I just finished my 4th trip to Ossa, Poland, visiting Ukrainian kids who had been evacuated there since the beginning of the war. When I see the children at Ossa, I am acutely aware of my inability to meet their many needs. As soon as I arrived, they asked, “Can you come outside and play with us today?” More often than not, I have to say another time because I need to take the guardian out to purchase gifts and necessities. On the last day we were there, one of the girls (picture attached) said she was jumping inside our suitcase so she could come with us. It’s cute but painfully tragic that so many of them are desperate for the love and attention they lack without their parents.
All this to say, I could use some help sharing a hug, a smile, or “a cup of cold water.” I had one other team member on this trip, and she made a tremendous difference! When I bought gifts, one of our team members, Margaret, ran arts and crafts, and the kids loved it! It didn’t matter if we went sleigh-riding or played tag; the activity was secondary to the time spent together. Consider coming on a future trip. Who knows the impact you could have by sharing some of your time with them? For one moment in time, you allow them to be kids again.
Vinny
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/oAQcg6RDDfo
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/SNpxD2WA_RI
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/OdfelShsgl8
