Help a Ukrainian family make a home in Australia
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If like me you have felt helpless and hopeless about the war in Ukraine, then please read my story of helping refugees.
I introduce Svetlana (33), Olena (60), Dasha (25) and young Liza (7). This photo was taken mid-March at a rally in Warsaw to honour the children that have died in Ukraine.
When Putin started moving troops, invading Ukraine, I texted Svetlana “where are you?” She was in a bunker under a school in Kyiv. She sent videos of people in terrible conditions, cramped but resilient. “Glory to Ukraine. Putin will not win.” A reminder of the temperament of the people I once spent time with.
A few weeks into living in the bunker, I ask about food, water, how are the children. " Jo – we are OK how is your family, how is Ollie."
Liza smiling to mum in the bunker under the school.
How I came to know Svetlana
I conceived two children naturally, but struggled with my age and fertility for a third child. Surrogacy in Ukraine is legal and not as costly compared to the USA.
Through an agency, we found an egg donor and then were matched with Olya – a surrogate. I flew to Ukraine in December 2018 . Whilst I waited for our child to come into the world, I walked miles and miles It was winter and I feel in love with Kyiv, such a beautiful country.
I learnt of the country’s long history of struggling with independence. Everyone I met during my five months were very positive and proud of their country. I grew a strong hatred of Russia and Putin. I vowed to never visit his country.
Ollie was born on the 11 January 2019. I’ve kept in regular contact with Olya and have financially supported them over the years. They live in the Kherson region, close to Crimeria and what they have lived with is just awful. Jets and bombs, too scared to leave the house for food. Trying to distract her young children. Coping without electricity and water. Witnessing Ukrainians slayed in their cars. Russians taking down the blue and yellow flags and flying Russian flags. I don’t believe Olya’s family will leave Ukraine.
I met Svetlana in December 2018, quickly became friends. Without asking Svetlana would care for Ollie while I did food shopping. Svetlana would help me translate when needed and took me into her home for meals and company. All this without hesitating or wanting anything in return other than friendship. Baby Ollie and I spent many times at their tiny flat and enjoyed laughter, meals and vodka. Interestingly they can’t speak English nor can I Russian, but we understood each other well.
We maintained contact via VIBER, sharing photos and videos of our girls and of young Ollie growing. I witnessed their daughter winning dancing contests, celebrate Easter and the most recent photos of Christmas and how they were doing Christmas COVID safe.
Svetlana and her husband, Vashya, talked of their dreams to move to Australia. They asked me to look at avenues under which they can migrate. When I came home and had time, I did look for them and sadly none of their working backgrounds qualified them to come on a skilled Visa. Which was sad, they are hard-working people, had savings and very caring.
Svetlana in my Ukrainian flat helping me with newborn
I can’t believe that Putin started this war, much more I can’t comprehend why he continues this. I have access to the social media that is internal to Ukraine. Dead Russian bodies lying in the snow. Young children in bunkers singing songs of hope to pass the time. Russians killing young Ukrainian men so that they cannot defend their land.
As much as I understand, Svetlana suddenly received a message at 11pm that there may be room on a train heading to Poland. They gathered their document satchel, no suitcases, just the clothes they had on, and made tearful goodbyes to husband/father/step son and boarded the train which then “crept like a mouse” for 20 hours to Poland. Svetlana constantly reassuring Liza that everything will be OK, we will be free, no more bombs.
Before they arrived at the Polish border, I organised one room at the Hyatt for a grand price of AUD $75 – at last I felt like I was doing something. On arrival at the border Svetlana texted to say they had to wait for two and half hours to get the bus to Warsaw. I moved the Hyatt booking to the next day. Then 20 minutes later Svetlana tells me a generous Polish man arrived in his car and offered to take them to the hotel.
The family were delivered safely to the Hyatt who gave them a second room free of charge. For the first time in weeks they showered, celebrated Dasha’s 25 birthday and went to bed without the sound of guns and bombs falling around them.
In early March I helped gain Visitor VISAs . The adults were granted on March 16. Liza was granted on the 29 March. They arrived in Melbourne at midnight on the 31 March with just two plastic bags and a backpack.
Scottie’s announcement is good and welcome and timely (hopefully not just for political gain) that will see 4000 VISA applicants – my friends included in that number – access to a humanitarian visa for 3 years with rights to work, study and access Medicare.
