I was telling you that the Yellow Bus has hit the road and is ready to go where people need it. With a lot of enthusiasm and a prepared suitcase, he makes his way to the Isaccea customs point. Here, people from the Izmail region, Odesa and beyond choose to cross the border. These people are looking for peace, peace for their children, but also hope that they will be able to return home one day.

Once here, Yellow Bus started guiding people, offering them support and information related to their stay in Romania. Asking them where they were going, the answers were the most diverse, Constanța, Bucharest, Galați, Tulcea or they were going to the West. Their need to use Romania only as a transit point can be justified, they don’t know the language, they don’t know much about this country and its opportunities, they have relatives abroad and go to them or they hope to find a better life in another part.

It is worth noting that there were also many who chose to stay in Romania, to be close to home or return as soon as possible. There are also those who stay here out of ignorance, but end up appreciating what they get, integrating their children to stay in the medium term.

That’s how I found out the story of Valentina, who lived on the border with her parents and three children. Two of them are of school age, and the youngest is a baby. They came to Romania since the first days of the war, being encouraged by their parents to protect their children. They ended up settling in Galați, rented a spacious house and were trying to learn to move on. The children continued their O studies, and she, a teacher by trade, took care of the youngest and the oldest. They stayed like this until the end of the school year, and when summer came, the financial resources were running out, the children needed activities, friends and a friendly environment for development, so they decided to return home. The situation didn’t seem so dangerous in the area anymore, and the little ones wanted to run around their yard again and be with their grandparents. Now, Valentina commutes daily to volunteer at Isaccea customs and help other women and children passing through. While waiting for transport or the ferry, the children play, read or receive emotional support.

We would never have thought, but customs is the place of goodbyes, grandparents who cross the border to see their grandchildren from Romania, mothers to see their sons or even families to reunite. Their emotions are indescribable, and the joy in their eyes motivates Yellow Bus more and more to be at the border with these people.

What did we find here that can help you too?

Volunteers who provide information, guide you, make the connection between Ukrainian citizens and the Romanian authorities, mediating translation, transport, accommodation or any other services they need. Yellow Bus was one of them, standing by those who needed it.

For those who are staying longer or waiting for a transport to the next destination, they can have a meal, drink tea, coffee or a glass of water.

Crossing the border is done by ferry, and the price of a ticket is 1 Euro for people and 20 Euro for a car. Also, within the Isaccea customs point, there is a payment station for those who come by car and need to purchase the rovinieta.

We have enjoyed meeting all these wonderful people in the U, talking with them, supporting them, and now the Yellow Bus is going further, where it is needed.