The life of my family was happy and cheerful. We would go for a walk with children, study together, travel, dream, and make plans for the future.

Last year, on the International Day for Protection of Children, with the help of the Atlant company (where I work), I and my family visited Gorky Park and Feldman Ecopark in Kharkiv. It was magnificent – wonderful landscape, beautiful city.

On February 24, 2022, at 5:40 am I was awakened by a phone call from my mother, 

“Daughter, the war began! Kyiv and other cities are being bombed!”

I answered, “Mom, what kind of war? It’s early morning, 21st century… it can’t be true!”

And just a few minutes later I heard the explosions… My friends saw how a drone was shot down in our area, but that was just the tip of the iceberg. Other districts were bombed, houses were destroyed and people were killed.

Russian troops have been bombing civilian homes since the start of the war.

So we got dressed, took the documents and went to the village where my parents live. There was chaos on the way: huge lines at the ATM, shelves in stores were getting empty, and it was almost impossible to get to the gas station because at least 20 cars were in the queue. I was afraid that we wouldn’t have enough gas to get to the village, but it was just enough. When we arrived, my parents cried with joy that we were alive, because of terrifying broadcasts on TV.

We lived in the village for about a month. It was quiet on the streets, except for the fact that helicopters flew around and we could hear explosions somewhere away. We went to sleep dressed, and with the fear that it could be our last night.  I tried to read the news less, but when my husband or my parents told me what Russian soldiers were doing – I couldn’t believe how all of that was possible in the civilized world. My heart ached for the zoo that we visited last year… What wrong did the animals do and the people who took care of them? Why did Russians murder them so violently? 

It was painful to see how Gorky Park was wiped off the face of the earth, how kids’ playgrounds were demolished. I still don’t know how to explain to my children why everything that was built over years was suddenly destroyed… People invested their souls, strength, energy, and finances to construct all of that. Why are our neighbors so aggressive?! And there is much more to explain…

The crucial moments for me were when Russian troops entered the nuclear power plant in Energodar, and when I saw what they did in Bucha, Irpin, and Borodyanka… I still feel sick when I hear the names of these villages. One day, we gathered with my family and decided that it was better for me to go with the children to a safe location. I didn’t know what to do at that moment. On one hand, I was afraid for the children if we stayed, and on the other hand, even more I was afraid to go somewhere alone with them. I thought it was really dangerous on the road, as I saw on social media how they shot innocent people and killed those who tried to leave; how mothers and children got lost in the trains and how many people were in one wagon; how they shelled the evacuation train with children. It was a horror!

Another civilian apartment building destroyed by Russian terrorism.

Then my colleague called me and told me that our company can help with the evacuation of employees and their relatives. I was still thinking, but my husband said that my mission was to save the children! It was no longer so scary for me because the company would bring us to the border and then I had someone to help me out.

The drivers took us to the border fast and without unnecessary stops. It was scary at the checkpoints with a lot of soldiers and when we saw how much military equipment was going in the opposite direction. We arrived earlier than planned and in the middle of the night, we made a lot of calls, answered all the questions, and arranged the transfer to Suceava at 2 am, instead of waiting until 7 am. After crossing the border, volunteers from “Fight for Freedom” met us, fed us warm meals, and gave us diapers, hygiene products, and candies to the children.

In Suceava, Brenda met us in the church and settled us in a furnished room with bunk beds  (it was about 3 am). In the morning they brought us food and we were treated very well the whole week while we were waiting to relocate to another place. Volunteers from the “International Justice Mission” were searching for the best option for us to stay. A week later they found a house in Sighisoara. They picked us up and brought us to the city in two cars for our comfort. On the way, the drivers often would stop to buy candies and toys for our children. I was in awe of such kindness. In Sighisoara, volunteers met us and fed us dinner, and the next day the pastor arrived with assistants to show us around the new place. Also, they brought lots of candies for children and adults. 

So, we were settled in separate rooms. On the first floor, there were three rooms with three families. On the second floor, there was a kitchen and a living room. On the third floor, there were two rooms, in one of which a volunteer lived. In the beginning, she used to take us to kindergarten, but now they gave us a car and we drive ourselves.

The living conditions were very good. Volunteers brought us prepared food, and then groceries, so we could cook ourselves. They organized a kindergarten for the children. We visited the zoo, went on excursions, and had a barbecue. They surrounded us with care and love. And it was very nice to see animals in the zoo, which were brought from Odessa’s Zoo. Romania’s help is huge.

No matter how good it was, my family remained in Ukraine. My heart remained in Ukraine. My family lived in the village, and it was difficult to get food there. They ate fruits and vegetables from the garden, but there was a shortage of necessary products in grocery stores (hygiene products, canned food, grains, bread, and flour).

I can’t wait to go home and hug my family.

When the war ends, I don’t even know how to look at the places where Russians have been, because everything is destroyed, broken, burned or someone is killed there. I’m scared that I won’t see many people anymore… This is a pain…a big wound… During this time my hair turned gray, but I want this tragedy to be the worst tragedy in my life!

I can’t plan now, I can only dream! I want to be useful to my country to restore it. I want to get back to work and forget about the war like a bad dream.

No matter how obvious it may sound, Ukraine needs financial help. Many people lost their jobs, like my husband. For those who work – salaries have become smaller, while the prices for food, gas, and electricity went up. Even if we don’t live in the apartment, we still have to pay the bills. 

I think we need donations to the projects that can restore hospitals, houses, schools, kindergartens, and factories.

Once again, I want to express my gratitude to Restore Ukraine that gave us such an opportunity in this difficult time to feel safe. After all, pastor Florin and many Romanian friends treated us very well and helped us a lot.

– Victoria, the mother of two children from Kharkiv.