Shattered Lives, Resilient Hearts
The Veselovsky Family's Journey of Hope and Belonging
June 26, 2022, a day forever etched in my memory. In the morning, I made my way to the carpenter's workshop to ensure that the terrace of my house would be painted. As I approached, I noticed the familiar sight of the men gathered around the table beneath the old apple tree, but there was someone new among them.
Curiosity getting the better of me, I asked, "What's your name?"
"Vitali," he replied.
"Intriguing. Where are you from, Vitali?" I inquired further.
"Ukraine," he responded, his eyes filled with a gentle light."Are you alone here?" I asked.
"No, I joined my family—a wife, a daughter, and a son—about a week ago. They arrived on March 3rd, shortly after the war began," he said, a tinge of sadness creeping into his expression.
"Would you and your family like to join me for dinner tonight?" I offered."Yes, I would love to," he smiled, surprised by the invitation.
While Vitali learned woodworking at Zbyszek's workshop, it was evident that he had been someone else before the war. That evening, Vitali arrived with his wife Svieta, their daughter Sofia (14), and son Stepan (10). We dined outdoors on the terrace, and although they were initially reserved, I sensed a radiant inner light within each of them. After dinner, I encouraged the children to make themselves at home, explore the books, art supplies, or anything that piqued their interest. Stepan gravitated towards the 3D puzzles, while Sofia began drawing in a notebook she had brought along. They reminded me of my Cogitanians—focused, curious, and inquisitive. Leaving them to their pursuits, I engaged in conversation with Svieta and Vitali, listening to their harrowing tales of loss and their apprehension about trusting others. Gratitude for the people of Mchawa, the little village where they found refuge, and especially the village school and its teachers, shone through their words, mingled with the pain of their experiences.
Once again, I found myself face to face with shattered lives, but this time, I vowed to uplift each member of this family, like Eliza, until they could shine once more. They were determined not to rely solely on the social security assistance available to Ukrainian refugees in Poland. Vitali had studied geology and economics but struggled to find a job in his field. Svieta was a fashion designer and seamstress, while Stepan faced challenges due to his hearing loss from birth. Despite the obstacles, they had done everything in their power before the war to help Stepan thrive and overcome his limitations. He had an implant in his left ear, although its functionality was limited, evident in his struggles to follow our conversation. Sofia, on the other hand, appeared reserved yet resilient. Little did I know then that this family would soon become an integral part of my own.
On June 29, the kind-hearted women who had provided shelter to the Veselovsky’s asked them to vacate a day earlier than initially agreed upon in May. Although they had secured an apartment in Rzeszow from July 1st, they found themselves with nowhere to go for those two intervening days. Without hesitation, I offered them refuge in my own home. Valya (50), Eliza's mother from Kharkiv, had already been staying with me for the past three weeks, as she too had nowhere else to turn.
And so, they came. During this time, I discovered Stepan's remarkable talent for building with LEGO and bought him a few kits to nurture his passion. As for Sofia, I was captivated by her exceptional drawing skills, all done with just a single school pencil. Recognizing her talent, I asked if she would be interested in accompanying me on a trip to an art store in Lesko. She eagerly agreed, and we had a delightful time exploring the store together. I purchased her an easel, a variety of art materials, and plenty of paper. The owner of the store was deeply moved by our joy and upon learning that I was covering the expenses out of my own pocket, he generously offered us a significant discount.
Valya, Eliza's mother from Kharkiv, had also been staying with me during this time as she had nowhere else to go. Her presence brought a sense of warmth back into the house, and her cooking and baking once again filled the air with familiar aromas. The gentle smile returned to Valya's face, and I cherished these moments of shared laughter and connection.
On July 1st, the Veselovsky’s bid farewell to my home, embarking on their journey with just two backpacks and the food I had provided to sustain them for a few days. I promised to visit them the following day and called them in the evening to check on their well-being. The apartment they had secured in Rzeszow had minimal furnishings—a table, four chairs, an old sofa, and a worn-out armchair. The kitchen was ill-equipped, and the second room contained only two mattresses without any pillows or blankets. The bathroom was spacious but lacked basic necessities like towels and soap. My heart ached at the sight of their new home.
