BY JEROME HUGHES
HAVING fled her war-torn country in October last year, Scoil Cholmcille pupil, Yeva Borodina, has had a difficult childhood but her future is looking brighter.
The 10-year-old Ukrainian is about to spend her second Christmas in Letterkenny with her mother, Tetiana.
Unfortunately for Yeva, her father remains back home in Zaporizhzhia, southeast Ukraine. As an army reservist his future is somewhat uncertain.
Yeva was incredibly articulate when she spoke to us at the Donegal Youth Service in Letterkenny town centre.
“We are so happy to be in Ireland and to get away from the war. I’ve made a lot of friends.
“We want the fighting between Russia and Ukraine to stop.
“It’s so good here because we go swimming, there’s drawing, pool, and we use playdough,” said Yeva.
Mother and daughter, Ada Klochko and 9-year-old Polina, are also looking forward to their second Christmas in Letterkenny after being forced to flee Kharkiv, northeast Ukraine, due to the war which escalated almost two years ago.
“We were just 30km from the Russian border. Every day and every night we were under attack from Russia. It was very difficult and dangerous.
“My mother is still there, looking after my elderly grandmother. That’s why my mother can’t come here. Each day they have to hide in the basement,” Ada told us.
In Ukraine Ada worked as a pharmacist. She’s currently studying English, and says she has to stay positive for Polina and her son, who’s just 4-years-old.
“The Irish people are very friendly and it’s safe here. The government has really supported us and we are very grateful to Ireland for the help.”
Fadl Mustapha heads up the Ukraine Integration Programme, operated by the Donegal Youth Service.
“We try our best to promote the children’s participation and inclusion through youth clubs and organisations across Donegal. As many as 200 Ukrainian children have participated in integration programmes in Donegal to date.”
The Donegal Youth Service also offers training to adults and guardians which can lead to employment or volunteering opportunities in the youth sector. 15 Ukrainian adults have taken part in a Youth Leadership Training Programme in Bundoran and are due to receive their certificates early next month.
“I did the leadership training in Bundoran and it has really helped me develop as a person. As a volunteer, I now have training that allows me to properly interact with children. A lot of it is about what I should say, what I shouldn’t say,” explained 29-year-old Ukrainian, Dmytro Malatskovskyi.
Dmytro fled to Ireland from the port city of Odessa 12 months ago.
“There was a complete blackout across the city; no electricity, no internet, nothing. It was all missiles and alarms, and I decided to leave.
“I had health problems so I didn’t have to fight. They have changed the policy now and so I could join the army but I don’t want to take a gun and kill people.”
Gareth Gibson, Information Manager with the Donegal Youth Service, highlights how his organisation, and its affiliates, work with around 12,000 young people across Donegal.
“Of course, a new element to our work now relates to Ukrainians who have come here for a bit of support and help. We are very happy to give that,” he said.
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