Testimonials

1

Great human beings, doing the impossible.

— Susana Cortez

2

A remarkable experience at all levels. A privilege for me to have had the opportunity to meet genuinely fantastic people who play a fundamental role in welcoming people who were forced to leave their homes, making them feel feel less displaced, comforted, cherished and cared for, taking into account the chaotic situation they are experiencing. This is how my professional and personal life allowed me and I will be happy to collaborate with you in future actions.

— Ricardo Madeira

3

I highlight the opportunity to have collaborated with those who needed it most, at a very difficult time for the thousands of refugees who had to leave “everything behind” due to an unjustified war. I will never forget the smiles we managed to “steal”, with small gestures of solidarity and warmth. All this in a practically “post-pandemic context, which surprised the whole world. Despite the frequent reports in the press, I confess that if I hadn’t witnessed all that framing, I wouldn’t have “believed” in the seriousness of the whole situation. We ended up hosting a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children), which we transported from Poland to Guimarães, whose support and presence was a constant until the day they returned to Ukraine. I believe I can say that they arrived in Guimarães as refugees, and left as relatives of those who welcomed them. Proof of this is the weekly communication we keep, as well as the nostalgia and the commitment to visit them.

— Nuno Fernandes

4

In addition to having the opportunity to help those who lost everything, which has always been my goal and from which I feel I managed to make a small difference, I confess that it was the fact of having met fantastic people, especially our Portuguese volunteers , which led me to postpone my trip back to Portugal several times.

— Bruno Pechirra

5

It was only possible to live the full volunteering experience due to the help and assistance that HEROWS provided to its members. From food, hospitality, coping strategies and family spirit. All these tools were necessary for the will to want and be able to do more. On my way, I made the Portugal-Poland and Portugal-Ukraine trip twice, the second was only allowed by the tools gained with the HEROWS staff in the first mission. My sincere thanks”. Rita Silva – “Great confusion in the refugee center typical of a war environment. Even so, Mykola was tireless in helping the whole process.

— Rita Silva

6

Great clutter in the refugee center typical of a war environment. Even so, Mykola was tireless in helping the whole process.

— Jorge Reis

7

In the refugee center we were very well welcomed by Mykola Sydor. He was tireless, 5 stars.

— Berta Moço