When protests against the results of the 2020 presidential elections began in Belarus, my daughter was only three months old. Together with her, my son, friends and neighbors, we could not stay away and went to peaceful marches in our city. However, my activity was noticed by security forces and social services: a neighbor reported me, accusing me of “dragging children to protests.” They began to threaten me with imprisonment, and promised to take the children to an orphanage. Fearing for the children, I was forced to flee.
In December 2020, my children and I left for Ukraine, lived in Volyn… Then the war began, and we had to flee again. In March 2022, we ended up in Poland, in a refugee camp. It was not easy there: many Ukrainians, our neighbors in the camp, did not understand why Belarusians were living next to them.
In March 2023, I received international protection and moved to Bialystok. I was able to rent an apartment, send my son to school, my daughter to kindergarten, and I started working as a janitor, cleaning the entrances. The work was hard, but for the first time there was at least some stability. Due to conflicts at work, I had to quit, and now I am again looking for a stable income.
It so happened that I am divorced. My husband stayed in Ukraine: he cannot or does not want to help us with the children. Now we live on the remains of our savings, which are barely enough for the bare necessities.
My son will soon be eight, my daughter five. In the entire history of my emigration with my children, we have moved ten times. I try to give them at least some sense of home and stability, but my strength is running out: in the last year, my health has undermined. For three months now, I have not been able to get rid of a runny nose, my ear is blocked, and my cough does not go away. Occasional part-time jobs do not save the whole situation. We need help so that I can find a stable income that suits me as a single mother, or retrain for a new profession, and also improve my health.
Belarusians are incredible people. Your support will not let me give up and will help me survive this difficult period.
How much is needed?
€2800
€1200 – rent (two months);
€800 – utilities and food;
€400 – medicines;
€400 – kindergarten and school.