End poverty, restore dignity for Polish Seniors

Dear Friend,

I want to tell you a story. One that happens every single day in southern Mazovia — yet almost no one talks about it.
It’s the story of Wiesawa, age 83.

“I haven’t spoken to another human being for a week.”

When we entered her home, she said it almost in a whisper. The kitchen was cold. In the fridge — butter, bread, and a bowl filled with medications.

“The worst part is the morning. I wake up, make tea, look out the window… and I have no one to say good morning to.”

This is the daily reality of thousands of seniors in our region.

From our recent study, we know that:

• 35,000 seniors live alone

• 20,000 have no one to talk to when they feel sad

• 9,800 have no one to call in the evening

• 28% show symptoms of depression — more than the national average

These aren’t statistics.
These are lives.

Now let me tell you what happened next.

For over a year, Wiesawa kept saying she could “manage on her own.”
But she couldn’t anymore. She was dizzy, stopped going to the doctor, and ate once a day.

Then, one day, she heard a knock on the door.

It was our volunteer.
It was us.
It was you — because your support made that moment possible.

We brought her a warm meal.

It was her first hot meal in three days.

“I can’t remember the last time someone did something for me.”

Because of you:

• we deliver 4,500 hot meals every month,

• we do groceries for those who can’t leave home,

• we deliver medications, heating fuel, and seal windows before winter.

You don’t just help seniors eat.
You help them breathe again.

We sat with her at the table

As we began talking, Wiesawa said:

“You know… I had forgotten what it feels like to talk to someone. It’s like air returning to my lungs.”

In our study, seniors told us:

“A person goes quiet. And then no one notices that I’m gone.”

That’s why we created the Companion Volunteer Program —
Because a conversation can save more than a day. It can save a life.

 We helped her schedule a doctor’s appointment

Maria had postponed the visit for a year because:

• she had no transport,

• she was afraid to ask for help,

• she didn’t want to “be a burden.”

This is the story of thousands of seniors in our region.

According to our findings:

• 20,000 seniors cannot reach specialists,

• 10,000 don’t visit their primary doctor often enough,

• many abandon treatment due to shame and isolation.

Because of you, we can drive them safely to care.

We invited her to the Klementyna Day Center

Two weeks later, Wiesawa:

• drank coffee in company,

• joined cooking workshops,

• laughed with other women,

• touched new things, new stories, new beginnings.

She told us:

“I thought I no longer had anyone to live for. Now I have someone to get dressed for.”

Every day, 25 seniors regain strength, movement, and dignity in our Day Center.

And this Christmas Eve…

Wiesawa will sit at a long table with 600 other seniors. She will receive a gift. 

This is the impact you will help create.

Thank you for walking into these homes with us.
Thank you for helping us break the silence.
Thank you for being here.