We’re blessed to share an update with the refugee assistance in Poland for the people of Ukraine. As the months of war drag on, we are reminded through the kindness of Dorota’s family and countless others, that those who sow the seeds of peace reap the biggest blessings. We hope you enjoy her letter as well as the pictures. While they certainly bring about a sense of sorrow for what these innocent families lost, they also depict inspiriting resilience. They remind us that goodness always triumphs over evil; kindness always shines brighter than the fires of war.
As Dorota and her family travel to Poland, please keep them in your prayers! Know that she takes the love of St. Colette with her to the good people of Poland and the refugees of Ukraine. Thank you, Dorota, for allowing us to walk this journey with you.
Things are much different in Chorzow now then at the time of the concert.
All temporary shelters were gone by Easter. Children can use their gyms again!
Some Refugees found apartment on their own, some have moved to bigger cities in Poland or Europe.
There is still quite big group that is not fully independent.
They found their temporary home in the Transition Home that my sister in law is in charge of.
The old building was empty for almost two years. It used to be a nursing home but they closed during COVID. In April with the tremendous financial help sent form our parish, that building was refreshed, some plumbing issues were fixed and during the Holy Week over 40 people moved in.
Currently, there are 36 children and 21 adults living there.
Each family has their own room with bathroom. In the rooms are medical style beds (from that former nursing home) and in some rooms for older kids - bunk beds. On each from the three floors, there is one community kitchen and common room with TV and dining and seating area.
They have a very nice backyard with a small BBQ.
There are two senior couples, one grandpa with three young granddaughters and the rest are women with children age 4 months to 18 years old.
Some ladies already found job. All school age children are attending local schools (last day of school is June 24th). Mothers with younger children help each other taking turn watching kids when some of them are working.
The youngest child is Kiara - she was born on February 24 - the day the war broke. She moved in with her mother and two brothers about a month ago. Kiara is the youngest child there.
In recent weeks, the money donated by our parishioners was used for buying some Ukrainian books, toys and games for children various age, two high chairs, 7 school backpacks for students, and supply of contact lenses for two teenage girls.
In addition, on regular basis baby formula and food as well as laundry detergents are being purchased with that money.
My sister in law, Joanna, has also purchased small gifts for all mothers and one grandpa who act as a mother for three little girls for Mother's Day (celebrated in Eastern Europe always on May 26). She said it was a huge surprise and mothers went very emotional about it.
Last Sunday was another big day at the Transition House. They celebrated International Children's Day. It is a widely celebrated holiday in the entire Europe usually on June 1st.
Joanna, other social workers, and volunteers have organized a picnic with lots of attractions for all children who live in the Transition house or who went through it in last two months. There was lots of good food, presents, live music, games for children, face painting, inflatable castle, local sport club mascot, and much more. Joanna said, it seemed like Ukrainian families were able to forget about the war for those few hours. Everyone was happy and in many of the children's eyes she could see the sparkle of joy instead of the chronic sadness.
Every time Joanna gives me an update, she keeps asking to thank everyone who helped and who keeps all the Ukrainian refugees as well as social workers like her in their daily prayers.
I cannot express how excited I am since today we have purchase flight tickets and in three weeks my family and I will be able to join them in my hometown in Poland.
Please, keep my family and me in your prayers as well as the time is not safe at all. We trust our Lord and hope in Him. With his help we will be safety back here in mid of July.
Dorota
