Just a few kilometres from their home in Ukraine, 10-year-old Nadja and her grandmother Natalia (62) have found refuge in Casa Concordia, a shelter on the outskirts of a small village in eastern Moldova. Though geographically close to home, these few kilometres separate two vastly different realities: here, they are safe, while across the border, the war rages on with no clear end in sight. For more than two and a half years, they have been waiting with hope for the day they can return to Mykolaiv, their hometown in southern Ukraine.

Fleeing a War They Never Expected

“No one expected it to last this long,” Natalia says, tears welling in her eyes as she remembers April 2022. “Nadja and I were shopping when we heard the first explosions. The child was so frightened that all she wanted was to leave.” In a moment of urgency, Nadja’s parents made the painful decision to send their daughter and Natalia to safety. “My daughter told me: Go to Moldova; you’ll be safe there. We’ll stay here to defend our home, and you’ll come back when it’s all over.”

The Shock of Displacement

Before the war, Natalia lived peacefully in Mykolaiv with her family. Her daughter managed the household and cared for Nadja, while her son-in-law worked as an electrician, providing an essential service to the community. They had a stable life, filled with plans for the future.

Everything changed in an instant. “We left without knowing what awaited us, but with the hope of returning soon,” Natalia recalls. The first days in Moldova were filled with uncertainty, fear, and an overwhelming sense of loss. Since then, Nadja has seen her parents only once—in December of last year, when they spent a few days together in Ukraine. “We shouldn’t have gone,” Natalia admits. “It was so bad—no drinking water and bomb alarms all night long.”

Facing the Challenges of a New Life

Adjusting to life far from home has not been easy. The greatest hardship has been the long separation from their loved ones. “Nadja misses her parents deeply. Every day, she talks to her mother on the phone, sends her photos, and asks for help with school assignments,” Natalia shares.

Despite these struggles, they have found a place of stability and warmth in Casa Concordia, a shelter run by the organization Concordia, which provides support to Ukrainian families affected by the war. “We were welcomed with so much warmth here,” says Natalia. “Although Moldova is a modest country, its people are extremely hospitable.”

A Community That Feels Like Home

At Casa Concordia, Natalia and Nadja have found more than just a place to stay—they have found a new family. “We celebrate together, the children play and laugh, and we are safe,” Natalia says with gratitude. Nadja, too, has found comfort in the friendships she has built and the activities that bring a sense of normalcy to her days. She continues her education through online lessons from her school in Ukraine, while Natalia receives support from the Concordia team to navigate daily challenges.

Some moments stand out as reminders of hope. “Nadja loves creating little works of art during the activities here,” Natalia says, smiling. “I keep them in a box—they bring me joy every day. These moments help us find beauty amidst the difficulties.”

Looking to the Future with Hope and Uncertainty

For Natalia, the future remains uncertain. “I hope the war will end soon so we can return home to Mykolaiv. I eagerly await the birth of my second grandchild and dream of being a united family again.” But fear lingers. “I worry that this conflict will last longer than we imagined.”

For now, Moldova remains their temporary home. “Although we dream of returning, we are considering the possibility of moving to another country if necessary—to ensure a stable future for Nadja.”

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 Natalia and Nadja. You can read more about The One Proposal at: jrseurope.org/en/project/the-one-proposal/.