By Cindy Christy Fertsch
Imagine being told you have to leave instantly, with only what you can carry. You have to board crowded trains, bound for another country. Now imagine carrying your baby or young child with you in such a desperate situation.
Since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022, over six million refugees have done just that, fleeing to neighboring countries to the west, mostly Poland.
Like many of us, Peter Robson watched the news and saw the images of refugees flooding the train stations, being forced to abandon strollers and take only what they could carry. Robson, who grew up in Egg Harbor Township and is back in the area after a time on the West Coast, was so moved by those images that he felt he had to do something to help.
A chef by trade, Robson reached out to World Central Kitchen, an organization that provides meals in response to humanitarian crises. That got the ball rolling. He packed a bag and left for Poland the following week, where for a month Robson went where he was most needed and ended up in Plock, a city in central Poland. He was stationed at a community center where he assisted for 30 days in the distribution of goods to those fleeing Ukraine.
“Some days there were hundreds that came through the doors, mostly women and children, in need of basic items,” said Robson. “Sugar, flour, tea, coffee, and oil.”
Robson could not speak the language, but could speak the universal form of communication we all know as body language.
“I would point, make monkey noises and shake my head yes or no,” said Robson, 61. “I knew I was accepted as one of the crew when at lunch, they would try to teach me some words then laugh at me.”
Word spread quickly about the American known as Chef Peter, who came to help the refugees.
“Next thing you know a news crew showed up and I was on TV, and in the newspapers,” said Robson.
With all the attention, Robson was invited to the U.S. embassy in Warsaw, where he met with Poland’s charity icon, Jerzy Owsiak. Robson was so inspired that he mobilized his own social media platforms to support Owsiak’s Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity, the nation’s premiere charity network
As part of Robson’s duties, he opened pallets that were sent from around the world. Many had children’s artwork on them which were a powerful commentary on the war. “No war,” or images of stick figures fighting crossed out and Ukrainian flags drawn on some of the shipments.
“It takes a village. We can all help in some way and life is really about giving back,” Robson said. “My dad taught me that.”
Robson is back in Egg Harbor Township now after spending time in San Diego. When asked if he would be going back to Poland, he responded with uncertainty. “I hope so. There is much to do.”
To learn more about Owsiak’s Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity see https://www.wosp.cz/about-gocc/
