FLEX Alumni support refugees from Ukraine - part II
Our FLEX Alumni gave out 200 backpacks to children from Ukraine!
Monika Motyka & Kaja Figlarska - FLEX Alumni ‘16
We are happy to announce that we just gave out 200 backpacks to children from Ukraine who are currently in Poland! Our team of 3 people: Kaja, Monika and Kaja's boyfriend worked pretty hard to be able to give those backpacks to the kids. A special thanks to Kaja's sister who also helped with searching for the best deals online so our backpacks were full of amazing and colorful things.
We decided to prepare 200 backpacks full of snacks, sweets, school supplies and little toys. Here are the things that we were putting inside:
We gave out the backpacks on 8th and 9th of June. Unfortunately the lines in front of Tauron Arena in Krakow, Poland (where people can get their Personal Identity Numer) are still very long. People are waiting for hours, they come there long before this place opens. On 9th we also went to Szafa Dobra, Plaza Krakow, where people can get clothing for free. There wasn't a lot of kids, but there was mothers who even wanted to show us documents that would prove that they are at school, obviously we said that we don't need to see them but it's just unbelievably sad.
Kids were very happy and excited when we were telling them that they can get a backpack and even choose a color of it. They deserve a reason to smile, so their excitement made all 3 of us very happy. Also the parents were very moved and you could see that this project was such a great idea.
Even though we worked for a little bit more than a month to get it together and the backpacks were gone in 4 minutes, it was so worth it.
We couldn't imagine not doing it. When you are able to, you just need to help. It might cost your free time, a little bit of money, some space in your apartment, but I promise you that it's all worth it.
We also have a budget for more backpacks from FLEX Alumni Emergency Fund Grant but (unfortunately!) we need to write all the finals first so keep your fingers crossed that it goes smoothly so we can get back to our project!