Elena’s Strength and Hope in the Face of Adversity
Elena, a 38-year-old woman, is a refugee from Ukraine whose life has been radically changed by the war. Just a year ago, right before the war intensified, Elena found out she was pregnant. Despite the uncertainty and constant danger, she continued to travel, facing great difficulties throughout her pregnancy. Eventually, she gave birth to her child in Ukraine, amidst the conflict.
Together with her family, Elena fled to Germany in search of safety. They stayed there for three months, but the language barrier and adaptation difficulties forced them to seek a new destination. After Germany, they settled in England for 11 months, hoping the situation would become clearer and the war would end. However, Elena’s husband remained on the frontlines, while she, with two children, was in a constant search for stability.
Due to the challenges they faced in Germany and England, friends suggested they move to Moldova. Upon their arrival, they were warmly welcomed. Elena and her children found shelter at a Catholic church for 10 days, and for the first time, they felt a sense of home and safety in Moldova. Here, international organizations like UNHCR, UNFPA, and CDA stepped in with aid, offering psychological support and assistance in managing daily challenges.
Currently, Elena’s situation remains complicated. Her husband was severely injured on the front and is in critical condition in a Ukrainian hospital. Alone with her two young children, Elena now lives in the Sângerei district. She has met kind-hearted people who offered her a place to stay. Her eldest son is attending school, and Elena takes care of her youngest, who is just two months old. To see her husband, she needs to travel to him, which is dangerous, but she has no other choice.
Her life is a continuous struggle, with days when stress and worries overwhelm her. The fact that her husband is in the hospital and she is alone makes everything even more difficult. The family constantly needs help – from bedding and winter clothes to hygiene products and food. Elena cannot work at the moment, as she must take care of her young child. Despite everything, she is grateful for the support received from the Homecare/UNFPA organization, which provided her with a backpack full of hygiene products. Conversations with the psychologist at the “Safe Space” office have brought her some peace of mind, and the belief that the people around her are kind gives her the strength to keep going.
Elena is full of hope and deeply thanks everyone who has offered her support, especially the organizations working at the Community Center in Bălți. This is the story of a woman who, despite all the hardships, finds the strength to move forward for herself and her children.
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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