What? Why? When? Where? How? Questions are asked globally about wars, migrations, leaving everything, and fighting for your life. But what if we ask someone who has experienced it all? Let’s see everything more clearly from someone who saw everything happen, who escaped and left everyone, who came to the Netherlands without any knowledge.
This immigrant’s name is Daria; she was born in the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv. She has worked as a music teacher for already 20 years and has taught students how to play piano. She works with Russian and Ukrainian speakers and she teaches both kids and adults. Daria has two sons, with whom she came to the Netherlands. Her younger son is 17, and the older is 19. She has a mum and a sister who both stayed in Ukraine despite how unsafe it is. Every morning, Daria started checking if her sister and mum were alive, if any bombs were shot, and if her house was still standing on the ground or was swiped off.
Why did you choose to come to the Netherlands?
I did not choose the Netherlands; it was pure luck that led me to end up in Holland. My friend found a page on Facebook saying that there is a family inviting any refugee musician over; they will lend rooms and cover their heads with a roof. I accepted it and, with tears, left everything, took only my two sons and friends with me and left my homeland. I felt the pit in my stomach. I never visited Holland before, and I knew only little about the family who I would spend the upcoming years with.
When I arrived, I got a very welcoming greeting. I felt so blessed because the family turned out to be very charming and Russian speaking! The couple consists of the husband, Alexander, who left Russia 40 years ago, and his wife, Hailey, who is pure Dutch.
Did you make any friends here?
I made friends with people who are also from Ukraine, mostly from Kyiv. I also met a couple of Russians in the Hague.
What were the challenges you faced in Holland?
When we arrived in the Netherlands, I felt like I would be here only temporarily, and then soon I would return back to Ukraine, to my house, to my bed. Holland is a lovely country, and The Hague is a great city, but it can’t replace my motherland.
What are the main differences between Ukraine and the Netherlands?
The climate is completely different; during winter, there is barely any snow in the Netherlands, and in Ukraine, it is a whole different story once it reaches two meters! The summers in Ukraine can sometimes reach up to 33 degrees; in the Netherlands, it barely hits twenty-three. But I enjoy cycling everywhere, which would be hard to do in Ukraine.
How often do you visit Ukraine?
If it were my choice, I would visit every month, but due to the unsafe conditions, I only visit my home every 3-4 months. I understand it’s very dangerous. In fact, as soon as we cross the Ukraine boundaries, we are all aware that a bomb could crush us at any moment. We trust God to save us because 4-5 times a day, sirens are alerted, innocent people die daily, and being on the territory is very risky. But my wish to see my family and home overcomes all my fears.
What do you think will happen to you in 10 years?
I believe in God and hope he has a good plan for me and my future ahead, and everything that would happen to me would be for the best. I hope that in 10 years, everything will be fine with my family and me, no matter where we live.
What is your dream?
My dream is for my family to be safe and happy and for the war to stop. I wish that the sirens would stop alerting each day and night, for countless people to stop fighting and dying from the Ukrainian side and the Russian. I hope that both of my sons will have grown to have healthy families; for my mum and sister to be happy again, I want to see my childhood house, which I grew up in, and live there again. I want to build a snowman with my family during the winter and laugh once again. I want to have my cat, who has been waiting for me every day in Ukraine. I wish to see a clear, free sky.
This article first appeared in our school newsletter: PUBLISHED!
Stacy
My name is Stacy; I am 13. I am on the school football team, MUN, showstoppers, and baking clubs. I am also very creative and love drawing, making songs, cooking, writing stories and playing piano. My big passion is fashion. I have a lot of friends and we are really good support for each other. Also, I enjoy spending time with my younger sister and brother. I’m inspired by traveling and have a wish to visit Thailand one day. I really like filming, so I started an Instagram account to share reels. I haven’t yet decided what I want to do in life, but I like the idea of being a lawyer, or a writer, or a detective. I hope I achieve my dream of living in New York or London one day.
