© UNHCR/
Larysa, 60, arrived in Moldova in March 2022 after a long and exhausting journey. She and her husband made the difficult decision to leave Kyiv when they saw a tank near their home. Now, more than three years later, she has built a life in Chisinau, embracing each day with happiness.
“I find Moldovans and Ukrainians very similar in their values. That’s why I felt almost at home here in such a short time,” Larysa shares.
Shortly after arriving, she secured legal status through Temporary Protection. With the support of the European Union, she also began receiving cash assistance from UNHCR, which helped her, and her husband cover their most pressing needs.
“As a Ukrainian pensioner in a foreign country, this financial support has been incredibly helpful. We mainly use it for utilities, which have become more expensive in Moldova,” she explains.
Back in Ukraine, Larysa worked as a teacher of Ukrainian language and literature. In Moldova, she faced new challenges, including managing a heart condition that developed in recent years.
As she settled into life in Chisinau, she sought ways to stay active and engaged. That’s how she discovered Community Center 151, where she began meeting regularly with a psychologist to navigate the emotional toll of displacement.
“Looking back, I’m so grateful I sought this support. I don’t know what I would have done without it. Now, I can confidently say I’ve overcome the hardest mental struggles,” she says.
Over time, Larysa became more involved in the center’s activities. She joined a choir, took English classes, and participated in social gatherings.
“Getting involved in these activities really helps—it gives me a sense of belonging,” she shares.
With the support of the European Union, Larysa and her husband, like many Ukrainian refugee families, have found safety and stability away from home. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, more than 130,000 people have received this crucial assistance. More importantly, she has found a community and a new sense of purpose.
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