(from Kharkiv) People have been waiting in line since the early morning hours. The offices of Caritas Spes are located next to the Latin Rite Catholic Cathedral in Kharkiv. Every day, from Monday to Friday, humanitarian aid and hot meals are distributed to 200, 300, 400 people. Two large rooms inside the church have been converted into a play area with colourful carpets and toys, where children aged 3 to 5 are welcomed from Monday to Saturday. This complex solidarity machine is made possible by the efforts of 56 volunteers coordinated by the director of Caritas Spes, Father Wojciech Stasewicz. “Every day – he says – we face new and difficult situations that are constantly changing. There are moments of relative calm, followed by others when it seems as if a spark has suddenly been lit. But the most serious difficulties are recorded in small villages, because three years have passed and people have no idea if they will live to see another day.”
Every day, Caritas Spes makes every effort to reach the part of the population that has decided not to leave their homes in the villages. Around 1,000 villagers are in touch with the organisation. “It is a huge task that requires a tremendous amount of effort,” admits Father Wojciech. However, compared to last year, Caritas is starting to experience some difficulties as humanitarian aid from European countries is unfortunately decreasing. “We are aware that three years have passed, that the efforts to help us have been considerable, that the crises are increasing. But we haven’t lost hope. We are brave. We are praying for peace, and we are also praying for the good people who are helping us.”
Caritas Spes has managed to continue its services in spite of the difficulties. So far, not a single day has passed without offering something to eat.” In addition to the damage caused by the war, the city of Kharkiv is facing a serious economic crisis. People are out of work. Every factory has shut down. In a situation of constant attacks, it became impossible to continue work and production activities. Daily life continues thanks to women and the elderly. The men are not there. All of this causes enormous stress.
But it is the children who suffer most. Schools in Kharkiv have remained closed for five years. Firstly because of the COVID pandemic, and then because of the war. Older children attend classes only online. And yet what they need most is to be together. “We realized from the very beginning,” says Father Stasewicz, “that we had to plan our activities for small groups. The children had been through situations of great emotional stress and could not cope with being in large groups. Caritas also provides psychological support for the children and their parents. “Thank you for your prayers. We thank the Italians for their help,” said the priest.”We are very grateful for what you have done for us. You have shown that you are our friends. But we still need your help. Please don’t forget us.”
