INTERESTING
Natalia
Natalia Vorobey is a refugee from Ukraine who moved to Georgia with her two children and retired mother. Being in a foreign country, although friendly, Natalia faces the responsibility of taking care of her family all alone. We had the opportunity to ask Natalia to share her story, shedding light on life after leaving her native country and the challenges she encounters.
She reveals that she had been working in the tourism industry in Ukraine for 18 years, eventually managing her own company. Natalia has also established partnerships in Georgia, which enables her to continue working and earn the necessary income.
"Since relocating to Georgia, I have somehow managed to sustain myself in the tourism sector. For this, I am immensely grateful to Georgia, its kind-hearted people, and especially its exceptional women. Georgian women are truly extraordinary."
Natalia highlights the presence of numerous Ukrainians around her who struggle to find their footing in a foreign environment. The shared experiences of pain and sorrow have brought Ukrainians together, creating a support system where they strive to help and uplift each other. Being far away from their homeland, unity holds great significance. In a foreign country, the feeling of insecurity intensifies as they are separated from their loved ones, lacking their support. Natalia also expresses the challenge of still being unaware of her rights as a refugee.
Irina
Irina Navalenko left Kyiv on the 5th day after the war started, accompanied by her children and brother. They initially resided in Chernivtsi for a period before eventually settling in Georgia, where they were able to gradually overcome the stress caused by the conflict.
"We were devising strategies to ensure our safety, but we received warnings from all directions: 'Don't go here, the bridge is being bombed' or 'Don't go there, they are setting up ambushes,'" Irina recounts. She recalls the pervasive fear they experienced during that time, torn between the anxiety of staying and the uncertainty of leaving. The situation deteriorated day by day, intensifying their feelings of insecurity. While her brother remains in Kyiv and her mother in Izmail, Irina worries about the well-being of her family, particularly her mother, who refuses to leave her home despite pleas to do so. Though there was no direct combat situation in Chernivtsi, Irina recalls a constant sense of alarm, going sleepless for nights. However, within a month of arriving in Georgia, those fears gradually dissipated.
Irina expresses her contentment with the decision to come to Georgia, as she felt supported from the moment they arrived.
"Even before I arrived in Georgia, I was pleasantly surprised by the attention and support I received. When I inquired on social media about volunteers in Georgia, I vividly remember being immediately greeted by someone with a car who helped me with all the arrangements. I will never forget the joy my children experienced upon finding a safe haven and a soft, comfortable bed after the perilous and exhausting journey," Irina shares. Presently, she serves as the coordinator of a Ukrainian charity camp in Georgia and finds great fulfillment in her work.
