UKRAINE REFUGEE UPDATE
From Ilona Kwiecien
“Many still need our help.”
I was back in Poland in May for the sixth time since the Russians invaded Ukraine to follow up on projects that we have been supporting. It is hard to believe the war has been going on for two and one/half years. During this time, much has changed ‒ we have gone from the chaotic crisis of refugees pouring into Poland during my first
visit in March 2022 to a more stable environment. About 1 million refugees remain in Poland. Quite a few have gone home, some have moved to other countries. In May a smaller stream of Ukrainians were coming into Poland seeking refuge; I was told that most are being sponsored by family or friends.
Of those who have stayed, some have adjusted successfully to a new life in Poland.
However, many still need help, primarily single mothers, older people, and disabled individuals. For the individuals and organizations still providing aid it is harder and harder to secure funding. Indeed, Dom Matki in Warsaw lost their main sponsor who had been paying for the building that housed single mothers with small children. It was very sad to visit an empty home when I met with staff in May. They had to close on June 30, but have raised enough funds to begin renovating a new space. I was told that Dom Matki plans to switch its focus beyond just mothers and children from Ukraine to supporting any and all mothers and children in need.
Lapigua
Stephanie from Lapigua, located in Zamosc, continues to send regular updates/newsletters describing their projects and how our funding is spent. To summarize, since the New Year our
donations have:
* Helped their community center, Blonie, provide about 70 packages of food, hygienic products, and other goods per month to people who need this assistance;
* Allowed Lapigua to help put together a special Orthodox Easter celebration in a neighboring town;
* Helped send medicine and medical devices to Ukraine. For example, one recipient was a monastery in Seredne, where soldiers come for mental and physical recovery after serving at the front;
* Supported a children’s home, also in Seredne;
* Purchased a special formula for a baby with health problems. This costly item was beyond the means of the family;
* Provided needed supplies such as building materials to a priest from Kharkiv. That city has been under constant attack and even simple items like screws and switch boxes are needed to renovate damaged buildings, especially hospitals;
* Supported a psychiatric hospital in Luck.
Like other organizations, Lapigua has to work ever harder to obtain funding. Although they received several grants for specific projects, First Church donations still fill many gaps. Thanks to your generosity, we recently sent them $3,000; some funds went towards sending four Ukrainian children to summer camp (about $350 per child). The remainder will help support English lessons for Ukrainian children and humanitarian aid both at Blonie and in Ukraine.
Whither from here?
Hopefully with your help we will be able to continue supporting Lapigua for as long as they need it. While I am not actively seeking other efforts to support, if I am made aware of any, I will look into them. I am hopeful that our attention will not be drawn away from Ukraine, which is easy to do, in the midst of all the wars, violence, and natural disasters encountered in today’s world. Thank you to all who have contributed, both financially and through your prayers.
Here’s a humbling closing story:
I keep in touch with Anton, who used to work for me when I was at the embassy in Ukraine. He is now a lawyer living in Kiev. During our most recent phone call he told me how much our conversations mean to him and that through all that has gone on since the war started, he has found peace in accepting the reality of what is happening and simply doing what he can (pro-bono work, connecting people who need help, etc.) to bring some light into it all.
May whatever we can do help strengthen that light!
If you would like to donate to Ukrainian Relief Projects, please write a check to Refugee Support or First Church in Jaffrey (with Refugee Support in the memo line). This is a community-wide effort that First Church administers. Mail to First Church in Jaffrey, PO Box 673, Jaffrey, NH 03452.
