From Ukraine to the U.S.: Anastasiia's Resilience
Nestled near the Carpathian Mountains in Ukraine, Anastasiia Dovhaniuk's small hometown was a haven of fresh air and breathtaking landscapes. Her childhood brimmed with love, laughter, and a profound sense of belonging. Nurtured by a close-knit family, Anastasiia was encouraged to chase her dreams from an early age. Languages was always her interest, igniting a passion that led her to pursue Philology and Translation of English and German at Vasyl Stefanyk National University. Anastasiia's aspirations were clear: she envisioned a career that would allow her to bridge cultures, perhaps through academia or translation services. She dreamed of traversing the globe, using her linguistic prowess to connect people from diverse backgrounds.
However, 2022 brought an abrupt and devastating interruption to her plans. War erupted in Ukraine, shattering the tranquility of her hometown. Anastasiia's first memories of the conflict are vivid and haunting: the piercing wail of air raid sirens, the thunderous explosions, and the terror etched on her mother's face as she roused Anastasiia and her sister to hastily gather their belongings.Later, venturing outside, Anastasiia was confronted with a sight she had never before witnessed: endless queues for bread and water. The fear was palpable, and the uncertainty in people's eyes was unmistakable—a stark contrast to the peaceful life she had known.
In the first days, her father took her and her sister to the Carpathians to their grandparents' place because it seemed safer. Her mother stayed in the city, afraid to leave their apartment unattended at such a time. Anastasiia was very scared for her mother. The initial days were the hardest because they didn't know what to expect, how long it would last, or how to live with it. It was a painful time for their country, filled with tears and worry. Many nerve cells died during these days. A few days later, it became easier as they realized this was a war that was unlikely to end quickly. They decided to return home to Ivano-Frankivsk, where they built a new life and routine. They learned to live in war.
“Anastasiia decided to start volunteering. It was her consolation, her way of coping. She quickly became adept at raising money, buying military ammunition, and understanding all the military supplies as if she had been doing it all her life”
But no, all Ukrainians learned these things very quickly, even if they didn't want to—they had to. She knew all the parts of the weapon, the types of sights, helmets, uniforms, and much more. The people were very united.
During the first months of the war, they managed to raise more than a million hryvnias. It was a lot of money, given that everyone was raising funds at the time. The people donated, volunteered, fought, and cooked for refugees. They cooked food for people from other cities who lived in hot spots. They also took in refugees at their home, clothing and feeding them, doing everything in their power. The whole nation became, and remains, a huge mechanism that doesn't allow them to lose this fight. And all this continues to this day. Anastasiia is in awe of her people, who are the strongest she has ever seen.
Later, Anastasiia decided to return to Kyiv, her second hometown and the beautiful capital of Ukraine. She had moved there right after school because her first university was located there. Later, she transferred to Ivano-Frankivsk University, but because of the possibility of distance learning, she continued to live in Kyiv. She loves this city and misses it very much. However, it was no longer calm there. They were attacked with rocket attacks and Shahed drones. She remembers May when they were attacked every night. Anastasiia lived in Kyiv with her boyfriend Kostiantyn and their dog, Frido, a Labrador. He had a hard time with the explosions. They often ran from the 10th floor to the basement or hid in the toilet. Sometimes the explosions were heard faster than the alarm. Sometimes it seemed like it was their last night. The fear of dying or being injured was strong, and Anastasiia still struggles to describe the feeling of having absolutely no control over the situation and just hoping that it will end soon and everything will be fine. It was very scary, but the worst part was that people became used to living in this mode—little sleep due to the constant shelling, going to work in the morning, and being constantly interrupted by air raids. Their psyches suffered a lot.
Despite everything, they continued to live and make plans for the future. Anastasiia rejected the idea of moving to another country until the very end. She wasn't ready for it because she was extremely attached to her family, but they made the decision anyway—moving to the United States. Anastasiia was afraid to even think about being on the other side of the world from her family. She and Kostiantyn set off into the unknown, not knowing if they were making the right choice. They arrived in the United States through the U4U program, designed for Ukrainians who have faced war.
When they arrived in Chicago, they started from scratch. It was not easy—quite the opposite. The hardest part of the move was being away from their family. They miss their family very much, but are grateful for modern technology that allows them to stay in touch, even if only virtually. They worked multiple jobs, including food delivery, parcel delivery, and Anastasiia also worked as a support manager in an IT company, though her salary was extremely small for the United States. However, they were not afraid of work and remain unafraid. They are grateful for all the opportunities that America has given them. One of these opportunities was cooperation with CarrCARE Charity.
The "Survivor Stories" initiative resonated deeply with Anastasiia. It was an opportunity to share her experiences and connect with others who had faced similar challenges. Through CarrCARE, she was able to tell her story to a wider audience, and it was incredibly empowering. She realized that her experiences, though painful, could inspire others and bring about positive change.
Through interactive newscasts and social media broadcasts, the "Survivor Stories" initiative aimed to amplify the voices of those who had overcome adversity. The stories shared were diverse, ranging from chronic illness and mental trauma to the impact of war. The initiative sought to break down stigmas, build a sense of community among survivors, and inspire resilience. Anastasiia found herself at the heart of this mission, sharing her story and helping others share theirs.
Anastasiia’s involvement with CarrCARE also led to the development of the Anastasiia Training Program, which offers work training for minority and marginalized workers. This program became a personal mission for her, a way to give back and help others rebuild their lives just as she had been given the chance to rebuild hers. She also became involved in the renovation of "Rainbow House" in Logan Square, a project aimed at providing accessible housing for marginalized communities in Chicago.
Today, Anastasiia continues to work with CarrCARE, driven by her experiences and a deep sense of responsibility to help others. She dreams of expanding the "Survivor Stories" initiative into a global platform where stories of resilience and hope can be shared across borders. Her ultimate goal is to create opportunities for others to rebuild their lives, to find strength in their struggles, and to inspire the next generation of survivors.
As she reflects on her journey, Anastasiia’s message is clear: No matter how dark things may seem, there is always hope. Her story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of community. Through her work with CarrCARE, she continues to inspire others, showing that even in the face of unimaginable challenges, it is possible to rebuild, to find purpose, and to make a difference in the world
