SOS Ukraine - assistance for the disabled

Today we want to share with you the further fate of our Ukrainian charges.

Some of them returned to their hometowns together with their loved ones. They are relatively safe now. However, sometimes when they are sitting in their home gardens, they can hear the explosions of artillery shells falling nearby and the wailing of alarm sirens. In some cases, work was the reason for the return.

Dima, his sister Natalia, mom (Larysa) and dad (Tola) stayed in Konin. Olga and Artem still live in "Portofino" resort near Konin. They continue to benefit from our assistance and rehabilitation. We also help them with medical matters and provide transportation to doctors.

Recently, a new family has joined our group, headed by Walerij. They live in a small town in Ukraine, where we provide them with help in the form of medicines, food, clothes, rehabilitation equipment, which they share with other residents, mainly children.

In one of the photos you can see Sofija with her mother, who returned to Ukraine. It hasn't been easy. Sofija suffers from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In Poland, we were able to qualify her for a treatment program for the disease. She underwent a very serious spine surgery during which straightening rods had been implanted. We were driving her to the hospital every few weeks for a special drug administration intravenously through a lumbar puncture. We also provided comprehensive and functional rehabilitation at our Rehabilitation Center. We are happy because Sofija's mom managed to organize the continuation of her daughter's treatment in Ukraine.

Igor and his family were forced to return due to the conditions imposed by his employer.

Big Sasha, whom you may know from our previous reports and pictures taken in Rehabilitation Center, and his family moved from Konin to another city. However, they remained in Poland.

Grandma Nina, driven by longing for her son and her family home, returned to Ukraine. As they say, "you can't move old trees."

Little Sasha finished Ukrainian primary school and began studies at a branch of an English university in Ukraine.

We will inform you about their fate in future reports. Thank you for your support!

The Ukrainian Easter celebration is coming to an end. And although Orthodox Easter took place quite late this year, on May 5, a few days after it, the Ukrainian charges of the PAY IT FORWARD Foundation celebrated as if they were at home, in their beloved Ukraine.

The Orthodox Easter tradition is very closely related to the Catholic one, although it usually takes place five weeks after the Catholic one. Orthodox believers, after a 40-day fast on Holy Saturday, go to the church to bless food, and on Easter Day they participate in a very solemn service. Afterwards, they sit down together at a richly set table.

- Due to the war, we are spending the third Easter far from the church, from the loved ones we left behind in Ukraine, far from our homes but close to each other, among those whom the war brought here to Konin  from different sides - said Larysa.

The tables that day were literally full of Ukrainian delicacies. However, the most important thing is the paschal dish.  It is a big cheese cake, with raisins, nuts, topped with icing or chocolate icing. There is also Ukrainian borscht, various types of dumplings, kulebiak stuffed with mushrooms and paschal kulich, which is a delicious, sweet, huge yeast cake. There are different types of meat and stuffed eggs. Salads, cold snacks and of course bread. It's an unimaginable treat!

And there was nothing missing on the table!  Our Friends from Ukraine cooked and baked. Everything was delicious!

Ukrainian Easter is one of those occasions where everyone meets at one table. There are memories, interesting conversations, joy, lightness and many opportunities for different emotions happening.

- I remember the first Easter in Konin. I wondered what it would be like among strangers, far from home, far from loved ones. It was wonderful, touching and very hospitable! The way the Foundation welcomed us in these difficult times, how it treats us, how it cares for us, how attentive it is to making sure we are comfortable and at home, cannot be described in words. We are very grateful for everything and very touched by the hospitality, help and kindness. We love the PAY IT FORWARD Foundation! It is like family to us. Thank you for everything!  - said Amelia, moved. She baked a delicious yeast cake and made the best dumplings with potato filling in the world.

This year was very festive and mushy. Suzana, a Ukrainian singer with an angelic voice, sang Easter songs and we were truly transported to another world for a moment. Ukrainian tradition says that a few days after Easter we should celebrate, meet our loved ones and friends, share meals and simply enjoy life. And that's what Foundation's charges do and we, who try to help them every day, are very happy to participate in these meetings :-)