Most pensioners would consider an active warzone a far cry from the ‘perfect retirement’, but the former Mayor of Richmond thinks differently.
On top of spending his weekends playing golf and meeting up with his his friends, Robin Jowit, at the age of 87, has just returned from his most recent trip to Ukraine.
Last month, working with Rotary International, Robin spent time in the war-torn nation, monitoring the progress of schools that had seen both financial donations and equipment sent their way by the organisation.
Despite working within a nation that remains under missile and drone attacks, Robin said that he never felt anxious while in Ukraine.
He said: “I’ve been twice before. Nothing frightens me.”
During his time in Ukraine, Robin travelled to many cities including Kharkiv and the capital city of Kyiv.
He said: “Kharkiv is a more centralized area than Kyiv. All the schools in Kharkiv are within a few kilometers of the centre, so we’re able to do more there.
“There are members of Rotary who are very close to the schools and in touch with them and they say, ‘Well, I’ve got Robin Jowit coming from the UK, we’re looking at things we can do to help you’ and the door is open.
“The headteacher sees us and other teachers see us, in addition to meeting the children. We can also talk personally to the teachers to find out what their other problems are.”
Robin described the teachers as ‘heroes’, as they look after large numbers of children despite also experiencing the war – but there is one teacher who he remembers best.
Impressed by how keen she was about the education of the children in her care, Rotary arranged to give the school £20,000 to buy engineering equipment that included 3D printers.
On his most recent trip to Ukraine, Robin visited this school to see the progress it had made since receiving the donations.
He said: “The children there are keen to get on. So, any school we went to had said they’re happy for us to give them STEM equipment, whether that be 3D printers or laser scanners.”
“We’re teaching the engineers of the future to help rebuild Ukraine. I think it’s terribly important for us to do this.”
Robin said that he likes to go back to the schools that Rotary has helped to ensure that donation money is being well utilised.
He explained that the Ukrainians were often happy to welcome him, and that they are comforted by the knowledge that somebody cares enough about them to visit.
On one occasion, he and a team were fortunate to meet with the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine who informed them of the need for window repairs and generators, adding that generators are vital for the running of schools and charities, that also play a role in the education of children.
Typically, his work is conducted in accordance with one of the 16 Rotary clubs in Kharkiv. In order to avoid confusion, Robin and his team communicate with just one of them. They all work together as a team, discussing their plans over Kharkivian dinner tables.
Robin explained that though he had witnessed many inspirational things throughout his visits, he felt most touched by the children’s continued interest in education.
He said: “The moment you mention 3D printers or STEM education, there’s this enthusiasm.
“I would say the thing that really touches me most is the enthusiasm of the kids and the bravery of the teachers. It just comes across to you.”
Commending the wider Ukrainian community, he said: “I think it is their tenacity, because they either can’t afford to leave, or didn’t want to leave. It’s one of those two reasons. And they know they’re there and they’ve got to get on with the job.
“So, I think it’s their tenacity really, that they know they’ve got to make it work and in doing so they’ve got an enthusiasm to get on.”
Robin said that his passion for helping those in need motivates him to action.
He said: “I don’t do it for any other reason than I feel passionate about it.
“My parents went to private school. I went to private school. My children went to private school. But I worry about the 93% who go to state schools because they don’t have the same advantages as those who go to private school.
“So when I was about 45, I started getting involved in being the governor of schools to try and do something to help and I did that for 40 years because I just feel very passionate about the education of children.”
You can donate directly to his cause at www.helpschoolsinukraine.com and if your society or school would like to get in touch with Robin to invite him to speak, you can contact him at [email protected].
Featured image credit: courtesy of Robin Jowit
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