It is just over a week since Ekaterina showed me round our newly vacated annexe and handed me back our key. She left it clean and clear of all her belongings. The inventory of our items was complete and she checked before taking the cafetière. In short she could not have behaved better and our parting was surprisingly emotional.
We both agreed we had learnt a lot !
Her new host is Eddie from Bracknell who has a Yorkshire Terrier and a 4 bedroom house. He spent 4 days trundling back and forth between Bracknell and Withy Copse transporting bags and bags of E’s belongings. It was quite extraordinary how much stuff she had managed to collect in 6 months - all donated - not to mention quite a few items size 10-12 handed on to me as they were too large for her.
There are many many people I need to thank for support in the last six months
Sally Ellis who works for South Oxfordshire District Council in he housing department
Maggie Filipova Rivers, a local Councillor who works with refugees and gave considerable help to Ekaterina.
Rachel Head who set up the exchange and supported Ekaterina and us throughout the six months along with approx 22 other Ukrainian guests and their hosts in our parish.
Christine and Teresa who collected furniture, cooking items, bedding, dog crates and dog treats for Ekaterina’s accommodation.
Our prayer group who listened patiently to James and myself going nearly nuts when Ekaterina turned down one offer of accommodation after another in the last nail biting 4 weeks before her 6 months came to an end.
Sanctuary Foundation set up by Krish Kandiah in Henley who hosted events and webinars to support hosts and guests and found my new hero Professor Lucy Easthope. I listened to Lucy and held onto her words thought thick and thin. They were so wise.
Nigel Smaller who acted as supervision for me and kept me on the straight and narrow when I was in danger of losing it.
Above all James my husband who was the hero of this enterprise.
If I learnt anything it was that it would be smart to check in with James first before taking any more guests for 6 months!!
Ends
Ekaterina with friends on her birthday
Hi What a generous couple you are!
can you tell me ware the name Ekaterina has come from as i only know Anfisa?