The Warsaw Insider Magazine, December 2009

Helping the Needy at Christmastime!

The purpose of Warsaw Volunteer Mission is to assist those in need by providing material help, as well as guidance and emotional support. The aim is to effectively reach out to those lacking their basic physical necessities, hope or companionship.

Each month, the Insider highlights one family under WVM's wing and encourages readers to contribute to the cause, particularly in the winter months, when cold and damp make difficult circumstances even harder to bear. Besides helping individuals and families, WVM also supports many needy institutions, such as orphanages, hospitals, various types of shelters and correctional facilities, as well as the Warsaw Hospice for Children. Much emphasis is placed on donating financially and materially to the poorest families in the Warsaw area with terminally ill children, as well as bereaved families with similar circumstances. Many of the families WVM is involved with, lack what most of us would consider our basic necessities, which in some cases even includes running water and an indoor toilet. The following features a few brief case histories selected from the current 30+ in the "Families in Crisis" program. Donors are encouraged to contribute in any way they can to improving the lives of these families.

Gosia is a 26-year-old single mother of 4 whose husband tragically died this year. She is also very poor. She recently found a flat, but will have to pay about zł.700monthly, which is not easy for her with very limited social assistance. With 2 school-age children and 2 small children at home each day she is unable to work, and so struggles financially to make ends meet. Her flat lacks furniture and furnishings, and she needs clothes for herself and the children, plus wholesome food, cleaning supplies etc..

Kasia and Kazimierz live in extremely poor conditions in a single-room flat with a small kitchen. Previously there were no proper washing or sanitation facilities either, but with the help of volunteers, we've been able to install an indoor toilet and shower. They have a physically and mentally challenged child -Marysia (10), one healthy child - Sebastian (8), and a third child - Łukasz (6) who remains in state care as he was also born severely handicapped. The father has been able to find some part-time construction jobs, but the family situation has been very difficult, and needs outside help.

Svetlana and Stefan and their four children live in very cramped quarters. Svetlana is unable to work due to looking after Wiktoria (2)who is seriously ill. The little girl suffers from epilepsy and brain damage due to lack of air and blood at birth. The father is also unemployed but earns a little via seasonal fieldwork. Their eldest (Tatiana) is 16, and they have 2 other little girls, Emilia (3) and Patrycja (4). Emilia has been diagnosed with advanced stomach cancer and is currently undergoing chemotherapy. Their cottage is in need of renovation.

If you would like to assist efforts to better the lives of these and other families this Christmas or to receive further information, please contact the Warsaw Volunteer Mission at tel. 022 499-1880 or email: biuro.fundacji@wvm.org.pl.