By Lillia, a refugee mother UAF supports in Botosani, Romania.
February 24, 2022– it was a terrible day that will be etched with horror for the rest of our lives. No one could imagine the tragedy that befell the Ukrainian people.
Due to terrible circumstances in Ukraine, we were forced to leave our native land, our parents, husbands, pets, friends, schools, kindergartens, and work to seek refuge in another country. It’s difficult to remember the beastly fear we had running away from home, never knowing exactly where to, just trying to get to a safe place and secure the lives of our children, our nation, and our future. We do not deserve the horror that is happening now in our native country!
I left Ukraine with my son, 4-year-old Sava and my mother, Svitlana, taking our documents, food for the road, and little else. I have never driven a car abroad alone, but I had no choice. Somehow, a crazy courage appeared, because I knew that I was saving my son from the war. We lived in a town 30 minutes from the border of Moldova, so to Moldova we started our journey. But on the way, I got a call from my good friend, who had been living with her husband for several years in Botosani, Romania, and told us to think of nothing else and go to them. After leaving home, our tanks were coming to meet us, and it was the fear of what we saw... My son didn't understand why we were constantly crying, and I didn't tell him there was a war going on.
We stood in line for almost a day at the first Ukraine-Moldova border (Palanka checkpoint). I have never seen so many people, so many tears, fear, and misunderstanding. Volunteers brought us hot food and drinks, but everything we ate was swallowed with tears. Someone cut in front of my car and asked me to let them pass first. “We really need it,” she said. “I have children.” But I also needed to get through. “I also have a small child,” I shouted. But one thing was clear - that everyone was in a terrible panic.
A whole day on the road with no sleep, and finally we crossed the Moldovan border on the next day. We stopped in a refugee camp just to sleep for a little before driving on. On the way to Romania, we met a wonderful couple who helped us get on the right road. We were treated to coffee, and when they asked us if we had eaten that day, we were moved to tears.
Another 6-7 hours on the road and we arrived at the border at Sculeni, stood for another 9 hours, and crossed the border, where we were already met by our friends. How we were happy and sad at the same time and overcome with tears, and tears, tears and more tears. I don't know how my son endured such a difficult journey, but he’s such a brave boy! Even after going through serious knee surgery (along with being on painkillers and a fixator), I still got behind the wheel and just drove, forgetting about the pain.
Romania is a wonderful country with wonderful people who accepted and supported us, and are still helping us with everything they have. We will be grateful to them all of our lives.
My family (including my father, grandma, and other relatives, are still living in the city near Odesa. They can hear the terrible explosions. Those people who stayed in Ukraine and did not leave from the very beginning are already so brave and strong and will never leave home now. And yes, indeed, we miss home incredibly, but we consciously understand that we cannot return with the children, because it is very dangerous.
We left our homes, lost our jobs and our usual good life, but we are sure that this is temporary and we will be able to return. For now, we will stay here and are sure that Ukraine will win, and it will be so necessary, and we will be able to return home to rebuild our beautiful country. Being abroad, we still try to support our army, our brave soldiers, and all those who are currently defending the country from the aggressor, because if not for them, our country may no longer exist.
We are grateful to every person around the world, every organization who speaks about Ukraine, and who supports our country with all their hearts! We will win, we will rebuild, we will invite everyone to our thriving motherland, and we will receive you with the same love and open heart as you supported us in our difficult hour.
With grateful hearts❤️ to you,
Ukrainian family, Odesa, Ukraine. 💙💛
