"They don't hear the bombs they were running from. They can't hear the sirens, the planes, the missiles and yet they managed to make the dangerous journey to Poland. Let's Help Deaf Refugees"

Since the war in Ukraine began, we have been helping Deaf Refugees from Ukraine. Thanks to the efforts of the Board of Directors of the Polish Association of the Deaf, we received financial support from the Canada-Ukraine Foundation to accommodate and pay for overnight stays until May 8 for 46 people. Married couples with children, single women with children, and men who are unable to serve in the military due to disabilities and whose cities have been bombed are staying overnight. The refugees were shuttled from different places, some of the time they spent the night in the hall, then with private individuals, then again in the hall after a while. We decided to act to keep them calm and safe as much as possible in this situation. There are not many who want to take them under their roof, because they are afraid of communication difficulties (apartments are practically always offered by people who do not know sign language), which makes it very difficult for them from the very beginning.

Currently there are about 250-300 deaf and hard of hearing people from Ukraine in Warsaw, which requires more financial resources than we had at our disposal so far.

At PZG they receive not only support in the form of accommodation, but also fresh food (food with a long shelf life is provided from the collection, lunches are provided by the Institute of the Deaf and Dumb). Additionally, PJM (Polish Sign Language) classes are organized. There are no funds left for anything else and we still need additional psychological help and classes to facilitate assimilation in Poland.

You can read more about their experiences in an interview from March, when we still had free premises: https://wiadomosci.wp.pl/kiedy-bomba-wybucha-po-cichu-6745893039311424a

Together with several deaf people from Poland and interpreters we work as volunteers. We help all deaf people, in dealing with formalities and also in looking for work. In the current situation only a few of them managed to find a job (despite the fact that everyone is looking and asking mainly for a job) in order to save money for rent and food, get back on their feet and become independent.

Any help from you is hope for deaf refugees. We are grateful for every donation.

Let's show that we stand together with all those affected in the face of this tragedy. Support them with good thoughts, prayers and donations.

Remember that every gesture of help towards Ukraine distances us from Russia. Let's help these people and show what we can do. Do not be indifferent, in the future, we may need help ourselves.

The fundraiser was set up by the Polish Deaf Association, Warsaw Mazowiecki Division, which has been active since 1948.