Taya (21)

June 8, 2022, Zilina. 104. deň vojny.

The door opened and the baby with the longest hair I had ever seen layed on the bed. Fortunately, the babys' mother was able to come here with her grandmother, who helps her and teaches her everything she needs to know about caring for a newborn. Without her, she would probably have a hard time managing on her own. Taya did not know her father, and little Adelina's father stayed in Ukraine. When I met them, the baby was only 2 weeks old. I very much wish the baby girl to know her father, who would teach her everything she needs to know, who would give her fatherly love and be with her whenever she needs him!

“My name is Taya, my grandmother and I came here from Barvinkov, a small town in the Kharkiv region. At first we did not plan to leave, but intense fighting began in our area over time. It was difficult to leave home, I was pregnant, my man stayed at home where he works. We lived in Kharkiv until the war, but as soon as the fighting started, we both left for our hometown. My husband lost his job in Kharkiv, but he quickly found another at home and he now works in a warehouse.” 

“We heard explosions, even rocket launches, but the bombs didn't fall on our city. Only later did one of them land not far from us, and a pressure wave shattered the windows on our house. Grandma was sitting by the window when it happened. Fortunately, we had curtains on the windows that caught the glass, and it didn't hurt her. The next day, grandmas’ son-in-law persuaded us to leave.” 

“At half past five in the morning, my aunt called me to say that the war had started. I heard the first explosions, and the news began to appear about what was happening. We thought it would be safer in our city, but the war came there too, and we had to leave. I came to Slovakia on March 27th. We survived the whole first month of war in Ukraine. We only realized that we were in danger when we lost our windows. Getting here by train was very difficult. We traveled for 36 hours, not knowing where we’re going. I traveled abroad for the first time. I was pregnant, luckily Grandma was with me. We had a big delay, the train was only supposed to run for 25 hours, but thanks to the delay we survived. The train in front of us, which was there at the time ours was supposed to be there, was shot at. We came to Uzhhorod, where we were helped by volunteers, they took care of us very well. They took us to the border, they volunteers also helped us there, they even carried our things.” 

“I was in my early 8th month of pregnancy. When I left my man, we hoped to return home before I gave birth. We wanted to come back, but I started having fake contractions, and after that I was afraid to leave. He is happy that he has a daughter and is waiting for us at home.” 

“I don't have parents anymore, I stayed with my grandmother. I didn't know my father, and my mother left when I was little. We don't know where she is or what happened to her. My grandmother raised me. The birth lasted for 19 hours, but everything went well, even during the birth I was helped by volunteers who interpreted for me.” 

“Grannys' niece was already here 2 weeks before we came to Slovakia. She advised us on how to get here. Even so, it was difficult, my grandmother has problems walking, as her fracture didn’t heal properly. She is already 71 years old. I could communicate somehow, by using my hands and such, but I felt responsible for my grandmother and my daughter. In total, the trip to the refugee camp took us 47 hours. We were told s to rest and sleep in Uzhhorod and Michalovce, but we wanted to be in a safe place as soon as possible. We were very exhausted, especially mentally. I was lucky that I had a small belly, it only grew last month here in Slovakia. I was able to travel without major problems, I even slept upstairs on the train.” 

“I knew I would have a baby girl, but everyone here told me I would have a son. Nikita (a volunteer) who helped me a lot tried to persuade me that I should name my son after him. Even if it was a girl, he wanted her name to be Nikita. I eventually named her Adelina. I had a few names chosen, but this one won. I think it suits her best.” 

“The situation at home was difficult, there were frequent explosions, but my man decided to stay there. Our city is already quite ruined, but our house is still standing. We hope that the situation will calm down soon.”