Determined to make it livable, I enlisted the help of Bozena, a wonderful lady who assisted me with household chores and gardening. Together, we packed my old Volvo with essential items for cooking, eating, bathing, sleeping, and functioning in their new surroundings. The car was filled to the brim, and I even stopped at a flower shop to purchase a large orchid for Svieta, knowing her love for flowers matched my own. We arrived on Forsythia Street in Rzeszow, a pleasant neighborhood, where Sophia, Stepan, Vitali, and Svieta welcomed us with open arms and genuine joy. One by one, we unloaded plates, a kettle, pillows, bed sheets, and all the other items, transforming their apartment into a more livable space. Although it was far from perfect, it was a place they could now call home.
In the following weeks, I continued my support for the Veselovsky’s. I accompanied Sofia to Warsaw, where she participated in one of the workshops aimed at connecting refugee youth facing similar struggles. We explored the city together, attending a mesmerizing Chopin concert and indulging in various sushi restaurants—Sofia's favorite cuisine. A few weeks later, I even arranged for Sofia to join me on a trip to Gdansk, fulfilling her lifelong dream of seeing the sea. We ventured through Gdansk, Gdynia, Puck, and the Peninsula Hella, and when Sofia finally dipped her feet into the water, a profound transformation swept over her—a sense of loss replaced by newfound hope and joy.
Meanwhile, Vitali's work as a cargo driver kept him away from his family for extended periods, only returning for a few days before leaving again. Although it was challenging for everyone, they adjusted to this routine and cherished the moments when Vitali was home. Before the start of the school year, the Veselovsky’s and I embarked on a trip to Warsaw. This visit had a significant purpose as Stepan needed a comprehensive hearing exam. With the assistance of KiK and the Polish Foundation Echo, I arranged the necessary appointments. The visit proved to be informative and beneficial for Stepan. He had the opportunity to meet other children facing similar challenges, and Svieta had valuable conversations with parents who shared their experiences. During the visit, Stepan underwent examinations with a laryngologist and other specialists. Together, they decided not to operate on his second ear but instead replace his existing device with the newest model available. Additionally, they found a microphone that enhanced Stepan's ability to process and better understand spoken language.
The transition to their new school in Rzeszow posed a challenge for both children. Coming from a small, personal village school in Mchawa, they now found themselves in a larger, anonymous school with 700 students. Stepan had to adjust to having multiple teachers instead of one, and the language barrier compounded his difficulties. Furthermore, he had left behind his two close friends from Mchawa. Understanding the support system in Rzeszow schools was initially perplexing, and despite my efforts, I struggled to find adequate assistance for Stepan. However, through a fortuitous connection related to KiK, I learned about Dr. Beata Naklicka, a specialist who teaches children with hearing loss to speak Polish. Despite her initial skepticism, I convinced her to give Stepan a chance, and she agreed to see us. Dr. Naklicka's expertise and dedication became evident during the first session as she engaged Stepan with a wide range of educational materials. Recognizing that Stepan needed her help, she committed to seeing him every Thursday for the next six months. This was a tremendous relief, and the newfound hope was visible on Svieta's face.
After five months of therapy, Stepan's progress in learning Polish surpassed even his sister's abilities. He successfully adapted to the classroom environment, formed a few friendships, and no longer required the assistance of the visiting deaf specialist, who confirmed his independence in studying all subjects in Polish. Sofia, on the other hand, faced different challenges. Having been placed in 8th grade without completing a full 7th-grade education in Ukraine, she had to catch up on various subjects, including math, geography, physics, and chemistry, all taught in Polish. Furthermore, her English proficiency was at a beginner level. To support her, I took it upon myself to teach her Polish, geography, and history during the summer. However, I realized she needed additional help. Through a friend, I found Ania, a highly proficient English speaker and an accomplished student in Polish language competitions. Ania agreed to tutor Sofia, and since October, they have worked tirelessly on improving Sofia's English and Polish skills. I also provide math tutoring for Sofia. Preliminary exams have shown significant progress, providing hope for the upcoming exams.
Sofia's passion for art has driven her aspiration to study at Liceum Plastyczne, the local high school of art in Rzeszow. She has been working diligently towards this goal. Additionally, her health has been a concern that I've been addressing since September. While her dermatological problems have nearly vanished, we are currently focusing on her scoliosis and moved pelvis, with 18 physical therapy sessions remaining. Daily communication with Svieta, and often with Vitali, keeps us connected and reinforces the bond between our families. The Veselovsky family has become an integral part of our lives.