PART III: Invasion of Ukraine hitting hard right here in our communities

A personal story from Marta – a native of Poland

By Chuck Gibson

LOVELAND, OH (March 14, 2022) – Refugees from Ukraine are pouring across the borders fleeing the attacks by Putin’s Russian military. By the millions, nearly 2 million already, they stream across the Polish border seeking safe haven.  Marta is from Poland, still has family there, but makes her home near Loveland, Ohio now. We spoke by phone just five days ago. In this Part III of a three part series, she shares her story of what is happening in her native Poland.  

For the purpose of maintaining her safety, and the safety of her family and friends living in Poland and Ukraine, I will only refer to her as Marta for this story. She is skeptical of media reports here giving accurate account of what is really happening. As a native of Poland with her parents and other family members still living there, gives her the ability to hear and know first-hand what is happening as the Ukrainians flee crossing the border into Poland.

“Everybody has a different idea of what is going on,” said Marta. “I use discernment more than ever.”

Marta’s life experience and first-hand knowledge of the history of events there inform her with a unique view of not only what is happening, but what has happened, and the potential effect.

“Ukraine has not been free since the coup in 2014,” she explains for perspective. “There are militia groups and anarchist groups there. I can tell you they are well intended; fighting for their homes and their country.”

She has heard reports of bio-labs (which could produce future pandemics). Her sources there share fear there may be as many as 40 in southern region of Ukraine. Marta does not know, but she recognizes and feels the fear.  Her sources all speak in Polish language leaving her no way to share the links with English speaking friends here.

“What I can tell you for sure is how it has affected Poland,” Marta said. “I have family there. Polish people have opened their hearts.”

Marta shared the “very emotional” story of what her own sister has witnessed as Ukrainian refugees pour into Poland at the border. She spoke of mothers with children, but also busses with children.

“My sister witnessed this bus with 50 kids with only one chaperone,” said Marta. “They find accommodations, they find food. The Polish people have shown an outpouring of love and compassion.”

Marta explains Poland is not a wealthy country. There will be a limit to how many refugees for which they can provide. The growing number of refugees daily comes with problems for Poland. When we spoke five days ago, it was being reported 1.3 million Ukrainian refugees had already crossed into Poland. Today, Monday, March 14, 2022, the number is reported to be 1.8 million refugees from Ukraine. Another half million in just those five days equates to 100,000 refugees coming into Poland every day from Ukraine.

“Wow,” Marta exclaimed upon hearing the numbers. “I’d give my own shirt from my own back to help someone, my sister is even more like that.”

She says her sister brought home every struggling animal while they were growing up.

“She opened her home to families transitioning to Italy, Germany and elsewhere,” said Marta.

Her sister is a psychologist in Poland. Treatments for her patients are being delayed while Poland gives priority to the refugees. Temporary housing, medical care is going to the Ukrainians first. Marta and her family fear the problem it is creating for Poland.

“This situation will weaken our country so much,” she says expressing her fears of what is yet to come. “It might just wipe out Poland as it is.”

Marta describes the Poland she knows as a rich land with “beautiful” resources. She says it is not as rich in resources as Ukraine. Like here in America, they have experienced deliberate efforts to shut down cultivating some of those resources like coal. It causes great concern for her and her family.

“My dad and mom are known in the community for helping people,” Marta said. “This is very concerning. Poland can’t afford to have 5 million refugees.”

With some of the threats looming for the future of Ukraine and for the future of Poland, Marta and her family fear the people will never go back to Ukraine.

“Most everybody I know has Ukraine refugees in their home,” said Marta. “I have a friend who has taken four teenage girls into their home. They already have three including a teenage boy of their own. This is a true humanitarian crisis and it will be a crisis for Poland. I know that.”

Marta lives here near Loveland, Ohio. She is a native of Poland where her mom, dad and other family member still live. She talks to them regularly and hears first-hand how they are doing all they can to help the Ukrainian refugees right now. They worry about the future of Ukraine and Poland. We all do.

CLICK HERE to read PART I of this special three part Ukrainian crisis series on Loveland Beacon

CLICK HERE to read PART II of this special three part Ukrainian crisis series on Loveland Beacon