Open to an idea to help Ukrainian refugees but not sure what to do? I say #bepolishforaday. Take a 2 min read.

For starters my name is Stefan Danis. My Polish colleagues on the ground are Daniel and Ola Lewczuk.

We all have friends who stand out for the size of their heart. Mine is called Daniel. And his wife Ola. My cycling metaphor is that Daniel is a domestique who gets to the front of the peloton & takes the wind to make it possible for others to follow right behind, neatly sheltered.

Here’s the context.

Ukraine is in its 74th day of unprompted war and there’s a humanitarian crisis. No end in sight and the country will be destroyed. It’ll take years to rebuild once the conflict ends. Many of us probably would want to send arms to Ukraine but that’s a Govt of decision. So what to do? Saniel along w thousands of other Poles are showing the world what compassion & empathy looks like; currently Poland has been the 1st stop for 2.2M + refugees crossing their border, most staying in Poland until further developments occur - stay/go back/go somewhere else. The current migration rate confirmed by Canadian Armed Forces is 25000/day; typically a unit of 4-5 (mom + elderly + 1-3 kids & few men as they are conscripted to fight). They are exhausted from the avg 5 day journey it takes to leave their home & get to Warsaw.

Currently they move in with willing families but the vast majority head 2 a convention centre joining 2500-5000 others. They’re all in one big open room, each on an outdoor reclining chair with a bag (oft just a grocery plastic bag) of their most prized possessions.

Most are huddled in corners connected to a rare electric outlets to charge their phones to stay in touch with their fighting husbands. Or in long lines at the washroom or shower area. Many are crying and suffering. Kids on their cot suckling their thumbs to put themselves to sleep. You can see and feel their despair. I visited 2 this week to see it for myself and I was teary throughout the visits. It warmed my heart to see and speak with Canadian soldiers (Canada was the most visible armed force - roughly 1000 troops serving & securing the shelters). It’s a powder keg to have so many people exhausted and upset in one large room). NGOs are providing clothing & food but needs are changing daily. A daily small fee is charged at the shelter. A number of countries are opening their borders to immigrants incl Canada (did you know that has the 3rd largest Ukrainian population in the world?) but it takes 6+ weeks to get through the paperwork AND one has to pay to fly over. No small feat - it’s expensive - it just cost me $2900 to fly economy to Warsaw - 3x the price I’ve paid before (rising fuel costs.).

After being of service for a month to any NGO asking for help, Daniel started to think about other tangible ways to help. Shelters are hard to stomach. It’s dehumanizing. He decided to focus on a smaller project delivering value to a few families. He gifted land he owns and got approval to build 3 modular houses to shelter 3 families & give them a place to catch their breath, get some privacy after this harrowing trip and to think through what’s next. He expects each house to turn over weekly.

My ask is this: I’ve been raising money and these funds have already purchased the 3 houses (see pics). My daughter Montana & I were on location this week to lay flooring & outfit “Canada Houses” with trips to IKEA & other big box stores. It’s almost done; but we could use a few more $. In a week or so, struggling & exhausted Ukrainian families will move in & have a bit of privacy as an alternative to shelters & we will then move to phase 2 which is to care for them while in our houses.

There are many ways to help and they’re all good. If you feel compelled to support our effort and #bepolishforaday to help us finish off Canada Houses, let us know. Every dime goes into the project; from welcome kits for incoming families to recurring costs for internet, hydro, cleaning mobile toilets, etc.

Thanks for the consideration.

Stefan, Montana, Daniel & Ola