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Alla Czerkasij
Many people fantasize about moving to a different country, but Alla Czerkasij never did—she was moved against her will.
“During World War II, there were many forced migrations,” Alla remembers. “In 1942, my family had to board a train and go from Ukraine—our beloved home—to Germany.”
Once in the hard labor camp, Alla’s family suffered tremendous hunger, hunger that was relieved by an unexpected source.
“The German neighbors outside of our hard labor camp didn’t have much,” Alla recalls. “Even so, they came to the edge of our barbed-wire fence and brought us food, risking imprisonment or even death because we were the 'enemy.'”
These acts of compassion continued until American soldiers liberated the camp in 1945. Alla had never been so relieved to see soldiers in her life, soldiers that were smiling, soldiers that came bearing edible gifts. But rather than hoarding their newfound security and wealth, the prisoners within Alla’s camp took a different route.
 “After American troops brought us relief, the German people still came to our fence, not to bring food now but to receive from us,” Alla says. “Now they lacked, and we were supplied by the Americans, so it was our turn to share.”
Even today, Alla remains inspired by the generosity she received from her German “enemies” and still feels driven to find ways to share with her neighbors-in-need. Now, though, instead of going to the edge of a barbed-wire fence, Alla brings what she can to the Samaritan Center’s food pantry.
“Since my experience during World War II, I have more compassion for the needy ones, and I desperately want to give,” she says. “After all, I know how it feels to be in need.”
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