“Ukraine gave me hope”
Together with its NGO Partner “Neeka” , UNHCR has been capacitating employment centers in Uzhgorod, Mukachevo and Perechyn so that these centers can include refugees and asylum-seekers as their regular customers and help them find jobs. The project’s objective is to integrate refugees and asylum-seekers into existing state services where they can equip themselves with new qualifications and skills that will support them smoothly integrate into west Ukraine. This initiative was launched in February, 2018, with a round table organized between UNHCR, “Neeka” and relevant Government departments to implement an integration plan developed by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. Since then, the employment centers in the Transcarpathian region have been receiving trainings from “Neeka” on working with refugees and asylum-seekers in order to cater to this population and identify their needs.
As part of the project, two Womens’ Clubs for refugee and asylum seeking women were formed. The Womens’ Club aim at creating a support network to facilitate the integration of Refugee women who live in Ukraine. One of the participants in the Womens’ Club is Hannah. She fled war and insecurity in Somalia to find safety in Ukraine and since then has been living with her two small children in a temporary accommodation centers for refugees. She arrived to Ukraine over 5 years ago. Both of her children have been born in Ukraine and call it “their home”. She is also very happy to see how welcomed her children have been by other Ukrainian children. With tears in her eyes, Hannah says, “Ukraine gave me hope and courage to start a new life. This country and its people have been so open and supportive.”
Hannah is extremely grateful for Ukraine who has granted her and her family refugee status and who has provided her with an accommodation. Hannah is very grateful for the Neeka’s project as it helped her learn new skills and feel confident. She adds, “I found it difficult to find a permanent job, that is why I am learning Ukrainian language. My ambition is to be a professional manicure specialist.”
See more: Language is the door to another culture’s soul
Hannah’s eldest son, Jaga graduated from first grade. Today he is fluent in Ukrainian and loves going to school where he has Ukrainian friends. Her daughter, Sarah, will start first-grade next year, and is looking forward to go to school, like her big brother.
In order to foster greater tolerance, “Neeka” launched a “summer camps of tolerance”, in which children of different nationalities take part. Through such camps, children foster relationships with persons of different background and nationalities, which in turn challenges stereotypes.
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Coming back home
21 Oct 2019 -
27 years away from home
9 Oct 2019It took Maksime 27 years to become a citizen of Ukraine. His talents and ambitions led him to find safety, a family, and a true calling.
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Millions in eastern Ukraine endure invisible wounds of war
4 Oct 2019After five years of conflict, aid agencies are striving to meet the mental health needs of those affected.
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A House Alive with Hope
29 May 2019After shelling in 2014, the roof of Liudmyla’s house was damaged by shrapnel., one corner of the house was virtually destroyed and a wall of the house was on the verge of collapse.
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“When the shelling stopped, we had nowhere to go”
6 May 2019House of Ihnatenko family in Stanytsia Luhanska was completely destroyed by shelling and later reconstructed by NRC with funding provided by the UNHCR. Overall, 692 buildings were reconstructed by the UNHCR in 2018.
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UNHCR self-reliance grants open doors for refugees and asylum seekers
24 Apr 201973 refugees and asylum-seekers received a small self-reliance grant from UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in 2018, and got a chance to learn a new profession, earn a living and contribute to the society.
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Odette Nienge: A story of a beautiful dream
8 Mar 2019Through her drive, Odette fulfilled her dream, through her work, she has found her husband, and through her life, she hopes to become an inspiration for many women.
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Ruhullah Ramaki: Refugee from Afghanistan who became a doctor in Ukraine
14 Feb 2019Ruhullah is happy that he can give back to the country that gave him a second chance