The town of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie (west) welcomes several Ukrainian refugees, mostly women, sometimes accompanied by their children. Two years after the start of the war, while some still hope to return to Ukraine, others, in search of independence and autonomy, have given up on their native country and are planning a life in France.
She was a midwife in Ukraine, she now works by the sea. Albina has been in France for six months. But his goal is to eventually return to his native country. A goal, and a lot of uncertainties. “ When I arrived in France, I thought I would only stay a few months… Because I was worried, I didn’t know how I was going to manage at work, and overcome the difficulties. Even though I miss my family very much, I cannot return to Ukraine. I have to support them by working here, the only hope is on me. And so I can’t predict the future, I live day by day “, she says.
Her two daughters study in Ukraine and stay with their grandmother. Albina is hired by a fish merchant, where the fish is bought in the port, before being resold to customers. His colleagues, like Yoan, integrated him. “ When I arrived, my colleagues immediately supported me. Sometimes they invite me, and I cook Ukrainian dishes for them “, she says.
The quest for independence
This permanent employment contract allows Albina to gain a little more autonomy. “ With this job, I have financial stability. I can live alone, feed myself, help my children in Ukraine, and soon pay for my own accommodation “, she says. Because this is the next step in this quest for independence. No longer staying with locals… “ With my Ukrainian friend Galina, we are going to live together and divide the rent in half. It will be more economical “, she continues.
In Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, two thirds of the Ukrainian refugees welcomed a few days after the Russian invasion have left. This is therefore not the case for Galina, Albina’s friend. She is hired in the kitchen of a restaurant in the city. Not much connects it to Ukraine anymore. Her husband died before the war, her house has since been destroyed. Her 10-year-old son is with her, her two daughters are still in Ukraine.
But it is in France that she projects herself. “ I miss Ukraine, but I want to stay. Of course, the first year was psychologically difficult, but now I am calm: I have a long-term contract and my own house for which I can pay the rent myself. I still have refugee status, of course, but I have the feeling of being part of French society. With this job and this home, I can look to the future. And soon, after learning the language, we will integrate completely “, she says.
But there will be one last step, she says, before being fully integrated. Bringing his two daughters from Ukraine to study in France.
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