Mariam (34)

March 21, 2022, Bratislava. Day 25 of the war.

She is a Muslim. That's why Peter, who accommodated her, responded to her call for help so quickly. He knew she could be exposed to risks and dangers because of her faith. That she needs help like everyone else, but a little bit more. She was alone, of a different religion, of a different skin color, in a foreign country.

“Early in the morning of February 24, I remember it like it happened yesterday. Those flashes, explosions, everywhere on television there was the news that the Russians had attacked us. Still, I didn't want to believe it. I was in the very center of Kiev, in Khreshchatik - something like Avenue des Champs-Elysées in Paris, which was very well protected by our troops. I only became aware of the threat when the troops were approaching Kiev and when I saw our soldiers taking arrested people with their heads covered out of apartments. They were probably saboteurs and marauders." 

"I didn't want to go anywhere. I was hoping it would end soon, but my friend kept telling me to leave, that it would be bad. I believed our soldiers would not allow it. My friend was right, it was getting worse every day. Early on Monday morning, when the curfew ended, he came to me and told me I had 5 minutes to pack. He said their embassy was evacuating, that he would try to get me among the embassy people so I could leave with them. I didn't have many things with me, as I lived 60 km from Kiev, and I only went to the capital for a few days. What I was wearing was all I left with. My friend put me on the bus and said goodbye to me. Only then did I begin to realize everything."

"Through the tears in my eyes, I saw a lot of soldiers, destroyed houses, bodies... but I also saw that nothing would stop them. We travelled to the border all day, through Uzhhorod and Vysne Nemecke. We were brought to Presov first. Only then did I find out how lonely I was. The people who traveled with me were complete strangers, they spoke another language. At the hotel, everyone was hiding in their rooms, and I was left alone, in a foreign city, in a foreign country, not knowing the language, with strangers. I panicked, I didn't know what would happen next. My family is at home, why did I actually come here? Should I go home? Eventually I calmed down, ate, and began to think about what to do. I sat down at the computer, found a Facebook group that helps the refugees, and wrote a request for help. I wrote that I came alone from Kiev, that I had no one and nothing here, and I also stated there that I was a Muslim. I wanted people to know who was asking them for help. I know that people do not like Muslims, but I still prayed and asked Allah for help." 

"I hoped that someone would get back to me. Someone who would be the right help for me. I hoped not to shame our religion. I prayed to Allah all night, and in the morning when I opened Facebook, the first message was from Peter. I don't know why I ignored the other messages, I kind of knew he was the right person to help me out. I wrote to him once again that I was a Muslim, asking if it is ok, and his answer was, "This situation is difficult for all the people, but it's more difficult for Muslims." He immediately wrote to me how to get to him, and I set out on a journey, practically without thinking, but trusting Allah. I came to Bratislava at 10 pm, Peter picked me up and took me to the house where I lived alone for 2 days. Then Peter brought another family with children. I will thank him for his help for the rest of my life. My heart considers him a loved one, like an older brother, even though he is a stranger." 

"We are coming in a panic. We don't even know why we're leaving, because we don't know what will happen. Putin does not explain why this is happening, he calls it a special operation and we do not know when it will end. It is important that one has the strength and will. Only then can he handle it all, of course with the help of good people." 

"My brother and his family stayed in Ukraine, our parents died a long time ago. They live outside of Kiev, not far from a large military base. This is where the bloody battles take place. I'm worried about what will happen to them. Every day I listen about explosions in their vicinity. They are only 12 km away. They can't leave. Not that they can't do it physically, they don't have the material resources to do so. My brother's wife told me that my brother had joined the local defense. My head is going to explode because of it. I can't imagine anything happening to my only brother, my only family. Without him, I would be practically an orphan. I've been alone all my life, I don't have a husband, nor kids." 

"I worked in tourism, in the field of apartment rental in Ukraine. I welcomed tourists, I accommodated them, performed all the necessary administrative tasks. I also cleaned those apartments. When I came here, I found the same job. I understand that I do not have an education, that I am a simple person, and I cannot claim any skilled work. But I'm not afraid of that. I am able to earn enough and live normally using the money I earn. I don't need much. I'm grateful for what I have. Cleaning is a job like any other, you are paid for it. When I came here, I didn't know how it would all end. I had no idea that such a great person would help me or that I would find a job. I still don't know what's next. Maybe it will be better and maybe it will be even worse."