to make decisions, you have to think out the box and be doing something different,” she said.
Pictured: Donations from Guernsey being unloaded in Poland.
Ms Silvester continued: "Although this is a non-profit and everyone involved are volunteers, I think it has been beneficial for me to use my business skillset.”
Ms Silvester said the foundation and its work had been a team-effort.
“So many people have come together to make this possible; I have been the face on social media but there are so many people doing work behind the scenes,” she said.
“We have also had a lot of support for the compliance and legal side of things because taking donations of products is one thing, but fund is another and it’s a huge responsibility so we are grateful for the help in this area.
“The bottom line is that everyone can do something to help and, as long as you are trying your best, then you can do good; there is always a way.”
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