From occupation to new beginnings

Lyudmila’s story: from occupation to new beginnings

Lyudmila, a 32-year-old from a small village near Bucha, experienced the harsh realities of living under Russian occupation in the early weeks of the conflict.

With her home destroyed, she turned to USPUK for help, ultimately finding not just safety but also love and a new beginning in the UK.

In Lyudmila’s own words

"My journey began a year ago. After surviving the occupation of my home region by Russian soldiers, I knew that living in constant fear was not an option I wanted to continue. Even after the occupation ended, my home was destroyed. I had lost hope, as my attempts to find a sponsor on my own had failed.

It was the team at USPUK, particularly Nadiia, who helped me through this difficult time. They quickly found a wonderful family who welcomed me as one of their own. I lived with them in safety and peace for nearly six months, and they supported me through all the initial stages of my new life in the UK.

There were some challenges at the beginning, but Amar and Sonia, my sponsors, became my second family, and we continue to stay in touch and see each other regularly.

My life has changed drastically in such a short time, and moving to this country was the best decision I could have made. Here, I found safety and peace of mind, and it was in the UK that my family story began. I fell in love, got married and my husband and I are now expecting our first child.

Without that call from Nadiia (USPUK), I would have lost hope and faith in a better, brighter future."

You can make a difference

Lyudmila’s story is one of many that showcases the incredible impact of offering support and guidance to those in need. USPUK is committed to helping individuals find safety and rebuild their lives.

If you’d like to help someone like Lyudmila on their journey to a new beginning, consider becoming a host today. Visit our Become a Host page to learn more.