Yelyzaveta’s story is a vivid example of the resilience and strength of Ukrainian women. When she was 8 months pregnant, on March 9 last year, she left her native Mykolaiv to get to Estonia. The journey took more than a week – first to Moldova (she couldn’t go through Lviv because there was no place in the trains even for standing). Then from Chisinau to Warsaw, and then to Tallinn. She doesn’t understand how she decided to take such a bold step, as she was afraid to go because she didn’t know what would happen with therapy abroad (she had been taking ART for over 8 years and didn’t want to put her unborn child and herself at risk by interrupting it). And she had only three months’ worth of medication on hand. However, she found the contacts of the Estonian Network of People Living with HIV (EPHV) and when she got to Tallinn, she called them the very next day.

“They met with me right away – they showed me where the AIDS center was, staff accepted me there, did all the tests, prescribed therapy, and even waited to take me to my place of residence… I was amazed! I was constantly supported before and after the birth. After my son was born, he also underwent all the tests – the child was healthy! At the age of one, he was deregistered. By the way, for all parents who are registered here in Estonia and have children under one year old, meals for the kids are free! They didn’t charge me a cent for the delivery, the ward, or the baby’s things. I thank everyone and especially EPHV and your Service for such care and attitude. For not leaving people alone with their problems. I want to live and go forward! Thank you!”