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In March 2022, when conflict reached the areas surrounding Kyiv and Bucha, Maksym (not his real name) and his wife were forced to flee Ukraine for Poland with their first child, seeking safety and stability. Soon after arriving, their second child was born, putting pressure on Maksym to provide for his family in a new place without many connections.
To add to this difficulty, both Maksym and his wife are visually impaired. They met while studying linguistics at university in Ukraine and previously worked as freelance professionals for international clients. After arriving in Poland, they faced numerous challenges related to language barriers, employment, and accessibility.
“Everyday life became a constant challenge: learning a foreign language, living in a new city, living without sight, and of course caring for our children. Everything had to be rebuilt from the ground up,” Maksym said.
Fortunately for Maksym, after arriving in Poland he connected with a program supported by International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) to help refugees gain economic independence. Receiving a mini-grant through this program, Maksym was able to purchase essential equipment and launch his business selling artisanal coffee beans. This help has restored Maksym’s independence, dignity, and provided long-term stability for the family.
“This grant gave us independence,” Maksym shared. “We are deeply grateful for IOCC seeing our abilities and helping us build a future with dignity.”
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