June 22nd 2024.
My friends and I have always been a tight-knit group, so when the war in Ukraine began, we all felt compelled to do something to cope with the uncertainty and fear that loomed over us. That's when we came up with the idea to mark our calendars with our best guesses for when the war would end. Some of us were optimistic, hoping for a quick resolution, while others predicted a longer battle. As the days went by, each notification of a missed deadline brought a tinge of sadness and pain to my heart.
I was born and raised in Kyiv, a bustling city in Ukraine. I've always been a city girl at heart, but I also love to travel and spend time with my friends. Life was going great for me - I had recently met my husband and we had a beautiful son, Daniel. I know it sounds cliché, but I truly felt happy and content.
However, as tensions rose and rumors of Russia's potential invasion reached our ears, I noticed my friends and neighbors stocking up on supplies and preparing to flee. I didn't believe anything would actually happen, so I didn't join in on the preparations. In fact, I even went on a ski trip to Turkey in early February.
But fate had other plans for me. I had to travel to Lviv for my studies, and with my husband sick with Covid-19, I had to take Daniel, who was only eight years old, with me. My mother also came along to help take care of him. We packed light and drove for hours to get to Lviv, where we had rented an Airbnb for five days. Little did we know that our trip would coincide with the start of the invasion on February 24th.
As soon as the sirens started blaring throughout the city, I knew we were in trouble. Lviv was far from the conflict, but I also knew it wasn't safe to go back to Kyiv. We were running out of time at our rented accommodation, and everywhere else was quickly booking up. I called my husband, who urged us to leave the country for our own safety. It was a difficult decision, but we finally decided to take refuge with my mother's goddaughter in Poland.
We left for the Polish border that same evening, and I am forever grateful that we did. We spent nine hours at the border, while others spent days waiting. Eventually, we made it to Wroclaw, a city in Poland, where we were at a loss for what to do next. But in March, the UK announced their Homes for Ukraine scheme, and we immediately started the process of applying.
I had been to the UK before and I speak English, so it seemed like the best option for us. We drove towards the UK, hoping that my mother and Daniel would also receive their visas. However, it took almost three more weeks for them to be approved. During that time, we stayed in Germany and Belgium, feeling incredibly stressed and uncertain about the future.
Throughout this whole ordeal, my friends and I continued to make guesses about when the war would end. It was a coping mechanism for us, but also a reminder of the ongoing conflict back home. My son, Daniel, even asked if he could sleep in my bed because he couldn't shake off the fear and uncertainty that surrounded us.
Finally, on April 25th, everything was approved for us in the UK and we flew out that day. It was a bittersweet moment - relief mixed with sadness as we left our home country and loved ones behind. We settled in Buckinghamshire, a calm and green area that was a stark contrast to the bustling city life we were used to. Daniel loves his new school, and I try my best to support him with his education.
My husband is still in Ukraine, and we speak regularly despite the challenges of power cuts and blackouts. I have also become involved in organizing events for Ukrainians in the UK, where we can share our culture and stories with others. It was at one of these events that I met someone from UK for UNHCR.
When UK for UNHCR asked me to be a part of their 'Cuppa Hope' campaign earlier this year, I was excited to share my story with others. It's one thing to see statistics and survey results, but sitting down for a cup of tea and having a casual conversation can be so powerful. I even brought my favorite tea - lemon, ginger, mint, and honey - to share with everyone, and the response was heartwarming.
As for the future, I try not to think about it too much. I don't know when I'll be able to go back to Ukraine, and I've learned to freeze my expectations after all the missed guesses in my calendar. But I still hold onto hope, deep in my heart. I've told myself that I'll think about it all when the war is over and we can start rebuilding our lives.
In the meantime, I continue to share my story and raise awareness about the ongoing crisis in my home country. I may be far from home, but my love for Ukraine and my hope for a better future remains strong.
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