“I never come empty-handed.” The story of a volunteer from Paris who helps Ukraine
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Juan Schlomp is a volunteer who visited Ukraine for the fourth time on a humanitarian mission during a full-scale war.
A volunteer single-handedly transports necessary items for the military from his native Paris.
In his spare time, Euan spreads the truth about the war in Ukraine for the people of France on social networks.
“I visited Ukraine for the first time even before the Revolution of Dignity”
Juan Schlomp is a social worker in Paris, and in Ukraine he is already known as a French volunteer.
Euan is only fluent in French, but knows English quite well. He says that he visited Ukraine for the first time back in 2011. He visited different cities – Odesa, Lutsk, Lviv.
– I also have friends from Ukraine in France, – says 33-year-old Juan Schlomp. – I remember once my friend’s grandmother got sick, I went to take care of her. She was suffocating at night, so I tried to do everything to save her. As a sign of gratitude, she invited me on her trip to Kyiv. It was in 2018. She also spoke about the association of cultural exchange “Limouzion – Ukraine”, of which she is the vice president. I joined the association in 2022 after several trips to the Kyiv region.
| Euan Schlomp is a social worker in Paris |
48 hours on the road, and all for victory
Russia’s full-scale attack on Ukraine immediately alarmed the French volunteer. In the first days, he asked all his relatives and acquaintances to help Ukraine. At first, he collected children’s toys, hygiene products, clothes and food and handed them over to volunteers in Ukraine. And later he decided to carry everything he needed on his own and at the same time tell the truth about the war to his compatriots.
He says that a large part of the French is under the influence of Russian propaganda and considers him crazy.
– My trips to Ukraine are long and stressful, they take about 48 hours. I usually take a bus to Poland and then another bus or train to Kyiv. I pay for my trips from my savings. In general, one trip to Ukraine costs me 130 euros. No matter how hard it is, I never come back empty-handed. I try to take as many things as possible, about 7 to 10 kilograms of medical and food donations on each trip.” – says a French volunteer.
Euan admits that on his first trips he was afraid of rocket attacks, explosions and alarm sounds. He visited the de-occupied cities of the Kyiv region and the front-line cities. He met with the military, in particular, with legionnaires from his country.
It is difficult to give memories and a story about the French legionnaire Andreas. At the age of 22, he volunteered to defend Ukraine and died.
– Andreas Gallozzi was a fighter of the International Legion. When a full-scale war broke out, he did not hesitate to defend Ukraine. During a combat mission near Kupyansk, Andreas destroyed a Russian tank with a grenade launcher, saving his comrades. For me, he is forever an example of great courage among the people of France. I try to call his mom, Edith Mathieu, every week now and support her.
Juan also met Andres’ mother in Kyiv. On Independence Square, near the flags, they left a flower wreath and an image of a French hero, as well as French and Ukrainian flags, with messages of peace and hope.
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| Euan admits that on his first trips he was afraid of rocket attacks, explosions and alarm sounds |
He taught Ukrainian children to cook snails
Euan also took part in a cultural exchange. In a Ukrainian children’s camp, he cooked French dishes – escargot in French, namely edible snails. He also talked a lot about French culture and lifestyle. Although he also really likes our cuisine, namely dumplings and borscht. And also strives to visit the villages and cities of Ukraine more often.
– Children it was often said that “the French speak in Surzhy”. I found out later what a surzhik is. Of course, there is a language barrier. After all, before the war, I did not understand why in some cities the Russian language was used more than Ukrainian, for example, in Odessa and in Kyiv. Then I started learning Russian. And now I’m trying to learn Ukrainian. I can say in Ukrainian: “thank you”, “hello”, “goodbye”, “how are you?” I will continue my visits to Ukraine and collect aid and I want to do more than now. After all, it is really difficult for me to accept the suffering of an extremely courageous, generous people, who have become my family.”– adds Yuan.
Lesya Kesarchuk, especially for UP. Life
Photo courtesy of Ewan Schlomp
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