Olena’s story

When the first explosions shattered the night sky, Olena’s world changed forever. “I woke up to the sound of missiles and saw their trails from my balcony,” she recalls.

In those early hours, she phoned her father, screaming that full-scale war had started. He didn’t believe her. “He thought I was making it up,” she says quietly. But the reality was undeniable. For three long days, Olena and her cousin agonised over what to do, trying to ignore the noise of gunfire and explosions. They hoped the war would end within hours. It didn’t.

Crossing into safety

Eventually, Olena, her cousin, and her cousin’s two small children packed whatever they could carry and headed for the border. “I will never forget the feeling of relief and joy when we realised we were safe,” Olena says. “People in Moldova welcomed us warmly - with food, water, clothes, and shelter. It was very touching.”

Starting over

Olena had been a social worker in Ukraine. In Moldova, she felt useless. “I wanted to work, to distract myself and feel useful,” she says. Then came a turning point. A former colleague told her UNHCR was hiring in Moldova. “Working for UNHCR was a dream,” Olena says. She worried her qualifications and English weren’t enough. But UNHCR believed in her. “I could not have imagined a better job,” she smiles, “I am not only able to develop greatly as a professional - it allows me to help people who find themselves in the same situation as me.”

Building belonging

Today, Olena works with UNHCR to support refugee integration. “Integration is everything,” she says. “It’s what helps people get their life back.” Her days are filled with connecting refugees to education, jobs, and healthcare. “I know how they feel. I understand them.” Her colleagues and the Moldovan community have helped her feel at home. “They showed me beautiful places, shared traditions, and even invited me to festivals,” she smiles. She’s learned to love Moldovan music and food - especially Zeama, a local soup with a tangy twist.

Breaking misconceptions

Olena wants people to see refugees differently. “All I see around me are a huge number of wonderful people who, despite difficult life circumstances, have not given up and are trying to rebuild their normal lives,” she says. “What I see in Moldova are people who have found work, are learning the language, and many of whom dream of starting their own businesses and developing further. They coexist peacefully with the local community.”

The road ahead

Olena doesn’t know what tomorrow holds: “I live for today and want to make it beautiful,” she says. One thing is certain: “Moldova and its kind people, who welcomed me and others from Ukraine, will always remain in my heart. And, of course, I will never forget my experience working at UNHCR.”