Part 4: Teaching English

The transit hub of Przemysl was highly active with thousands of refugees headed both ways across the border.  Some were fleeing to Poland lugging huge suitcases, while others were returning to Ukraine to see husbands, fathers and brothers.  As one person told me, “It’s important for those in Ukraine to remember what they’re fighting for.”

Everything was highly organized with many volunteers to assist…

… and everyone can feel the international support.

World Central Kitchen (WCK) was there to make sure everyone had a hot meal.  Thank you to all who have donated. 

I met a group of private German citizens transporting refugees to Munich where local residents are hosting Ukrainians in their homes.  This group is continuing to relocate thousands via an 18 hour bus ride. 

After my 11 hour shift at WCK in Przemysl, I needed a train back to Warsaw. 

While purchasing my train ticket, the woman began asking a lot of questions in Polish.  I responded, “English or Deutsch?”  No luck.  She then recognized the man behind me and spoke to him.  The man then, in German, asked my age.  “Dreiundsechzig” I responded.  He then informed me I received a “rabatt.”   My first senior citizen discount in Europe! 

Throughout my journeys, every train I had used was late (anywhere from 25 to 93 minutes), so I became complacent with the schedule.  I was exactly on time as I was running up the steps at the Przemysl station to see my train pulling out.  Making eye contact with the engineer, I pushed my palms together with a pleading gesture.   The train stopped and I jumped on board.   I love Poland!!

I saw this poster many times along my travels.

Note: his name is spelled a bit differently in Polish.

Back in Warsaw…

… it was laundry day… oh what a glorious day!

Truth be told, I’d started recycling and was getting a bit ripe.

I returned to the Global Expo, where I’d met Paul the previous week.  He is an ESL teacher from New York (English as a second language) who was returning to the U.S. 

He had been teaching English — the adults twice per day, with a children’s class at 10:30 am.

Within three minutes of meeting Paul, he introduced me to the class as the next English teacher

When I arrived for my first day, the classroom was set for me…

… with many visual aids…

… and past classwork…

… covering many topics.

Lesson #1:  Just because you speak English doesn’t make you an English teacher (that was my first lesson learned).  I burned through my “A material” in 30 minutes and wondered how I’d manage the remaining 11 ½ hours of class time over the next four days (thankfully, I’m married to a teacher and received many tips over FaceTime).

The adults were much more advanced than I expected.  They understood contractions… 

… I used this visual to provide a real-life example.

They were also quite strong with homonyms (ate vs. eight). They’d learned English in school, and since most were focused on immigrating, they were highly motived to improve (one student asked me the difference between capital and capitol).

This students wrote this sentence.

They were diligent note-takers.

I explained that Americans like to use positive words.  I gave them the first three, and the class provided the rest.

The children were aged 6 – 13 and the boys were boys (antsy).   The only thing that held their attention was the story book, “The Little Engine That Could,” which is the perfect metaphor for Ukraine (I think I can, I think I can).

Thank you Watty Piper for this very motivational, can-do story.

With trial and error, I quickly found my rhythm and really enjoyed the class (please contact every teacher you’ve ever had and say, “Thank you!!”).

My chess buddy Ivan (age 13) was awarded a new chess set for highest attendance (he joined both the adult and children’s classes). 

Everyone I met is incredibility resilient… they’ve accepted what has happened and they’re moving forward.  Many are trying to immigrate and Canada is the #1 choice (a very open and accepting nation), followed by the U.K. and U.S.  In this photo, the class signed my flag and wrote my name in Cyrillic.   

Thank you to Isabelle who took over the class from me and has expanded the network of English teachers to keep the momentum. 

This trip exceeded all expectations.  I had nothing lined up and it all pieced together once I arrived and started on-the-ground networking.  The Ukrainians can feel the international support, and they take comfort knowing they are not alone. 

As I wrap up this adventure, I must stress again the value provided by World Central Kitchen.  They are extremely well organized and highly professional.  Donations are welcome via this link   https://donate.wck.org/give/396273/#!/donation/checkout

I returned to the U.S. just in time to celebrate our 30^th wedding anniversary.  Thank you Lynda for your eternal patience! 

Please appreciate all that you have – I do.
ts

Part 3: Przemysl

On the train from Warsaw to Przemysl, I stopped at Jaroslaw which like my father was named for Yaroslav the Wise circa 1031.  Note: the spelling varies slightly when translated from the Cyrillic alphabet.

From there, it was a 15 minute cab ride to my ancestral village of Makowisko. . 

It’s a classic immigration story.  My paternal grandparents immigrated to the U.S. circa 1910 from what was then the northeastern Austro-Hungarian Empire.  They met in New York City, married and moved to western Pennsylvania where they gave birth to eight children (seven survived into adulthood).  Note: both my grandparents died well before I was born.

I visited Makowisko on a Sunday and church was standing room only – outside.

The nearby cemetery is well maintained.

And there, I found what could be relatives.  This is my grandmother’s maiden name (but I knew it spelled with an “h” vs. “z”).

And perhaps here’s another distant relative.  Note:  the “z” was Americanized to “h” at Ellis Island for simplicity (and I ask everyone who’s had trouble spelling this name – did that help?).  Note: with post-war shifting borders, both Jaroslaw and Makowisko are now in Poland.

From there I continued to Przemsyl…

… just 14 km (9 miles) from the Ukraine border.

The train station was abuzz with activity. People were headed both directions across the border. Some were escaping war zones into Poland while others were returning to areas in Ukraine deemed safe. There were huge queues for visa clearance. Everyone was very patient.

The train station was well staffed with volunteers to help direct people and to assist with luggage.

Free SIM cards were available for new arrivals.

