War steals homes. It uproots lives. It replaces certainty with fear. But in Poland, something remarkable is happening—Ukrainian refugees, once forced to flee their homeland, are now finding hope by helping others. Through acts of service, they are not only rebuilding shattered lives but also rediscovering their own purpose. 

When the war broke out in Ukraine three years ago, waves of families crossed borders into Poland with little more than the clothes on their backs. Faced with this crisis, volunteers from Tzu Chi sprang into action, providing emergency aid. Yet relief efforts soon evolved beyond necessities—they became about restoring dignity, about empowering people to stand tall once again. 

Healing Through Giving 

Among those answering this call are Ukrainian educators, artists, and professionals who lost everything but refused to lose themselves. They took their grief and turned it into guidance, offering language classes, vocational training, and emotional support to fellow refugees. 

For children struggling to process trauma, art teacher Yulia offers a space where colors replace words. Her classes are not just about painting—they are about expressing the pain that words cannot capture. 

Legal expert Kateryna knows that stability is key to healing. Her entrepreneurship workshops teach refugees how to build businesses, regain independence, and create a future where they can thrive. 

Finding Strength in Song 

For many, music has become a lifeline. Professor Olena Mladzievska, who once taught at the renowned Kherson Musical Theater, now leads choir sessions for refugee children. In her classroom, melodies weave resilience into every note. 

Some of her students were silent for months, affected by loss and displacement. But through song, they began to open up—one child, once too afraid to speak, whispered to her, “Can I sing that again?” It was a breakthrough, a moment of courage reclaimed. 

The Power of Shared Strength 

The beauty of this movement is that healing is mutual. A volunteer shared, “At first, I thought I was helping others. But I realized—I was healing, too.” 

Through education, compassion, and unwavering support, these volunteers are lighting the way for fellow refugees. They lost their homes, their schools, their careers—but in Poland, they are building something new, not just for themselves, but for everyone whose heart still longs for peace. 

Their story is not just one of survival but of rebirth. It is proof that even when uprooted, communities can flourish. And that no matter where life takes us, kindness will always be a home we can return to. 

By Shu-Erh Chang