Aleksandr left Belarus in 2023 after being interrogated by the KGB. In Poland, his documents were stolen, which complicated both his legalization process and job search. He has no stable work, and his savings are running out.
My name is Aleksandr Yerhulevich, I am an activist with disability: since birth I have been missing part of my arm. For my family, this condition was a big problem, and I never received support from them.
Despite this, I wanted to help others. In 2020 and afterward I documented torture and political persecution, delivered prison care packages, volunteered in human rights organizations. I did all this until 2023, when I was summoned for an interrogation by the KGB. They threatened me with a criminal case. Therefore, I had to flee.
In September 2023 I arrived in Poland. Friends helped me leave, but in the new place there was no support. I tried to cope on my own. But one and a half years ago my documents were stolen (including my school certificate), which prevented me from applying for the Kalinowski program, on which I had been counting. Also in the folder was the translation of my disability certificate into Polish, so for a long time I could not get the equivalent document here (I only started dealing with it now). And without it, employers do not want to hire me – they do not receive the subsidy, and it is not profitable for them.
I have to get by on my own. Considering my disability, I cannot earn much. I teach Polish and English, but in summer there are no students, and now it is very difficult. I cannot work in construction, since I have no arm. Likewise, I tried to buy a bicycle and work as a courier, but it didn’t work out: I didn’t have the endurance. In addition, the bicycle was cheap and broke after a week.
I really did not want to ask for help, but my savings are running out. I hope that soon the situation with students will improve, but right now I have to collect empty plastic bottles to go to the store. Furthermore, I simply cannot take it anymore, I need a break. It also seems to me that because of all this distress, depression has begun to develop – I would like to see a psychologist, but that also costs more than I can afford now.
I would be grateful for any support.
Fundraising goal
€1700
€1200 – housing and living expenses
€500 – psychologist’s services