Ukrainian mom journeys through displacement, hearing problem and serving others

In the face of adversity, some people find strength to survive and thrive, like Yana Medvedeva, the Case Manager of the NGO "Girls" in Ukraine, World Vision’s partner for the Aktion Deutschland Hilft-funded project. Her story sheds light on the multifaceted challenges faced by internally displaced women, as well as the need to advocate for their issues.

Yana is a resilient Ukrainian woman who, like many others, fled her home due to the war in Ukraine. A mother of a 13-year-old girl and a 19-year-old boy, Yana has hearing problems and has recently been fitted with a hearing aid.

As the war started, her family moved to Dnipro from the Zaporizhzhia region. Lack of safe living conditions and limited access to healthcare and education were only some of the factors affecting her as an internally displaced woman.

Her family has faced problems finding housing and a place to work. "For a moment, I felt like giving up, but then I realized I must make the most of every challenge. My children needed a strong mother," shares Yana.

She adds, "My daughter has diabetes. I had no choice but to be there for my children."

After several weeks looking for a job, Yana now works as a case manager at the NGO "Girls", World Vision's local partner.

As a case manager, she assists in identifying relevant providers and facilities throughout the entire range of services, as well as ensuring that available resources are used in a timely and cost-effective manner to optimize assistance for those in need.

NGO "Girls", World Vision's local partner, supported by Aktion Deutschland Hilft, currently operates three child-friendly spaces (CFSs) in Ukraine, with two more scheduled to open in January.

Recognizing the critical role that parents play in their children's development, "Girls" provides positive parenting training to parents in the CFSs. Age-appropriate activities such as sports, arts, crafts, and theater are offered in these safe places, with food and drinks provided.

Besides working as a humanitarian, Yana has also successfully passed the bar exam and is undergoing an internship in the legal department. "Having a lawyer's license, I will be able to help people faster," she says.

The family is facing serious difficulties due to the financial burden of medicines for their daughter. "Instead of despairing, we decided to focus our energy on finding solutions," goes Yana.

Her daughter continues to study at the school she attended in the Zaporizhzhia region. The form of education is distance, as the girl needs constant supervision and support. This affects the socialization and psychological state of the teenager.

A call to action

In the aftermath of the war, one of the most pressing issues in Eastern Ukraine is education. Schools have been damaged, and children have been deprived of a stable learning environment.

By supporting initiatives that rebuild schools, provide educational resources, and offer psychosocial support to students, we can empower the younger generation to overcome the shadows of the war.

Adequate health care, housing, and accessible resources are not just luxuries, but fundamental rights that should be provided to everyone, regardless of their displacement status or physical abilities.

The conflict has taken a toll on the healthcare system in Eastern Ukraine, leaving many without adequate medical care. A good call to action is establishing and maintaining healthcare facilities, ensuring that the most vulnerable individuals, including women and children, have access to essential healthcare services.

There is an urgent need to raise awareness and support for internally displaced persons, especially those with disabilities.

"Adequate health care, housing, and accessible resources are not just luxuries, but fundamental rights that should be provided to everyone, regardless of their displacement status or physical abilities," concludes Yana.

To date, World Vision has reached over 996,000 people in Ukraine with protection, mental health, education, basic needs services, cash, and livelihoods programs.

Story by Vira Sholinian, Advocacy Advisor I Photos by Tetiana Dolhiier, Communications Officer