German Christmas Parcel Convoy
The Volunteer
In these unsettled times it is quite daunting to think of joining a humanitarian aid convoy to the Ukraine border. Having said that Barry our International President and others have sung its praises for a few years.
I did my research. School children in Germany (with the parents help) pack a gift for another child. The Round Table family, that’s Round Table, Ladies’ Circle, Old Tablers and Tangent Club together with many other supporters, take these Christmas gifts to orphanages, hospitals, institutions for the disabled, kindergartens and schools in the poorest, most remote, and rural regions of Eastern Europe. For many of the children there, it is the only gift they receive at Christmas. Hundreds of volunteers are needed to wrap gifts, coordinate collection, load trucks, donate vehicles, supply the teams with food & drinks, prepare the customs documents, travel to the various countries as driver, helper and to distribute the parcels.
I have been a member of the Round Table family for some 50 years. I have seen a lot and taken part in a fair number of challenges in life. This though looks like a massive way of putting a bit back in to an organisation that has given me so much.
Not a difficult job selling the concept to my wife and I apply to join.
Getting Ready
As the weeks went by most of the details emerged, albeit in German, thankfully Google Translator made that easy.
The 1st of December soon came round, and I was meeting Andy and Gail Ventress at Birmingham Airport for the 6am flight to Frankfurt.
My main contacts in the planning were Bob and Gisela Parton who thankfully had seemed happy to take me under their wing. A few minutes after meeting and we both realise we had a lot in common - both Coventry kids, a lifetime in the Round Table family, a passion for rugby with Bob being an ex-Coventry player and me a true supporter. Reports back to Coventry Rugby and Bob has invites in place to visit his old rugby mates in 2024.
Here we go
Early morning and I meet up with Andy and Gail plus Sharneigh Brown, Ladies Circle membership officer.
Team England is now complete.
The Evonik lorry site was a hive of activity. The front parking lots were full of lorries, coaches and support vehicles and hundreds of people, mostly in the branded red coats and compulsory Hi Viz jackets. Walking around I was gob smacked by the organisational skills on display. All lorries had been over the last few days loaded. Now all the coach holds are filling up half with supplies for the trip (food, drinks and obviously more than a few beers) and the other half our luggage. Many of the lorries had curtains beautifully printed with the branding plus smiling children’s faces, Christmas presents, teddy bears and balloons, a hugely impressive sight.
Lots going on including all the convoys being labelled, ours to Moldova, which was through from one to twelve of twelve (seven lorries, two coaches, two support vehicles plus an ambulance which is being donated whilst we are in Moldova). We are officially a Humanitarian Aid convoy. Numerous photos are being taken, those in charge giving interviews on local TV and all but me, the Newby, seemed to know what to do and what was going on.
Eventually all seems in place, and we are called to order. Formal speeches and the final convoy statistics are announced - separate convoys were off to Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Moldova and the Ukraine border, some thirty-five lorries, five coaches, ten support vehicles, 280 volunteers travelling (including more than one hundred drivers) taking 143,095 parcels to deliver to the children, and we must not forget the hundreds of volunteers necessary to achieve getting to where they are today.
Formalities over and on to the coach and I meet lots more of the Moldovan team members.
The exit from Hanau was pretty dramatic, an imposing convoy, horns blasting, the police having blocked off the roads and it looks like the town is out to wave us off.
That is it, now a two-day drive to Moldova, circa 2,500 kms.
The forecast was pretty grim with promises of severe weather. We saw plenty of snow in Bavaria and heard that some of our convoys had to park up awaiting snow ploughs. Luckily, that was the worst the Moldovan convoy witnessed. Yes, cold out there but we had to remember we are in Eastern Europe in winter.
Having so many drivers meant that our stops were kept to the minimum. Our convoy made great progress across Eastern Europe. From Hanau across Bavaria to the border at Passau, across Austria keeping south of Vienna, across Hungary, across Romania, finally half the way across Moldova to Chisinau the capital.
This afternoon we start the children’s visits. Our team very efficiently emptied one lorry which disappeared to Odessa. We are joined daily by a local Round Tabler, who is also a former local mayor, and his lovely wife, a morning TV presenter. They knew everyone, did lots of the speeches and presentations and were great with both us and the kids.
Who and where did we visit
Over the next two days our coach and lorry travel hundreds of miles, what seemed from one border to another, visiting something like a dozen different orphanages, schools for kids of all ages, specialist schools of many types, day centres, village halls, etc. At each the kids, the teachers and local communities were so excited. We were welcomed by lovely kids with massive smiles, showing great affection and gratitude. At various of the ‘projects’, when the kids had gone, we were entertained by the local mayors and adequately fed and watered (or even a little glühwein and schnaps).
On our first day we had a police escort. To us the best part was the police sirens heard from miles away so the excited kids were ready and waiting for us.
We are blessed everywhere with some of the biggest and most genuine smiles we have witnessed.
