In Poland, nearly one million Ukrainian refugees, including
a significant portion of school-age children, grapple with the uncertainties of
building new lives while yearning for the day they can return home. Two years
after fleeing the Russian invasion, their stories unfold against the backdrop
of a grinding stalemate in Ukraine's east and south, punctuated by sporadic
missile strikes.
Dr. Anna Parkhomenko, once leading a contented life in
Kharkiv, found herself abruptly uprooted, seeking refuge in Poland with her
children after harrowing days in bomb shelters. Now settled on the outskirts of
Warsaw, they, like many others, contemplate their future while cherishing the
kindness of Polish communities.
Poland initially welcomed Ukrainian refugees with open arms,
but political tensions and economic concerns have shifted the narrative. As the
refugee response evolves, attention turns to long-term integration,
particularly in schools where the delicate balance between assimilation and
preserving identity is tested.
For Parkhomenko and her children, Poland has become a
temporary refuge, albeit one that is gradually feeling more like home. Yet, as
the war persists and memories of their former life fade, the question of
returning or staying becomes increasingly complex. For now, their focus remains
on building a new life, while never forgetting where they came from.
