And So, It Begins
Welcome to our blog; a collaboration between Helen Bakeman, Sandy Machson and Bruce Lederer. Please read our About page to learn about our mission. In mid-April, Helen and Sandy were …
Reflections On An Important Decision
Somehow, when the notion going to Poland came up, I jumped at the chance; and then I wondered why. For a while I thought it was just for the adventure …
If Not Now, When…
I am the daughter of German refugees (they always described themselves as immigrants, not refugees, I have no idea why). My grandfather was killed in Germany and my grandmother, and …
Helping in a place I can barely pronounce…
About 2 weeks ago, I was having dinner with friends and listening to a story about the daughter of one of them. She had just come back from Przemyśl, (pronounced …
Tomorrow is the day we start on our journey
The packing is mostly done. The contacts have been made. The jitters have started (or are in full swing). And I feel ready to embark on this journey Many of …
Finally we have arrived
It’s been a long day, arriving at 9 AM this morning after our overnight flight. We checked into our hotel, picked up a car and headed into town for sightseeing. …
2 hours from Przemysl
This morning at breakfast, we met a woman from Oklahoma who had been working in Krakow for a faith-based organization. She had been helping refugees fill out papaerwork to sign …
Day 2 – Food, food, play with children, food
Today we learned several things. 1) fewer people came into the shelter today because, we heard, there were bombings in Odessa and people were sheltering in Odessa and the surrounding …
Learning about the situation of displaced Ukrainians
Our Volunteering Starts After a quickly prepared breakfast we headed off to the 8 o’clock volunteer training. Very brief and then off to our assignments. Yesterday we thought we would …
No shortage of displaced people, sadly.
The former supermarket is fairly quiet. Many large and small rooms are filled with cots. There must be 1000+ people here. Women, children, elderly, disabled and volunteers wander around. We …
Some Personal Refugee Stories
Hello from Przemysl in Poland, After one day in Warsaw and a four and a half hour drive, we arrived at our wonderful little 2 bedroom apartment in Przemysl. In …
A Cacophony of People!
Our 3rd day in TESCO was full – full of all sorts of people, constant movement of people, watching out for traffickers, listening to 3pm singing outside, an invitation to …
Who Travels Alone?
We see so many mothers with children, and surprisingly the occasional father of military age…not sure how that happens. People who left Poland with aunties and puppies, extended families, nursing …
I am learning and discovering all the time
Yesterday afternoon, i took a walk outside of TESCO to get some fresh air. I found a colorful tent at the edge of the parking lot. The tent and the …
Where are Ukrainians who are now in Poland going?
Today, our shift at WCK packed up food bags for several small family groups being transported across Europe. These are multi-day bus (van?) trips to a place they know by …
Poland is Full
Przemysl, where we are living and working this week, is chock-a-block full of refugees. Word is that refugees coming by train from Ukraine will be having to stay at the …
Strange Day at TESCO
So, we are located at the largest refugee center on the Polish border. It’s vast. The services being offered are mind boggling. Everything from a children’s playroom staffed by volunteers …
So many things happening and so many things changing.
The flow of people coming into Przemysl has slowed, but at the train station, it is still putting a lot of stress on the immigration process. To alleviate some of …
It must be hard being a Roma
There are quite a few Roma families at TESCO. And working in the food services has given me time to observe them and to hear what could easily be considered …
So many stories to fill the ears, heart and mind
Our last day is today. The week went fast. We worked 12 hour shifts for 7 days straight.And the amazing thing (to me at least) is that our old bodies …
4 Quick Vignettes Before Heading Home
We are currently at an airport hotel in Warsaw before heading home tomorrow. This past week just flew by and was so full; I am not quite able to wrap …
Now that I’ve been home for a week, some reflections
Everything happened so fast and then it was over. Planning, travel, contacting people, volunteer service and sharing your donations with others. It all happened in just a little more than …