Kaniwola is a small town/village of about 1,000 about a half-hour drive away from Lublin. It is primarily agricultural with a coal mine nearby where many find employment. During summers, the region is “filled to the brim” with vacationers due to its lakes. Along with several other towns in the area, it belongs to the “gmina” (an administrative entity) of Ludwin.
This Ludwingmina has been active in helping Ukrainian refugees from the beginning. Its volunteer fire department, using its own resources — because “applying for funding would have taken too long” — drove to the border area, picked up refugees, brought them back, put them up where they could (including private homes) and then helped them move onward if they had a place to go.
One volunteer drove all night to take a family to Latvia where they had connections. Housing has been found within the gmina for those who do not. In Kaniwola, for example, 40 refugees – all women and children — have been housed on the second story of a community building. It is a dorm-like setup, with a kitchen and a large common area with long table and area for children to play. Drying laundry hangs outside and in the corridor on racks.
The first evening, I was taken there by my hosts we were met with warmth, freshly baked pierogi and tea. A group of women was in the kitchen making more. Several other gmina representatives came, and it was clear there was a friendly relationship. Talk turned to transportation needs, finding work opportunities for the women and outings for children. Several women were offered a job at a local greenhouse growing cucumbers, while two young women had spent the day raking and cleaning out a private garden. They returned very happy, not only for the money they earned but also for the exercise! Work at the greenhouse was hard, especially since the weather had turned warm, but there were no complaints. Pay was 15 złoty (about $3.50) per hour, not bad, I was told, for agricultural work.
Children’s ages ranged from 3 to the teens. The women told me how they had organized themselves, bringing order to what was initially a chaotic situation. Older children were completing their school year online in Ukrainian, but also had some exposure to the local schools. The teenage daughter of my hosts had befriended one of the girls, and they did things together. Schools and the gmina helped in learning Polish, organizing outings and activities. Mothers were trying to keep up their morale for the sake of their children.
No one knows what is next, and they are worried that after all they have been through they will have to run again if Russia attacks Poland. I was asked questions about U.S., Canadian and British attitudes toward the war and refugees and policies in accepting them. I emphasized the support and solidarity which most people have.
The woman I got to know the most is Irina. She is a bundle of energy and clearly one of the leaders. She drove by herself with four children and whatever they could quickly throw in the car; they had to leave in a hurry. Her car is barely holding together. Despite back pain, she is determined to work in the greenhouse every day.
Ilona Kwiecien is a Jaffrey resident whose parents were Polish refugees after World War II. Her last Army assignment before retiring in 1998 was as Army attaché in Kiev for 2 1/2 years.