“I survived so I could tell others: there is a way out.” Lesia’s story from Germany

“When I was diagnosed, it felt as if my life was over. Today, I want people to know: even after the hardest trials, it is possible to live, dream and build a new life,” says Lesia.

Her story began long before the full-scale war. After a difficult divorce, Lesia became seriously ill. She had a constant fever, rashes and weakness. A doctor advised her to get tested for HIV. “I never imagined this could have anything to do with me. When I received the result, I simply did not understand what to do next. I was completely emotionally devastated.”

In 2019, she was registered at the Kyiv City AIDS Centre (Hospital No. 5) and immediately started antiretroviral therapy.

It was then that people appeared beside her who quite literally saved her.

“I was not left alone. Psychologist Tetiana, civil society organisations such as Kyianka, and people who had already gone through this journey supported me every day. Without them, I do not know whether I would have coped.”

But the most difficult trials were still ahead. Because HIV was diagnosed late, her immune system had almost stopped working. Lesia developed tuberculosis, which affected not only her lungs but also her brain.

“When I was hospitalised, the doctors said there was almost no chance. At one point, my CD4 cell count had dropped to just four. I lost my memory and, after treatment, I literally had to learn to write again. But I survived.”

A year and a half of treatment, dozens of pills every day, injections and long rehabilitation – she was able to get through all of this thanks to discipline and the support of the people around her.

“I always say: therapy saves lives. But it is just as important to have people beside you who will not let you give up.”

On 22 May 2023, Lesia was forced to leave Ukraine.

She reached Lviv thanks to the volunteer initiative Prykhystok, which helped Ukrainians evacuate and find safe transport to European countries. From there, she travelled to Germany.

“It was frightening. You leave your whole life behind and do not know what tomorrow will bring.”

Fortunately, her therapy was with her. Before leaving, Lesia informed her doctors in Ukraine, received a supply of medication, and later the Ukrainian clinic helped prepare all the necessary medical documentation for her doctors in Germany.

“This made my registration with the healthcare system much easier. I advise everyone: if you can, be sure to take your medical documents with you or ask your doctor to prepare an official medical extract.”

In Stuttgart, Lesia found a clinic specialising in treatment for people living with HIV. “When I came there for the first time, they asked me only one thing first: ‘Do you still have your therapy?’ They immediately focused on making sure my treatment would not be interrupted.”

The doctors carefully reviewed her medical history, requested documents from Ukraine, changed her treatment regimen and began monitoring her results regularly. “For the first time, I felt that the doctors were genuinely happy about my progress. When my viral load became undetectable, my doctor celebrated with me. That kind of attitude is very supportive.”

Lesia also contacted AIDS-Hilfe Stuttgart, where she received information and support. “I was welcomed very warmly. I realised that I was not alone. This is very important when you are just starting life in a new country.”

Despite the successful continuation of therapy, adaptation was not easy. During the first months, Lesia lived in temporary accommodation centres, attended language courses, looked for work and tried to navigate a new system of life. “I thought I could manage on my own. But one day I realised I could not do it anymore. Constant stress, worries about my mother, a new country, another language – it all kept building up.”

She went through severe depression. “I did not want to leave the house. I thought it was just tiredness. Only later did I realise it was real depression.” Finding a psychotherapist in Germany turned out to be difficult – she had to wait for months. Only after a long search did Lesia find a specialist, start treatment and begin taking antidepressants. “I want to tell other people: do not be afraid to seek psychological help. Antidepressants are medicines just like medication for high blood pressure. If you need them, there is no reason to be ashamed.”

Today, Lesia lives in her own rented apartment in Stuttgart. She works in elderly care, continues to learn German, does sports and travels around the country a lot.

“I really wanted to prove to myself, first of all, that life had not ended. Now I work, meet people, study and discover Germany for myself.”

She also gladly helps other Ukrainians who are just arriving in Stuttgart, sharing contacts of doctors, interpreters, clinics and civil society organisations. “If I can help someone at least with advice, it means that everything I went through was not in vain.”

“Do not be afraid to ask for help. Do not lose faith in yourself, even if right now it feels as if nothing is working out. Learn the language, travel, meet people, look for what brings you joy. And remember: even the darkest period of life comes to an end. I know this for sure, because I have been through it myself.”

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This publication was prepared by Fundacją HelpNow HUB within the framework of the project “From heart to heart” in partnership with Fundacja Step by Step and Fundacja Res Humanae, with financial support from the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Germany HIV

“When you help others — you live”: a conversation with Inna Nehoda on supporting Ukrainian women in Germany and confronting invisible violence

As part of our work, we speak with people who work daily with vulnerable groups, support women and children, and help them overcome discrimination and trauma. Our interviewee, Inna Nehoda, is a psychologist, human rights advocate, and anti-discrimination trainer. Since 2009, she has worked in Ukraine’s civil society sector; for more than ten years, her primary place of work was with the NGO «100% LIFE» (Kyiv Region).” She also served as a regional representative of “VOLNa” (the All-Ukrainian Association of People with Drug Addiction) and collaborated with “Free Zone,” engaging for years in advocacy and projects focused on people in places of detention. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, she has been living and working in Germany, where she supports the Ukrainian community — from women to teenagers.

