Holiday stories
In the spirit of the holidays, today I would like to share with you a few uplifting stories from Ukrainian families building new homes in Austria.
I received an interesting, yet unsurprising, message yesterday from a local journalist working on a story about Ukrainians in Austria. I had provided some contacts for potential interview candidates. One of them proved so interesting that the journalist decided it would not fit into a more general story, and has set aside space to write an individual story next month. She was so grateful for the contact. I smiled and thought to myself I have thousands more of these. Because each story is touching and unique, involves struggle and success, and a lot of emotion, and more than anything, is a testament to the human spirit, what one can achieve with grit and perseverance and not giving up.
They say when it rains, it pours, and I’ve been in the middle of a downpour at the moment. Nothing I would like to share here, other than to say that sometimes it feels like knocking on doors and they all keep slamming in your face. I think that is a feeling many of us can relate to, whatever our circumstances. So in the spirit of the holidays, I asked my Telegram group if anyone would like to share their own stories, in their own words, a few anecdotes to make us all smile at a time of year that can be both very joyful and stressful.
I have changed all names and have decided not to share photos, even though some families would have been happy to share. I feel like in this case the words convey more than pictures.
Anna, in her own words:
“Good evening! I would like to share our story, maybe it is interesting. My kids and I left the wonderful seaside city of Odesa on December 12, 2022. I left with my two sons who were at the time 16 and 13 years old. There was no electricity, it was dark, and cold in the apartment! There was no school, and no communications. I am a nervous mom. My older son really wanted to go out at night, and it was terrible on the streets once it got dark outside! It was dark, cold, and you could only hear the hum of generators and the sounds of explosions. We made the decision to leave. We chose Vienna because my older son had completed 11 grades of school in Ukraine, we understood that he needs to continue his education. He is a smart boy and good at math. But none of us knew German. We arrived…it was difficult, as it was for many. Social housing, we live in a dorm, I am on the 6th floor in a room with a woman who I did not know before. The boys have their own room on the 5th floor, so I run back and forth between floors, it is of course difficult when they are sick with fever… but we are alive! It is warm and we have electricity! My older son is taking German courses in the university. My younger son is attending middle school, fourth grade (8th grade). We will try to see if he can transfer to a gymnasium. He has a wonderful, accessible, and open class teacher!
We are not giving up. I teach the kids: if the door is shut, knock on it!
I am very grateful to you for the help, you introduced us to a private German teacher volunteer who is helping the boys. He is really a big help to them, and the boys like learning with him.
The boys are happy! They can study, go out, live in warmth and peace and quiet. We are all grateful for the ❤️ wonderful people who surround us in Vienna.
I would also like to add that my older son has scoliosis of the spine. In Ukraine, we had to pay for a back brace with our own money; here in Vienna it was covered by insurance. Which is also really great and the corset is much more comfortable than his old one 🤭.”
Oksana, in her own words:
“Good evening, Tanja! I would like to share our story.
We love the wonderful people here. They are so kind, happy, and nice.
My son (12) after one year in Austria told us that he really likes the German language, that it is very musical. He also said to us: Parents! You do what you want, but I will stay here. You can go back to Ukraine (he knows that we plan to go home when the war is over), but I will stay here.
Of course, as they say, the truest words come out of the mouths of babes. Although in Odesa he lived in a big house on the seaside, he had his own room, friends, and still he wants to stay here, to study and to work. The only thing he asked is for us to bring his computer from Ukraine (because he bought it with his own money).
We really like the climate in Austria, it is not very hot and not very cold.
Personally we also like Austria because it is the smartest country in the EU as Austria manages to navigate political situations with grace and that is something she can be proud of!
Therefore we would like to see Austria blossom, and a peaceful sky above our heads. So that all the unpleasant things would pass. So that everyone living here would be happy and healthy. People from Odesa will always remember and love this wonderful country!
That’s all I wanted to say!”
Larysa, in her own words:
“Good evening. I would like to share our happy story about our kids’ move to Austria. After the move, our kids were really stressed out. Especially, our eldest, our 11 year old daughter (last year).
We didn’t know what to do and how to help her. Our daughter figured out on her own a way to manage her stress.
She started fencing.
After one and a half years of fencing practice, she made friends, and most importantly, had some real achievements, most recently: she twice finished in first place in the Carinthia championship, took third place in Zagreb in an international tournaent, and 6th place in St. Johann in Pongau, also an international competition.
What is also really interesting, is as soon as she started fencing, our middle son, who is now 10, also asked to try.
In just one year, he also experienced athletic success: he finished twice in third place in Carinthia and also in third place in Zagreb.
Today, four of our kids have taken up fencing. Yes, it does cost money. But most importantly, the kids love it and they were able to distract themselves from the stress of the move, a new language, and being apart from old friends.
And now they have new, athletic goals.”
Andrii, in his own words:
“On March 7, 2022, my wife and our 8-year-old child arrived in Austria. Now I remember how we traveled standing, periodically with the lights turned off under bombardment in a packed train and arrived in Lviv. At that time, I didn't know if and when we would meet again, but I knew for sure that my family had to be safe. At the Lviv station, amid all the chaos and panic, we found a route that took people to the border in Poland. I still remember how cold it was on the train, and they were very cold. When asked about the cost, the driver said, "Free." After putting my wife and child on the bus, I headed home. It was a difficult time, uncertainty about the future.
