February 23, 2024
News
In the quiet and small Moldovan village of Chirsova, Sofia Dolapci and her three children have found their new home. Sofia’s dream of having her own home and happy family life in Mikolayiv was destroyed by war. Two years later, Sofia remains hesitant to return to Ukraine, fearful of the impact on her children's well-being. She hopes that peace will prevail and her family will be able to move into their new home and rebuild their lives in Ukraine.
Life in Ukraine and the impact of the war
Originally from Moldova, Sofia started building a life in Ukraine at the age of 18. She settled with her husband and children in Mikolayiv, where Sofia worked as a store manager. “When the war started, we thought that we will be safe in Odesa, so we moved there. But then the bombing reached Odesa and our friends died, we realised that there is no more a safe place in Ukraine,” says Sofia. To protect her children, Sofia decided to move to Moldova. Her husband stayed in Ukraine and continued to work in construction. Although it is very difficult, he tries to earn some money and support his family.
In Ukraine, Sofia’s family had invested in a home, selling a village house to buy a flat under-construction in Mykolaiv. Their plans were disrupted by the war, the building was left unfinished and everything around it was destroyed by bombs. The pain of loss has affected deeply her children. “4-years-old Emilia still has nightmares during the night and my eldest children are very scared,” says Sofia.
Challenges and hopes for the future
Sofia's older children, Tatiana and Miroslava, embraced the opportunity to continue their education. 19-years-old Tatiana takes Turkish classes because she wants to go to university in Turkey. 12-years-old Miroslava is attending both classes in Moldova and also in Ukraine trough an online school. The girls also participate in art painting classes organised by Ukrainian refugee women in the community. The provided support from school and social workers is an important step towards their integration into the local community.
Sofia is taking care of her youngest child, but she intends to enrol Emilia into kindergarten soon. “I want to find a job in a store, because we are not able to pay the bills,” she says. They are staying in Sofia’s parents’ house but it is impossible for them to ensure everything necessary for living.
Two years later, Sofia remains hesitant to return to Ukraine, fearful of the impact on her children's well-being. She hopes that peace will prevail and her family will be able to move into their new home and rebuild their lives in Ukraine.
Caritas Czech Republic supports refugees in Moldova
“I didn’t think to register as a refugee. I was just happy that the bombing was no longer present,” says Sofia. But later when things got really bad and she was not able to pay the bills, Sofia found out about the help Caritas Czech Republic provides for refugees in Moldova. “I am very grateful for this help. The cash support is helping me to cover our basic needs, such as the energy bill,” says Sofia.
The family also received food vouchers, vouchers for winter clothing, and packages with essential hygiene products. In total, Caritas Czech Republic has supported around 15,000 people in this way.
Moreover, we have offered similar support to 12 placement centres across Moldova. We also enhanced refugees' access to healthcare, including psychological support, to aid them in dealing with the trauma of war.
Caritas Czech Republic improves the quality and sustainability of social services in Moldova
Apart from supporting refugees, Caritas Czech Republic has long been improving the health and social care sector in Moldova. For example in the last 12 months, the 8 health and social centres opened by Caritas Czech Republic have provided about 1200 remote consultations. Thanks to telemedicine, people in a vulnerable position received specialised medical care without having to travel long distances or pay large sums of money.
Moreover, recently we inaugurated two Supported Housing units in Glodeni and Soroca where people with mental health problems will be able to live a dignified life and be integrated into society.
