A Survival Story: Ecaterina and Mihail’s Journey to Safety
In their old home in the Oceakov district, Mykolaiv region, Ecaterina and Mihail never knew if they would see another day. Every farewell with neighbors felt like it could be the last. Living under the terror of gunfire forced them to leave and search for a new beginning in a foreign country.
With heavy hearts and tear-filled eyes, the elderly couple, aged 75 and 80, along with their 10-year-old granddaughter, left the home where they had spent their entire lives. The constant gunfire and explosions stripped them of their sense of safety and pushed them toward an unknown destination: Moldova.
The journey was long and difficult, full of uncertainties and fears, but it was their only hope for survival. Once in Moldova, Ecaterina and Mihail settled with their granddaughter on Columna Street in Chișinău. Although they now had a roof over their heads, the overwhelming feeling of displacement weighed heavily on them.
Mihail, overwhelmed by despair and suffering, refused to accept the new reality and fell into a deep depression. Not even his family’s insistence to see a doctor could convince him. Their days were filled with fear and insecurity. The sounds of the street, once harmless, now made them jump, reminding them of the horrors of war.
Both became dependent on antidepressants to cope with the pain and find some peace amidst the turmoil. The Covid-19 pandemic added even more challenges. Ecaterina and Mihail were hospitalized, and Mihail’s severe condition worsened their situation. Since then, their lives have been a series of treatments and medical visits.
Ecaterina often looked out the window, dreaming of the days when they used to make plans for the future. Now, their only wish was to survive and see another day. Amidst this chaos, they found solace at the Social Support Center on G. Casu Street.
There, they were welcomed with warmth and compassion. The center’s psychologist offered them emotional support and encouragement, helping them feel less alone and find the strength to continue. “I was received with a warmth and sense of safety I hadn’t felt in a long time. The psychologist at the center provided emotional support and encouragement during our moments of vulnerability and need.”
“The emotions that overwhelmed me made me want to sincerely thank you for your kindness, sincerity, and support.”
This activity is part of the “Improving Access to Essential Health and Protection Services for Refugees from Ukraine and Host Communities” program, supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA Moldova) in Moldova and funded by the European Union.
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