Two years in the past, Ukrainian youngsters have been busy with friendships, falling in love and attempting out new issues, similar to their friends in different international locations.
However plans and goals have been shortly shattered by the Russian invasion that started on February 24, 2022, forcing many younger folks to flee their properties, buddies and colleges and construct a brand new existence in an odd nation.
Tens of 1000’s of Ukrainian teenagers ended up in neighbouring Poland, some with their households and a few with out, among the many thousands and thousands of refugees who fled to different European international locations. Almost six million Ukrainians stay displaced exterior the nation, a World Financial institution research exhibits.
Two years on, a lot of them have settled into new lives. However some battle with anxiousness, anger and despair, in addition to a way of limbo as they ponder the opportunity of returning to Ukraine at some point if the battle ends.
Transitioning to maturity could be a robust trip, and the hazard and disruption brought on by the battle have made it tougher.
Marharyta Chykalova, who turns 17 in March, left her hometown of Kherson in southern Ukraine along with her mom in April 2022 after sleeping in a basement for weeks – and fearing for her life – as Russian troops occupied the town.
They fled to Moldova, then to Romania earlier than settling within the Polish metropolis of Gdynia. Marharyta began studying Polish, attempting exhausting to slot in at her new Polish college, however the first six months have been robust.
She says she saved involved with a few of her closest buddies at dwelling, however felt lonely however.
To assist deal with melancholy, the soft-spoken pupil joined theatre courses that allowed her to precise her feelings on stage and helped her make new buddies.
“Some folks say that dwelling isn’t a spot the place you reside, however house is a spot the place you’re feeling good,” she mentioned. “I really feel good on the stage, with folks near me. That is my dwelling.”
Round 165,000 Ukrainian youngsters between 13 and 18 years of age are registered as refugees in Poland, in response to January information from the Workplace for Foreigners.
Some collect at Blue Trainers, a neighborhood house in a shopping center in Gdansk the place they play board video games, billiards and desk tennis. Most of all, they join with their Ukrainian and Polish friends.
Signing up for sports activities was a very in style approach of dealing with the shock of the battle amongst kids.
Andrii Nonka, 15, from Kharkiv, arrived in Poland on his birthday, March 6, 2022, along with his mom. His father stayed in Ukraine. Sometimes, he feels a powerful want to return dwelling to see his buddies and father.
Becoming a member of a boxing membership helped him discover new buddies and now he seems at Poland more and more as a chance to discover a good job, presumably in IT.
“I believe due to the battle, I’ve matured faster,” Andrii mentioned. “For now, it’s exhausting to inform the place my house is. For now, my house is in Ukraine.”
Dariia Vynohradova, 17, additionally from Kharkiv, left her dad and mom behind and says she not needs to return.
“I don’t wish to return as a result of Kharkiv is destroyed a lot, there may be nothing to return to,” she mentioned. “I’ll return to go to my dad and mom generally, however I wish to keep right here.”
