Miles turned into smiles for orphaned Ukrainian children

Date published: 21 October 2023

Michael Buczman and Jamie White from Rochdale Borough Council's environmental management team recently travelled over 1,400 miles to the Ostoya Roztocze orphanage on the Polish-Ukrainian border to install a play area for children who have sadly become orphaned due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Michael has been involved in charity work for Ukraine since the war started over 18 months ago due to his close links as both his grandfathers were from Rochdale’s twin town of L’viv located in western Ukraine. After speaking to his colleague Jamie, an idea quickly began to come together to use their skills in play area design and installation to bring some joy to the children.

Working closely with the charity - Giving to Ukraine, they managed to collect 8 pieces of preloved and surplus play equipment from the council, play equipment providers and landscape specialists, plus the materials and tools required to bring the idea to fruition.

Arriving at the Ostoya Roztocze orphanage near Szczebrzeszyn in the early hours of Tuesday 10 October, they, along with the volunteers from Giving to Ukraine, set straight to work creating the play area using equipment delivered as part of the 6th convoy for the charity in the last 18 months.

The team were also at work delivering solar panels and kitchen appliances to a new satellite orphanage in the same town, along with a donation of bikes from the Re-use Hub in Manchester.

Michael said: "We were so happy to repurpose this play equipment that otherwise would not have been utilised in the UK and really thankful for the huge amount of support from colleagues and friends, who donated clothing, shoes, toiletries, and other essential items for the children that filled a truck.

"We also approached a number of businesses for help in and around Rochdale who jumped at the chance to be involved. Groundwork Landscapes and H Bell & Sons have been incredibly supportive providing all the materials needed to make this possible and it really did make a difference’

Incredibly, the play area was installed in just over a day, with the team working from first light until dark.

Jamie said ‘The installation couldn't have gone better. The ground conditions were ideal and helped considerably. The team all put in a great effort and even had help from the children. We got to show them how the play equipment went together and how to install it. It was such a great experience and something I will never forget.’

The team were able to install a roundabout, seesaw, rocker, swing set, balance rope, spinning ring, digger for their sandpit, and even an outdoor cross trainer.

Michael added: "It was a testament to teamwork and planning that we were able to achieve something in such a short space of time.

"On the way back home we were already talking about what we could do on the next convoy. It would be brilliant if we could build another play area at another orphanage. Hopefully, the next one will be in Ukraine itself."

Giving to Ukraine continues to support those affected by the war in Ukraine.

If you wish to help the charity, you can find them on their website (www.givingtoukraine.com).