Zeilen van Vrijheid in faces: meet Oleg, drivers coordinator
When the war started, Oleg felt frustrated and powerless to change everything, but volunteering showed that even a small group of people can do something meaningful.
Oleg, Zeilen van Vrijheid drivers coordinator
Meet Oleg, our drivers coordinator. He searches for volunteer drivers, develops all the logistics of the convoy to Ukraine, and supports it en route. For example, he finds the nearest service stations in case of breakdowns, rebooks hotels for drivers, if the convoy is delayed, buys repair kits, phone stands, car chargers, etc. In other words, Oleg provides everything related to the convoy's journey from Amsterdam to the border of Ukraine and the subsequent return of the drivers back home. To better introduce Oleg to you and tell his story of volunteering, we asked him five questions.
When did you join the foundation and why?
I had joined Zeilen van Vrijheid from the beginning, even before the fund was registered. On February 26, we started as a group of friends: we just contributed on our own and collected money from people we know. We hoped we could collect enough for one ambulance car, but we managed to buy even two. And that is how everything started.
What do you do in a “peaceful life”?
I am an applied physicist turned into a high-tech entrepreneur. In collaboration with the Swiss watch companies, one of my startups developed the revolutionary technology that enabled the most precise mechanical watch ever created. The war caught me thinking about an idea for a new startup, which got postponed for a while as it was emotionally impossible to do business as usual.
What do you think is the most impactful thing Zeilen van Vrijheid has done during its existence in which you have been involved?
One of the most impactful things we did was the convoy of 17 ambulances. From a logistical and bureaucratic perspective, it was a nightmare :). But it clearly showed that even a small group of volunteers can do something meaningful, obviously with countless support from others. Also, once the ambulance was repaired by the mobile reparation service in Warsaw that came to the hotel and did all the work during the night so the car was ready to continue its trip to Ukraine in the morning.
What is the most difficult thing about volunteering for you, personally and in general?
Accept that we can't help everyone in need no matter how hard we work. Sometimes I have to say "no" to people with good intentions to keep focus and operate efficiently. One more thing, despite trying to deliver ambulances as soon as possible, sometimes mistakes and delays are almost unavoidable, yet painful as they can be life and death questions for some Ukrainian people.
What does volunteering give you personally?
Like many people, when the war started, I felt frustrated, helpless, and powerless to change the situation. Volunteering allows helping my country, at least on a small scale. It is a far more positive and efficient psychological state. Meeting many, even non-Ukrainian, people who spend their time and money to help Ukraine instills a genuine feeling of support. Our ambulances and medicine are not only giving means to save lives but also saying to Ukrainians "Europe is with you. We are against the barbaric actions of Russia. We support you in your fight for freedom till victory." Volunteering is my way of supporting and contributing to the victory.
If you want to support Ukraine, you can donate money via Bunq so that we can buy and send medical equipment, ambulances, and medicines.