Emma Segal, Head of Community Fundraising visits Kharkov, Ukraine

Emma Segal
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Emma Segal, Head of Community Fundraising visited Kharkov, Ukraine together with a group twelve and thirteen year olds from North London, to see the work of World Jewish Relief.
The moment she opened the front door the smell hit me. It was a musky, repugnant smell of living amongst unwashed blankets and in awful conditions. We were shown down a tiny corridor, past the bathroom, which was just a toilet and a small kitchen into Rosa's living room – she literally lived in there. It was her bedroom by night and her sitting room by day. 

As I scanned the room I saw every surface was covered in knick-knacks, glassware, tapestries, chairs of different sizes and a tiny TV in the corner. All her worldly possessions form the past 85 years in one room. She had a piano along one wall and told us in her mixture of Yiddish and Russian that she used to love to play the piano and sing along. Her husband, when he was alive, loved records, which Rosa still had but couldn't listen to them as she didn't have a record player. There was no music in her life. The only music came from Rosa herself. As she sat on her bed Rosa sang to us. Singing and translating as she went along. Old Yiddish songs about love and family. Songs which pass wisdom down from generation to generation.

Looking around the room Rosa had an old black and white photo on the wall of her and her husband and another of her as a little girl with her family on top of the piano , like so many other family photos sitting on tops of pianos around the world.

So warm and friendly Rosa seemed delighted to welcome us as her guests and importantly enjoy some company for a little while. Since breaking her hand a while ago she is now housebound as she cannot travel on public transport. Without the support of WJR she says she would have nothing. WJR provides support so that she can have a home carer to do her shopping and cook for Rosa and her daughter everyday as well as providing medical care and help to pay her utility bills.

The translator had met Rosa before and so asked her how her daughter was doing. It wasn't until that point, when Rosa starting gesturing to the corner that I realised her daughter was in the same room as us, lying in bed, silently, behind a curtain – which is how I believe she spends her life due to mental health problems. On a good day she may get out of bed.

When it was time to leave Rosa gave me a heartfelt hug goodbye and told us to, 'be happy, and healthy' over and over again. 'You are all beautiful' she said, 'be happy and healthy'.

 

Comments
Rhonda 13-11-2011 15:49
What wonderful work you are doing for people like Rosa. And how inspiring that Rosa is so positive in such a difficult situation. We must be grateful for all that we have here in the West and remember those who are in need, particularly as we are in a position to help - and must do so!

Thank you for describing your visit to Rosa and including photos to show us and explain what a difference WJR makes to the lives of Rosa and precious people like her.
David Emanuel 29-01-2012 15:12
Emma, lovely to meet you and Tony last night in the camp out at Northwood & Pinner schul. Having listened to what your charity does, and that most of the people you are helping are living much harsher conditions than most of us reading your blog - it was great to contribute. Hope to post event rally some money from friends, family and colleagues as having spent an evening outside in freezing conditions it helps focus the mind a little more.

Well done to you and the team for the good work that you do and count me in for any other fund raising events that I can help with.
David
Emma Segal 01-02-2012 13:02
It was great to meet you too David and thank you for braving the freezing cold weather to Sleepout for WJR. Although it was bitterly cold in the night, and i hardly got any sleep, it was a great atmosphere thanks to the wonderful people that were there.

Thank you for all your support and I will, of course, keep you updated on up coming fundraising events

Emma
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