Yulia’s Story
Yulia’s life before the war was good; 34-years-old, she worked as a logistician at a large enterprise, her husband also earned well. The couple enjoyed their lifestyle in pre-war Kharkiv and planned to have a child. The war has changed everything.
According to Yulia, “In the first days of the war there was terrible panic in Kharkiv. Everything around us was just exploding. The whole city was trying to evacuate. Eventually we managed to get out to Pervomaisk, to stay with my mother. My husband lost his job, and I was also laid off. At that point I changed my mind about having kids as I heard how parents struggled to hide their children in basements and take care of them.
“Then military personnel with missile launchers began to arrive in Pervomaisk, and we decided to move to Western Ukraine. But then we realised it was not right for us, so when my husband was offered a job in Dnipro, we moved there immediately.
“At first, I was very confused, I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t find a job, I had no friends here. Even with my husband’s salary, we struggled to pay for rent and food. And then I found out about World Jewish Relief’s Boost Ukraine project. I called the office, and it turned out that the project can not only help me find a job, but also assist me with acquiring a new vocation. I immediately signed up for the programme.”
When Yulia arrived for her first training session, she was very shy and looked unhappy. She did not talk to anyone and tried to hide in the corner. Despite being so successful in the past, she just lost hope that life might get better.
Then, as Yulia was going through the project’s curriculum, her confidence started coming back. She heard the stories of other participants who were in a similar position. She received mental health support and training to remain calm, even in challenging interpersonal situations.
Before the project, Yulia didn’t know what she could do for work. But thanks to our employment support, she realised that she could learn a new profession in demand everywhere, even abroad. Yulia trained as a beauty therapist. Yulia also realised that she did not have to give up on her former profession, so she now has a job and is also self-employed.
She found a job as a logistician at Metro, a large chain supermarket. Even before the war it was her dream to work for this company. Yulia highlighted, “I know that your training helped me fulfil my dream and get this job. I received invaluable knowledge and support – and it opened new opportunities for me. Your training has changed my life; I realised that it was possible to continue living. I began to actively do something, to make plans, to get new ideas. I have two sources of income, I develop my accounts on social media following your guidance, I attend professional beauty exhibitions, and I made new friends.”
Right now, Work Matters more than ever for Ukrainians. If you believe that Work Matters, then join us today.
Svetlana’s Story
Before the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, Svetlana, 57, led a comfortable life. She had her own two-bedroom flat and had recently turned her hobby of making flower hair accessories into a small business. Svetlana had been selling her pieces on Instagram and at street fairs in her town. The business was growing, she could afford to invest in her health and convert one of her rooms into a workshop. Svetlana loved her town and was confident in her future. And then the war started.
The shelling was very heavy and there was no time to collect any belongings apart from her cat. Initially she came to Kharkiv, but the situation there was as bad as at home, so she went to Dnipro. The only things she regrets leaving behind are the family photo albums, tools, and materials.
Svetlana worried a lot about her survival. Living in a shared dormitory, she assumed it would be difficult to find employment at her age. When she saw an advertisement for World Jewish Relief’s Boost Ukraine programme, she did not expect much. But when she got an invitation to join the training, she was convinced.
The comprehensive support, including psychological assistance, she received from World Jewish Relief was critical in helping her to regain her motivation and confidence – fundamentals for finding work.
“I do not feel useless anymore. I stopped feeling cut off from my roots, from my home, and the fear of the future disappeared.”
Moreover, Svetlana surprised herself – she didn’t think she could prepare a strong business plan and calculate all the necessary financial projections. She attributes it to the confidence gained during the first part of the programme. As part of the self-employment support, she received a grant to purchase a special machine – she can now complete in five minutes a task that would normally take her an hour.
Svetlana also found herself surrounded by like-minded women, who like her, lost everything and are rebuilding their lives and businesses from scratch. Together, they are even planning to cooperate across their business.
“I am grateful to your entire team. You inspired me to act. How you managed to achieve it, I don’t know. Now I would like to learn how to write professional business plans to receive a large grant for expanding the business, purchase all the necessary equipment, hire staff members. Something happened to me here. My life is changing.”
Right now, Work Matters more than ever for Ukrainians. If you believe that Work Matters, then join us today.
Liudmyla’s Story
Before the war, life in Kharkiv was ordinary yet fulfilling. Liudmyla, 45-years-old, worked as a manicurist, her husband was a foreman, and their daughter, Dasha, was finishing school. They had a home, a routine, and a future they could plan for. But when war came, everything changed.
“Words can’t convey the horror a person experiences when war comes to his country… when you see explosions, shelling, and casualties not on TV, but in your hometown and in your real life.”
As the bombing intensified, Liudmyla and her husband made a painful decision – to send Dasha to Moldova, where friends could keep her safe. Dasha was accepted into university and began working at a dance studio. The separation was agonising, but knowing her daughter was out of harm’s way gave her strength.
Months later, with power outages worsening and work disappearing, Liudmyla and her daughter-in-law followed: “It was becoming more and more frightening.” They travelled by bus, crossing the border with only essentials, hoping it would be temporary.
Liudmyla’s friend met them in Chisinau, Moldova, where their priority became finding a place to stay. Before they arrived, Dasha had been sharing a small house with 10 people. Adding two more was impossible. Then, she heard about World Jewish Relief.
“World Jewish Relief and The International Centre of Training and Professional Development responded to our needs and helped us with accommodation. We couldn’t believe it was really happening to us, even when we got the keys to our rented apartment – it seemed like a dream.”
World Jewish Relief provided more than just a home. We helped Liudmyla restart her career by supplying the tools she needed to work as a manicurist. “At first, I had no clients because I was new and people didn’t know me. Gradually, I began to have loyal customers.” We also provided a public transport pass, easing the financial burden.
Life in Moldova is stable now, but the trauma lingers. “Here, we are not afraid to go for a walk or go shopping, but any loud noise still makes us panic and seek shelter.”
She longs to return to Ukraine when it’s safe. Until then, she finds comfort in knowing that her husband and son can focus on rebuilding their country, while she and Dasha are supported.
“To those who have helped us, we are truly grateful. It would have been impossible for us to live and work in a foreign country without your support. Thank you.”
Right now, Work Matters more than ever for Ukrainians. If you believe that Work Matters, then join us today.
Oleksandr’s Story
Oleksandr Pohodin, a former prize-winning boxer from Chernivtsi, Ukraine, built a successful life as a gym owner and government sports director before war forced him and his family to flee.
With Russian attacks hitting dangerously close to home, Oleksandr and his wife made the difficult decision to leave Ukraine, arriving in Sheffield through the Homes for Ukraine scheme. Despite their professional backgrounds, they initially took low-skilled jobs to get by.
Oleksandr, determined to rebuild his career, began volunteering at a local boxing club, where his talent and leadership stood out. But he knew that to truly establish himself, he needed to improve his English and gain the tools to start his own business.
Through World Jewish Relief’s STEP Ukraine programme, Oleksandr received three months of intensive English lessons and one-on-one support to develop a business plan. With newfound confidence and the backing of a mentor, he opened his own gym in Sheffield in May 2024.
Today, his academy is thriving, offering young people in Sheffield, many from disadvantaged backgrounds, a place to train, grow, and build confidence. His story is a testament to resilience, the power of sport, and the impact of World Jewish Relief in helping Ukrainians find stability and success in the UK.
Right now, Work Matters more than ever for Ukrainians. If you believe that Work Matters, then join us today.
