On October 6, 2024, we had a temporary work meeting with 11 participants including two employees from MFS Investment Management Co. At the end of August, we had got an inquiry asking about sending wheelchairs to Ukraine. The person who sent us a consulting e-mail after being introduced by JICA was Tokyo-based Tuzi Valeria, who is an ambassador for Misto Dobra, a charity organization active in Ukraine.
We’ve been supporting Ukraine with other organizations. When we asked her about the recipient of the wheelchairs, she gave us the following detailed information about Misto Dobra, the charity organization in Ukraine.
“Misto Dobra was founded in 2016 as a place to protect and provide complex assistance to women and children in difficult living conditions, families suffering from violence, and children in need of palliative treatment and rehabilitation. Currently, Misto Dobra also assists children who have been forced to evacuate due to war; Misto Dobra is home to some 300 people, including the following.
- Orphans from evacuated boarding schools
- Seriously ill children
- Mothers with children in need of physical, mental or medical protection;
mothers who are unable to raise their children due to poverty and are in danger of having their children transferred to an orphanage
- People who have lost their homes due to war
- People suffering from domestic violence, etc.
Misto Dobra receives no state support and is funded solely by caring people who want to be involved in solving the problems of establishing shelters, caring for children, and overcoming poverty and insecurity among the most downtrodden Ukrainians.”
The Ukrainian Embassy arranged for a container to leave Japan in October to carry the relief supplies to Ukraine, and she asked if we could put about 15 wheelchairs on that container, which would then be delivered to Misto Dobra in Ukraine without fail.
After Valeria’s explanation, we decided to send 15 wheelchairs to Ukraine. However, at that point, the September meeting was over and we would not be able to clean and maintain wheelchairs. So, we held a temporary meeting on October 6 to do the preparatory work for the shipment.
Due to the poor weather conditions, we had to call for help on short notice, and although we had fewer people than usual, we somehow managed to finish packing 15 units thanks to everyone’s hard work. We’re really grateful for that.
October 9, 2024 Secretariat
(How to see the photos)Click on the photos to enlarge them.
We set up tents and tarps as it was raining lightly in the morning.
We selected wheelchairs in good condition that could be packed immediately and began packing them.
(Left) Cleaning and safety-related repairs and checks were done.
(Right) After cleaning and maintenance were completed, MFS stickers were put to show those who did the work.
(Left) Two people (Mr. F and Mr. S) from MFS Investment Management Co. Mr. F(on the right) is pointing to where the company’s sticker is attached.
(Right) The company had made the stickers when they participated in the past meetings, and we still had some in stock. We put their stickers on all the wheelchairs. Our NGO’s stickers were also attached.
Thanks to everyone’s hard work, the work was completed after 12:00 p.m. and we had lunch together.
The chairperson, Mr. Morita, thanked everyone for coming together on this extraordinary day. Thank you all.
We look forward to seeing you all again!