Ukrainian refugees grateful of people’s generosity keeping them hopeful and alive

“We are still alive because of the generosity and compassion of other people. My daughters are well. They sleep well at night. We are safe now from the bombs and explosion,” Olena shared.

“Through the help of the people in our village we were able to flee Kherson. When we arrived here, Romanians assisted us. We received food and other assistance because people from other parts of the world have shown their kindness,” the 36-year-old mother added.

People in her parents’ village gave them money. “They are also suffering like us because of the war, but they still choose to help us. They care so much about our daughters,” Olena said.

With the money they received, they embarked in the most uncertain journey in their life as a family.

Living in fear

When the war started, Olena, her husband and two daughters stayed in the small room without window as the bombs and air strikes swept their city.

Olena shared what Kira, her four-year old daughter said, “Why are they doing this to us?  We didn’t do any mistakes.” “I hugged her tight. I didn’t know what to say,” Olena added.

The couple realized they will be safer in her parents’ village. They waited for the safest time to go. “The bombing has stopped, so we left our house.  We were very careful not to step on landmines,” Olena recalled.

As the war escalates, food was scarcer and her daughters got sickly. “They have difficulty breathing and skin allergies. They have trouble sleeping. I know they are afraid. We are all living in fear,” she said.

On the day they set out to leave, a bomb exploded and sixteen people walking ahead of them died. “It could have been us. We returned to my parents’ house,” Olena said in a shaky voice.

Amidst their fear of another explosion, they still decided to finally go for their daughters’ health.

These items we are giving are a great help to the Ukrainians. This is helping beyond the basic needs like food and hygiene.  Thoughtful, loving people have put together this project.

New hope

With the money from their generous neighbors, they drove for ten days. They only stopped to sleep and eat. Their car is still being repaired until now.

They arrived in Romania last February 5. “After almost a year of having little to eat, we were able to eat well. I cried, tears of joy, because my kids will not be hungry anymore,” Olena said with a smile.

“I can’t explain how difficult it was to live in a city destroyed by war. We were scared all the time. My husband left early to look for food and came back with just little food,” she recalled.

“I have survived those months living in an occupied city because of my daughters. We were in desperate situation and it was so easy to despair. But I held on to the truth that our sufferings will come to pass.”

Her daughters have recovered and have found new friends. The family has slowly adapted living in a foreign country.

“I always tell my daughters that a time will come and we can go home. It’s hard to be away from family and our country, but we and Ukraine will rise like a phoenix. I believe good will triumph in the end. This gives me strength and hope for our future,” Olena said her eyes lit.

Help abounds

Olena is one of the 4,700 Ukrainian being assisted by Private Non-Sponsorship (PNS) Project of World Vision Singapore. Families received bedsheet, hygiene kits, clothes for those with babies, pillow, mattress, pillowcases, first aid kit, USB power hub, and power bank.

“These items we are giving are a great help to the Ukrainians. This is helping beyond the basic needs like food and hygiene.  Thoughtful, loving people have put together this project. Bedsheet, pillows, mattress -this about giving respect and dignity and helping them to be comfortable and sleep well.

Women and children need rest for what they have been through in Ukraine,” said Cosmina Siminean, Manager of World Vision’s partner Direcţia Generală de Asistenţă Socială a Municipiului Bucureşti / General Directorate for Social Assistance of Bucharest Municipality (DGASMB).

“I don’t know how to thank World Vision for understanding our pain and suffering, and helping us with our needs,” Olena said.

“Our partnership with DGASMB is very important, as they are running the largest centre for Ukrainian refugees at Romexpo. More than 1,300 people are coming daily. World Vision has been providing 90% of the food and non-food items given to the Ukrainians,” said Alice Mihailescu, World Vision Program Manager.

To date, 171,313 Ukrainians in 15 municipalities in Romania has been supported by World Vision in partnership with seven organizations and agencies.

Overall, World Vision has reached 656,320 refugees, internally displaced and host communities in Romania, Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine.

Story and photos by Leoniza Morales, Communications Specialist