War in Ukraine: in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, we went from material aid to moral aid

Very quickly after the invasion that took place on the night of February 23 to 24, 2022, the Ukrainians of Saint-Germain-en-Laye (Yvelines) were strongly mobilized and the inhabitants had responded present.

Thus, as of Sunday February 27 more than a hundred people had gone to the collection organized by the Ukrainian community meeting for three and a half years at the Chapel of the Franciscans.

Today, if the collections of material goods to the country are over, this community is still mobilizing, but to bring a completely different type ofaide to families settled in France.

“It’s difficult because the families are separated”

Today, we work with Ukrainians who have settled in Saint-Germain-en-Laye and around or who live with Saint-Germain families to provide them with spiritual support and help them morally. We talk to them a lot. It is difficult because the families are separated. After the first shock, they think a lot today about this distance between them and their loved ones. The war continues and they see that they cannot do anything for those who remain in Ukraine. For them it is a real pain.

Concerning Imaterial aid or administrative, it continues but would be ensured by the associative structures of the city.

“The families have integrated rather well”

We are no longer in the same situation as a year ago. I think the families have integrated quite well. We have many people who have already found a job. Some, for whom the experience was very difficult, have already returned to Ukraine.

At the initiative of the Diocese of Versailles, the community plans to organize a prayer with families hosting Ukrainians. This moment of exchanges could take place at the end of March.

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