Today’s interview is with another woman named Natalia. We met Natalia at JCC (Jewish Community Center), a center that turned it’s normal daily operations into a support mechanism for Ukrainians fleeing war. They don’t only help Jewish people from Ukraine, but anyone that needed help. You can find their website here: JCC Krakow. You will see in the conversation below that Natalia like many others found a way to help even in their own time of need.
Interviewer: Can you tell us a little about where you're from and how you learned about the war in Ukraine?
Natalia: I'm originally from the Kyiv region, specifically Vyshenky. I found out about the war on February 24th. I was visiting my parents, who live near a military aerodrome. We heard loud explosions and the windows were shaking. It was terrifying and we didn't know what was happening. Later, I learned that Russia had started bombing Ukraine. I was worried about my children and my parents.
Interviewer: How did you decide to evacuate and when did you leave?
Natalia: It was actually my children's decision to leave. We had been staying in the basement for two weeks and we realized that it was too dangerous to stay. The bridges had been destroyed and we didn't know what would happen next. At first, we went to my parents' house in the Khmelnytskyi region, but there were constant air-raid sirens and my 3 year old grandchild couldn't sleep. My son stayed in Ukraine as a volunteer in territorial defense, but my daughter-in-law and I decided to go to Poland. It's still not safe to return home, so I try to volunteer as much as I can to help others.
Interviewer: How have you been adjusting to life in Poland?
Natalia: I have Polish heritage, so I haven't had any issues with language barriers. The refugees here are welcomed and the JCC (Jewish Community Center) provides a lot of support, including food, housing, and psychological assistance. People who have experienced the Holocaust understand the pain of Ukrainians very well.
Interviewer: How did you decide to become a volunteer in Poland?
Natalia: I was looking for a job to make some money, but I also wanted to volunteer as long as I had the time. It can be emotionally challenging, as many of the refugees have experienced trauma. Every day, more than 300 refugees come here and every single one of them has a story.
Interviewer: Is there a particular story that has stuck with you?
Natalia: One story that stands out to me is of two disabled refugees who came to Poland from the Luhansk region. They were in wheelchairs and the JCC provided them with food, transport, and even an assistant to help with logistical questions. It was so moving to see the support they received and they were very grateful.
Interviewer: What do you think the world can do to help stop the war in Ukraine?
Natalia: It's a difficult question and I don't know the answer. I've heard stories of people who participated in peaceful demonstrations in the Donetsk region and were shot by Russian soldiers. I've also heard stories of men having their legs cut off. It's terrifying. I met a family on a train who had only their backpacks with them and they had witnessed people running away, crying, and the shootings of innocent people. Their story will stay with me for the rest of my life. The war seems so irrational and there is no mercy.
You can support JCC’s mission on their website: DONATE HERE. I was able to witness with my own eyes the support they have given Ukrainian refugees during this time. While the war still rages on, there’s still a need to support people like Natalia and the countless other refugees.