Farmers in Paraguay have a saying that they like to share during tough times. Hope is not the same as optimism. It is not the certainty that everything will turn out well, but rather the faith that everything will be for our good, regardless of how it turns out… This week I had the opportunity to talk to two farmers from Soledar, Donetsk region where heavy conflict is going on. The one was an agronomist who managed crops and produce for other farms. A powerful ‘precision’ missile landed on the machinery and storage shed where he worked, instantly ending his occupation. This missile likely costed more than the target…

 

The other man was also farmer who had to evacuate from the town because of the fighting. Bombs destroyed all his machinery and buildings and basically his entire material stock. He pointed to his little red car packed with a few personal belongings and said, this is what is left of everything that I earned, including the dog calmly sitting in the front seat.

 

I’ve farmed for a few years, and know what it’s like to lose money and time due to lack of proper weather conditions. But I can’t imagine what’s it’s like to watch your entire life savings burning up, only because of someone’s selfish ideas. And you have to leave home with whatever you can manage to pack into your car.

– Written by one of our team members on the ground in Ukraine