World Central Kitchen (WCK) had two locations on either side of the train station.

Nearby, WCK set up a massive kitchen inside a warehouse.

I was one of 15 volunteers who registered this day. Interestingly, all were American — from Alaska to Florida and parts in-between.

After proof of vaccination and a Covid test, we were given a kitchen tour, then briefed on assignments.

Only professional chefs — all volunteers — are permitted to work in the kitchen. This gigantic pot of soup will feed thousands.

The kitchen was well stocked with fresh food.

The coordination is very precise.

This is Executive Chef Noah who hails from Georgia. He is obsessed with quality and stressed we are to serve meals as we’d expect from a fine dining experience, and at the expected temperature.

From there, QR codes directed volunteers to various distribution points.

I was assigned to the now-defunct Tesco outside of town.

What was once a massive department store has been converted into a temporary housing facility. Refugees typically come-and-go within 48 hours as they move on to other destinations.

Mobile shower and toilet facilities are available.

Laundry is a bit random.

I worked an 11 hour shift serving food at WCK inside Tesco.

A variety of cereal was available all day.

Fresh fruit was available, and by far, the peaches were the most highly desired.

In addition to serving hot meals with meat and vegetables, we also served hot paninis.

This Ukrainian / English translation guide was nearby.

My big “game changing” accomplishment was to disassemble the milk nozzles and clean out the dried residue.  The local team was thrilled to see the milk flowing freely again (I provided training for the future).

Thank you to everyone who has donated to World Central Kitchen. They are highly organized and very professional. My admiration grows with each experience. Donations are welcome via this link https://donate.wck.org/give/396273/#!/donation/checkout

Please stay tuned for part 4 next week which pulls me an entirely new direction, i.e., over my head. Please appreciate all that you have.

Part 2: Expo centers

After serval days at the World Central Kitchen tent next to the main train station, I branched out farther around Warsaw in search of volunteer opportunities.

World Central Kitchen (WCK) also has a smaller tent at the West train station, but this facility will close soon.

Mariana (with the big smile) will return to Lviv.  She said it’s safe there, and that everyone is leading a normal life. She added, “You have to or you’ll go crazy.”

After a lengthy bus ride to the south of Warsaw, I found this massive Expo center.

What is normally reserved for trade shows is now housing about 2,000 Ukrainians (photos are not permitted inside). I saw several dogs, little girls on roller skates and boys on scooters zooming across the polished concrete. For now, this is home.

Inside are row-upon-row of cots like this one, each with a blanket and pillow. This facility was fully staffed with volunteers so my venture continued.

The Red Cross is also active in Warsaw. From this location, they are providing food and other necessities for about 100 families.

Meet Scott and his son Andrew from Texas. Like me, they became frustrated with online research and jumped on a plane to “figure it out.” They brought suitcases full of clothing and toys to donate.

As empty bags came in from the families, they filled them.

Baby formula was available…

… and paper goods…

… and meat in a can.

Continuing my journey, I stumbled across this tent near a train station.

They were providing medical supplies and baby necessities.

This wall inside the tent was covered with information. Note the poster on the right (I’ll let you fill in the vowels).

Along my way, I picked up some mementos.

On the northern reaches of Warsaw is yet another Expo center. I was shocked (note the dilapidated building on the right).

Fortunately, the building to the rear has been properly maintained and currently houses about 1,500 Ukrainians (in cots like the one shown previously).

There are two basketball hoops in the parking lot.

And WCK is there.

Volunteer opportunities were limited to “entertaining the kids.” Abhisek and his church group from Singapore were quite busy.

I played chess with some of the boys using this 3-in-1 portable set which we borrowed from the game room (most of the pieces were there).

The outpouring of support from Poland is heartwarming. Poland is setting an example for the world.

I am continually impressed with World Central Kitchen.
Please donate today via this link https://donate.wck.org/give/396273/#!/donation/checkout

Stay tuned for part 3 as I venture deeper into Poland, and please appreciate all that you have.

Part 1: Warsaw

With my recent retirement, coupled with my Ukrainian heritage, I wanted to volunteer in Poland.

After hours of online research without success, I jumped on a plane to Warsaw.

I opted for “on the ground” research, starting in Warsaw.

At the main train station, I asked how to volunteer…

… and was ushered to the World Central Kitchen registration desk.

Within less than 5 minutes, I went from information seeker to food server.

The kitchen is run by professional chef volunteers from around the world…

… with a broad range of worldwide volunteers to serve the food.

The global support is heartwarming.

The World Central Kitchen tent is next to the Warsaw main train station.

The food is available for all Ukrainians with recent passport stamps.

Canadians are well represented, both from the government and private individuals. The military are checking passports for entry.

Ivona (next to me) was born in Poland, then later moved to Canada and has duel citizenship. She is a one-woman PR machine, promoting Canadian immigration.

Goulash is a staple, served over couscous.

Soup is also popular.

The food is high-quality.

After a stop at Costco, I carried 11 kg (24 lbs.) of food with me from the U.S. (spaghetti and granola bars).

I also made a run to a local Warsaw supermarket …

And picked up a basket of fruits and cookies.

These treats were reserved for the children, and believe it or not, the bananas were the first to go… even faster than the cookies.

Japan is highly represented here. Nakamura-san (right), from Kanagawa, has lived in Kyiv for 20 years creating cultural exchanges with Ukraine and Japan.

The tent is open 23 hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s closed for an hour at 5:00 am for cleaning.

Support for Ukraine is seen throughout Poland.

With my first-hand experience, I’m a huge fan and supporter of World Central Kitchen.
Please donate today via this link https://donate.wck.org/give/396273/#!/donation/checkout

Stay tuned for part 2 from Poland, and please appreciate all that you have. ts