Svetlana: “At the train station a Slovak woman was waiting for us and drove us to the town of Senica. She bought my daughter colouring books and regular books. It was very touching.“

Displacement Experience 

Before coming to Slovakia, I was an entrepreneur, I used to work in the field of adult education. I felt confused, but at the same time, I felt a great sense of responsibility for my daughter and mother. I was also very worried about my husband, who remained in Ukraine. At the train station in Bratislava, a Slovak woman was waiting for us and drove us to the town of Senica. She bought my daughter colouring books and regular books, and even gave her a houseplant. It was very touching. 

In those first few days, I had to focus on finding an oncologist. I also had to figure out how transportation worked so I could travel daily to Bratislava for radiation therapy. 

Encounter with JRS 

I can obtain the necessary information here, which will be very helpful to me. I can meet and communicate with people. I can learn the Slovak language. There are also opportunities for children to spend their free time. I sincerely thank Family Help Center for support and kindness. 

Integration and Future 

I am quite active in the national network of Ukrainian Educational Hubs, which implements the concept of Lifelong Learning for the development of Ukraine’s human capital. I am trying to do some activities in Slovakia. I’m concerned about my worsening financial situation. My previous savings are running out. For now, I don’t have the opportunity to work in my profession, I am an economist. I’m currently staying in Slovakia for treatment. 

JRS is working together with the Xavier Network, the Society of Jesus in Europe, local civil society, and NGOs in a coordinated Jesuit response. Together we help thousands of people like Svetlana. You can read more about The One Proposal at: jrseurope.org/en/project/the-one-proposal/.