Elena (62)

Sunday, March 6, 2022, Trencin

I had to assure her that she was safe before she found the courage to talk about herself and her journey to Slovakia. I had to assure her that no one is watching her, that there is no danger on my part. I had to answer a few questions like how I knew she was here, or whom I work for. It is so unreal what this war can do with the trust in other people. She is constantly waking up in the middle of the night when she hears an unknown sound. During the day, the sight of the surrounding nature and the calm sky help to heal her soul. She came alone, only with her cat, which now keeps her company. She has her only son in Kiev.

"I came to Slovakia because of the war on March 3, 2022. I spent the first day in the evacuation center in Humenne. I was in Uzhhorod before. The situation there was still quite calm, so I could stay there with friends. What really surprised me was the understanding and love of your customs officers I had the chance to experience at the borders. Although we do not speak the same language, we have been able to communicate with each other and they have helped me a lot. The volunteers at the border were also great, they fed me, they gave me a SIM card, they explained everything to me. I was very touched by how we were greeted here."

"My 35-year-old son stayed at home in Kiev. He is still fine and I am in contact with him via video (Viber). I don't want to run anymore. I like it here, I would like to find a job here and stay. I worked as a manager in a cleaning company in a large business center in Ukraine. I was in charge of 20 people. I would like to find a similar job here, I am willing to work manually, like somewhere in a warehouse or I could be cleaning up. This is how I would like to help our army, I want to be sending them some money. I want to learn the language. I still use google translator, but I am able to communicate with others. Whether at the store, at the gas station, or at the pharmacy. I am really grateful that your country has accepted us at this difficult time. I'm here alone, but I feel being welcome everywhere."

"I would like to tell the Russians one thing: Wake up! You are blind, you have a tyrant in power. If you stand up to him, the bully will have to leave and the war is going to end soon I think. You are our brothers, Slavs, there are family ties between us. However, you are being influenced by misinformation and lies. I would like the Russians to unite and support us and themselves, one another. Such a regime should not exist in any country."