The story of Tetiana : « We all hope for peace – and a safe, quiet night »

Tetiana was born, studied, and works in Kharkiv, in eastern Ukraine, a few kilometers away from the Russian border. She has been working with Action Against Hunger as a translator for the past year. Like many Ukrainians, she fled her hometown because of the war, only to return despite the ongoing insecurity.

« The beginning of the war was terrifying. I woke up to the sound of explosions, but at first I thought it was fireworks. Then I got a call from a friend who said: “We’re under attack”. I ran to the basement with my husband. We could hear the sound of jets above our heads.

We spent a week in the basement. But food became scarce, and we had to go out at some point. I remember standing in a line of 200 people at the supermarket. One day, a rocket fell nearby, but I stayed – we needed food. We bought whatever we could find, but there was no bread, pasta, or rice. Soon, prices skyrocketed. Transport became expensive. At train stations, some people abandoned pets and belongings in an attempt to escape. At the end of March 2022, although spring had already begun, it was snowing – this is something I’ll never forget.

After a week of war, we realized our lives would never be the same. We fled to Dnipro and then to Lviv. From March to June 2022, we lived in very difficult conditions – sometimes in offices, sleeping on the floor alongside others who had nowhere else to go. In Dnipro, we stayed with relatives of friends who kindly offered us their flat. Later, our friend’s IT company moved the remnants of their office from Dnipro to Lviv, and we lived there. They set up a small kitchen and toilets and brought mattresses and pillows. Polish volunteers were incredibly supportive, bringing bread, cookies, and tea.

After four months, we took the decision to return to Kharkiv. Our family needed us, and the company could no longer support us. The situation had slightly improved, though shelling continued at night and in the early morning. Returning was emotionally difficult. Everything felt strange. After 11 years in education, I decided to change paths. Although teaching is important, I felt I wasn’t making the impact I wanted. Together with my husband and a fellow teacher, we founded a small charity to support vulnerable people. We still run it today, distributing clothes, hygiene kits, and books. Then I found a translator position at Action Against Hunger.

Life is more stable now than in 2022, but the fear remains. We can’t plan even a month ahead. Just last night, there were drone attacks and shelling. I take chamomile tea and magnesium to calm down. On Monday, I was at the Solidarités office when a nearby explosion shook the doors. We had to take refuge between two walls to protect ourselves. Children react differently – some hide, while others think it’s just fireworks. In the oblast, the situation is worse. The Russian army advances slowly, and on the outskirts, you can hear the fighting.

We have had to adapt. We keep working and try to find moments of joy. Cultural events continue – our opera performs in shelters – and schools hold activities underground. Many people are seeking psychological support to cope with the situation. At Action Against Hunger, we worked with an external psychologist who supported both the children in our programs and the employees. I felt like I was carrying a heavy stone, and I was relieved to be able to put it down at last.

The economic situation remains dire for many. During the first months of the war, rental costs dropped, but now they have risen even higher than before. Food prices are also high, while salaries and pensions remain low. Supermarkets are operating, but many people can’t afford going there. In rural areas, people try to grow their own food and sell it locally.

Since the war began, the sense of community has grown immensely. We take care of each other, especially the elderly and children. The sense of national identity has also grown. On August 24, it was heartening to see so many people celebrating Ukraine Independence Day.

Despite everything, I find small joys in daily life. We all hope for peace – and a safe, quiet night. »