Mikola (70)

May 8., 2022, Žilina. Day 73 of war.

He pulls out a small, precisely wrapped bundle after a while. It contains his greatest treasure - a photograph of him with his wife, whom he lost seven years ago. His eyes gleam, he cries when he starts talking about her. It would be easier for him to push through the obstacles today if she lived. He wouldn't have to deal with everything alone. He came to Slovakia with his 14-year-old grandson, whom he has taken care of since his father's death. His strength is waning, but he is willing to do anything for his grandchildren. To escape the war, go beyond the borders of his homeland, to an unknown country, or even work as a shepherd. 

“I've experienced similar things before. I used to serve in the Far East near the Chinese border for 3 years, at a time when we were attacked by China. The Chinese disguised themselves as fishermen and gradually attacked our border guards with knives. They killed a lot of them, sometimes they just cut off their ears and made fun of us. It did not end until Brezhnev gave the order to attack. And all because of Daman Island. I stayed there for a while after the conflict. I worked on construction sites around lake Baikal for half a year, later returning home to Ukraine.” 

“I worked in Kharkiv, in the Sulskey area, where I met my wife. We got married in 1972 and we lived in the Kharkiv region all our lives. My wife died 7 years ago and I have been alone ever since. From that moment on, I became unnecessary for all around me. I sold the house, gave the money to my daughters, and lived literally between heaven and earth. I raised a grandson. His father died, the daughter found another man, but he did not adopt her son, so I took care of him since. He's here with me now, we're running away from the war together.” 

“My daughter should come soon, she has 9 children. She gave birth to the tenth child in Uzhhorod recently. They need to finalize the paperwork so they can come. I don't know where and how they will live, especially where they will all fit in. I do not know what is better for them, whether to come here or stay in Uzhhorod. They have no money left. My grandchildren call me saying they are hungry, they have nothing to eat... Unfortunately, social support is delayed and they have to wait a few more days for the money to come. My daughter went to apply for the humanitarian aid at the city council, but since she changed her place of residence to the Poltava region, she has no right to anything, they must starve. While I was at home, I helped them with the money from my pension and bought food. I wanted to send them money to Ukraine, but I didn't succeed at the post office. I also told people here yesterday to help me find a job, I would even work as a shepherd. I have been working on a farm for 35 years, I am not afraid of work, I want to help my grandchildren! I am 70 years old, but I went to the Kherson region to collect potatoes and onions 3 years ago and from the earnings I sent money to my grandchildren so they would have something to eat. I'm not doing this for my daughter, she didn't turn out well, but I'm sorry for my grandchildren, I'm doing it for them. I earned 450 - 500 rubles (7 - 8 €) a day. I fell out of fatigue, people helped me, just to have something to eat. I receive a disability pension of 1,700 hryvnia, but you can't buy much with it. Everything is very expensive in Ukraine. My grandson and I are looking for a job for me on the internet.” 

“You know, people are good here, everyone helps me. People around the world are different, but I still don't understand why we have this war, why should we fight, and for what? People who lived together all their lives... We lived well in Kharkiv, it was a nice city, but there was little work. All young people left to work in your country, in the Czech Republic, Germany. My two daughters also went to work in Poland, but they were deceived. They were promised $ 1,000 a month, but they only gave them $ 500. They changed jobs, but the same thing happened, they only gave them half. They complained to the authorities, but there they were told that they were not officially employed and therefore could do nothing about it. Instead of 3 months, there were there for only 2 months and they returned home with $ 1,000. It is not so much money in Ukraine, everything is expensive, a kilo of sugar costs 50 hryvnia. “

“I've lived a difficult, not the best life. I have worked on a farm where I grazed cows since 1976. In the rain, in the snow, under any conditions. I had to pour water out of my shoes often, these were the conditions.”