We are all connected in the tapestry of human compassion. Fifty-two days ago, we were complete strangers. Today, we live side by side. We eat together, sleep in the same building together, we cook in the kitchen together, we walk outside together, we grieve together.

On February 24, 2022, war broke out in Ukraine when Russia invaded the country. It started with a barrage of bombing of major Ukrainian cities. Troops were mobilized on both sides and the shooting began.

Refugees began to stream into Poland, mostly women and children. Ukrainian men of military age were forbidden to leave the country. Very soon our friends began to call us asking whether we could take in some families they knew about. We said, “Yes,” and waited.

Forty people arrived.

What happened next would be life changing for all of us.

This is our story.