Achieving great things

As a former professional driver, Christian Kemena sometimes missed driving. An opportunity to provide concrete help meant that he transported seveal shipments of relief goods to war-torn Ukraine. In doing so, he demonstrated how you can achieve great things with courage and passion.

Christian Kemena worked in long-haul transport up until 2019. He now works in the scheduling department of his family business, a joinery. But driving is still in his blood: “I climb into the cab at my old company from time to time to help out during holiday times.” When the war broke out in Ukraine, it provided a special opportunity to combine his willingness to help and his passion for driving: relief shipments to the crisis area.

“I learned about the Verein Oldenburg hilft e.V., which took aid goods directly to the country and distributed them all the way to the front in cooperation with Michael Kröger,” recalls Christian. He was particularly impressed by the openness and transparency with regard to distribution on site.

The first relief shipment

Christian volunteered himself to support the cause and started his first trip near Lviv in April 2022. “We set off with four 7.5-tonne trucks and trailers,” he says. The vehicles, as well as the loaded aid goods, had been made available by supporters. From the very beginning, no journey like any other. “You climb into the cab and then the tachograph and toll recorder are deactivated first,” says Christian. As a humanitarian aid vehicle, he was exempt from tolls. "You’re not bound by driving times either. From Bremen to Kiev, we simply kept on going. As a driver, you have to know yourself well and estimate your energy reserves.”

Christian then met Michael Kröger in Ukraine, who organised the local distribution. This first experience was followed by five further trips – this time directly to Kiev. Every time, a helpful and trusting business partner made a semitrailer combination available. From Kiev, the goods were distributed further to the front.

The trips were far from risk-free. Missile strikes took place during two of the trips to the capital city. “The local people need to know how to help themselves. In our case, an overseas container was buried at the central warehouse as an improvised shelter.”

When crossing the border, Christian experienced an inner change. “The tension is palpable. One thing is clear: you leave the ‘safe’ Europe.” The driver found it remarkable that life noticeably goes on almost as normal there. “You could go out for dinner in the evening – the curfew was the only noticeable difference.”

Help that arrives

The donations delivered by Christian and his colleagues were collected and distributed in a central warehouse: generators, winter clothing, wood-burning stoves – the things that were urgently needed. In line with the season and always very needs-oriented. Christian remembers moving encounters. “Women and children whose fathers were fighting or had already fallen were accommodated in miserable conditions in the basement of a school and had no water for long periods. We provided them with meals, a generator and a washing machine.”

Trips to Ukraine eventually became routine for Christian, but the emotional burden remained, including for his friends and family. “I received a data pass from a business customer so that I could always be in contact with them and report on my trip.” Christian’s experiences also inspired his those around him. His best friend decided to accompany him on one of the trips. “A neighbouring car dealership donated first-aid kits, and my family also participated in collecting donations.” His own company also actively supported the campaign by giving Christian time off for the trips.

His advice to others: "Everyone can do something good in their own way – be it by donating money, working in an association or by providing practical help. It doesn’t always have to be driving to the front.” With his assignments, Christian Kemena proves that even a single trucker with heart and courage can make the world a little better.

Anyone who wishes to make a donation or help themselves can contact Michael Kröger’s organisation Direct Aid Ukraine.