Between 24 February and today, more than 3 million people have reached Poland fleeing the still ongoing Russian invasion in Ukraine. Due to the country’s policy preventing men aged 18-60 from leaving the country, most of those who are fleeing are mothers with children, the elderly and the disabled. Iwona and Agata Dziopa from the Open Dialogue Foundation talk about how we can continue helping Ukrainian mothers and their children. Listen to the new episode of “Drogowskazy”!
Although more and more people are returning to their families and homes back in Ukraine, many are still seeking refuge in our country, and those wishing to help them find their place in their new environment keep facing many obstacles. Some people are actively fighting to find solutions, including systemic ones, which would make it easier for those who have fled to live in new yet in many ways difficult conditions.
The House for Independent Mothers
The Houses for Independent Mothers are places where women who have left Ukraine with their children to escape the war can find not only peace, but also become independent and get back on their feet. The idea behind the House is to encourage women to take responsibility: for the place they live in, their roommates and their own work. The project was created by two friends, Iwona and Agata, who, as they were supporting refugees at the Western Railway Station, realized that there was a cruel need for a place where people in the worst situation could receive long-term help, despite their lack money, relatives, friends or language skills. This is how the first House was created in Jakubowizna, near Grójec District . Later on, the project was taken under the wing of the Open Dialogue Foundation, thanks to which a similar place was created in a flat in Warsaw. Although the friends hope that one day the residents of the houses will be able to support themselves without additional help, for the time being they are looking for financial support, for example through a special online donation page, which can be found on the Open Dialogue Foundation Facebook page.
“Drogowskazy of Eska Rock”
What was the situation of refugees in Poland at the very beginning, and what does it look like now? How can we help them and why is it worth supporting, also financially, the work of the Houses for Independent Mothers? Iwona and Agata Dziopa from the Open Dialogue Foundation talk more about this in the latest episode of Drogowskazy. The interview is hosted by Aleksandra Galant.
Source: eskarock.pl