Stories
Funny this - on one of our ‘projects’ - the scene - a dark country road in the middle of absolutely nowhere - a police vehicle stopped with lights flashing - both our lorry and coach stop - our leaders talk to the police and we are instructed to leave the coach - our lorry opens and ten boxes, or about 100 gifts, are moved to the police vehicle - I took photos thinking this was corruption or that some form of crime was taking place - back on the coach and off we drive - our leader and the local mayor then explain - we are behind with our schedule and that the local police had agreed to do some of the deliveries for us.
Our first ‘project’ on day two is to an area of Moldova that is classed as ‘off the map.’ We have driven two hours to get here. When I asked why here I am told because no one else comes.
A junior school in the middle of nowhere. We are visiting a new project and handing out another 250ish presents. One present is given to this young lad aged about eight. Not a movement, not a thank you, nothing. Five minutes later and a lady member of our crew notices him sobbing his heart out. She eventually, with teacher help, calms him. Taken aside he was asked why the tears. Eventually out comes the heart breaker - it was the first either Christmas or birthday present he had ever been given. The room was incredibly quiet
They are still children. This is truly why we are participating
Homeward bound
Our final night in Moldova and we are all invited to the Moldova 1 Round Table Convoy Celebration Party, food and a few beers at our hotel. Really nice meal and great fellowship.
I am invited to take part in a pretty lengthy detour before heading home - to travel south before entering Romania, to visit another Round Table project called House of Hope, near the Ukraine border. This is a centre to accommodate fleeing Ukrainian ladies and children. The tale goes that this was a fairly derelict former rural hospital with the local priest taking in those fleeing just to give them respite from the cold and wet, food and a few nights rest. The local Round Table picked up on the story and in no time the German Round Table family take on the massive challenge of refurbishment to make the property habitable. Remember it has not been uncommon for one hundred at a time to be housed both before and whilst renovations were going on. When we visited, the refurb was half complete with new windows, doors, electrics, a generator (that also now powers the village) and half the roof is complete. No argument they still need a lot of cash and manpower to bring all of the property up to scratch. Lovely that when the Ukraine war is over the plan is to make the property into an orphanage. We are also told the stories of the regular aid convoys and work parties organised by the German Tables. A fabulous initiative. Since returning home we have been sent the photos of a completed roof. Great as now water and wind proofed.
We then drive west and hope to rejoin the main convoy later tonight. By the way it is -3C and lots of white fields but we are feeling great, as for a change, we are back on tarmac roads.
Tonight we have an invite to attend, en route, a Romania RT No 1 meeting. Lovely meal, some really nice local beers but importantly great fellowship.
We arrive at 5am at Arad on the Romanian/Hungarian border. We are still five in a Mercedes minibus having driven 1,000 km in the last 24 hours, easy with three drivers. Our convoy should be passing before noon, 7 hours behind us. We must be all together to do an Aid Convoy crossing at the border. Had a couple of hours walk round the centre whilst the rest slept. Great photos – very Christmasy and yes even a branch of the Bank of Transylvania.
Back on the coach after lunch and pleased our bags are in the hold. Just had one of the most touching parts of this trip. All vehicles in our convoy are linked by CB radio. For an hour or so everyone regardless gave their personal stories and thanks, including their outstanding moments. Halfway through with one after another of real touching statements, gobsmacked as various broke down in tears. No embarrassment as all the stories and emotions came from the heart. After this we all admitted to a tear or two every project.
Well we made good time across Europe, and it seems the drivers now wanted to get home. I was kindly given a lift to the airport, straight to the Lufthansa desk and with no begging or discussion and at no cost I am rebooked on today’s flight, bloody marvellous.
Highlights
- Everywhere we went we created real excitement for not only the kids but also the teachers and in many places the local community
- Nine days of real quality fellowship
- All the kids in so many different ways gave massive thank yous
- Those lovely smiles
- The likes of the brilliant display of accordion skills from one young lad, the bread and salt welcome ceremony, the songs the kids sang, the stories the kids told
- Some of the presents were as big as the kids
- Some really sad stories
- The convoy leaving Hanau
- The Police sirens
- Everyone shed a tear or two
- Over 5,000 kms, one hell of a long drive and all knackered but more than worth it
Looking back
A massive honour to be allowed to participate – the way we all were together as one reminds me of my younger Tabling days – you were a team, and all did whatever was needed together – nothing was too big or too small – nothing was above us or impossible - there were no old stagers or youngsters – you all enjoyed a natter, a beer, and a hearty laugh
Importantly a big, big thank you to all who looked after Team England and made their journey one to remember.
I sit here with a huge smile on my face. No argument, experiences of this nature make you proud to be a member of the Round Table family
The challenge
Subject to the normal provisos I would like to volunteer again next year. Team England were four members this year. If one or two more volunteers were forthcoming to join in 2024 it would certainly be appreciated by our friends in Germany
John Barret
