💬Stories from the occupation are not only about pain, but also about inner strength.

👤Nadiia from Myroliubivka recalls life under occupation and the trials she had to endure.

"My name is Nadiia, I live in the village of Myroliubivka. 

The morning of 02/24/2022 was unexpected and very emotional. Almost immediately, Russian soldiers entered the village, mostly those "from the DNR and LNR".

We were in no hurry to leave. But a call from the principal gave a big push to change our decision. My husband has been in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine since the ATO. So the call "Nadiia, take the children and leave quickly," gave a big push.

But we left a few days later because of information from a fellow villager who said that on 03/25/2022, a "re-formation" of the Russian military was planned, and new ones were to come in, already targeting all defenders of Ukraine.

We left via "Kavun" — a significant place for all Kherson residents. We passed four occupier checkpoints along the way. It was very nerve-wracking, as my sister had traveled before me and told how people were searched and had machine guns pointed at them.

We returned home immediately after the de-occupation of the village. The whole time, my child studied remotely at our Myroliubivka gymnasium. It was not easy, both because of the shelling and the lack of electricity. But we tried to cope.

Now the situation has stabilized: there is both electricity and internet. So we are very grateful for the help with the tablets. Now we can fully study online with modern gadgets. This is truly timely and much-needed support for the children."

The project is implemented within the EMPOWER project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) jointly with the European Union and implemented by GIZ Ukraine.

#EMPOWER_BMZ_EU #EU_Humanitarian_Aid #Resilient_society_GIZ