Monica Chang | Europe

On June 20, Tzu Chi volunteers in Poznan organized a celebration to help refugees feel the warmth of home. Children made unique rubber band bracelets and joyfully shared their creations. | Photo courtesy of Igor Prus | Poznan, Poland | 2024/06/20

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention, in December 2000, the UN General Assembly proclaimed June 20 as World Refugee Day. This was a mark of solidarity with Africa where this day was originally celebrated as the Day of Refugees in Africa.

In 2024, the global refugee crisis remains severe. Due to Russia-Ukraine war, countless Ukrainians have been forced to flee their homes, seeking refuge across various countries. Understanding their difficult situation, Tzu Chi volunteers in Poznan, Poland, organized a special event on June 20 to help them feel the warmth of home. Held at 3 Roosevelt Street in the center of Poznan, it was attended by many Ukrainian refugees who had received aid from Tzu Chi, and some participants registered through Facebook.

Plan Mindfully

Volunteers carefully planned the event to create an atmosphere of kindness and mutual support, bringing people from around the world together for a wonderful time. With 60 children and 80 adults attending, 21 volunteers ensured that the program catered to different age groups and interests, so everyone could find something they enjoyed.

The refugee photo exhibition offered insights into refugees' lives, helping viewers understand their stories. | Photo courtesy of Monica Chang | Poznan, Poland | 2024/06/20

The event featured displays of refugee photos and crafts, offering insights into their lives. These displays highlighted the resilience and determination of the Ukrainian refugees, becoming a focal point of the event.

In April and May, Julia taught children's watercolor and adult textile art classes for Tzu Chi. She also hosted face painting and watercolor workshops, displaying several pieces created after a day's hard work. | Photo courtesy of Igor Prus | Poznan, Poland | 2024/06/20

Julia, a compassionate individual, had previously held watercolor painting classes for children and textile art classes for adults in April and May. This time, she organized face painting and watercolor workshops. Originally, 16 children signed up for the face painting class, but about 30 people of different ages participated. The face painting transformed children into fairy-tale characters, enhancing the festive atmosphere.

Julia's daughters, Elvira and Anastasia, along with 15-year-old volunteer Alexei Larshin, led a rubber band bracelet-making workshop. Although 23 people had registered, nearly all the children and teenagers at the event joined in. The children enthusiastically chose different colored bands to create their unique bracelets, infusing them with their spirit. Elvira, Anastasia, and Alexei assisted with the finer details, making the workshop a place to forge new friendships and feel like part of a big family.

Art Creations Bring Joy

Valentyna Shvets, from Verbyvka, Ukraine, connected with Tzu Chi's Poznań branch through Facebook and joined Polish language classes. Inspired by the volunteers' passion and love, she is always ready to help. | Photo courtesy of Igor Prus | Poznan, Poland | 2024/06/20

Valentyna Shvets, from Verbyvka village in Ukraine, arrived in Poland in September 2022 after her hometown was occupied. Since 2019, she has been making handmade children's toys and connected with the Tzu Chi Foundation through Facebook, participating in Polish language courses and always ready to help, inspired by the volunteers' passion. During the event, volunteer Anna Kodatska showcased handmade bags decorated with crystals and taught participants how to make beaded and crystal bracelets, engaging over 30 children and adults in crafting unique pieces. Additionally, Martha Kviatkovska, an artist from Lviv who came to Poland in 2014, displayed her plaster works and conducted an eco-friendly magnet-making workshop, where fourteen children enthusiastically created their personalized souvenirs.

Tzu Chi volunteers from Poznan taught participants how to make Ukrainian dumplings, enriching their cooking skills and fostering deeper cultural exchange. | Photo courtesy of Igor Prus | Poznan, Poland | 2024/06/20

The event also featured a cooking class where volunteer Svitlana Veres taught the secrets of making traditional Ukrainian dumplings. This class enriched everyone's cooking skills, allowing participants to enjoy the delightful taste of homemade dishes, leaving a lasting impression.

Consultation Services Meet Needs

Representatives from the legal information service company, LegaLine, Tetiana Hromova and her assistant Yulia Ovcharova, introduced their services in legalization, accounting, and administration. Lawyer Olha Storozhenko from Poland's largest insurance company, PZU, explained various types of insurance to help people choose the right coverage.

LEFT: The event included a mental health workshop led by volunteer and psychologist Natasha Naftulovich, attracting over 40 participants. It aimed to increase awareness of mental health and explore ways to seek necessary help. | Photo courtesy of Monica Chang | Poznan, Poland | 2024/06/20 RIGHT: Olha Storozhenko, a Ukrainian lawyer from PZU (in the white shirt), explains legal, accounting, and insurance regulations in Poland to Ukrainian families. | Photo courtesy of Igor Prus | Poznan, Poland | 2024/06/20

Volunteers and psychologist Natasha Naftulovich conducted a mental health workshop attended by over 40 participants. The workshop discussed refugee trauma and coping methods, aiding in understanding and addressing mental health issues.

Professional hairdressers provided free haircuts for children and seniors, bringing them confidence and joy. | Photo courtesy of Igor Prus | Poznan, Poland | 2024/06/20

Additionally, free haircuts were offered by professional hairdressers Valeriya Samoylova, Irina Vlasova, Katya Boyko, and Marina Bondarenko, who served over 30 children and seniors. Volunteer Tim assisted the hairdressers, creating a pleasant work atmosphere. Lidia Kovalchuk, 75, from Zaporizhia, suffers from rheumatoid arthritis. She expressed deep gratitude and respect for the foundation's support for displaced individuals.

Lighting Hearts, Illuminating Lives

As the event ended, tables were filled with homemade food, fruits, drinks, pizza, and desserts, offering everyone a time to relax, socialize, and enjoy the delicious treats. | Photo courtesy of Igor Prus | Poznan, Poland | 2024/06/20

As the event ended, tables were filled with homemade food, fruits, drinks, pizzas, and desserts, providing over 160 participants with a time to relax, socialize, and enjoy. Volunteers Anna and Yulia happily served the guests. A special highlight was the donation of 20 vegetarian pizzas from MAFIOLA Pizzeria's owner, Natalka, which delighted everyone and symbolized generosity and unity.

Volunteer Igor, responsible for photography and videography, captured all the event’s highlights. Despite caring for his elderly parents, he made time to assist the team and document the celebration with wonderful photos.

The diverse workshops and services, including face painting, bracelet making, eco-magnets, cooking, haircuts, psychological workshops, and legal and insurance consultations, met the needs of both adults and children. Participants sincerely thanked Tzu Chi Foundation and the volunteers, and everyone enjoyed the event.

Tzu Chi Poznan volunteers were happy to show their care and support for refugees through this event. They pledged to continue to bring warmth to those in need on World Refugee Day and beyond. | Photo courtesy of Igor Prus | Poznan, Poland | 2024/06/20

Master Cheng Yen once said, "Every kind heart is a bright lamp, bringing light to others and oneself." Tzu Chi volunteers in Poznan were glad to show their care and support for refugees through this event and vowed to continue lighting up the lives of those in need on World Refugee Day and beyond.