In Pavlodar, a city in northern Kazakhstan, live three young people – Ivan, Eva, and Angelina. They are committed to the life of the local parish of St. Teresa of the Child Jesus. Although they were born far from Poland, the memory of their ancestral roots is still alive in their hearts. They dream of a pilgrimage to Poland during the Jubilee Year. They want to see its beauty, explore places of historical and spiritual significance, and experience what they previously knew only from books and stories. They are scheduled to fly to Warsaw on June 24th. The Uskrzydlamy Foundation is delighted to have contributed to supporting this trip.
Ivan (18 years old) – with guitar and books
Ivan is studying at a pedagogical university. He wants to become a chemistry teacher and already combines his studies with working at a café. Playing the guitar is his way of expressing feelings that are difficult to put into words.
His family history stretches back generations. Ivan's great-grandparents were Poles living in the Khmelnytskyi Oblast in Ukraine. In 1936, they were forcibly deported to Kazakhstan, like many other Poles at the time. They left in a hurry, with a suitcase and a pair of earrings—the only valuable possessions that would later help them survive. The first years were very difficult—no food, freezing temperatures, and makeshift living conditions. During the war, Ivan's great-grandfather went to the front, leaving his family without support. After the war, they settled in Tajynsha, where other displaced persons also ended up.
Faith and the memory of his roots have always been present in Ivan's family. He is committed to learning Polish, and connecting with the culture of his ancestors is a way to cultivate family memories.
Angelina (16 years old) – music, passion, Polish culture
Angelina is a student at the music conservatory. She plays the flute, but her interests extend much further. She enjoys drawing, crafting, and learning about Polish culture.
For seven years, she was actively involved in the Polish Center "Polonia." She learned about Polish history, traditions, folk songs, and dances, which became a part of her life. The parish church is an important place for her—she sings in the choir, gets involved in community life, and joyfully participates in youth meetings. She is learning Polish and wants to develop not only artistically but also spiritually—with a sense of belonging to the Polish identity.
Eva (20 years old) – faith and memory of roots
Eva works at a café and, like Ivan and Angelina, actively participates in parish life. She is also involved in the activities of the Polish Center "Polonia." She dreams of studying in Poland in the future, wanting to explore the country to which her family has been linked for generations.
Of the three, she speaks Polish best – she learned it out of a heartfelt desire to be closer to her roots. Her grandmother, Teresa, of Polish descent, was born in Belarus and, as a young girl, came to Kazakhstan, following in the footsteps of her older brother. Soon, the entire family joined her. It was from her grandmother that Eva received her most precious gift – faith. She remembers her grandmother singing Polish Christmas carols with such tenderness that each sound seemed to connect their home with their homeland. These memories are more than just a thing of the past for Eva. They have become her strength and a silent motivation to one day see Poland with her own eyes.
Towards dreams
The three will fly to Poland with Father Łukasz from the parish in Pavlodar, where they are closely associated. They plan to visit several important and beautiful places, especially Krakow and Zakopane. Although the detailed itinerary for their stay is still being finalized, for them the mere fact that they can come is already a huge step and a true joy.
The Uskrzydlamy Foundation is happy to support them on this path – helping them realize dreams that have matured over the years in homes where the Polish language, prayer, and memories of their ancestors are still alive.
