The concept of bookmobiles is a delightful novelty anywhere in the world, but there is a certain audacity of joy to do this during war. 

One of our school visits in the spring was to the Klever People Club, an English language school in Bucha. After our departure, the director, Galina, posted this about our visit (she posted in Ukrainian, and this is a translation):

This hits me every time.
Because these people didn’t “obey”.
They are not “local”.
They could just live their lives, not bad, without that constant stress, not sacrificing their normal lives.
But they are leaving
American, Gwyndolen Dale, coordinator of the charity project Vinok Libraries – providing English books to educational institutions of Ukraine, who already lives in Lviv – does not watch from afar and does not “support online”.
She is in here. In a diary that is not romanticized.
She sees it not through the news – but in people’s faces, in conversations, in the air of cities.
She chose not comfort, but presence.
Not the position “I’m sorry”, but the position “I am around and I do”.
People of goodwill from another country. Willing to take the risk. They do not bargain with conscience.
Not looking for a convenient explanation.
They just do.
With their own hands.
In due time.
At a cost.
With their presence where it is scary.
What’s striking?
The clarity of their position.
A view from the outside.
That after all, there are people who are not broken.
Who did not give up the internal position.
Those who did not choose convenience.They brought us books.
And along with the books –
They made us feel like we are not alone
Sharing this emotion with you.

This is why. This and a thousand other reasons. We are there to witness, to talk and connect, and listen and respond in ways we could not if we were not present. We are there to offer simple human connection and hope, both for a beautiful present and bountiful future.

Ukraine is large, and though its entirety is impacted by war, there is also a significant movement of internally displaced people who are forced to flee their homes and become refugees within their own country. These families typically move west, away from the front lines; some don’t go far and stay in the central parts of the country, or even a little east of center. Others come further west and settle in homes and refugee centers. But all have been forced to leave their homes and have to cope with the loss of a social network, possessions, sometimes family pets, and sometimes the lives of friends and family members.

And of course, there are thousands of children who haven’t been displaced but who are still growing up under the oppression of war. The situation in the east is more volatile, but the entire country is impacted on a daily basis.

For now, the StoryBus can’t bring its brightly colored presence to the front lines, but it can meet many of these children where they are, helping make their lives a little easier. And for those children still remaining on the front, we will continue to connect with their schools and libraries and send supplies through the post until it is safe for us to bring the StoryBus to them as well.

Here’s an example of what a StoryBus tour stop might look like:

INITIAL CONTACT WITH A SCHOOL: A school makes a request for book donations for its library. We ask if they are interested in hosting the StoryBus for the delivery. We coordinate with the school for all the logistics and schedule.

ENCOURAGING KIDS AS WRITERS: On the day we arrive, kids come to the StoryBus, where they are welcomed with music and temporary tattoos, and a writing challenge. The kids are provided paper and pencils, and we host a poetry writing session. The kids write their poems and we share them together.

OPENING THE BUS: Then the doors of the bookmobile are opened. The interior of the van glows with fairy lights and bright colors, and floor to ceiling bookshelves, packed with beautiful books both in English and in Ukrainian. Kids are invited into the van in small groups and each child is instructed to pick out one book for themselves to keep. When they have chosen their books, they bring them to “checkout” for a bookmark and sticker. Our job here is to make the child feel special and celebrated for their choice, and help them see the book in their hand as a perfectly selected treasure.

ENCOURAGING KIDS AS STORYTELLERS: Outside the van, the kids waiting for their turn are given snacks to enjoy, and participate in a reader’s theater, where children are invited to read from a simple script and act out the characters.

EXTENDING THE PROGRAM: When the StoryBus leaves with hugs and well wishes, we encourage the children to trade their books with one another when they are finished, and then talk about the stories together.

The age and number of the children will change, as will the activities. But this is the feeling we wish to offer with the StoryBus. We want to encourage children to enjoy stories, but to also see themselves as storytellers too. We want to honor their experiences and let them know how important and special their voice is.