SOS Ukraine - assistance for the disabled

The Ukrainian Easter celebration is coming to an end. And although Orthodox Easter took place quite late this year, on May 5, a few days after it, the Ukrainian charges of the PAY IT FORWARD Foundation celebrated as if they were at home, in their beloved Ukraine.

The Orthodox Easter tradition is very closely related to the Catholic one, although it usually takes place five weeks after the Catholic one. Orthodox believers, after a 40-day fast on Holy Saturday, go to the church to bless food, and on Easter Day they participate in a very solemn service. Afterwards, they sit down together at a richly set table.

- Due to the war, we are spending the third Easter far from the church, from the loved ones we left behind in Ukraine, far from our homes but close to each other, among those whom the war brought here to Konin  from different sides - said Larysa.

The tables that day were literally full of Ukrainian delicacies. However, the most important thing is the paschal dish.  It is a big cheese cake, with raisins, nuts, topped with icing or chocolate icing. There is also Ukrainian borscht, various types of dumplings, kulebiak stuffed with mushrooms and paschal kulich, which is a delicious, sweet, huge yeast cake. There are different types of meat and stuffed eggs. Salads, cold snacks and of course bread. It's an unimaginable treat!

And there was nothing missing on the table!  Our Friends from Ukraine cooked and baked. Everything was delicious!

Ukrainian Easter is one of those occasions where everyone meets at one table. There are memories, interesting conversations, joy, lightness and many opportunities for different emotions happening.

- I remember the first Easter in Konin. I wondered what it would be like among strangers, far from home, far from loved ones. It was wonderful, touching and very hospitable! The way the Foundation welcomed us in these difficult times, how it treats us, how it cares for us, how attentive it is to making sure we are comfortable and at home, cannot be described in words. We are very grateful for everything and very touched by the hospitality, help and kindness. We love the PAY IT FORWARD Foundation! It is like family to us. Thank you for everything!  - said Amelia, moved. She baked a delicious yeast cake and made the best dumplings with potato filling in the world.

This year was very festive and mushy. Suzana, a Ukrainian singer with an angelic voice, sang Easter songs and we were truly transported to another world for a moment. Ukrainian tradition says that a few days after Easter we should celebrate, meet our loved ones and friends, share meals and simply enjoy life. And that's what Foundation's charges do and we, who try to help them every day, are very happy to participate in these meetings :-)

Recently we’ve been visited by our wonderful Friends from Ukraine and… they have not come empty handed! They’ve made a wonderful gift for us – a map with the marks indicating places where every single one of them lives in the Ukraine. After a brief discussion we settled that it will be a great adventure to visit everyone when the times get calmer.

Here is a short clip from the handover.

The gift will definitely hang in a special place in our headquarters just like every one of our Ukrainian Friends has a special place in our hearts! :)

Once again, thank you!