When I decided to be a part of this small effort to help Ukrainian Refugees in Poland (and support the Polish people providing the support), I really had no idea what this experience would be. I had never tried to raise money before. While Teresa had told us US dollars go a long way in Poland, I had really no idea how that would play out. I reached out widely to my friends and family. The response was so tremendous that I did not have to send out reminder emails to those that did not respond first time around.
In our conversation with Tamar Jacoby, the author of the book Displaced, she asked us what we were going to do to continue our efforts given our fundraising ability and all that we have learned about the needs here. Prior to coming Mary, Kay and I were thinking of this as once in a lifetime experience but that may be evolving.
The Polish people and Ukrainians we have met are very concerned about the winter and an anticipated influx of more refugees as a lot of the infrastructure that will provide heat is not there in Eastern Ukraine. Of course no one knows how long the war will last and there is a real sense that Poland and Ukraine are in this together.
Through our contacts with the Krakow Rotary, there will be ways to provide support by transfer of funds from the US. To help the Krakow run Central Pomocy Ukraine (Ukrainian Refugee Centers) support is best provided on the ground though purchasing of gift cards and supplies. We have learned of smaller organizations that are providing targeted help to the in-country Ukranian refugees and those that are fighting Putin’s army. I don’t like to refer to them as Russians as I don’t think (nor do the Polish and Ukrainian people) think the rank and file Russian people support this war.
I will start putting together a slide show that we can use with Rotary Clubs in the US as a starting point.
It is very helpful for both the Polish and Ukrainian people to visible see the support of the Americans. None of us anticipated how comfortable we would feel in Krakow and while it is very helpful to be able to speak Polish, you can easily be here without speaking or understanding the language.
Time will tell…..
Tamara Unleashed 