Photo is provided by Iryna.
Iryna, a 44-year-old displaced woman who fled the war to the city of Uzhhorod in western Ukraine, has undergone a remarkable transformation since the start of the full-scale invasion. She moved from uncertainty and despair over her future to strength and self-sufficiency. Not only has she found her footing, but she has also become a source of support and inspiration for other women in her community who have faced challenging circumstances.
“When the full-scale war broke out in Ukraine in February of last year, it caught me completely unprepared for such a shock,” recalls Iryna. “I had no savings, lost my job, my relationship with my former husband was broken, and I had two children to care for while fleeing our home and seeking safety in western Ukraine.”
Iryna knew she had to find ways to cope with the challenging situation:
“As a mother, there’s no option, you must be strong for your kids. Fortunately, we met compassionate and helpful people throughout our journey.”
Upon their arrival at a mountain village in western Ukraine, where they found shelter, Iryna and her 11 and 17-year-old children received a warm welcome. They were surrounded by a supportive community that offered not only essential provisions like food and clothes but also valuable human support, compassion, and advice.
Iryna, however, believed that her strength should not solely rely on receiving support but also on her ability to overcome her situation and contribute to her new community. Two months after seeking safety and protection in the village, she adapted to her new circumstances and began looking for work. With a background in education as a teacher, she sought a position in the local school or kindergarten, but regrettably, no vacancies were available at the time.
“I thought, if I can’t find work, I will volunteer and contribute positively to the community,” says Iryna.
Drawing inspiration from her past experiences with art, she devised the idea of decorating a local bus stop. The local leadership endorsed the idea and supplied the necessary materials for painting the bus stop.
Photo is provided by Iryna.
Photo is provided by Iryna.
Photo is provided by Iryna.
“Initially, they had reservations about the whole project and whether I would be able to accomplish it, but after witnessing the successful opening of the renovated bus stop, they placed their trust in me and asked me to decorate another one,” she remembers.
Word-of-mouth spread rapidly, leading to an invitation to Iryna to teach an art class in a neighbouring village.
“I thoroughly enjoyed teaching my class and seeing the children’s progress in their artwork. Moreover, through my newfound connections, I became acquainted with the Neemia NGO in Uzhhorod, which proved to be a life-changing encounter,” says Iryna.
Eventually, Iryna received an invitation from Neemia, a partner NGO of UNHCR, to live in the collective centre for displaced people, in the city of Uzhhorod. She fondly remembers how her connection with Neemia opened up opportunities for her recovery process. Thanks to the psychosocial support provided by the organization, she and her children could embark on their journey of healing and recovery.
Willing to combine her talent with her mission to help others, Iryna decided to pursue a course in art therapy. This led her to the “BOHA hub” – a centre for displaced women in Uzhhorod that offers psychosocial support services and economic empowerment, supported by UNHCR and UNFPA.
Photo is provided by Iryna.
Photo is provided by Iryna.
Utilizing her training as an art therapist, she began conducting sessions for displaced women seeking to overcome their traumatic experiences and find employment opportunities to sustain themselves and their children.
“What I have observed in my art therapy sessions is this amazing transformation,’ explains Iryna. “At first, women would draw dark-coloured pictures, symbolizing all the pain and struggles in their lives. However, as time passed, the colours became brighter, mirroring the uplifted spirits of these women. They became engaged, energetic, and open to embracing new opportunities in their lives”.
Iryna is among many displaced women in Zakarpatska oblast who have found solace, thanks to the BOHA Hub and local NGO Neemia, the partner of UNHCR.
“It is important to learn to accept everything that fate gives you with gratitude. I’ve faced difficult times, but they don’t define me anymore; they have only made me stronger. I believe that we need to focus on the bright side of things, lead a spiritual life, and that way, we will always find ourselves in the right place with the right people,” says Iryna.
Today, Iryna has achieved economic independence with income from the artwork she produces and sells. She is doing what she loves, working, making plans, and eagerly looking forward to the future.
Since its opening on 15 July 2022, BOHA Hub in Uzhhorod has assisted over 600 war-affected women with specific needs, including survivors of gender-based violence, and women seeking psychosocial support, information on social and legal services, peer-to-peer sessions, and life skills training. Through its UNHCR-supported programme, Neemia supports the hub and the women who visit with GBV-prevention information sessions, career development training, and grants for small businesses. As one of UNHCR’s protection partners, Neemia has expertise on prevention and response to gender-based violence, child protection, community-based protection, and provides consultations on finding employment. During the first half of 2023, close to 6,000 individuals have been supported by Neemia.
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