A year of war, a year of exile for many Ukrainians. They are nearly 8 million to have fled the war, and 1.5 million of them have chosen to take refuge in Poland. A country that has made many efforts to welcome them. But after a year, the scar of exile and uprooting has still not begun to heal.
From our correspondent in Warsaw,
Last May Sofia left Ukraine with her daughter and grandson. At 70, she had to stay in Przemysl, a few kilometers from the border on the Polish side, because of her health problems. The memory of his country is still intact. ” I remember kyiv, such a pretty city. I remember the colors of kyiv. I remember the Dnieper, the people who live there, my friends and my work at the university “Sofia says.
Far from all this, she still finds it difficult to accept her exile in Poland and her life here, because of the war. ” Now I am old, but I still don’t understand why I can’t live in my country… My mind knows why, but in my heart I can’t understand it “, she resolves
This whole family had to adapt to their new life. Vitalii is 17 years old. In Ukraine, he was on his way to becoming a professional volleyball player: I would like to work in IT now. My plan is to study here, and in some time to return to Ukraine. kyiv is my city, I was born there, I went to school, I have my friends… “explains the teenager.
► To read also: Ukrainian refugees: Poland will charge for accommodation centers
” I wish with all my heart that I could go back »
Ania, his mother, meanwhile, is still looking for work. She doesn’t speak Polish yet and getting hired without that is complicated. ” I’m trying to learn Polish, but at 40 it’s hard, but I’m trying “, she says. “ Before, I was in real estate, I had my own company. I tried to work remotely, but it was complicated, so I’m looking here at Przemysl. We’re doing our best to help my mom get better. »
After a year in exile, this family relies on the strong Ukrainian community in this border town. All three try to think about what’s next. Vitalii wants to continue her studies in Poland and Ania hopes to find work quickly to help her mother get better.
Tears well up in Sofia’s eyes when she talks about her dearest wish. ” I lived in Kherson for many years. I worked at the university there. There were all nationalities in Kherson “Sofia explains. ” It’s a historic city, but now it’s just being destroyed. I’m so sad for this town. And I wish with all my heart that I could go back. I have an apartment there, everything stayed there. There are my friends, there is the memory of all my years of work and study. But I realize it’s almost impossible. »
Deep in her heart, Sofia is convinced that she will soon return to Ukraine. She has the intuition that in 4 months, the war will be over.