Joanna Mazzocchi works in a Polish school in Glasgow, and at the same time, she is a student of the Polish language postgraduate studies 'Teacher of Polish Language' at the University of Gdańsk. Since the outbreak of war in Ukraine, she has been remotely teaching Ukrainian refugees who have taken refuge in the parish of Łeba. Her help was noticed not only by the local press but also by the Scottish Parliament.

'The Scottish Parliament applauds Joanna Mazzochi's actions, which it sees as an impeccable example of helping Ukrainian refugees, and wishes her and her family well,' reads a document prepared by a member of parliament Clare Adamson. Joanna Mazzochi leads four refugee groups every Thursday and Tuesday. At the same time, she also raises funds to help Ukrainians in her current home, the Scottish town of Wishaw. 

Joanna Mazzochi's help has been covered by the local press. - 'I am currently gaining qualifications at the University of Gdańsk. The university runs a programme of matching volunteers with refugees who do not speak Polish,' - said the Polish woman in an interview with dailyrecord.co.uk. Our student was also mentioned on dailyreader.com.

There are many people like Joanna Mazzochi. As part of the programme of the University of Gdańsk, run by prof. dr hab. Aneta Lewińska, Maria Karbowska and Katarzyna Karbowska, various units may apply for help in learning our language. The whole action started with a webinar for students/volunteers willing to teach Polish to refugees. The first meeting attracted more than 1,000 volunteers. 

- 'Institutions and individuals approached me to ask for help in organising Polish language classes for refugees. They also sent their requests to the Faculty of Philology, to the Deputy Dean for Education and Community Relations dr hab. Joanna Jereczek-Lipińska, prof. UG, who did not refuse help to any institution and together we searched for the best possible organisational solutions,' says prof. Aneta Lewińska. 

The coordinators of the action manually created a database of willing volunteers, which as of today includes 1370 people. One of them was Joanna Mazzocchi. The teacher was assigned to the Łeba People's University at the parish of St James the Apostle in Łeba, where about 100 students were waiting for her.

- 'Organising a hybrid course for over 100 people was our biggest challenge. That is why we appreciate the recognition expressed by the Scottish Parliament to Ms Joanna Mazzocchi - who put a lot of heart, time and incredible enthusiasm into this undertaking - comments prof Aneta Lewińska. - Joanna derives joy from teaching, which is shared by everyone (students, postgraduate students, organisers) and is a reward for the effort put in.'