Alina, (Germany): “When you arrive in a new country, it is very important and very relieving to have someone who can help you.”

My name is Alina [name changed]; I am from Kropyvnytskyi and live in Bielefeld. I came here with my child in March 2022.

First, we came to Poland, and there were people from Germany inviting us to their homes. So we went there. We lived at that house for two months and then moved to a separate apartment.

I⁠had an ART supply for 2 months. And when the therapy was over, I began to look for ART through my friends through Volodymyr. He helped me on every step.

I did not get to the doctor very quickly because I came and did not know anyone, where to go, or what to do. Then I was introduced to volunteers [service administrators], who gave me the hospital address where I went. Although it was difficult because I did not have a referral from the family doctor, so I had to travel a little. Volunteers also helped me with translation during a visit to the doctor (by phone).

Now I make an appointment with the doctor by myself; I go to the appointments myself. But the pills that I was prescribed here in Germany made me sick. Therefore, Volodymyr helps me with this; he brings me therapy from Ukraine.

Here I also take my classes. We are 25 Ukrainians in the group, and we are learning and communicating with each other. And so I speak with my neighbor, she is from Kazakhstan, and she talks to me in Russian.

It was difficult at first. I did not know German at all, and we lived with strangers, with the Germans. We are very grateful to them; it was just a little uncomfortable. Finding a doctor nearby was difficult. I was a month without pills. Adaptation is difficult.

My kid is OK, and attends kindergarten. This year, the kid will go to school and learn German.

After arriving in another country, it is very important and very easy when someone can help find a hospital nearby and tell you what documents you need to make so that the person arrives and already understands where to go so as not to miss therapy.

Rozłąka łamie nam serce… Zdarza się, że będąc daleko, wydaje się, że nie można niczym wesprzeć bliskich.

Andriy, service administrator (Germany): “You need to be more active, and then everything will be fine”

Halyna, (Germany): “It is good that such wonderful people can support and prevent them from losing heart, holding on, and fighting”

Liudmila, (Germany): “The most important thing is not to be afraid!”

Marina, (Germany): “I have faith that I can be healthy, I have a chance to be healthy”

Valeria (Germany): “People still come who need medical services, as well as other consultations just for accommodation”

Marina, (Germany): “I have faith that I can be healthy, I have a chance to be healthy”

My name is Marina; I’m from Kyiv. I arrived in Germany in July 2022. I could not go before because my mother was after an operation and there were grandparents we took from the village to Kyiv. My grandfather didn’t walk anymore, my grandmother still moved, but I had to look after them. Mom was also unable to move after the operation.

I was the only one who could help them at the store.

But my grandfather died this month on 40 Saints Day. My mother has undergone rehabilitation after the operation and is feeling well. After her recovery, I left the country immediately. My mom didn’t want to go with me, so she stayed to look after my grandparents.

I decided to go to Germany on the proposal of a neighbor with whom we lived in Kyiv in the same house. She promised to help me with paperwork and finding housing and also allowed me to live at hers for a while.

In Germany, I found a one-room furnished apartment. While I am not working, I go to German language courses.

The only thing is that I am alone here, so it is difficult because there are no relatives here, no parents.

My son is in Finland; he went in the first days of the war to my ex-husband’s relatives. There he entered the university. So he decided not to go to Germany.

When I left, I had nothing at all. Money for travel was sent to me by my Kyiv friend from Germany. I collected the most important things: a pair of T-shirts, pants, coats, and two pairs of sneakers, and that’s it.

I had no medicine at all. I learned about my hepatitis C just before the invasion. I just had time to get tested. Then covid started again, and later the clinics ceased to work.

In Germany, I stuck with it. First, I got one job, then another. I didn’t know how to get cured.

I have finished therapy, which I received for three months, and I am already doing well. I had tests: an ultrasound of the liver and blood tests, and I ⁠was prescribed therapy. I was treated here, and passed tests – I no longer have hepatitis.

I found the HelpNow service on my own: I put it in Google and accidentally got your site. The girl answered me, asked me what city I was in, and recommended clinics. I went to one of these clinics in my city. They answered me almost immediately and said they were ready to accept me. After the tests, I was prescribed pills within a day. This is an infectious diseases clinic; that is, they specialize in treating hepatitis and HIV.

