had to sell all sorts of things to feed us. One lady from our house, who had
a friend in CENTOS, tried to get me and my brother to go to the day-care, and I’m
very happy here, I get meals four times a day and hope to survive the war.
2 September 1941
L. Bakauer
What has changed for me during the war
Before the war, we were fine, even though I no longer had a father. Mummy
worked and I went to school. When I was in grade five, the war suddenly broke
out. I didn’t go to school anymore. We were very badly affected by the bombing.
After the ceasefire, mummy started trading and we didn’t suffer hunger
until they closed the Jewish district. Mummy stopped trading. That was when
we started to go hungry. Mummy sold everything from the flat, even the wardrobe,
table, and chairs, but it was not enough. Then winter came and we were
in even worse shape. Mummy brought only two rations of food and that was
all we had to eat all day. Mummy’s legs were swollen and she stayed in bed all
winter. A neighbour suggested that we sell vouchers. Mummy sold them and
I brought something to eat. When it was a little warmer, my brother tried to
get me admitted to the day-care. I was accepted. I’m very happy there now.
We learn, we sing songs. I’m grateful to the Headmistress for accepting me.
2 September 1941
Andzia Baranek
[31] What has changed for me during the war
Before the war I lived in Warsaw. My father was a saddler and he earned
a good living, and my mother was a trader and earned well too. We had enough
for food and clothing. I went to school and learned very well. When I finished
grade four, the war broke out. 1 September 1939. We suffered bombing
[for] four weeks, and then the Germans marched into Warsaw. After a while,
my father stopped working. My mother traded and made a very good profit.