Initially, my family headed to Germany, where Ukrainians were welcomed at the church, but after three days, due to the large number of refugees, we were told, "Sorry, but you need to move on!" They all caught a bad cold, with fever, despair, and an unfamiliar station. I still remember the story about a volunteer who met them on a fateful day at the station and asked, "Where will you be moving next?" For some reason, on an intuitive level, they said, "Austria!" Somehow our acquaintances told us about this wonderful country. The volunteer replied that there was one family that had applied and was ready to take in Ukrainians. That's how my family ended up with a wonderful local family.
Returning to our hometown of Zaporizhzhia after a few months, I learned that my wife was pregnant with another child. Then I decided that I had to be close, close to my family, and in August, after six months, I came to Austria*. The excitement, anticipation, and my son running towards me on the platform. He wouldn't let go, and at that moment, I saw my beautiful wife with a belly on the platform. Then, somehow on a subconscious level, I understood: I'm home, not home, but home! Our story in Austria began in a small apartment in Eisenstadt, where a family of eight lived in two rooms.
First things first, after arriving and resting, we realized that we needed to start with the language because language is the foundation. At that time, my wife had already completed the A1 course and could say a few sentences in the right situation, but I felt lost. Despite this, I firmly decided to enroll in courses. At the same time, we understood that our family was going to grow, and we needed more space. By applying to Caritas, we informed them that we were expecting an addition, and after a few months, a miracle happened: one family applied to provide housing for Ukrainians. Our Caritas curator came to us and said, "We have a house for your family." Without hesitation, we said, "We're ready, we're coming!" We were amazed when we arrived in the small village of Oslip. A large two-story house awaited us. Carrying our things and exploring this beautiful home, we noticed a spacious garden and comfort that awaited us in this house. Friendly neighbors brought fruit and didn't hesitate to introduce themselves. For the first time, we had our own rooms, peace, and comfort. The sirens on Saturdays at noon were quite unusual for us. I remember how the first time I flinched, hearing the alarm, and ran to the second floor for the child and wife. They were shaking a little, but realizing what was happening, for the first time in a long while, I told them, "We are safe!" Gradually settling in, we, like air, tried to absorb all the culture of Austria, their holidays, and customs. We attended all events.
One day, I went to the store and, deciding to practice my German, I remember confidently saying, 'Ich kann Brot machen' (I can make bread). The saleswoman laughed, then I realized I made a mistake and said, 'Ich möchte gerne ein Brot' (I would like to have a bread). That's when I realized that there is no need to be afraid, you have to try, make mistakes, but most importantly, strive to speak. Over time, my German improved, but there was still one problem: it was tough to survive on benefits. I understood that I needed to find a job. During our stay in Oslip, we met different people, and there, having met an Austrian women who asked if I had a job. I said no. She asked, 'What can you do?' I told her I worked as a bicycle parts salesman, a marketer. She gave me the contact of an acquaintance who owned an electric bicycle shop in Rust. I immediately called him and tried to communicate, albeit in broken German, which was important to me. I was invited for an interview! Now I understand that the person just wanted to help me and took me either as a salesman or a bicycle mechanic. I remember how surprised he was when he found out that I can create websites, advertise on Google, Facebook, and Instagram. That's how we started working together, and I have been working for exactly 1 year, for which I am immensely grateful to Austria and its kind people.
But parallel to getting a job, the next challenge awaited me - childbirth. How I worried, but the doctors at Krankenhaus in Eisenstadt were just excellent. Excellent food, on the first day after childbirth, they even gave us a nurse who did not allow my wife to get up unnecessarily and helped with everything. This country gave us a second chance, a second chance to live.
Now we also help Ukrainians in Burgenland, organizing various events for children, the most vulnerable and small ones, who simply deserve a childhood regardless of circumstances. We send Christmas gifts to children in Ukraine together with schools. We help them integrate and not forget their native language and culture. My wife already speaks German at the B1 level, I am at the A2 level, I have a job, and we are immensely grateful to Austria for this opportunity, a chance to live again.”
*I asked Andrii to explain how he was able to leave Ukraine, as men aged 18-60 who are not handicapped or fathers of three children are not allowed to leave. He explained:
“To be honest, it took me five days through occupied territory: Vasilevka, Melitopol (Zaporozhskaya region), Crimea, and onwards, through Russia. I have relatives in the occupied territories which is how I was able to travel through there. It is a story of itself. It was legal, but very dangerous. We passed through at least eight check-points.”
I have not been able to keep up with news stories, but I can say the mood in general amongst Ukrainians is not overly optimistic. The longer this all drags on, the more people fear this will be forever. Or what feels like forever. The local Telegram chats are even filled with discussions of how to apply for permanent residency, once one has a full time job, a sort of work permit instead of temporary protection. Some Ukrainians have already tried applying, and have received responses that at the moment Austria is not considering “other” visa categories, as the EU temporary protection covers all Ukrainians who seek to stay here until March 2025. But this shows how many people are making long-term plans. Learning the language, getting jobs, building new lives, setting down roots. They are fearless. It is a truly remarkable phenomenon to observe.
I think often of the divide, which by now must be quite large, between Ukrainians who stayed and have experienced the war at home, and those who left. This divide will only grow as time marches on. I often think what this does to a society. I think about even countries at peace from which young people emigrate out of economic necessity, and what this does to those who stay.
I then stop my mind from wandering, and open my messages.
Valentina from Kharkiv now in Tirol is very grateful to all of you who donated towards supermarket gift cards, and to Austria. She writes they bought food they normally cannot afford.
Baby steps. Each envelope we drop in a mailbox helps at least one person, temporarily. I keep telling myself that even on days like today when it feels like the wind is blowing against you.
Thanks. These were heartwarming. Amidst all the stories of problems it’s easy to forget that many refugees, with the help of many other kind people, are doing OK, sometimes even thriving.