"Needs to shed a tear": This offer touches the circle of helpers in Ukraine

Created: 03/10/2022, 06:00

By: Carl Christian Eick

"Just do it": That is the credo of Ines Lobenstein (55) - here at the opening of the asylum center in Wolfratshausen in October 2015. © Hans Lippert/Archive

The Ukraine Helpers' Group was founded in Wolfratshausen.

Men and women who fled Syria years ago also offer support to the group.

Wolfratshausen – Solidarity has many faces in Loisachstadt.

Ines Lobenstein is one of the most prominent.

The head of the Caritas help for the homeless and ten years ago co-founder of the Wolfratshausen asylum helpers' group lives her credo day after day: "Just do it." The qualified social worker is doing the same now, of course, in view of the Russian Federation's attack on Ukraine.

The Ukraine Helpers' Circle in Wolfratshausen already has 30 volunteers

The 55-year-old, who was born in Halle an der Saale, has a close-knit network.

She has saved almost 800 phone numbers on her smartphone.

In an interview with our newspaper, she says, she can fall back on this “basis” at any time.

In the meantime, the new group of helpers, which was set up just a few days ago and exclusively takes care of war refugees from Ukraine, consists of around 30 people.

Lobenstein is also in lively contact with Paulina Kisselbach, head of the Asylum and Integration department in the town hall.

In the ranks of the circle of helpers there are some volunteers who speak Ukrainian and/or Russian and can act as interpreters.

The majority of the volunteers are between 30 and 50 years old and professionally and socially "settled".

That means: “These people want to give something back.” What makes Lobenstein particularly happy is that many refugees from Syria, who found a new home in the rafters’ town as children in 2015/2016, spontaneously offered their support.

"They want to play with Ukrainian children, for example - just like many Wolfratshausers played with them when they fled to us," says Lobenstein.

"I admit that with such great offers of help, I have to shed a tear."

Circle of Helpers Ukraine: That is actually needed

The 55-year-old emphasizes that the Ukraine Helpers' Group cannot accept donations in kind and asks for your understanding.

Anyone who wants to donate money should do so at one of the major aid organizations.

“People who can lend a hand” are specifically needed on site.

Be it with homework help, with dealings with the authorities or with leisure activities.

It is not yet certain when and how many Ukrainians will be stranded in the raftsmen's town, but they want to prepare as best they can for the arrival of the war victims.

To date, only “sporadic” refugees have arrived.

"Cultures are closer", language barrier not so high

"We know what we want and we know what we don't want": Lobenstein and many of her colleagues are benefiting from the experiences they made in 2015/2016 as a member of the Asylum Aid Committee.

The current situation "is a bit different," says the social worker.

On the one hand there are many people who have personal contact with relatives, friends or work colleagues in Ukraine.

And: "Our cultures are closer", the language barrier is less high.

Nevertheless, she has a few worries: “How many refugees are coming?

How can we integrate them well?” In addition, one should not lose sight of the people who have been living in the high-price region in the south of Munich for a long time, have to count every penny twice and are desperately looking for an affordable apartment.

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I think that many are asking themselves the question at the moment: 'What if I had to flee from now on?' 

Ines Lobenstein

But Lobenstein has the impression that everyone recognizes the urgent need for humanitarian aid.

The civil war in Syria, which drove millions of men, women and children from their homes, "was a long way away for many people," she says in retrospect.

Now a war is raging in the middle of Europe, and the pictures of the bloodshed just a few hours' drive from Wolfratshausen are on the television news around the clock.

"I think that many are currently asking themselves the question: 'What if I had to flee from now on?'" Lobenstein points out that the attack by the Russian Federation is not taking place little by little, but by the neighboring country literally senses was covered with bombs and rockets overnight.

The biggest challenge: finding accommodation for war refugees

Did the Asylum Aid Group make mistakes in 2015/2016 that must not be repeated?

Nothing serious, says Lobenstein in retrospect.

"Well, we offered the Syrians a cooking class for German dishes, which didn't go down well," she admits and smiles.

"You know, even back then we had the motto that we let go with a smile if an offer didn't work out so well.

Something else works all the better for that.” Among other things, the helpers have learned to give those who have arrived time to themselves.

They are not pleasure-seeking tourists, but deeply insecure, sometimes severely traumatized war refugees.

Women and children who fear for the lives of their husbands, their fathers, because they have to defend their homeland against the aggressor Vladimir Putin by force of arms.

Lobenstein's credo: "Just do it"

The biggest challenge is the decentralized accommodation of the Ukrainians.

Specifically: Accommodation is needed.

A children's room that is not needed at the moment because the son or daughter of the house is studying far away from Loisachstadt is not always the best option "with all good will".

Like Mayor Klaus Heilinglechner, Lobenstein assumes that the refugees will need a roof over their heads for several months, if not longer.

Lobenstein has to break off the conversation with our newspaper.

Your cell phone rings.

"I'm sorry, I have to go to the S-Bahn station.

Some refugees have arrived there.” She has already organized accommodation for the Ukrainians.

It's her credo: Just do it.

(cce)

Contacts

: The Helpers' Circle Ukraine accepts offers of help (please no donations in kind) by e-mail to asylinwor@ icloud.com.

The city of Wolfratshausen asks for offers of help by e-mail to ukraine@wolfratshausen.de - also for offers of housing.

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