These hard-working people will not bludge on our country.
My predicament is how long will it take for that VISA to be approved. I have welcomed four women, one of them just 7, to my home. Fine I’ve done that and will do all I can. I bought beds and set up in playroom and bedroom.
Once their humanitarian VISA is approved, I can provide the three adults with paid work. The Ukrainian Association are pushing for the VISAs to be fast tracked and quickly honour the Government promise of help.
Even with rights to work, there are many hurdles to go. Language barriers, finding long term accommodation, recovering from the terror of war, learning to live in Australia. Finding a school for Liza.
All the while waiting and praying that the father/husband will reunite with them one day.
I am cautious to ask details of what my extended family lived through in Ukraine. I’m hesitant to have the news on so that they are not watching ongoing acts of murder. Today I learn that even though the tanks are being pushed back, Russians tie the hands of young Ukrainian men and slaughter them in the street so they can no longer defend their land.
I keep in touch with my former history and tour guide, Anna, who has two young children and moves out of Kyiv, continually moving houses if bombs come to close. She is distraught, angry, but resolute that Russia will not take the land. “My friends in Russia stopped talking to me since the war. I wish I could slit my wrists and let the Russian blood pour from me,” Anna texts me.
Taking in refugees (nicer to say displaced people) wasn’t the plan when I starting checking on friends in Ukraine. It evolved.
I got advice from the Australian Ukrainian Association that Visitor VISAs were the fastest route and then worry about the next steps once they were here. It is OK at least my extended family are safe and are sleeping soundly at night.
For Ukrainians who are prepared to move so far from their homeland, I can’t imagine how they achieve it without considerable support. When I completed the VISA’s for Svetlana, it was only then that I realised then that I was making a very big commitment.
I understand the enormity of the commitment. Today’s goal is to fill them with dignity and love. My text promise to Vashya: “you take care my Ukrainian friend and I’ll take care of your family until you take over again.”
When will this senseless war end? How long before the Russian murderer believes he has achieved his goal? How do Ukrainians recover and rebuild?
We are not wealthy people. Our family doubled over night. I need help with this. It takes a village, doesn’t it?
Thank you for taking the time to read.
Glory to Ukraine
I introduce Svetlana (33), Olena (60), Dasha (25) and young Liza (7). This photo was taken mid-March at a rally in Warsaw to honour the children that have died in Ukraine.
When Putin started moving troops, invading Ukraine, I texted Svetlana “where are you?” She was in a bunker under a school in Kyiv. She sent videos of people in terrible conditions, cramped but resilient. “Glory to Ukraine. Putin will not win.” A reminder of the temperament of the people I once spent time with.
A few weeks into living in the bunker, I ask about food, water, how are the children. " Jo – we are OK how is your family, how is Ollie."
Liza smiling to mum in the bunker under the school.
How I came to know Svetlana
I conceived two children naturally, but struggled with my age and fertility for a third child. Surrogacy in Ukraine is legal and not as costly compared to the USA.
Through an agency, we found an egg donor and then were matched with Olya – a surrogate. I flew to Ukraine in December 2018 . Whilst I waited for our child to come into the world, I walked miles and miles It was winter and I feel in love with Kyiv, such a beautiful country.
I learnt of the country’s long history of struggling with independence. Everyone I met during my five months were very positive and proud of their country. I grew a strong hatred of Russia and Putin. I vowed to never visit his country.
Ollie was born on the 11 January 2019. I’ve kept in regular contact with Olya and have financially supported them over the years. They live in the Kherson region, close to Crimeria and what they have lived with is just awful. Jets and bombs, too scared to leave the house for food. Trying to distract her young children. Coping without electricity and water. Witnessing Ukrainians slayed in their cars. Russians taking down the blue and yellow flags and flying Russian flags. I don’t believe Olya’s family will leave Ukraine.
I met Svetlana in December 2018, quickly became friends. Without asking Svetlana would care for Ollie while I did food shopping. Svetlana would help me translate when needed and took me into her home for meals and company. All this without hesitating or wanting anything in return other than friendship. Baby Ollie and I spent many times at their tiny flat and enjoyed laughter, meals and vodka. Interestingly they can’t speak English nor can I Russian, but we understood each other well.
We maintained contact via VIBER, sharing photos and videos of our girls and of young Ollie growing. I witnessed their daughter winning dancing contests, celebrate Easter and the most recent photos of Christmas and how they were doing Christmas COVID safe.
