Help Ukraine. Krakow: The former Plaza Galeria is transformed into a refugee aid center
– Here 100 peasants were still working day and night so that I could make this item for use – for us from volunteers in Gallery Square. Dawn shopping center in Krakowclosed more than a year ago, it is starting to bustle with life again. Although it helps and in a difficult situation, from Monday again the situation will get people there.
The facility has been divided into two main zones. The first and most important is to the side of Aleja Pokoju. The four-buttoned door will open again early next week. That you will be there to a new refugee point in Krakow.
The building company Strabag is the owner of the former Plazawhich used the facility, what’s more, we adapted it to the temporary place on our own. In just a few days, employees put up partitions there, distinguished specific spaces, and in some places they even managed to paint the walls and decorate them with colorful flowers.
Tiles were created new toilets for women and men. There is laundry with a company that produces electricity and a dryer There are also three quite large kitchens, where the Ukrainians, probably voluntary at first, wanted to keep our reinforcements. It is also substantial dining room with a great play area for children. Yes, tired mothers did not have to have their children on their knees. A medical point and a room for volunteers were also planned.
Another room for a special purpose parlorwhich is the apple of the apple of the Strabag employees’ mind. It was organized on its own, with complex fundraising, and the pluses are already peeking over the shelves, so it’s all children.
From Monday the object will pass into hands. – We are planning a square there 300 beds. We don’t know what kind of people there are yet. We are in the process of our analyzes – says Interia Dariusz Nowak from the Krakow City Hall. He adds that from that moment on, the city will pay for utilities – electricity and water.
At the other extreme of the center, a new special “Good Wardrobe”, which is the place where the clothes will be issued. The “wardrobe” is not like a warehouse, but a real clothes shop. Clothes are sorted there according to size, but also e.g. season. All clothes hang on hangers and are easily accessible. There is also a fitting room next to it. As the organizers emphasize, they have almost everything for the first few days, although it is difficult to say how the situation will develop.
– We could use some more shoes, but they would be in good condition. We kindly ask that clean and undamaged clothes should come to us, that is, clothes that we would be able to put on ourselves. It is important now, because of the time of the year – appeals Maria Wojtacha, director of Internationaler Bund Polska, who co-runs “Wardrobe” together with non-governmental organizations from Krakow.
“Good Wardrobe” it will function not only for those who will find their way to Plaza, but also for all Ukrainians who came to Krakow after February 24.