Between hope and disappointment

“I’m ready to start all over again in Switzerland,” said Olga Magaletska (41) when Blick spoke to her last spring. The Ukrainian and her compatriot Irina wash eco (34) are among the 75,000 people who federal government has granted protection since the outbreak of war in Ukraine. Last year, Blick reported on her new start in Switzerland.

How have the two women and their families fared since then? Two stories about hope and success, but also disillusionment and homesickness.

Only recently did Olga Magaletska (41) overcome with homesickness. A few days after the outbreak of war, the Ukrainian and her family packed their bags and fled the country. “I miss my perfect apartment and the place that was our home for ten years,” she says. lives today Magaletska with her two twin sons (9), her partner and her parents in an apartment of 150 square meters in Bernex GE.

Blick had passed in May Magaletska reports that the Ukrainian was looking for a job at the time. Nearly four months later, the former head of an investment promotion agency, who speaks very good English, was able to secure a full-time position at the World Road Transport Organization (IRU) compete in Geneva. She got the job through a business platform linked found, she says.

Magaletska is very happy to be able to return to work and is no longer dependent on state aid. “But my kids don’t like it here very much, and that hurts me a lot,” she says. The two boys miss their home and struggle to make friends.

Still stands for Olga Magaletska decided to stay in Switzerland for the time being. Should their children but still settles down, she can imagine never returning to Ukraine. Otherwise, a move to Poland, where the father of her sons lives, might be an option. Going back to Kiev is not an option for the family as long as the war rages. “It’s too unsafe.”

Irina is without luggage and without money, only with what they had with them laundry (34) and her two children fled their home in Kharkiv almost a year ago. They previously lived in the basement for two weeks while their home was bombed. Also the nail salon, that laundry belongings were destroyed.

The family followed Ebikon LU, where she still lives. Irina laundry says, “Looking back, the year went well.” Refugees like her received a lot of support in Switzerland. “We have an apartment, sufficient social assistance, the German courses are paid for,” she sums up. The only problem is the language and the associated job search.

Currently, she works hourly in a beauty salon, says the single mother. But because she is on social assistance, most of the salary goes to social services, and the small remainder is only paid with much delay. “I’d like to have own boss do,” she says. But she knows it is very difficult in her current situation.

It was easier for her daughter (7) and her son (13) to settle. They both really enjoy themselves here, says Irina laundry. And that despite the double burden. Because every day when they come home from school, they still have online lessons in Ukraine. The mother does not want them to be left behind in the local school system. There is still hope of returning at some point.

Source:Blick