For World Refugee Day

In June 2022, volunteers of the NGO “Women’s Federation for World Peace”, together with the Women’s Federations of Poland and Japan, organised events in Poland and Germany. The projects marking World Refugee Day reached more than 250 people displaced from Ukraine.

First, our Japanese partners visited and supported 10 families of Ukrainian refugees in different cities in Germany. The Ukrainians shared their worries about the present and told how they had fled the danger in Bucha and Hostomel.

On 18 June, 44 people took part in the Women’s Federation event in Warsaw. Psychologist Oleksandra Skonechna gave the adults practical advice on coping with stress and responding to life’s circumstances. Together with Japanese volunteers, the children folded origami cranes, shuriken and spinning tops. In the hands of the young craftspeople, ordinary Chupa Chups lollipops turned into Japanese lucky cats — maneki-neko. Guests also enjoyed music and dance performances and a sushi and roll workshop by Kumiko-san. The Women’s Federation volunteers received inspiring feedback from adults and children.

On 20 June there was a meeting with Ukrainian families at the hostel in Wrocław where they are temporarily living. Nobuko Omori, President of the Women’s Federation of Japan, gave a heartfelt speech to the participants. The organisation provided aid to more than 50 families and gave the children toys and sports and craft sets. The volunteers presented traditional Japanese culture through songs and dance, as well as origami workshops. The audience watched a Japanese calligraphy master at work with delight.

On 23 June the Warsaw cultural centre Dom Kultury “Śródmieście” warmly welcomed the guests from Japan. The Women’s Federation of Japan supported representatives of volunteer centres in Warsaw that help Ukrainian refugees and the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Around 60 Polish and Ukrainian participants learned about Japanese culture and joined the workshops, and tied colourful paper strips with their wishes to bamboo branches. To return to a free homeland and feel peace and safety — this is the hope Ukrainians hold for the future.

The Women’s Federation of Ukraine thanks its partners from Japan and Poland for the psychological and material help to families. May the joint efforts of Ukrainians and international partners bring peace closer in Ukraine and throughout the world. Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!