Journey UA

What can you accomplish in six months living in America? Alina and Oleg spoke about their experience

Alina and Oleg's story began at the end of March 2023. At first, they lived in a room in a house that our organization rented, and then they moved to their own rented apartment in the center of Minneapolis, not far from Downtown.

They admitted that when they came to America, they didn't have much money, so they tried to save and work more. Benefits were not used, as they believe there are people who need them more.

What did their success look like in these six months?

Rented independent housing.

Bought a car.

Got a driver's license.

Found a stable job.

Began to travel around the state.

Alina created an Instagram page about Minneapolis.

Made many new friends, including Americans.

Attended an American wedding.

Alina started singing in the church choir and is working on a project related to vintage clothes.

With practice at work, their level of English improved significantly.

Began to donate every month to the animal welfare fund, UA animals.

They are grateful to the organization for such a good start and the opportunity to come to America!

My name is Oleksandra Chirkova. I am from the city of Berdyansk, which is currently under occupation. I will also tell my story. It all started on February 24 at 5 am. We woke up to the fact that our apartment was shaking from the arrival of rockets. The first thing I did was rush to my daughter and start covering her with my body. Without thinking, we started packing our bags because we didn't know what might happen later. I'm writing this and I can't hold back tears.

We took only 2 suitcases. We did not think that we would never return to our cozy apartment. My husband took us to the Polish border and ordered us to leave the country. It was a very difficult period for us. So my daughter and I lived in Poland for almost 4 months.

We were very pampered, because we were sheltered by an incredible person Sylvia. Now she is like a family member for us. I started working as a cosmetologist in a salon. But we lived in a small village, and in order to get to work, I needed to drive 40 minutes by car to the station (it was a blessing that Sylvia gave me this car), and then get on the train and drive to the city for another hour. So they lived quietly.

Later, I was so exhausted that I decided to return to Ukraine, because I thought that it would be easier in my native land. We went with our daughter to western Ukraine to visit our relatives. At first I was very happy. I was not at home, but the feeling that you live in your own country is unsurpassed.

The situation was becoming more difficult every day. Every day and night we shuddered at the sounds of sirens, began to warn people that the winter would be very severe. It was very scary, especially for the life of my child. I began to think that I should go…

I came with my family to the USA a year ago 🇺🇸 I never dreamed of going to America, because we were 100% satisfied with life in Ukraine before the war started. We had our own business, which we lost in occupied Berdyansk. We decided to try America, because we understood very well that stability and security are there.

I think that we were very lucky because we just happened to come across ASIU on Facebook. It was fate. They found us a sponsor, then endlessly answered a bunch of questions!

I am very grateful to the team for their patience and support. We were met and settled in America itself, helped to solve the most difficult issues at the beginning (documents, school for our daughter, renting our own home)! I have never met such support in my life! I advised and will advise this organization to everyone. I wish ASIU success and all the best! You are incredible, and for us you are like family now ❤️

My name is Olena Verbivska and I am from Mykolaiv. I want to share with you a story about an incredible organization and people I recently met who helped me move to the USA!

Like many Ukrainians, my story began on February 24. I was awakened by explosions and the loud sounds of helicopters. Then it was like a terrible dream... I remember reading the news and calling my loved ones. Then I heard from my dad, "Well, what? the war began." The brain did not want to accept it. I'm writing and it's as if I'm reliving this day with trembling hands.

There was panic in the yard of my house, neighbors were discussing where to hide, someone was already leaving with a suitcase. I pack a small bag with a couple of tracksuits and head out of town hoping it will all be over soon. The Rashist tanks were in Kherson, which means they could have been in my city already in the evening (then no one knew that our city would become a hero).

With friends who have two young sons, we decide to go to Poland. Our husbands took my girlfriend and I to the border, and they remained volunteers, collected humanitarian aid on their truck, which they had just bought before the war, and planned their business. A friend gave two SUVs to help the Armed Forces.

There was a terrible depression and I really wanted to go home, but our city was actively bombed and my relatives begged me not to return. The war dragged on and there was no strength to just sit at home. I find three jobs, help my relatives and wait for the end of the war...

The final decision to move to the USA was a trip to Ukraine before the New Year. I visited my parents, stayed the night in my apartment, and rockets flew 3 kilometers from my house, the whole house shook. Until morning, I never closed my eyes, I talked with my beloved and closest friend, who moved to America 6 months ago to have children. She kept calling me, but I didn't want to go so far from home. After arriving in Krakow, she and her daughter sent me a link to the American Service in Ukraine organization. I contacted them and had a very pleasant conversation with Sofia, during which I once again made sure that I was doing everything correctly. This brave, confident girl made me want to move even more.

After our arrival, Sofia welcomed us with her friendly hugs in a cozy house. We immediately got to know the girls and boys who were already there. They took us to buy sim cards, groceries and essentials.

All the time they advised and helped in submitting documents, promptly responded to requests. The support girls were always in touch and helped with all questions. With the help of the organization, we passed the interview and are already working at HOME DEPOT.

I am grateful to "American Service in Ukraine": Sofia, Taras, Asvar for their tremendous work, courage in creating such an organization. For help in moving to the USA, with comfortable housing and work. P.S. They agreed and collected charitable assistance in the form of things, dishes, and other means up to household chemicals, appliances, and shoes. They also made and celebrated the birthday of a boy who also came according to the program, he was greeted by more than 20 people.

I started my journey in Minneapolis, where I made all the documents, applied for the license, earned money and found friends. I sponsored my son and took him to live with me in Chicago. From the bottom of my heart, I would like to wish success in the development of the organization. As many satisfied beneficiaries as possible, kind and sensual!