Ganna Alexandrova is part of the “Ukraine – Grenoble” collective. On Monday, February 28, the group organized a collection within the Leclerc shopping mall in Echirolles to collect as many basic necessities as possible for the Ukrainian people. It was Ganna who drove the vehicle filled with these gifts. She is currently on the Ukrainian border, on the side of the country at war.
A long trip
Ganna left with a friend from Isère on Monday, February 28, in the evening. They crossed the Ukrainian border through Poland on Wednesday March 2. “The trip went well. We decided to go quickly, we preferred time. We slept very little. The first night, we slept for an hourshe says. When we arrived at the border between Poland and Ukraine, we were warmly welcomed by Ukrainian volunteers who hosted us. We were able to rest for a few hours and then we left to cross the border to unload our truck.“.
A lack of medicine and military protection
There, Ganna met many volunteers. “I saw that was madness. There are many people who want to help, but in the collection points, it’s a nightmareshe says. The volunteers go crazy, they sleep very little.”
She directly realized the needs on the spot. She spotted two major ones. “There is really a lack of military protection, bulletproof vests, helmets, describes Ganna. All this material is needed for the volunteers who have joined the army. They are civilians, but they are now with guns.“The second important need is medication.”Above all, there is a lack of medicines for serious operations, for war wounds, serious woundsshe explains. These drugs can only be obtained with prescriptions. It is known that in the Dnipro hospital they receive wounded people from Kharkov, and the quantity is just incredible.“
– Ganna Alexandrova
Repatriating refugees to Isère
Arriving there, Ganna faced the reality of those who fled the war. “There were a lot of people all the same, with children, with dogs, with cats who were waiting in the cold, outside.“, she describes. As soon as she left Isère, she had planned to repatriate refugees to her hometown, in Coublevie, near Voiron. “I await the response of a woman who is at the border with her seven children. There are also two pregnant women who will join us. We’re going to take yet another car.”
The return is scheduled for Coublevie by the weekend. In the city, the convoy is awaited by the mayor, Adrienne Pervès. She wanted to participate in this reception. “I think it’s a priorityinsists the chosen one. When the Ukrainians of Coublevie can repatriate people, friends or family, I think that the first priority for these people is precisely to be close to their loved ones.“She is preparing with her teams emergency accommodation belonging to the municipality. Adrienne Pervès is happy to see residents getting involved.”Ganna has already made a round trip to deliver materials. She will probably go back. These are people who are distinguished by a courage that is very inspiringshe says. I’m very proud of it.”
To support the operation
To help the initiative, go to the Facebook page of the “Ukraine – Grenoble” collective.