Trapped Abroad, Losing Hope – Please Help Us Return

Who We Are

My name is Ewa, and I am a veterinarian. My husband, an IT specialist, works as a bus driver. We moved to Ireland hoping for a better life, but after years of struggle, we have realized that staying here is no longer an option. Discrimination, financial instability, and lack of access to essential healthcare have made it impossible to build a secure future.

We are terrified of losing everything. With my inability to find stable work, my husband’s uncertain employment, and the worsening housing crisis, we fear that soon we will have nowhere to go. The constant stress has severely impacted my mental and physical health, leading to weight gain due to high cortisol levels, persistent suicidal thoughts, and, at my lowest point, pushing me beyond the brink.

Our only chance is to return to Poland, where we can rebuild our lives - but we need your help to make it happen.

Our Situation

Despite my qualifications, I have been unable to find work in my profession. I was once told that instead of working in veterinary medicine, I should volunteer to clean cages at a shelter. My husband, despite his IT background, has never been given a chance in his field. When he finally received a job offer, it turned out to be for minimum wage instead of the salary originally advertised.

Discrimination is something we face regularly - whether because of our accents, names, or simply the fact that we are not Irish. We are treated as second-class citizens, making it almost impossible to build a stable future here.

Housing is another major issue. Currently, a lot of young Irish citizens live with their parents because renting or buying a home is nearly impossible. If locals struggle, then what chances do we have? We have already seen many people in similar situations being forced to return to Poland after being evicted due to the housing crisis. Additionally, due to EU regulations on thermal modernization, the owners of the house we rent will eventually have to carry out renovations. This means they will need to terminate our lease, leaving us with no place to stay.

To make things worse, my husband has had two workplace accidents and, even after 6 years, has received no compensation, rehabilitation, or mental health support. His case has not even reached court yet. In Poland, he could access medical treatment immediately, which is crucial for his well-being.

Additionally, in the next two years, the company he works for will be shut down, meaning he will lose his job. With the housing situation worsening and my inability to find stable employment, we fear that soon we will have nowhere to go.

This situation has taken a severe toll on both my mental and physical health. The relentless stress has manifested in tangible ways - chronic anxiety, significant weight gain due to elevated cortisol levels, and a deep sense of hopelessness. At my lowest point, the emotional pain became unbearable, leading me to attempt to take my own life.

I know that returning to Poland would give me the chance to heal, regain stability, and access the medical and psychological support I desperately need - something that has been out of reach for me here.

But I’m not the only one suffering. My husband has also been battling severe depression, and there are days when I fear he won’t be able to hold on much longer. I’ve already reached my breaking point once, and I’m terrified he might, too. Staying here is destroying us both, and I don’t know how much longer we can endure this. Returning home isn’t just about rebuilding our lives – it’s about saving them.

Why We Need Your Help

Returning to Poland is our only chance for a better life, but moving between countries is extremely expensive. We need to cover:

• Pre-move preparations: Someone (most likely my husband) will need to travel to Poland before the move to take care of formalities, such as securing an apartment. This includes costs for flight tickets, transportation, etc. - approximately €1000

• Packing and supplies: Purchasing boxes, cat carriers, and all necessary items to ensure the safe transportation of our belongings - approximately €750

• Rental van: Renting a van to transport our belongings - approximately €1800

• Travel expenses: Covering the cost of traveling from Ireland to Poland, including ferry, tolls, and fuel - approximately €1500

• Housing costs: First month’s rent and a deposit for an apartment - approximately €1000

One of the biggest challenges we face is transporting our three cats. Flying with them is not an option (we have checked with airlines, and there are no possibilities), and sending them separately is unthinkable. They are already stressed by the idea of travel, and I simply cannot imagine them enduring such a journey alone. One of our cats suffers from severe anxiety when left without us, so separating them would be too cruel.

Additionally, there are important belongings that we cannot risk sending via mail or courier. This is why having a car is essential - it would allow us to ensure the safe transport of both our pets and our most valuable items.

• Approximately €5000 - This amount covers the purchase of a car, insurance, and preparation for a journey of over 2,000 kilometers. We have not yet decided where to buy the car. If we purchase it in Poland, my husband will have to travel there first to pick it up, which would add extra costs.

After the move, we plan to sell the car to cover essential medical expenses. However, if we buy it in Ireland, reselling it will be difficult due to the steering wheel being on the opposite side. In that case, we would try to sell it for parts.

We are also considering using a transport company to move our pets, belongings, and ourselves. However, since our move is still some time away, we cannot be sure if such services will still be available. The cost of this option would be similar to buying a car, and if it turned out to be lower, any remaining funds would go toward medical treatment.

We plan to make the move no sooner than in 1.5 years, as we want to settle all our affairs carefully and without rushing. However, we are asking for help now because we are scared and uncertain about the future. If nothing forces us to leave earlier, we hope to have the time to handle everything, but the reality of the situation makes us anxious. The costs and the unknowns are overwhelming, and we need support to make this transition less stressful.

We are asking for 11050€ to make this move possible. Every donation, big or small, brings us closer to safety and stability. If you can’t donate, please share this fundraiser - it means the world to us.

The screenshots below show estimated costs for transportation, including the ferry and van rental. Other expenses, such as flight tickets, vary significantly depending on promotions and availability - for example, flight prices can range from €50 to €250. Since these costs fluctuate frequently and could change drastically over the next year, providing screenshots for everything wouldn’t be practical. However, we want to be as transparent as possible about the financial challenges we face, and we have done our best to estimate the overall costs of the move.

For more details about our situation, I’ve posted a video on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/FI9TU1mHuB8

How You Can Help

We know that 11050€ is a lot of money, and we don’t expect miracles. But every single donation, no matter how small, brings us closer to a safe and stable future. Even €10 or $10 can make a real difference.

If you can’t donate, sharing this fundraiser also helps tremendously. Just spreading the word increases our chances of reaching people who might be able to contribute.

From the bottom of our hearts - thank you. ❤️