When the war broke out in Ukraine, Mariola and her family’s first instinct was to help. Like many people living in Poland, they started taking stock of what they could offer. What resources did they have to help their neighbors forced to flee across the border? They considered making the journey from their home in Krakow to the border at Przemysl, where they knew lots of Poles and international responders were flocking to lend their talents and time. But after some thought, Mariola realized she had one of the most important resources to offer right at home in Krakow: comfortable short-term housing with vacancies. Mariola and her husband have been Airbnb hosts for years; they started hosting to save up for a family trip back in 2012. They now host several properties around historic Krakow, many of which are presently home to Ukrainian families through Alight’s Airbnb.org partnership.
Early March in Poland is Carnival season, which is usually a time for celebration and special treats ahead of Lent. But given the war, the mood at that time was solemn. Mariola wasn’t sure how to observe, if at all. After some thinking, Mariola and her eight-year-old son, Ryszard, decided that even if it didn’t feel like a time for celebration, they could still make treats to share. They made paczki, jelly filled Polish donuts enjoyed on Tłusty Czwartek, or Fat Thursday (celebrated the week before Ash Wednesday). Together, Mariola and Ryszard made tons of the glazed treats to share with their Airbnb guests, many of whom were Ukrainians who had just managed to flee dangerous and terrifying situations. Mariola planned to simply drop the goodies off at each flat’s doorstep; to her, it’s vital to respect the privacy of her guests who are dealing with the trauma of war and may not be interested in talking about their experiences. Still, some families insisted on inviting her and Ryszard to visit. She could tell that for many, these doughy treats were one small way to feel a little more welcome in this new and strange time.
Though Mariola is sure to respect the boundaries of her guests, she believes it’s important to make sure they know she’s open to helping whenever they need it. To her, helping as a host can be anything from being a listening ear to a travel guide; whether they want to share their stories or simply ask for recommendations in the area, she’s there for them. A few of her guests have turned into colleagues; since Mariola hosts several properties, when a few guests asked if she knew where to find cleaning jobs, Mariola offered them jobs herself.
Some guests she rarely meets, and some she’s formed lasting friendships with. To her, both are success stories. One of Mariola’s guests kept to herself for the duration of her stay. Around a month after she checked out, the woman messaged Mariola asking for her personal address. Mariola didn’t think much of it, but happily provided the information. The next morning, the woman rang the bell at Mariola’s flat, with some chocolates and a fragrant bundle of lavender as a thank you gift. Mariola was touched; she never expected such a gesture, but she will never forget the kindness.
