As women and children arrive in Poland from Ukraine, some travel through Warsaw to move on to a different country to seek asylum – others remain in Warsaw with no other place to go.

A Place to Shelter

The Polish government offered the empty space of the Global Expo, a convention centre that’s just a 10-minute drive from the centre of Warsaw, to help the displaced people from Ukraine. Samaritan’s Purse partners and local volunteers have worked tirelessly in Jesus’ Name to support those in need, installing decent living conditions for the refugees so they can sleep, eat, and shower in this temporary home.

Samaritan’s Purse saw the need to help Ukrainian refugees. Malgosia Gasza, a volunteer at the centre, explains; “They really helped in any way they can. Nothing here is possible without the donors of Samaritan’s Purse UK.”

Malgosia Gasza – Radek’s wife, Radek Gasza (Good Works Mission Director), and Marius, their pastor

Many Ukrainians reaching the centre travelled by bus or train, but some have been forced to travel by foot. Staff heard stories of people who had been walking for days to cross the border from Ukraine to Poland. Polish people took days off work to drive to and from borders to collect refugees, so they didn’t have to travel by foot. “They did this out of heart, we saw them and it broke our hearts – so we wanted to help,” shared Malgosia.

“The government gave us this space empty, there was absolutely nothing here. With the help of Samaritan’s Purse UK, we were able to set everything up for the children. Everything you see here has been funded by Samaritan’s Purse UK donors. We were even able to hire a Ukrainian women to help look after the children.”

Kateryna Postor, a refugee from Chernihiv, Ukraine, arrived in Warsaw at the beginning of the conflict in March. Before the conflict, she worked as a kindergarten teacher.

Through the support of Samaritan’s Purse, Kateryna was hired to overlook the teenager’s space at the Global Expo. When the conflict started, she left her job, home, and dreams in her home country. Although it’s not the same as before, she is grateful that she can reclaim a part of what the conflict has stripped from her, which is her identity as a teacher.

“It’s so important for the kids from Ukraine to have a safe space, to have fun, to rest physically but to also rest from the trauma. This is a space where they can try and forget about the conflict and enjoy being children and have fun,” said Kateryna.

The support raised for these projects also funded free Polish lessons for women to broaden their employment potential as they look to rebuild their lives in this new country. The centre sees over 60 Ukrainian women each day come in to access their programmes.

Situated in a building next to a Samaritan’s Purse church partner is the Warehouse of Goods, which was given to our in-country partner, Dobro, by the government to use for charity response to the Ukrainian crisis. With Samaritan’s Purse funds, they’ve been able to set up a place for mothers to rest, a children’s play corner, free Polish language lessons, and hired a teacher for the refugee children. They can also come here to get any goods they need including clothes, toiletries, baby food and nappies.

Ukrainian mother playing with her daughter at the Warehouse of Goods centre in Warsaw.

Malgosia explains that it’s important for Ukrainians to settle into a life in Poland, even if it’s temporary. “We just don’t know when this will end, so we need to find ways to help them long-term.”

The warehouse supports many like Tatiana, who fled her country when the conflict began and travelled for days before reaching Warsaw. When she arrived, Dobra was one of the first places she went to get relief. As the centre got busier, Dobro realised that they need extra hands to help serve the refugees.

Many who have fled the war arrive in Warsaw tired and hungry. With the help of Samaritan’s Purse, Dobro(a Polish partner organisation) was able to build a space where children can play, and also rest. From toys to playmats, these were all purchased using Samaritan’s Purse UK’s funds.

Tatiana’s assertive and organised nature meant she was perfect for the role. With the support of Samaritan’s Purse, Tatiana was offered employment running the Warehouse of Goods.

“We were able to help Tatiana by giving her a job, and now she can help other Ukrainians,” Malgosia said.

This is a difficult test for Ukrainian families that are split in half. Men are defending Ukraine at the cost of their own lives, and mothers are having to adapt with their children to a new life with absolutely nothing. But at the centre, Samaritan’s Purse is helping to support both their physical and spiritual needs during this time, showing them the love of God “who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction.”

“Thank you to all the good hearts who have invested their time, strength, money, and soul into this project.” – Tatiana Nogenko

Please continue to pray for suffering Ukrainians. Pray as well for our faithful church partners and teams as they work together to meet both physical and spiritual needs, as God tells us that “in this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33