Sister Paula Yagoda has been volunteering in Przemysl for Caritas Poland for three days. A native of Poland, she has lived in Ukraine for 27 years. It was difficult for her to leave her country of choice. She has tears in her eyes. A week ago, she left the convent in Malyns'kyi near Kiev. Together with five sisters, she drove to the Polish border. Only two sisters and two postulants stayed behind. Once they reached the border, they were stuck for 25 hours. Paula Yagoda finds it difficult to accept not being able to help in Ukraine. She cannot bring herself to move far from the border. Working for Caritas distracts her. She feels needed, she says. She brings in the variety herself and performs different tasks. She carries luggage, plays with children and travels to the border to support volunteers and encourage people. For her, it is clear that when the war is over, she will be the first to go back to Ukraine.

Photo courtesy of Philipp Spalek/Caritas Germany