© UNHCR/Viktoriia Tiutiunnyk
73-year-old Maia Kondratenko is a vivid example of the strength that displaced Ukrainians demonstrate in their new communities across the country. Maia fled her hometown Sloviansk in Donetska oblast nine years ago when the armed conflict started in eastern Ukraine. Since then, she has lived in Poltava, which she now considers her home.
“I had to leave my own home because I was responsible for my daughter, who was pregnant at the time, so it was dangerous for her to stay. My children and grandchildren are currently abroad. Since the full-scale invasion, I have been to several European countries, but I returned because Poltava is the best city for me and is now my hometown, the place where I always want to return to,” Maia says.
Being a certified trainer in Nordic walking, she decided to use her hobby to help other displaced people who have found safety and a new home in Poltava. She organizes classes for them with the support of UNHCR’s NGO partner CrimeaSOS.
73-year-old Maia Kondratenko was displaced from Sloviansk to Poltava, where she now feels like being at home. Using her skills as a Nordic walking trainer, she helps other displaced people to stay fit and feel included in their community through activities organized by UNHCR’s NGO partner CrimeaSOS. © UNHCR/Viktoriia Tiutiunnyk
© UNHCR/Viktoriia Tiutiunnyk
In October, UNHCR and CrimeaSOS held a festival «Golden Age» in Poltava to mark International Day of Older People. The event brought together over 200 war-affected people aged 60+. The participants could participate in ten various indoor and outdoor group activities and workshops, including Nordic walking, dancing the waltz, painting, decorating bags and making traditional Ukrainian Motanka dolls.
The initiative was part of UNHCR’s community-based protection activities and aimed at providing psychosocial support and information about available services for displaced and war-affected people aged 60+.
The “Golden Age” festival in Poltava organized by UNHCR and CrimeaSOS brought together over 200 participants aged 60 and above. © UNHCR/Viktoriia Tiutiunnyk
© UNHCR/Viktoriia Tiutiunnyk
“Thanks to such events held by the CrimeaSOS on a permanent basis, we all have the opportunity to communicate, support each other in times of crisis, find new friends, relax emotionally, and simply show our talents. I am optimistic regarding the future. I believe that my mission is to motivate people who have just left home to live on, not to close in, but try to adapt to new realities,” Maia shared.
As of October 2023, Poltavska oblast hosts over 186,000 internally displaced people. UNHCR has been contributing to the authorities’ efforts to receive people fleeing the hostilities by improving the living conditions in collective sites, as well as promoting the inclusion of those who have been displaced and supporting their ability to rebuild their lives and stay resilient. This is made possible with support from the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund (UHF).
Olena Koniushok and Svitlana Khomenko, two sisters, musicians, and singers who write music and lyrics by themselves, fled to Poltava in the first month of the full-scale Russian invasion from the village of Vilne in Donetska oblast.
They left behind all their belongings, a large house, and musical instruments, but managed to take the most important thing with them – their creativity.
Sisters Olena and Svitlana and their father, who fled Donetska oblast and sought safety in Poltava oblast shortly after the Russian full-scale invasion, have created a family band and now organize performances for other displaced people. They receive support from UNHCR and its NGO partner CrimeaSOS – and this is made possible with funding from the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund (UHF). © UNHCR/Viktoriia Tiutiunnyk
“Currently, my sister and I sing in the family band “Vilna” (“Free” in Ukrainian), and our father plays the accordion. We live in the small village of Soniachne, in Poltava oblast, which reminds us of our native village. But it wasn’t like that right away … It took us a long time to evacuate our relatives, who remained during the hostilities, and then under the temporary military control of the Russian Federation,” Olena says.
Her sister Svitlana could not find the strength to sing after fleeing the war – and for the next year and a half. A few months ago, she met the regional coordinator of CrimeaSOS in Poltavska oblast and shared her story. He invited the family band to perform during one of the events for internally displaced people, and this moment was a game-changer.
“I returned to what I liked doing most. I realized that creativity which we can share with people who currently do not see positivity around them, can support them. We created the NGO “Vilni”, which received a grant from CrimeaSOS for the purchase of musical equipment. Now, we can bring joy to people, show them an example that even after displacement, life continues,” says Svitlana.
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