On Tuesday evening, April 19, HYSO musicians on the tour gathered together at their hotel in Leipzig, Germany. They brought with them a wide variety of books in English destined for Ukrainian refugee children and teens who are living with German families.
HYSO Manager Ruth Gates’s cousin-in-law, Birgit, and her daughter traveled to Leipzig to meet up with the HYSO from their home in Kaufbeuren, Germany, where over 1,000 displaced Ukrainian families are currently being put up in private homes in that area. These refugees are mostly mothers and their children since most of the fathers stayed in Ukraine to fight the war.
Ukrainian children study English starting in primary school but most do not read or speak German, so this service is expected to be extremely helpful.
Brigit was a delight for all to meet and she will hand deliver the HYSO book donations through the organization Humedica she is active with in her hometown.
This week’s HYSO donations of reading materials in English – everything from board books to Encyclopedia Brown chapter books, and science magazines to Harry Potter paperbacks – will be delivered to children that have escaped from war-torn Ukraine. According to Birgit, approximately 20-25 kilos (=45-55 lbs.) of books were collected!
Danke schön to all involved!
Special thanks to HYSO parent Elizabeth Kinney, our on-site reporter, for the pictures and story.
For more photos, stories, and videos, follow along on the #HYSOTour adventure at https://www.facebook.com/events/262422405971571.
ADDENDUM
Ruth Gates’s cousin-in-law, Birgit, packed all the books into two sturdy suitcases so she could get them home on the train. Some books went to a few families she knows with refugees in their homes. Others went to an English teacher at her local grammar school class, who took them – by bike, not surprising in Germany but especially now given the need to conserve fuel whenever possible – to give to Ukrainian students. Remaining books will go to the organization Humedica in Kaufbeuren.
