Yevgeny is originally from Odessa, Ukraine. Two years ago, he came to Cluj-Napoca with his children. Ever since then, he gets help from World Vision, an organization that focuses on improving the lives of vulnerable people. Besides their help, he also feels very accepted by the people of Romania. ”From my point of view, the Romanians do enough to make Ukrainian refugees feel more comfortable.”
In 2022, Yevgeny arrived in Cluj-Napoca after leaving his hometown Odessa. At first, he didn’t know what to expect. “From our point of view, there were some stereotypes about Romania. But in the end I was surprised in a really positive way about how the people welcomed us. In my opinion, Romania really does enough to make Ukrainian refugees feel more comfortable. I want to say thank you to the people of this country for helping us.”
Now, Yevgeny gets help from the organization World Vision. “They help me with my children, so thanks to them, I also have some of my own spare time.” Despite the warm welcome and the help, Yevgeny would like to go back to his home country. “For me, home is still the place of my origin first”.
Hunting and fishing
The Ukrainian doesn’t have any hobbies in Cluj, most of his spare time he spends with his children. “Back home I used to go hunting and fishing a lot, but over here I don’t do that anymore. I don’t have any time for it unfortunately.” His normal daily life still looks the same as in his home country. “I just wake up, bring my children to school and go to work. The everyday routine is still the same.”
Back in Ukraine, Yevgeny used to work for a logistical company. In his new life in Cluj, he currently has no job. “My biggest dream is to start my own business. With the help of World Vision, I try very hard to fulfill that goal.”
By Boris Van Echelpoel
