Humans of Ukraine - Stories from Donbass 2

That Ukraine is full of amazing people , is something that everyone know, people that even under hard circumstances with their energy manages to make everyone else a bit better.

 

 I had the opportunity to meet two wonderful ladies that fall in that category of amazing people despite their young age, they already made and are making a  huge impact in the society. Yana from Luhansk and Anastasia from Donetsk. 

 

Yana arts pieces

Anastasia is a young leader following her passions, she is a coordinator of the international organization "AISEC", she also very active member of the University of Donetsk, and a true example of active citizenship herself. 

 

Yana works for the Ukrainian red cross, she coordinate many different events, and projects about security and landmines but that not all , she is also a wonderful artist and painter, even Cezanne would be jealous! 

 

 

About yourself:

 

YANA: I work in The National Committee of Ukrainian red cross society as the main specialist in the mine safety sector (explosives) of the communications department in Luhansk region. I consider my job worthy, as I can help people from the affected areas where the armed conflict is taking place. I pass on knowledge about mines and explosive objects and the safe behavior in areas contaminated by them. In my free time I like painting, creating something new and interesting. I have a number of my works on fine arts and decorative art. I take a great interest in photography (there are many photos). I also go in for sports. My favorite sports are yoga, table tennis, martial arts, swimming and dancing.  

ANASTASIA: As it turned out, I was a creative person. My job right now is writing articles, I work as a freelancer. I like working with text, so now I'm studying for a year of writing. My hobby is also connected with this - I try to write artistic texts, it brings me pleasure and relief from expressing emotions on paper, because I don't like to tell about my experiences, it's easier for me to write about them. In general, it's great if it will be interesting to someone else and help to recognize yourself in different situations. For example, it is important for me to recognize myself in books, because it is easier to experience some sad moments of life and understand that you are not alone. I also read. In my opinion, a little, but with the beginning of the course I started reading more, it helps to form my artistic language. And the beauty of the word is important to me, as well as the sincerity of what is said / written.

 

Life in a conflict area:

Landmines near conflict areas are huge treat to the local population.

YANA: In Severodonetsk, at the moment, life is getting better. Since the city acquired the status of a regional center instead of Lugansk many people started to move here after the outbreak of the armed conflict. As local residents say: "There are much more people now than there were". Also many international humanitarian organizations appeared here, which began to help internally displaced persons with their pressing problems. The main problem for me as an internally displaced person is that fact that it's really hard to visit my relatives whose stil are living on the territory, which is not controlled by Ukraine. There are many block-posts and it's a pretty difficult process to cross through the border there (long lines, not very pleasant people at the border post of the non-controlled territory). At the moment there is only one checkpoint at the border in the Luhansk region. This is Stanitsa Luganskaya and it is for pedestrians only. It would be better if they also opened checkpoints in Shchastya and Zolote so that they could be crossed by transport. And it is also closer to Severodonetsk city than Stanitsa Luganskaya.

 

Anastasia delivering a workshop

ANASTASIA: When I lived in the war zone until 2015, it was only the beginning of the war, so for everyone every day was somewhat unpredictable. That is, there was no confidence in tomorrow or even today. Emotionally, it is quite unpleasant, because there were frequent shelling, military equipment was constantly driving down the street, there was tension in the air from not understanding what was happening, how long it would last, what would happen and what would not happen. As Nassim Taleb wrote in one of his books (not about war, but about coincidences and uncertainty): "I was stuck in the basement, and history rumbled deafeningly over my head. [...] I tried to imagine the future and realized that it is unclear. [...] There was an abyss between BEFORE and AFTER. " This description very accurately shows my feelings then. I can't say that I have any problems with it now. Because I am at home 2, maximum 3 times a year and come for a short time. Except for the memories. However, of course, when there were shellings, we worried about our relatives who remained to live in the war zone. This is and is not a problem at the same time, because it would be a much bigger challenge for them to live somewhere now, renting a house in another city or village.

 

About the problems that youth face:

YANA: In my opinion Ukrainian youth does not seek to stay in Ukraine in order to build their lives. They would rather move to foreign countries than live here. I am so sad about this. I think that they do not have sufficient support from the Ukrainian state, and therefore it turns out that way.

 

ANASTASIA: In my opinion, the main problem not only for young people, but also for half of Ukraine, is that we live in times of change. And in such times, rarely anyone is engaged in patriotic education - only survival. Now it's better with that. Whatever it looks like, the war made us Ukrainians. But it has taken away many prospects in our region. Young people want to get a better education, but after getting it, they do not return home ... I really like the saying that a Ukrainian is not one who has Ukrainian ancestors, but one whose descendants are Ukrainians. We must teach young people to look to the future and strive not only to make their lives better, but to make their country better for life. This can be said about any country, but for some reason it needs to be explained to our people. 

 

About EU projects and the missions of Volunteers:

YANA: From my point of view it is so great to have such an experience of speaking English and Spanish as we have with Alejandro's help. In our country there is a “non-speaking” system of teaching foreign languages if we compare, for example, with the Scandinavian countries, where children start watching cartoons and movies in English and have more speaking practice at school than we do. They know this language as their second native, which they speak very well as well. And it is easier for them to settle in this world. On the contrary, we study more grammar, reading and writing, but we do not have speaking skills. I want to learn to speak English fluently and confidently that's why I go to Alejandro's classes. And these are generally interesting lessons. We talk a lot and have fun. Another way to say it is non-formal education, where we get interesting tasks and face new challenges in a fun and kind manner.

 

ANASTASIA: Did not get to such events. Alejandro once took part in the festival of cultures "Global Village" in Vinnytsia, where I was a co-organizer during the volunteering in the public youth organization AIESEC. From there I remember Alejandro. However, I saw on Facebook about other events with his participation, in particular, I was interested in his experience of volunteering in Severodonetsk, because I am from Donetsk region and it is my native history and lands, similar people with similar paths.

In my opinion, such projects are certainly useful, because the population near the war needs to be distracted from the not always pleasant reality, and learning languages with volunteers is an additional opportunity for children and adults. I'm sure it's needed there.

 

Some comments?:

YANA: Smile :) , keep calm and carry on! 

 

ANASTASIA: It seems to me that curiosity is different. The fact that people are so different in detail creates a special interest in life. I like the idea that others are interesting because they are different. And I like to get to know the world of others, partly it is possible through work, daily life and communication, someone's work or even your own.
In my opinion, the most important thing in motivation is to overcome fear, at least this is the first step to start something, so I am close to the idea: "Courage is not the absence of fear, but the understanding that there is something much more important behind it."