Paweł Bilski, 1st grade student of Independent High School of Art in Częstochowa, was tugged at his heart by the story of Elda Revol. – I was watching the material by Marcin Wrona, who had been approached by a young girl with a baby in her hands. It was Elda. She was begging for help for both her one-month daughter, Dashka and herself. I decided I should help – he reports. In his letter to television, he asked for the contact to the girl, and a few days later he got Elda’s email address and telephone number from Marcin Wrona. Paweł sent his first mail to Haiti asking how they were, how Dashka was doing, what they need. – We are living at the site next to the Inter Airport. I have a tent, but it is not comfortable for my family. We need money, food, clothes. Sometimes I can use Internet – Elda was writing.
Together with several of his friends Paweł started organising the first event in aid of the girl. The school performance came first. They staged the spectacle „You shall not wholly die, Felician” and they collected 110 PLN. Then there came next events: fund-raising at the Henryk Sienkiewicz Częstochowa High School, at the Częstochowa Steel Works, at the philharmonic, during the passion songs concert at the Leśniów Marian Sanctuary. Częstochowa Youth Ministry handed over 1006 PLN in aid of Elda, and the General Headquarters, meaning Marcin and friends, was sending the money to Port-au-Prince. – Thank you, I am very happy that you are helping me. I take care of my daughter, Dashka is very brave. I have no job, everybody is trying to come back to life, although it is very hard – Elda wrote in her reply. Paweł Bilski organized the total of 14 events, in which the sum of almost 4500 PLN was raised. These days, at the High School of Art, the last event is going to take place. – For a few weeks I have been explaining to Elda that our help is not going to decrease. The school year is finishing, and such undertakings are practically impossible. – adds Paweł.
Where does a 16-year-old boy take his energy and empathy from? – I think it is after my mum, who has always helped everybody – he says. His family has gone through similar experiences many times: Paweł has a handicapped brother, that is why the environment of nongovernmental organizations has always been close to him. He wants to become an actor, and his idol is Anna Dymna, the president of „Against the odds” foundation: She is living evidence that joining artistic work with success and helping others is possible.
But now Poland – Haiti Foundation is taking Elda under its wings. Zosia Pinchinat-Witucka met Elda in April in Port-au-Prince. – She is an unusually determined girl. She told me that before the earth quake she had been planning to study pedagogy and asked us to help her finanse the tuition – says Zosia. Although she uses internet only by courtesy of nongovernmental organizations, she sent us what we asked her for: – her photo, CV, a motivational letter. – We are ready to finance tuition, so that Elda can start her studies – announces the president of foundation.
Translation Agnieszka Chmielnik
