A cold February weekend passed under strong emotions. I went to Lviv in company with Peter, the territory advisor, and Richard, the Ukrainian relief coordinator. The expedition was besides attended by Darek and Robert of Zamość RC. We met on Saturday with children participants of rehabilitation tours, known in our territory as the task "Health of Children of Ukraine". Their mothers and siblings were besides invited. The meeting, which took place in the beautiful hall of the method University of Lviv, was aimed at proceeding the opinion and evaluation of the turnus by mothers and children who participated in the turnus, after their return home. We talked about how the stay in Poland affected children, the effects of the long-term results of our actions.
Jerzy, coordinator of Ukrainian turnus, Oksana, pediatrician doctor and neonatologist, joined the gathering in Lviv, who is active in organizing rehabilitation tours with her squad of caregivers and psychologists. Representatives of the Lviv Club besides came to talk to us. We had the chance to perceive to a presentation summarizing the project, to talk to mothers and children and babysitters. It was not easy to get an opinion or any critical assessment. In consequence to our questions, we heard a lot about the gratitude that mothers have for their children being able to spend a fewer weeks in a safe place, in good conditions, with good food. Children who come to us for rehabilitation tours have the care of psychologists and educators, they have therapeutic classes, sports, they visit Zakopane and surrounding areas, they go to the mountains. Children besides meet with guests coming from the United States from the Rotarian group "Common Man for Ukraine", who co-finance this project.
The most crucial conclusion to make is the request to organise – to proceed the therapeutic activities for children, besides after returning to Ukraine. This is an highly hard substance due to the fact that in Ukraine these children and their mothers live in areas under war. Nevertheless, I think that both children and we truly request further support and further therapeutic assistance.
In late afternoon, we went to the Peace Shelter exile center in Brzuchowice, led by nuns. The home was renovated thanks to the immense support of the club RC Lublin Centrum. Unfortunately, nuns lost their backing origin in Ukraine. They request material assistance in purchasing food, cleaners, clothing or cosmetics, but besides in paying for electricity or gas. Polish Rotary clubs aid a lot, we besides brought quite a few food and clothing there.
We spent the evening in Lviv at a gathering with the Past politician Mirosław Gawryliwe, who recalled the beautiful times of the large territory of 2230. It was a very interesting and very good gathering with many memories from the old Rotarian times.
This journey to Ukraine was difficult. hard for many reasons. Mainly due to the fact that gathering widowed women and orphaned children required a gentle approach, a quiet conversation, appropriate questioning, and a patient response. It was hard due to the fact that even though the Lviv seem to be a peaceful, safe city, where residents live a average life, war lurks around the corner. In many places there were immense cemeteries, where, at the graves of soldiers who died in the war, Ukrainian flags float, there are places where monuments are wrapped with protective materials, and Adam Mickiewicz's monument disappeared behind the net protecting it. It was besides hard due to the fact that the Ukrainian tv that I had the chance to watch shows the real face of war, drastic scenes from the front, the massive demolition of this country that occurs during the attacks of the Russian aggressor and suffering people, while encouraging young men to join the army and go to the front.
I am convinced that we should proceed our aid projects for Ukraine. We are incapable to do everything and even Rotary's magic is incapable to end this war, but let us effort to aid above all those most susceptible – children. Let us aid by organizing rehabilitation tours in Poland, food, clothing and vitamins. Remember, these kids want to laughter and play, and they want to have a quiet home, and in this home both parents.
We spoke in Lviv not only to the beneficiaries of our project, but besides to the rotarians who aid us on the Ukrainian side. These are amazing people who are willing to aid children, to service beyond their own benefit, above themselves. But there is besides any helplessness, any helplessness, and any sadness that cannot see the end of this terrible war.
Remember the 11th Commandment of the Decalogue: Don't be indifferent!
Krystyna Baj-Pawluk, politician of territory 2231
photo by DG Krystyna Baj-Pawluk, RC Gorzów Wielkopolski
