At 43 years old, Iryna from Kyiv, found herself starting over in Hungary. She arrived on March 9, 2022, with her family of seven. Like many others, Iryna was forced to leave her home, while most of her relatives remained behind, with husbands defending Ukraine in the ongoing war.

Upon arrival, they were welcomed with open arms. “We were brought to the town of Gyöngyös, where we were accommodated in a student dormitory. I would like to thank the Hungarian people for their behavior – they are the best!” Iryna shared, grateful for the kindness she encountered in their new surroundings.

Before the war, she was the principal of a secondary school in Kyiv, with a 20-year career in education that spanned roles from secretary to speech therapist to school principal. “All my life I have been learning, and this gives me the strength to develop and support myself in the most difficult times. Now, I am studying in Hungary.”

In Budapest, Iryna quickly acted, finding ways to support fellow Ukrainians. With her savings, she rented a small apartment and began working as a primary school teacher at the Saturday Native School, and as a volunteer in a preschool space for Ukrainian children. “I met families with psycho-emotionally disturbed children and children with special needs, and the idea to organize free psycho-correctional classes came to me.”

Iryna’s passion for helping children led her to partner with another volunteer, Maryna, and together they applied for grants to provide much-needed services. “We won a small grant and started Summer Family Rehabilitation for Ukrainian families. However, in July 2023, we faced problems with the premises, and that’s when I turned to the JRS organization for help.”

Thanks to JRS, they were able to complete the program, and the collaboration became something much larger. JRS invited Iryna to join their team, allowing her to continue the work with children in need of corrective classes and psychological support. “At the beginning, I had 8 children, including an adult man who had suffered a stroke. Now, I work with 21 children, all of whom need correctional classes and emotional care.”

The work is challenging but rewarding. “There are many such families in Hungary, and I am seeing great results with the children. I also work closely with parents, as they need support as well.”

Despite the hardship and loss that war brought into her life, Iryna has found hope in being able to give back. “I am happy that I can be useful and support children who need it,” she says with a sense of purpose and gratitude.

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