Amsal was in the middle of her university studies when the Taliban took over Afghanistan in 2021, and she was forced to flee to Poland.

She now lives in temporary accommodation with her brother, who also fled Afghanistan, and they are both trying to continue their education. Amsal also works for Conflict Kitchen’s partner restaurant, Baza, and says she is grateful for the support she has received there. She hopes to one day open an organisation where Afghan women can learn about their rights.

When Qamar’s student visa expired in 2020, returning to Somalia wasn’t an option. If she returned, Qamar says she would likely be forced into an arranged marriage and denied her right to an education.

At first, life in Poland was very isolating, especially when she lived at a refugee camp. After hearing about Conflict Kitchen, Qamar started attending cooking, dance and Polish lessons at the foundation. She says she now has friends and feels empowered and independent.

Narges arrived in Poland on a work visa, but when her business partner left her with no money, she was forced to seek asylum. The situation for women in her home country, Iran, was too dangerous, and her husband faced imprisonment if they returned.

Narges now works with Conflict Kitchen’s partner Baza, a restaurant co-run by refugees. She says working there has been life-changing, and the foundation shows how refugees can contribute positively to their host country.

After the Russia-Ukraine war destroyed her home and life, Ira had no choice but to flee with her five-year-old son to Poland. Her husband, who works for the border force in Ukraine, had to stay behind, and Ira found herself alone in a foreign country.

Luckily, due to the kindness of strangers, she found a place to live and one day came across Conflict Kitchen. Ira now works as a Zumba instructor at the foundation, where she earns an income and connects with other refugee women.