Maria had just given birth to her daughter, Kristina, when she was arrested by the Nazis in Warsaw in 1939. At first Kristina’s grandmother took care of her but when she no longer had the strength Kristina was put in an orphanage.

Maria spent the entire war in various concentration camps. The number 7023 was tattooed on her arm. A German guard made her pregnant. When the baby was born it was immediately taken from her.

When Maria was rescued by the White Buses she weighed only 40 kilos. She described the journey to Sweden as like going to Heaven.

After a short time in Sweden Maria began working in a factory in Ystad.

With the help of the Red Cross Kristina succeeded in finding her mother. Kristina was then 17 years old and still living in an orphanage in Poland.

Their reunification in Sweden was not the success Kristina had dreamt of. The years in the concentration camps had made Maria hard and emotionally cold.

After a few months together in Ystad Kristina did not want to live with Maria any longer. She moved to her own flat, got a job and in time also her own family.

Mother and daughter kept in touch but Maria could never give Kristina any love.