When russia launched its full-scale invasion, Inna was eight months pregnant. She left Kyiv with her two children, hoping to give birth in safety. She assumed she would return soon — but life unfolded differently. In the small town of Schwarmstedt near Hanover, where Inna settled, she noticed that Ukrainians were completely disoriented: people struggled with paperwork, didn’t know the language, and had nowhere to gather. “I saw Ukrainians just wandering around the streets. Nowhere to meet, no one to ask for advice. Complete chaos.” She decided to act: she found partners, wrote a small project, and founded the Ukrainian club “Offene Herzen” in Schwarmstedt. “My husband and I went to the migration office, took the forms, and asked them to show us how to fill everything out. We said: we’re going to help people.” The club quickly became a space for connection, mutual support, and integration for both adults and children. It has now been operating for more than two and a half years.

At the same time, Inna began working as a trainer at the Ukrainischen Verein in Niedersachsen e. V in Hanover. Over the course of a year, nearly 500 Ukrainian women attended her trainings on discrimination and bullying. The issues they bring most often involve psychological and emotional violence. “Mobbing is very widespread here — both among adults and teens. And often it’s not coming from Germans, but from other migrant groups.”

Teenagers’ stories are the ones that affect her the most. She recalls a girl who became afraid to leave her home: “She was scared to walk down the street. It was no longer just about a few boys — it was fear of all people. She felt like everyone was watching, everyone was following her.” The police did not help in that case — but psychological support, trauma-informed work and time eventually made a difference: “We got through it, and she grew past it.”

When asked why women are often afraid to seek help when facing violence or discrimination, Inna identifies three main reasons: lack of language skills, lack of knowledge of the law, and a lost belief that anyone will help them. “Ninety-nine percent of people never planned to leave. They’re traumatized. They don’t believe they can prove anything or that anyone will defend them.” Some have even experienced the police refusing help — which reinforces fear of institutions.

Inna’s message is always the same: “To say ‘I won’t achieve anything,’ you at least need to try. If every woman stays silent — nothing will ever change.” But she adds that before entering long legal processes, people need to regain inner strength. “Sometimes psychological support has to come first. Because writing reports, learning the laws, making calls, going to offices — it all takes enormous resources.”

She notes an increase in divorces among Ukrainian women abroad, many of whom are raising children alone — a situation that adds stress, isolation, and vulnerability. At the same time, Inna leads support groups for women in Hanover and works with teenagers and adults who have lived through difficult, sometimes traumatic events. “I work with people who have gone through challenging or traumatic experiences and are now looking for ways to regain stability, resources, and trust in life,” she explains. “When I’m in motion — I live. When I stop — I don’t feel well.” She is sustained by her work, learning, community, and the support of her husband. “When you see that someone truly needs your help… it’s incredibly motivating.”

At the end of our conversation, we asked if she fears burnout. Her response perfectly captures her worldview: “The more I do, the easier it becomes.”

It is especially important to hear stories like Inna’s — not only about dramatic cases of physical violence, but about the quiet, everyday forms of exclusion, isolation, and bullying; about how these experiences shape the lives of women and children who have survived war and forced migration. And, at the same time, about the strength of community, the importance of knowing one’s rights, and the fact that support exists, even where it may be least expected.

Inna says: “If you have even a little bit of strength — try to reach out for help. It might save not only your life but someone else’s as well.” And these words underline the central truth: in the fight against any form of violence, the first step is to stop being silent.

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This publication was prepared within the framework of the project “From heart to heart” in partnership with Zjednoczenie Pozytywni w Tęczy and Step by Step Fundacja, with financial support from the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Germany

Life goes on: Olena’s story of finding therapy in Germany

Olena (name changed) arrived in Germany in the spring together with her daughter. In Ukraine, she already knew about her HIV status, was registered for care, and was taking ART as well as substitution therapy. But after moving to one of the largest cities in Bavaria, everything stopped: a different country, new rules, another language.

When her supply of Ukrainian therapy was running out, she turned to the HelpNow service for assistance. They explained to her how to access therapy in her new city of residence — where to go, what documents to show, what to say to the doctors. After receiving a referral to a specialized center, she felt nervous during the visit, but the medical staff treated her with understanding and tolerance.

Olena underwent an examination and now regularly takes her therapy. “Thank you for not leaving me alone with my needs,” says Olena. “Even from afar, your help is extremely important for people.”

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This publication was prepared within the framework of the project “From heart to heart” in partnership with Zjednoczenie Pozytywni w Tęczy and Step by Step Fundacja, with financial support from the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Germany HIV OST