“I felt that there were people around me who cared.” The story of a young internally displaced woman who began a new life in an unfamiliar community

Twenty-year-old Veronika (name changed) was forced to leave the Donetsk Region and move to another region because of the hostilities. The young woman had always been open, sincere and empathetic. However, after the move she faced major difficulties: a new city, no family or friends nearby, and complete disorientation.

NGO Girls social workers first met Veronika at a transit center. At that moment, the young woman was in an extremely difficult life situation. She had just arrived in the community, was completely disoriented and emotionally exhausted, and had no idea where to turn for assistance. In addition to psychological pressure, she faced pressing everyday and bureaucratic challenges: Veronika did not know how or where to register as an internally displaced person and what documents were needed to formalize her status in the new place.

The specialists responded promptly to the young woman’s basic needs: they provided psychological first aid to reduce her stress level and supplied her with personal hygiene items. Once her emotional state improved, Veronika received informational support: the specialists explained where and how she could register her status as an internally displaced person, which government institutions she should contact to process the necessary documents, and what other social services were available to her in the community.

The specialists remained in regular contact with Veronika and later invited her to events organized by NGO Girls. The young woman began actively attending group meetings aimed at restoring internal resources, overcoming traumatic experiences and developing self-confidence.

Through comprehensive support and genuine care, Veronika was able to overcome the most difficult stage of adaptation. She successfully processed all the necessary documents, learned about her rights and opportunities in the new community and, most importantly, felt that she was not alone in what she was going through. Regular attendance at integration activities helped the young woman expand her social circle. Veronika met other people who had also been forced to leave their homes, as well as local residents, and found new, reliable friends.

“When I arrived in the new city, I was completely alone and it was very difficult for me. Thanks to the support of NGO Girls, I felt that there were people around me who cared. Their support helped me adapt, make new acquaintances and believe in myself again,” the young woman shares.

Step by step, Veronika regained faith in her own strength. Today, she is confidently building a new life, having become a full part of the community.

“Veronika found herself in a new community without support from her family, so it was very important for her to receive timely informational and emotional support. Thanks to her openness and desire to develop, she was able to build new social connections and gradually adapt to life in the community,” says an NGO Girls specialist.

The project: “Strengthening access and service provision for SRH and GBV support among conflict-affected women and girls in eastern and southern Ukraine” in collaboration with the international humanitarian organization CARE, with the support of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany.