"While Auchan is open, send some money." A Belarusian woman was twice disappointed in the emigrants she helped, but continues to believe in people

Illustrative photo. Photo: "Nasha Niva"

"Not for any nonsense, but for food and accommodation"

Maryna (all names changed hereafter) has been in forced emigration in Poland for three years and has actively helped Belarusians in trouble all this time. Among those she supports are former political prisoners or pensioners who had to leave their homeland.

Last year, the Belarusian woman read a post by former political prisoner Ivan and wrote him words of support. A few days later, the man sent her a private message asking for financial help.

"He wrote that he currently had no job, but he was looking for one. And the money was needed not for any nonsense, but for food and accommodation. He said he was borrowing and would return everything as soon as he got paid. I, of course, helped him," Maryna recalls.

Over time, such messages became regular — the man contacted her almost every week. Maryna says he returned the money, though sometimes with delays.

"He asked for money for groceries, then for household expenses, then to top up his travel pass. The amounts varied — from 50 to 200 zlotys."

He asked for money for a date and to celebrate New Year's Eve

Once, Ivan wrote that he was going on a date with a girl and asked for money for "travel, coffee, and cigarettes."

"He said that a friend from another country was visiting him, but 'he's homeless'. I, of course, was surprised: I hadn't sent money to men for dates before," Maryna laughs.

Sometimes Ivan asked for money without returning the previous debt. For example, he owed 150 zlotys but asked to "round the debt to 200 by transferring another 50 to him."

"I then wrote to him: 'It would be fair to return the debt first, and then borrow again.' He agreed, but sometimes he was very insistent. For example, on the evening of December 31 [2024], he sent more messages asking to transfer money for groceries for the holiday table. I didn't go online that evening and only saw everything the next day. There were many messages. One of the last ones: 'So, will you help? While Auchan is still open, send some money so I can stock up.'"

This communication lasted about a year. At some point, Maryna learned that the man had an addiction. She stopped responding — and he no longer bothered her.

Found the phone number via BLIK

In the summer of 2025, Maryna responded to a request for help from another Belarusian. On social media, she saw a post about Mikhail, who "was left without housing, work, and money," and transferred funds via the BLIK mobile payment system. It allows the recipient to see the sender's phone number.

Two days later, Mikhail unexpectedly called Maryna, thanked her for her help, and asked for another 25 zlotys.

"I don't remember exactly what for. The amount was small, and I transferred it," Maryna says.

But the calls continued. Each time the man told a new story about why he urgently needed money.

"Once he said he was in a refugee camp in Germany, where he went to seek international protection. He said they only gave him condoms there, and he needed money at least for toilet paper. Then he said his friend had health problems, was in the hospital, and he needed to visit him…"

The conversations were usually short: as soon as Mikhail heard that Maryna couldn't help him now, he immediately hung up. Several times the Belarusian woman blocked his number — but he called from others.

"Once he said that this was the last time, that he had already resolved his employment issues and would no longer ask for help. I believed him and transferred the money. But a couple of days later he called again. I asked: 'Aren't you ashamed? You promised not to call again.' He briefly replied: 'I am ashamed.'"

What particularly annoyed the woman was that Mikhail could call in the middle of the night and addressed her informally ("ty"), as if they were friends.

Later, Maryna saw comments from other Belarusians under the same help post she had once responded to — it turned out that the man had called many people who had once helped him. Some were asked to borrow even 1-2 thousand zlotys (about 500 dollars). But from her, it was usually small amounts — 25-40 zlotys.

"I will continue to help, but more carefully"

Maryna says that these stories taught her caution, but did not make her lose faith in people. She is confident that there are still many Belarusians who truly need help. And she continues to provide it.

"I will help, but more carefully — through verified platforms and anonymously. It's a shame that because of such stories, some people might become disillusioned and stop helping altogether."

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