Eugenia, ESC volunteer from Moldova

After 24th  February, I became more anxious, I always think and most of my friends from Moldova think we are the next one. I was asked by the teachers from school, and I felt involved. I know this is more about Ukraine, but at the same time also about the countries which were previously invaded. Moldova, Georgia, Syria, and many more, unfortunately. It’s heartbreaking  to meet people sharing the same fear, I wish there were less.

Since the beginning of the war I have made donations, and I have helped in places I was hearing of. Lately I am helping at Szafa Dobra. I mostly carry out the same tasks, which include contact with the refugees, giving them information, and answering questions. 

I like helping, but not all the people are thankful, unfortunately. It’s definitely not about Ukranians themselves, but people. But it is fine. I mean I am human and sometimes I am not thankful either.

I did not take part in demonstrations, never in my life, even though I’ve always had my opinion regarding some topics, based on my personal research. Nevertheless, I do have my struggles, and I sometimes cannot keep them inside. Going to demonstrations would mean some breakdown in the middle of somewhere. Excuses, you would say. I let you.  And now, I feel as if I always have to justify my second language, Russian. When you can speak Russian but not Ukrainian, you look suspicious, even more when you do not have an accent. So, during my shifts at Plaza, when people ask me in Ukrainian and I answer in Russian, the next question is “Don’t you speak Ukrainian?”. The answer “Sorry, I am from Moldova, I speak only Russian but I understand Ukrainian, because I know a bit of Polish” can change something. At least, there is the idea that Russian is spoken in a lot of countries besides Russia.

Maybe my story could be about hope. I know there is a lot of hate-speech and actions towards Russians, I can understand the reasons. But if we try not to divide our population into nations, it would be hard to know exactly whom to hate and blame.

It was right on my first day at Plaza. I was at the check-in and check out desk, where I was with a volunteer. I was surprised to find out he was from Russia, but he had been based in Poland for more than 15 years. The first day, it was as it was supposed to be, raining and snowing and some strong wind on top. At some point a refugee holding her newborn entered, she asked us if she could find a trolley here, which was impossible. That man – I honestly do not remember his name. I struggle with it, because talking with people is challenging for me. I don’t actually hear the first words when I meet a new person. I can’t recall names and so on. So, let’s say, Sergey immediately started to call his friends, looking for trolleys both for adults and kids. to help the woman. In 10 minutes he found it for her. So, obviously, he doesn’t represent all Russians, but I am sure he is not the only one who is helping.