A GROUP of Ukrainians, living near Termon, forced to flee their native country because of Russia’s invasion are getting involved with the local community and helping to clean-up the area.
Local man James Trearty, who organises the clean-up was delighted to get the help and a very successful day was spent picking up rubbish from the roadsides.
The group, who fled various areas of Ukraine, are also helping the local football club with the development of their new clubhouse.
Speaking to the Donegal News this week Dmytro Newyodov explained that they come from different places. He worked in IT in Ukraine and hopes to find a similar job here in Donegal. He is taking English classes to help make that happen.
“Our group are from different parts of the country. Some are from large industrial cities such as Kharkov and Mariupol, from the agricultural area, such as the Kherson region, from the historical and tourist city of Lviv and from the capital of Ukraine, Kiev.
“We all have different professions, such as school teacher, electrician, factory worker, salesman, hairdresser, manager, accountant, developer, HR, recruiter.
We are all different ages. Now we are united by two things, we are all Ukrainians and now we all live in one cosy country house not far from Letterkenny,” Dmytro said.
He added that they are here now for similar and terrible reasons having all fled their homes. Their group is made up of 31 in total with an age range from three to 75 years.
“Our trip to Ireland was not easy, some people left Ukraine and got transfers to the airport to get on a plane to Cork or Dublin. But some were really exhausting. One family went a long way in their car with their belongings and a dog. It took more than eight days and they made it 6,800 km to the ferry to Ireland.
“All of us have gone through the protection and distribution process that we went through at City West in Dublin. For the first time we met in the house where we live now. It was a meeting of tired, frightened people, who came to a new unknown country.”
Dmytro spoke of how over time, people began to recover and began to gradually return to normal life such as they had in Ukraine. They take walks, climb the mountains, collect berries and mushrooms, read books, play sports and go fishing.
“Our children were able to walk safely outside, play games, football and basketball. But the most important thing all people have begun to forget what it is to be awakened by the sound of an air alarm”.
Most Ukrainians love football, but also play tennis, basketball and volleyball.
Back home in Ukraine many of the families and relatives live in villages and would have grown vegetables and fruits or raise livestock.
“But last year was a big challenge for everyone. At first it was the absence of diesel at petrol stations, but then the price of fuel increased by two or three times.
Unfortunately, tractors of different brands cannot operate on water or solar energy. Despite all the hardships our farmers have managed to endure one of the most difficult winters in their lives.
“Now we study English and try to be helpful to our local community and Ireland. We are extremely grateful to all local volunteers for their support of Ukrainian people.
“We are all very grateful to the Irish and local government for the invaluable assistance to our people in this difficult time for us in the war in which we are fighting for our independence and freedom,” Dmytro concluded.
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