Svitlana Yaroshenko’s Journey
After fleeing the Russian occupation of Nova Kakhovka, Svitlana Yaroshenko established a thriving strawberry farm in the Khmelnytskyi region. Arriving with nothing but one bag, she managed to purchase a home and set up six greenhouses. One of these structures was funded through a grant, while her children gifted her two others. For over two decades prior, she had worked at a bread factory in her hometown.
Yaroshenko notes a stark contrast between the two regions: the Kherson area, where she came from, is characterized by dry, sandy soil, whereas Khmelnytskyi offers fertile land and more rainfall. Still, to successfully grow strawberries in her new environment, she must mix sand into the earth.
“I arrived with just one suitcase, and now I have my own farm,” she says.
Rebuilding Life from Scratch
The berries she cultivates are sold at local markets and to nearby residents. Her personal story is part of a larger narrative: the village of Svitlogirske in Poltava region has become a refuge for nearly 600 internally displaced people, and at the start of the full-scale invasion, the community took in over a thousand individuals. Svitlana Yaroshenko’s experience thus serves as a testament to rebuilding one’s life and livelihood amid the severe challenges faced by countless Ukrainians.
This account underscores the resilience of the Ukrainian people, who, despite immense hardship, continue to seek opportunities for recovery and growth. Yaroshenko’s journey can inspire other displaced persons striving to adapt to new circumstances and find their footing in society. The importance of community and state support for such initiatives is increasingly vital as the country works to restore its economy and social stability.