Hello!
My name is Victoria Mishchenko, and I am a Belarusian citizen. Until 2023, I was studying psychology at a university in Belarus. After graduation, I planned to pursue a master’s degree in Public Policy at the European Humanities University (EHU) in Lithuania.
The full-scale invasion of Ukraine had a profound impact on my life. When the war first began, I reacted very emotionally – I even considered dropping out of university to start helping Ukrainians immediately. The hardest part was witnessing the surrounding indifference. Life for many continued as if nothing had changed, and that disconnect drove me to despair.
In May 2022, my boyfriend – we had been together for six months – made the decision to join the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment. I supported him, but from that moment on, I lived in constant fear for his safety.
In August 2023, just as I was preparing to move to Lithuania for my studies, KGB officers came to my home. They arrived early in the morning, conducted a search, confiscated my electronic devices, and took me in for questioning. Their goal was to extract any information about my boyfriend. They threatened me with detention. I spent eight hours in custody, carefully weighing every word I said, terrified that I might endanger someone. I cried the entire time. In the end, they let me go – but they kept my passport, only returning it two weeks later.
By the end of September, I was finally able to leave the country. However, even after arriving in Lithuania, I was haunted by paranoia. I constantly felt like I was being watched.
While studying, I began volunteering with a Ukrainian aid organization and made several trips to Ukraine. Seeing my boyfriend again and contributing to the work there helped me regain a sense of purpose. I later found a job in Lithuania, though I continued visiting Ukraine every few months.
Unfortunately, due to a demanding schedule, I wasn’t able to complete my master’s thesis on time and had to postpone my defense until the following year. Because of this delay, my student residence permit was cancelled in early March, and I faced the threat of deportation to Belarus. It was an incredibly stressful time, and I withdrew from others out of fear and anxiety.
Now I’ve received a humanitarian visa, but I’m not allowed to work under its terms. As a result, I have no way to support myself. It’s difficult and humbling for me to ask for help – but I am currently in need of financial assistance until I can receive a humanitarian residence permit and find employment again.
How much is needed?
€2330
€1670 – Rent and utilities for four months
€560 – Food expenses for four months
€75 – Mobile phone plan for four months
€25 – Public transportation pass for four months