Svetlana and her husband, Vashya, talked of their dreams to move to Australia. They asked me to look at avenues under which they can migrate. When I came home and had time, I did look for them and sadly none of their working backgrounds qualified them to come on a skilled Visa. Which was sad, they are hard-working people, had savings and very caring.
Svetlana in my Ukrainian flat helping me with newborn
I can’t believe that Putin started this war, much more I can’t comprehend why he continues this. I have access to the social media that is internal to Ukraine. Dead Russian bodies lying in the snow. Young children in bunkers singing songs of hope to pass the time. Russians killing young Ukrainian men so that they cannot defend their land.
As much as I understand, Svetlana suddenly received a message at 11pm that there may be room on a train heading to Poland. They gathered their document satchel, no suitcases, just the clothes they had on, and made tearful goodbyes to husband/father/step son and boarded the train which then “crept like a mouse” for 20 hours to Poland. Svetlana constantly reassuring Liza that everything will be OK, we will be free, no more bombs.
Before they arrived at the Polish border, I organised one room at the Hyatt for a grand price of AUD $75 – at last I felt like I was doing something. On arrival at the border Svetlana texted to say they had to wait for two and half hours to get the bus to Warsaw. I moved the Hyatt booking to the next day. Then 20 minutes later Svetlana tells me a generous Polish man arrived in his car and offered to take them to the hotel.
The family were delivered safely to the Hyatt who gave them a second room free of charge. For the first time in weeks they showered, celebrated Dasha’s 25 birthday and went to bed without the sound of guns and bombs falling around them.
In early March I helped gain Visitor VISAs . The adults were granted on March 16. Liza was granted on the 29 March. They arrived in Melbourne at midnight on the 31 March with just two plastic bags and a backpack.
Scottie’s announcement is good and welcome and timely (hopefully not just for political gain) that will see 4000 VISA applicants – my friends included in that number – access to a humanitarian visa for 3 years with rights to work, study and access Medicare.
These hard-working people will not bludge on our country.
My predicament is how long will it take for that VISA to be approved. I have welcomed four women, one of them just 7, to my home. Fine I’ve done that and will do all I can. I bought beds and set up in playroom and bedroom.
Once their humanitarian VISA is approved, I can provide the three adults with paid work. The Ukrainian Association are pushing for the VISAs to be fast tracked and quickly honour the Government promise of help.
Even with rights to work, there are many hurdles to go. Language barriers, finding long term accommodation, recovering from the terror of war, learning to live in Australia. Finding a school for Liza.
All the while waiting and praying that the father/husband will reunite with them one day.
I am cautious to ask details of what my extended family lived through in Ukraine. I’m hesitant to have the news on so that they are not watching ongoing acts of murder. Today I learn that even though the tanks are being pushed back, Russians tie the hands of young Ukrainian men and slaughter them in the street so they can no longer defend their land.
I keep in touch with my former history and tour guide, Anna, who has two young children and moves out of Kyiv, continually moving houses if bombs come to close. She is distraught, angry, but resolute that Russia will not take the land. “My friends in Russia stopped talking to me since the war. I wish I could slit my wrists and let the Russian blood pour from me,” Anna texts me.
Taking in refugees (nicer to say displaced people) wasn’t the plan when I starting checking on friends in Ukraine. It evolved.
I got advice from the Australian Ukrainian Association that Visitor VISAs were the fastest route and then worry about the next steps once they were here. It is OK at least my extended family are safe and are sleeping soundly at night.
For Ukrainians who are prepared to move so far from their homeland, I can’t imagine how they achieve it without considerable support. When I completed the VISA’s for Svetlana, it was only then that I realised then that I was making a very big commitment.
I understand the enormity of the commitment. Today’s goal is to fill them with dignity and love. My text promise to Vashya: “you take care my Ukrainian friend and I’ll take care of your family until you take over again.”
When will this senseless war end? How long before the Russian murderer believes he has achieved his goal? How do Ukrainians recover and rebuild?
We are not wealthy people. Our family doubled over night. I need help with this. It takes a village, doesn’t it?
Thank you for taking the time to read.
Glory to Ukraine
Young Liza cries over the loss of young lives.
Organizer
Jo Burrows
Organizer
Melbourne VIC