My name is Yekaterina Maretskaya, I’m originally from Vitebsk, Belarus. I lived there most of my life until moving to Minsk for nearly a year, and then being forced into exile in Poland. I’m a former doctor who became politically active during the 2020 protests. I began by joining medical demonstrations but couldn’t continue working in healthcare due to hostile treatment from management — even before the protests started, and worse afterwards.
Activism completely took over my life. I had always been opposed to the regime, but passively — until I truly believed we could bring change. In Vitebsk, we had a strong medical protest movement: we organized actions, recorded statements, and I joined every Sunday march. I was never detained — I narrowly escaped arrest when I was caught in a crowd and started suffocating from pepper spray and panic.
When the full-scale war in Ukraine began, I became more active: donating, writing to political prisoners, and helping where possible — while working as a barista. In the summer of 2022, I joined Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office as a volunteer, contributing to the Volnyya Pashtouki project. But by late 2022, I was increasingly terrified to stay in Belarus. I knew I had been filmed during the protests and featured in a NEXTA video. I was also volunteering, and as a former doctor, I was military-eligible.
So, with support from BYSOL, I left Belarus in November 2022 and moved to Poland. My fear eased, and I threw myself even more into activism. I worked on the People’s Deputy project for residents of Vitebsk Region, promoted Belarusian issues through the Foundation of Young European Greens, and did everything to change our future. When I agreed to run for the Coordination Council’s third convocation, the Belarusian authorities launched a criminal case against me and searched my family home. I don’t know the exact charges — my mother was forced to sign a non-disclosure agreement.
Unfortunately, being deeply involved in activism meant I neglected my career in Poland. I’ve been juggling activism and survival jobs ever since. I worked in cafés but constantly faced unreliable employers — no contracts, sudden firings. For the first year, I had to find a new job nearly every month. My last job lasted longer, but I burned out completely. I tried transitioning to the NGO sector — to earn a living doing what I care about — but it didn’t work out.
That’s how I fell into a financial hole I haven’t been able to climb out of for nine months. I briefly worked in SMM at one NGO, but the workload was crushing.
After that, I couldn't find stable work in an NGO: there was a lot of competition, and dozens of resumes sent out didn't lead to anything. Since the end of last year, I've been taking on all the odd jobs I could find, but it still wasn't enough to pay for my rent. In December, the landlord made it clear that he would kick me out if I didn't pay. I had to go into debt.
I’ve finally found a good job with a company, starting in late March, but I won’t get my first paycheck until May. I’m not someone who gives up easily, but living in constant survival mode is exhausting. Every month I worry about how I’ll pay rent, bills, and buy food. I’ve worked nearly nonstop, hoping to manage this alone — but the debts have piled up, and time is running out.
That’s why I’m asking for your help.
How much is needed?
€1600
€230 — rent debt for March
€570 — rent for April
€300 — daily living expenses
€500 — repayment of loans and urgent debts