Alina Łupova evacuated to Poznań after the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Currently, she is a co-founder of a foundation that aids women, including Ukrainians, and collaborates on various informational projects. In our conversation with Alina, we delved into her life in Poland, her volunteer work, and her plans for the future.
Evacuation to Poznań
Originally from Dnipro, Alina spent the last three years before the invasion in Odessa, working in international logistics. „I did not plan or desire to go to Poland. The day before the war broke out, I applied for marriage with my then partner in one of the most beautiful civil registry offices in Odessa,” reminisces Alina.
When the full-scale invasion began, Alina and her partner initially sought refuge with his family in Kryvyi Rih, carrying only a minimal amount of belongings. After a week of contemplation, Alina, along with her sister-in-law and nephew, embarked on a journey to Poland, which lasted three days. Alina chose Poland due to her previous work experience and the presence of her mother.
Upon arrival, she promptly engaged in helping fellow Ukrainians find housing, navigate formalities, and enroll children in local institutions. Her limited language skills and unwavering commitment attracted dozens of Ukrainian women seeking refuge in Poland. Her phone became a vital hotline for obtaining advice.
Social and Informational Activities
Volunteering provided Alina with insight into her ability to contribute to Ukraine’s cause even from abroad, aiding her in coping with the initial horrors of the war. Consequently, she actively participated in support initiatives for Ukraine, creating posters, encouraging friends to join, and delivering speeches. During one such event, she met Marcin Staniewski, a Polish social activist actively collecting aid for Ukraine.
Joining Marcin’s longstanding „Soup for Peace” project in Poznań, a Polish-Ukrainian-Belarusian initiative, Alina was involved for five months. The team cooks delicious soups distributed to those in need in the city center.
Simultaneously, Alina continued providing informational support for Ukrainians by creating a Facebook page with announcements of various events in the city in Ukrainian.
Alina seizes opportunities to integrate and explore the culture of Poznań and Poland. She attests that in the last few months in Poland, she attended more educational and cultural events than throughout her years in Ukraine.
Alina also joined a podcast series featuring Ukrainian women succeeding in Poland, aiming to showcase positive examples and motivate compatriots to integrate and thrive. The series includes ten conversations available on their YouTube channel.
Additionally, Alina participated in the Polish „Noble Box” campaign and numerous fundraisers, including initiatives for Ukrainian children.
Establishing a Foundation for Women
During her volunteer work, Alina connected with Anastasia Kochneva, a mother of two and a fitness trainer who also sought refuge in Poland due to the war. In October 2023, they co-founded the „Nejmowirna.pl” foundation. The organization unites active women, regardless of nationality and age, providing a safe space for learning and integration.
«We aim to unleash the potential and energy of women, helping them become stronger and find balance in life», — says Alina.
The foundation welcomes everyone, aspiring to unite Polish and Ukrainian women in joint development. It has organized numerous meetings, brunches, discussions, and training sessions. Presently, language learning, including Polish, is a primary focus, with two conversation clubs—Polish and English—led by Polish women to assist participants in overcoming language barriers quickly.
While the foundation currently operates entirely on a voluntary basis, Alina and Anastasia harbor ambitious plans for the future, including applying for grants and implementing more engaging projects.
As a volunteer, Alina is confident that the foundation will aid many Ukrainian women in adapting to a new environment, given their ambition, activity, and desire for development, coupled with respect for the culture and traditions of the host country.
«I have found that the more good you do for others, the more good comes back to you», says Alina, expressing gratitude to Poznań, where she had the opportunity to start her life anew.
«The ability to mutually accept and embrace diversity as an asset» is, according to her, the key to future effective cooperation between Ukrainians and Poles.
You can also read this article in Ukrainian
This publication was prepared with the support of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the editors of UAinKrakow.pl and can in no way be considered to reflect the views of UNHCR. For more information about UNHCR and the aid available in Poland: https://help.unhcr.org/poland/uk/
We are the first to bring you news for Ukrainians in Krakow – join the UAinKraków telegram channel.
We are the first to bring you news for Ukrainians in Warsaw – join the UAinWarszawa telegram channel.
We are the first to bring you news for Ukrainians in Warsaw – join the UAinPoznan telegram channel.
