Maryna (name changed) is a young woman from Ukraine who recently moved to Leipzig. Like many others, she was forced to leave her home because of the war. Before traveling to Germany, she reached out to the HelpNow service, which she learned about from friends who had also received support there. “I was really anxious before the move. I had so many questions — how I would access treatment, where to go, what documents I would need. I’m so glad my friends shared your contact information with me.”
The HelpNow team provided Maryna with detailed information: where in Leipzig she could access ART, what documents were required to register and begin treatment in a new country, and what challenges she might face during the first few months. Thanks to this, Maryna felt much more at ease. “Everything was explained to me very clearly. I learned exactly where to go and what paperwork to prepare. They advised me to bring a supply of my medication. That gave me a sense of control. For the first time in a long while, I could finally exhale.”
After arriving in Leipzig, she went to a local clinic, where she received help with the necessary formalities and continued her ART. “I’ve already done all the tests, received the medication I need, and I feel stable and free from unnecessary stress. I even started a free language course.”
Maryna emphasizes that this support helped her adapt faster and more calmly. “If it weren’t for this help, everything would’ve been so much harder. Now I feel confident and I’m slowly starting to move forward. Of course, not everyone thinks ahead about these things before moving — many just assume they’ll figure it out somehow. But it’s so much better to have a clear understanding of what to expect and to be prepared. Thanks to the HelpNow service, that was possible — and I’m truly grateful!”
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The publication was prepared within the framework of the “From Heart to Heart” project in partnership with Zjednoczenie Pozytywni w Tęczy and Step by Step Fundacja, with financial support from the Elton John AIDS Foundation.