When Maryna fled Kyiv with her family in early 2022, she never imagined how much her life
would change. Maryna arrived in Romania with her husband, son, and mother after a harrowing
10-day journey across Ukraine. They crossed the border on foot into Sighetu Marmației, where
the sight of toys laid out on a bridge for Ukrainian children is still etched in her memory.
“That bridge was full of toys,” she recalls. “It was very emotional. Romania was the
first place I slept in peace after ten days. One volunteer gave my son a toy from his
own child. We still have it.”
In Bucharest, they found temporary housing, sharing space with other Ukrainian families. It was
crowded, but the sense of togetherness made the difficult days more bearable. “We were with
our people. That made everything easier,” she says.
At first, Maryna continued working remotely for clients in Spain, where she had previously lived.
But as months passed, she began seeking something more stable and meaningful. A friend
recommended the Jobs for Ukraine platform, and one CV later, everything changed.
“It was actually the first CV I sent — and it matched. That job changed my life.”
Maryna landed an interview — and eventually, a full-time job in media and analytics at Bigger
Picture Solutions. There, she developed new skills, reentered a collaborative office
environment, and, perhaps most importantly, felt herself grow beyond the trauma of
displacement.
“I’ve learned so much — new skills, new tools, and most of all, I learned how to
communicate again. I’m so grateful to my colleagues and the company. They trained me,
supported me, and never made me feel like an outsider.”
Though she never took Romanian language classes formally, she’s picked up the language
naturally, just like she once did with Spanish. “I listen, I absorb. I can reply now, I understand
around 80% of what people say. The hardest part is still couriers on the phone — they speak so
fast!”
Her family adapted alongside her. Her 11-year-old son attended Bucharest International School
through a scholarship program for Ukrainian children. He learned English quickly and, over time,
became fluent in Romanian. Today, does athletics and is fully integrated into
the Romanian school system.
“Now he’s fluent. He played football on a Romanian team, has friends here — even a
girlfriend!” she laughs. “He’s so communicative. It’s amazing to see.”
Outside of work, she’s been giving back in her own way. Maryna is a certified trainer in ethnic
crafts and jewelry-making — a skill she’s turned into a tool for connection. Since arriving in
Bucharest, she’s led countless workshops for women in the Ukrainian community, teaching
them how to create traditional accessories.
Still, her heart is never far from home. Her mother, who initially came with them, has since gone
back to Kyiv. Maryna hopes to return too — someday. “I didn’t leave Ukraine because I wanted a new life,” she says. “I left because I had
to. But once you’re out, you realize you still have to live, to grow, for your child and
for yourself.”
While the future may still feel uncertain, one thing is clear – Maryna is building a life, piece by
piece, and finding ways to help others do the same along the way.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to UNHCR for their unwavering support, which has made it possible for us to realize impactful social projects within the professional sector for members of the Ukrainian community. Their commitment to fostering opportunities has been instrumental in our beneficiaries’ successful journeys.
