Outside Kiev

The place was about 200 kilometres outside Kiev, direction Lviv.  We sat in the sparsely furnished office, on cold metal chairs facing each other. I was not happy.  I had shipped a container of clothing and toys to the orphanage on the understanding it would be distributed to the three orphanages in the area.  Instead, at least a quarter had been taken by staff.

‘This was not the understanding.  These things were donations for the children here, in the orphanage.’ She was struggling to formulate an answer. I didn’t wait and continued, ’If I can’t rely and trust our agreements will be honoured, I don’t see how we can work together.’

She struggled before replying. “I understand. Is difficult, you know. No one in orphanage get salary last four months. All have children also — they cannot buy winter clothes or Christmas gifts. So, each staff take some winter clothes and toys instead of money, and now they will all stay take care of children. Maybe I make wrong decision.”