This story is about the strength that comes from pain and a new journey that begins where everything seems to be lost.
Even before the full-scale invasion, Tetiana (the character's name has been changed) lost her home. Her apartment was in the occupied territory and was later destroyed as a result of hostilities. Left without a roof over her head, she moved to a small village in Chernihiv Oblast, where her parents had once lived. Without support, without a foothold, yet with incredible inner strength, she began to build a life from scratch. She rented a small apartment, secured a seasonal job with a local farmer, and tried to create at least a minimum level of stability.
It was then that fate brought Tetiana together with a man. But when the woman found out she was pregnant, he refused to take any responsibility, leaving her alone with her future motherhood. Despite the pain, loneliness, and uncertainty, Tetiana went through this difficult period of pregnancy with dignity. Her faith in life and love for her unborn child helped her to survive.
The baby was born shortly before the full-scale invasion. With the start of the war, Tetiana's life changed forever. When Chernihiv was occupied, she and her baby endured terrible days in a social housing, amid the sounds of explosions and constant danger. After the Oblast was liberated, she returned to the village, where kind people sheltered her in an old house. However, due to its health condition, the child required constant care, so Tetiana was unable to work, and the state aid she had been counting on was unfairly denied. The woman felt that her strength was running out.
At this difficult moment, a mobile team from the NGO Girls arrived in the village. Upon learning of the team's visit, Tetiana attended the meeting, marking the beginning of her story of change. The case manager conducted a comprehensive assessment of the family's risks and needs, identifying the main areas of support. An individual action plan was developed to improve the woman's social and psychological condition and to meet the child's basic needs.
Gradually, Tetiana's life began to stabilize. Legal support helped the woman legally obtain the social benefits she had previously been denied. Online meetings with a psychologist enabled her to manage her anxiety, deal with her feelings of helplessness, and regain her inner strength. Thanks to referrals to partner organizations in Chernihiv, the family was provided with food packages, clothing, and kitchenware. Tetiana also received financial assistance as part of the project "Provision of protection support for vulnerable IDPs, returnees, and host community women, children and families in North, East and South Ukraine (Priority 2)'', implemented by the NGO Girls with the support of the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson Oblasts. This assistance enabled the woman to glaze an old window in her home, creating a warm and safe environment for her child before the cold weather came.
Throughout this time, the case manager remained close to Tetiana, supporting her, inspiring her, helping her set priorities, and restoring her sense of control over her own life.
Today, Tetiana is an example of resilience and responsible motherhood. She has gone through the loss of her home, loneliness, danger, and despair, but she did not allow circumstances to break her. Her journey inspires other women who find themselves in difficult situations to believe in themselves and build a new life step by step.
Website:https://www.unocha.org/ukraine-humanitarian-fund
Photo: Freepik
