Halyna came with her husband and young children from Ukraine to the Republic of Moldova, aiming to find a safe place to settle. This had been a difficult decision for the family, but they decided it was the right thing for the children.
How a legal lifeline helped Halyna start a new life in Moldova
As well as the emotional strain of such a move, they faced practical and financial challenges in their new country. But with support from the European Union and Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in Moldova, the family has been able to move closer to a more stable and more hopeful future.
Before everything changed, Halyna’s* life in Ukraine was rooted in her community in the countryside, where she worked as a music director in a kindergarten. She found joy in her role, engaging with young children and creating a vibrant learning environment through music. It was a simple life of family routine and comfort in her rural community. But when the situation became increasingly unstable a year after the war started, with no clear end in sight, the mounting pressure and growing despair led to her decision to leave behind the life she had built in Ukraine to secure a safe future for her and her family.
As well as the emotional strain of such a move, they faced practical and financial challenges in their new country. But with support from the European Union and Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in Moldova, the family has been able to move closer to a more stable and more hopeful future.
Before everything changed, Halyna’s* life in Ukraine was rooted in her community in the countryside, where she worked as a music director in a kindergarten. She found joy in her role, engaging with young children and creating a vibrant learning environment through music. It was a simple life of family routine and comfort in her rural community. But when the situation became increasingly unstable a year after the war started, with no clear end in sight, the mounting pressure and growing despair led to her decision to leave behind the life she had built in Ukraine to secure a safe future for her and her family.
Halyna, her husband and three of their four children arrived by train in Chisinau, Moldova, on 6 February 2023. They had left behind their home in the Sumy region of Ukraine, and they had also left part of their family. Halyna’s parents had chosen to stay, and her eldest son, now an adult, had to remain in Ukraine due to travel restrictions under Ukraine’s martial law.
“Leaving was the hardest choice we ever made, but we did it mostly for the children,” Halyna told us – her family’s move was focused on ensuring the kids’ safety and future. “Our friends in Moldova helped us at first, letting us stay in their apartment. They welcomed us without hesitation, and thanks to them, we could take our first steps here.” Soon after, they managed to find an apartment of their own, and Halyna’s children were quickly enrolled in local schools while her eldest daughter began university studies.
Adjusting to life as a displaced family from Ukraine has been both challenging and humbling. Halyna works part-time, balancing her job with Romanian language and other part-time courses. Yet despite her efforts, the financial strain remains heavy. “It’s difficult to find a job that covers all the needs, food, medical services. Without a stable job and home, you’re constantly worried about making ends meet,” she says. In this challenging journey, humanitarian organisations have become a safety net.
Among the assistance Halyna received, she describes one service as transformative. When her son’s passport expired, she was aware of the challenges in accessing consular services, especially navigating the online queue registration and understanding the procedures, which would add extra stress. Discovering that the NRC could offer support in such situations gave her hope and relief. “They guided me through every step, arranged for a lawyer and even covered the cost. I never expected such help. It was a huge relief,” Halyna recalls, “I couldn’t even imagine that I would get my child’s passport renewed so quickly.”
She remembers how reassuring it was to have a legal professional from the NRC in Moldova by her side at the consular section of the Ukrainian Embassy in Chisinau. They navigated the legalities and helped with translation and paperwork. “I didn’t know anything about it, but their support made it manageable,” she explains. “They told me exactly where to go and how to apply and even explained the rules I didn’t understand. This kind of help makes you feel like you’re not alone.”
Halyna’s experience with the legal assistance team has led her to recommend the NRC to other displaced people from Ukraine in similar situations. “I met a few women worried about their passports and documents, and I told them: ‘Go to the NRC Community Centre in Chisinau. They can help you with this.’ I advise everyone I know to seek help because these services support us, especially when everything feels overwhelming.”
Her story captures the resilience displaced people like her demonstrate daily. Despite all she faces, she focuses on her children’s future. “We’re here for now. I dream of being able to support our children. The older one is at the university here in Chisinau with a scholarship, and we want to help them stay on track with their education. But it requires a lot of work to stay afloat,” she says.
Haylana's words reflect the hopes of many others forced to leave their homes. “Some days are tough, but we’re getting through it. I tell others in similar situations to reach out for help too – it’s there, even when you least expect it.”
For Halyna, her husband and her children, life in Chisinau is about rebuilding. With the continued support of humanitarian organisations, the path to stability, though uncertain, seems a little clearer each day.
Since December 2022, with the support of the European Union, the NRC, Acted and People in Need have provided essential services and activities for displaced people in Ukraine and host communities in Moldova through the PLACE Consortium.
*We are using fake names to protect the identity of our project participants.
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