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A Mother's Resolve: Tetiana's Path to Stability and Care in Poland
In September 2022, Tetiana, along with her husband and three-year old daughter, Adelinka, crossed the border into Poland, having made a difficult journey from central Ukraine. The family decided to move to Warsaw, where Tetiana and her husband hoped to find work more easily. Their daughter Adelinka lives with Treacher-Collins syndrome, a rare genetic disorder which, among other things, causes hearing difficulties. The family arrived at a collective shelter managed by the Warsaw Family Support Centre (Warszawskie Centrum Pomocy Rodzinie, WCPR) in early 2023.
“Thanks to the WCPR, we had a roof over our heads and food. We were provided with all the necessary hygiene products, a stroller for the child, as well as clothes and toys. We didn't have to worry about these things, especially in the beginning when my husband and I were looking for work,” Tetiana recalls.
It was also through the WCPR collective shelter that Tetiana first met IOM Poland staff. IOM staff work alongside WCPR coordinators, and provide support for individuals and their families, as well as group activities. Thanks to this collaborative effort, Tetiana was also able to find the support she needed for her young daughter.
“IOM staff found us at the center and offered assistance for our daughter. With their support, we obtained a disability certificate, allowing our daughter to attend a pre-school for children at the Institute for the Deaf in Warsaw, which was the best solution for us. I am very satisfied with this place. IOM also financed the purchase of a hearing aid for my child, which we couldn't afford. Thanks to the support of IOM, we were also able to undergo advanced hearing tests that we couldn't do in Ukraine due to the war,” she adds.
For Tetiana, a remarkably resilient woman, receiving support from Viktoriia, an IOM psychologist, proved vital in helping her adapt to her new living conditions, and marked the crucial first step in her healing process. The comprehensive approach employed by IOM involves continuous psychosocial support that goes beyond immediate assistance. Tetiana's story underscores the significance of sustained efforts in addressing the complex challenges faced by refugees, ensuring that their social and psychological well-being is nurtured over time.
“I was shattered. I even thought about returning home despite the bombings. I felt very bad, seeing everything in bleak colors: a sick child, a new country, lack of prospects. The first conversation I had with an IOM psychologist helped me the most, after which I believed that there is hope for my child. I gained the strength to fight for Adelinka. I felt that I was not alone and that it is not shameful to need help,” says Tetiana.
According to the Multi-Sector Needs Assessment (MSNA) for Poland, around 65,000 Ukrainian refugees are still living in collective shelters throughout Poland. Refugees in collective shelters are often more vulnerable, lacking the financial resources to rent their own accommodation or live independently because of health issues. Collective shelters also include a sizeable number of elderly refugees, single mothers, refugees from minority groups, and people with mental health conditions.
Since April 2022, over 2,000 refugees from Ukraine have received assistance in shelters managed by WCPR with the support of IOM, and other partners. In addition to psychosocial support, IOM works in collective shelters to help Ukrainian refugees to navigate the social services, find jobs, and offers advice on alternative accommodation options for those who are willing and able to work and live independently.
For those who are unable to live independently and work, IOM and WCPR will continue to support those in need staff in collective shelters. IOM Poland and the City of Warsaw recently signed an agreement to renovate a building that will be used to provide accommodation support to vulnerable refugees and migrants. IOM will continue to provide capacity-building for WCPR staff and collective shelter managers in other parts of Poland.
“As for our future goals, my husband and I want to work to secure the best possible future for our child, ensuring that Adelinka has the childhood she deserves. We don't want her to feel like a child of war,” says Tetiana.
This story was written by Alex Foster, Social Media and Communications Assistant at IOM Poland
