war story
Vyshgorod, Kiev region, Ukraine - Aug 25, 2022
First Impression of the Poles
First Impression
of the Poles
By Nataliia Ponomarenko
Vyshgorod, Kiev region, Ukraine, Aug 25, 2022
ai5 days of war. We are in Volyn, at the West of Ukraine now. We are accepted by a family without any questions.
ai
aiRumors are spreading about an attack on the region from Belarus. Men decide to send women and children to Poland. Meeting for 2 hours and departure. Farewell. Queue at the border for 9 hours. While we were getting ready, I found a house on Airbnb and contacted the host. He gave us the house for free when he found out that we are from Ukraine.
ai
aiRumors are spreading about an attack on the region from Belarus. Men decide to send women and children to Poland. Meeting for 2 hours and departure. Farewell. Queue at the border for 9 hours. While we were getting ready, I found a house on Airbnb and contacted the host. He gave us the house for free when he found out that we are from Ukraine.
aiOn the morning of March 1, we arrived (7 adults, 6 children, a cat and a dog), met the owner, who came in advance, lit the fireplace and brought 2 bags full of food and basic necessities. Also free.
aiThere was still snow in some places and frost. Apart from the fireplace in the living room, the house had no heat. In the morning when the fire was out, it was cold. For 2 days we slept wearing our coats and hats. I taught the boys how to chop firewood, so each morning they were busy.
Unexpectedly the Poles, who typically considered Ukrainians as cheap labor, have become closer than those who called themselves "brothers"
aiAlmost every day, I took my girlfriend's car and drove to the nearest city of Lencha. At the gas station, I saw already a lot of people. They were refugees on the buses from Ukraine.
aiHere, Polish volunteers set up tents with provisions, hygiene items, tea/coffee. They gave me a full package of products, sandwiches, and also asked if there were children. For them they gave bananas, apples, waffles, juice, diapers and wipes for little Sasha.
aiMy arms were full of humanitarian aid, and my eyes were full of tears. Tears of gratitude. Unexpectedly, it turns out that the Poles, who have typically considered Ukrainians as cheap labor and themselves as masters, have become closer than those who called themselves "brothers" all our lives... and then bombed "their brothers" just like that.