HelpNow managers suggested that I use the services of an interpreter by phone during a visit to the doctor. But the doctor spoke Russian, and I did not have to use the services of an interpreter.

I was in a good mood; I started to believe that I could be healthy, and that there was a chance to be healthy. 

When I started taking drugs for hepatitis C, insomnia and nausea began, and I was faced with depression after I stopped. I don’t know if it had anything to do with medicine or the beginning of spring, but it was frantic.

I told the doctor about my feelings, but he said to me that, in principle, there could be no side effects. Nausea may not be due to pills. The reason could be a five-fold increase in the liver.

The doctor advised not to follow any diet while taking the pills, as they are so effective that they will help.

I was really preparing for death. I read so much about hepatitis that I thought I was dying. That is, sooner or later, I will die, but now my life is prolonged. I am happy and satisfied that I can live again and build my plans.

Also, from the positive moments: here, in Germany, I met a man. I’m dating him now. He supported me during my treatment. This guy is an Arab, but his citizenship is already German, and thanks to his support, it became easier for me.

My sister, mother, and grandmother supported me. I didn’t say much about my illness. Only my parents knew, but my friends didn’t.

After the arrival, it was difficult, but I comforted myself and reassured you that no missiles were flying over me. At first, I thought I imagined that I was in a resort. After the experience in Kyiv, Germany seemed to me just a paradise.

I thanked the manager of the HelpNow service. Sometimes I keep in touch; I constantly congratulate on the holidays.

I am already giving myself advice here, but psychological support is still relevant.

Rozłąka łamie nam serce… Zdarza się, że będąc daleko, wydaje się, że nie można niczym wesprzeć bliskich.

Andriy, service administrator (Germany): “You need to be more active, and then everything will be fine”

Halyna, (Germany): “It is good that such wonderful people can support and prevent them from losing heart, holding on, and fighting”

Liudmila, (Germany): “The most important thing is not to be afraid!”

Alina, (Germany): “When you arrive in a new country, it is very important and very relieving to have someone who can help you.”

Valeria (Germany): “People still come who need medical services, as well as other consultations just for accommodation”

Valeria (Germany): “People still come who need medical services, as well as other consultations just for accommodation”

My name is Valeria, and I am from Chervonohrad, Lviv region. I’m 19. I arrived in Germany in April. I came because I was pregnant, and it was scary to give birth in Ukraine because I had a positive status and did not know how it would be. Now we live with my child in a German family in a separate room in Berlin.

I chose Germany because I knew that people were treated well here and that there was a group of HIV-positive people here. 

We have two youth organizations for HIV-infected people in Ukraine. A friend of mine attends one of them. She came here too. They protect the rights of HIV-positive adolescents. Thus, I knew that it would be possible to register with an infectious disease specialist through them. Through them, I learned about your service and received humanitarian assistance. 

In addition, I was helped with the search for an infectious disease specialist. I waited about a month for a doctor’s appointment. I was tested and prescribed other ART drugs as they were running out. 

The drugs are not the same as those issued in Ukraine but have the same components. Therefore there was nothing wrong with it. My body reacts OK. Once every three months, I come to get a prescription. You can sign up, but you can not wait and come without a prescription there. 

It was still difficult because I didn’t know who to turn to, and another thing was my status. I didn’t know what my life would be like if I didn’t find a doctor. 

I was supported by volunteers, administrators of the German Hub, an organization from Ukraine, and friends. 

However, from the positive – you do not hear all these fights, you know that a bomb will not fall on you somewhere.

Also, a positive point:  there are a lot of different trainings for HIV-positive, as in Ukraine. I was an activist, so here I am too. There are a variety of training, self-support groups, chat, where you can rewrite and share experiences, and the like.

The service should continue to work because people still come who need medical assistance, as well as other consultations just for accommodation, for example, of a humanitarian and social nature.

Rozłąka łamie nam serce… Zdarza się, że będąc daleko, wydaje się, że nie można niczym wesprzeć bliskich.

Andriy, service administrator (Germany): “You need to be more active, and then everything will be fine”

Halyna, (Germany): “It is good that such wonderful people can support and prevent them from losing heart, holding on, and fighting”

Liudmila, (Germany): “The most important thing is not to be afraid!”

Alina, (Germany): “When you arrive in a new country, it is very important and very relieving to have someone who can help you.”

Marina, (Germany): “I have faith that I can be healthy, I have a chance to be healthy”