I am a widow with two young children. In August 2020, after the rigged elections and violent dispersals of protesters, I started going out to protest marches, participated in various performances, rallies, and was a member of district and closed chats.
In September 2020, I was detained at one of the marches and charged under Article 23.34 of the Code of Administrative Offences. Afterwards, my daughters' kindergarten started coming to me to check their living conditions, a special investigation was conducted, requests were sent to various services for financial debts and responsible child-rearing. Every month I started receiving subpoenas to various police departments and being summoned for questioning in criminal cases of arson. There were constant calls from the officers of the ROVD with interrogations.
My husband and I decided to prepare to move to another country. My husband was the first to go to find a job and a place to live, to get ready for my children and me. I was on maternity leave, and in spite of the pressure from the authorities — I could still be in the country with two young children, giving my husband time to prepare for our move.
To my deepest regret, our plans fell apart. In December 2021 my husband and the father of my children died of coronavirus. I made a decision to leave Belarus, as there was a high probability that at any moment I could be detained and deprived of liberty, and the children would be taken to the orphanage. My friends helped me to move to Lithuania. We started adapting to new living conditions.
A new country, new people, new apartment, new kindergarten for my son. My daughter started first grade this year. Kids miss their father, our house in Russia and their friends. Since kids are still small and sick often, I can not work full time, I can not leave them, and my work now consists of one-time moonlighting. I would be very grateful for help from everyone who cares.
How much is needed?
1500€ — rent, food, clothing, payment for kindergarten and school for children, medications for seasonal illnesses.