An actress famed for her devastating portrayal of a little girl in 1994 film Schindler’s List is now assisting refugees escaping from war-torn .
Oliwia Dabrowska, 32, appeared in Steven Spielberg’s historical fiction as a young child, with her brief scene going on to be renowned as one of the most haunting in cinema history.
The famous scene shows Oliwia as an unnamed little girl running through the streets of a Krakow Ghetto as Nazis round up the residents for execution.
While the film is in black and white almost in its entirety, the coat worn by Oliwia is bright red, drawing audience’s eyes to the girl as she moves through the crowds in a desperate attempt to escape.
Almost 30 years after the film was released, and decades since the horrors of the Holocaust, Oliwia is now echoing the actions of the film’s hero, Oskar Schindler, as she helps people escape from the devastation in Ukraine.
Millions of refugees have fled the country since Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale invasion in February, and Oliwia is among the volunteers assisting people fleeing across the border to Poland.
Oliwia is currently stationed at the Poland-Ukraine border, where countless people and families cross daily to escape the violence in Ukraine.
In recent weeks, she has taken to social media to raise awareness of the situation, at one point asking: ‘We need your help here at the Polish-Ukrainian border.
‘Every little bit helps: we need material and financial donations, you can also volunteer to help out in person. The situation is dramatic; I’m also a volunteer here, at the border, and I’ve seen it with my own eyes.’
Olwia herself draws inspiration from the unnamed character she played, as she took to Instagram in March to share a picture of the little girl, writing: ‘She was always the symbol of hope.
‘Let her be it again.’
The 32-year-old shared details of a particularly harrowing rescue she and other volunteers experienced at the border last month, when a mother with two young children pleaded for their help to get to Germany.
Oliwia said: ‘Usually we transport refugees in our area, but this time we couldn’t just say ‘no’.
‘They were desperate to get to their sister. Those kids… my God, I can barely hold back my tears.’
This week, Oliwia revealed she was setting up a charity event titled Hope For Ukraine, with people urged to donate to assist refugees as ‘the thing we need the most at the moment is hope.’
The actress-turned-activist listed bank details for people to send their donations to, and stated a fundraising page would become available online in the coming days.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has seen unspeakable atrocities committed, with Russia from the UN Human Rights Council for alleged war crimes.
The vote by the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York concluded in 93 votes to 24 – with 58 abstentions.
It comes six weeks after Vladimir Putin gave troops the order to invade, and days after in Bucha came to light.
