Support Ukrainian Refugees

Hello.

 

As we are all watching and experiencing the awful realities going on in Ukraine, I wanted to share something very personal to my family.

 

My beloved mom, who many of you knew, was 9 years old when the Russian military invaded Poland during WW II. She and her family were taken to Siberia and held in work camps. I grew up hearing the stories of the horrors that she lived through. Like those in Ukraine, she suffered unimaginable losses. Her Dad died on a cattle car transport between camps and her younger sister (2 years old) died from starvation while in the camps. She herself lived a life scarred by those years of trauma and in her last days, while on high doses of morphine, sadly was tortured once again by reliving the experiences.

 

Many first generation survivors of the war struggle as I did and still do. As an adult, I’ve done a lot of work around the trauma these stories held for me. This current conflict has raised immense emotional turmoil in me.

 

I need to do something.

 

Since I speak fluent Polish, I looked into traveling to Poland to help. But in speaking with cousins, the bottom line is that they need financial support so for now, rather than going, I will help raise funds.

 

My cousin is part of an effort organized by the joint Bochnia and Bochnia Land Lovers Association and the "Bochnia Community" Association.  They will continue to support those who are still in Ukraine and those who have crossed the border into Poland. 

In early March donations of food, diapers, blankets and other essential items were taken to Broniszewice, Poland,  to be transported into Zhovkva, near Lviv, Ukraine. From there, the Ukrainians plan to transport the supplies to the final destination,  Chortkiv, Ukraine. 

The community has already renovated two buildings just north of Przemysl, the town where we’ve seen the images of Ukrainian refugees being received at the Polish border.

My family and their friends are beginning to convert a third building this weekend that will temporarily house 500 people.

They need everything.

Paint, brushes, food, medicine, clothes, blankets and so much more.
Your donations will directly support the continuing efforts of this amazing community. 

Sadly, this is not something that will go away quickly. The need will continue.

 

If you are interested in a direct connection to support the volunteer effort in Poland, please donate and share. 

 

I’ve attached a photo of my mom in Africa. She and the other Polish refugees were taken to Persia (now Iran) and then to Tanganyika, Africa, where she lived as a refugee until the British Government gave them refuge.

 

Thanks for reading.

Never have kindness and love, in word, actions and deed in each of our own little worlds been more important. ❤️