Fleeing Ukraine to Melbourne – A Journey to Safety

Dasha is staying with wonderful friends of mine here in Melbourne since fleeing the war in ukraine.

Thank you Dasha for sharing your story in the interview with Sky news. Your lived experience really moved me, and I hope your father and grandmother remain safe in Ukraine. 🙏

Dasha’s interview sharing her story, link below ⬇️

My friend has told me that Dasha is settling in well all things considering, and that she is touched by the local support here in Melbourne. Whenever people find out she has fled Ukraine and her story, people want to give her a hug and tell her how brave she is. And they are right. Australians might be known for being completely bonkers, but we generally are a friendly bunch of people. 💙💛

It is hard for not only Dasha and her family, but also many others who are fleeing Ukraine, as they have been granted visitors visas which means they are unable to access medicare, education or employment here in Australia. Hopefully this will change in time, but who knows?

Dasha was working for an IT company before coming to Australia, so is fortunate that she can continue in that role, but as we all know, the cost of living in Melbourne and Sydney is much higher than some places in Europe.

Dasha’s interview moved me with how mature and so authentic she is. I had to stop and remember that she is only 19.

I really hope in time that Australia gets its act together over visa’s under these conditions. She has been through so much and you could feel her pain, yet also her strength throughout the interview. Dasha is so eloquent in her speech and interview skills. She would make such an amazing member of any organisation.

I’m really looking forward to meeting in person and getting to know Dasha and her family 💙💛

My friends who Dasha is staying with,, thank you – you are such a beautiful family, and I respect you so much for all that you are doing to help others 💕