Halina fled from Ukraine and became a volunteer helper

Car packed and heading into the unknown

In the summer of 2023, Halyna Rumynska packed the family car together with her husband and their two children and left their hometown of Lviv for the unknown. Besides the four family members, only the most essential and cherished belongings could fit in the car.

The decision was far from easy, but the conflict in their homeland left no other choice: the family had to leave so that their daughter could continue her studies and life could, at least partly, return to some sense of normalcy.

- We understood that safety comes before everything else. Studying in a bunker during airstrikes was hardly studying at all. Everything fell apart in an instant, Halyna recalls life under the shadow of conflict.

The family drove through Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, and eventually took a ferry to the port of Helsinki. Three days after arriving, they were given accommodation at the reception center in Saarijärvi, run by the Finnish Red Cross. A new chapter in their lives had begun.

The conflict changed everyday life in an instant

Before the conflict, Halyna’s family lived a stable and happy life. After studying law, Halyna worked as an accountant, while her husband was a civil engineer. Their days were filled not only with work but also with the younger daughter’s beloved dance hobby.

- Having to stop dancing because of the war has been very difficult for my daughter Sofia – it was her greatest passion, Halyna explains.

With the outbreak of the conflict, the sense of security they had built over many years crumbled in a moment, and the family had to seek safety outside their home country. When asked how it felt to flee, Halyna pauses for a long moment.

- I don’t know how to describe those feelings. When the life you had before the war is already in ruins, and you set off in search of safety… It’s beyond words.

The power of community inspired her to become a volunteer

In Saarijärvi, the family was welcomed warmly. In addition to housing, Finnish Red Cross provided support for learning the Finnish language. Halyna and her family regularly attended both the local language club and the Finnish Red Cross district’s “JutteluCafe,” where they were able to meet locals as well as other people who had fled from Ukraine.

- Thursday was always the most anticipated day of the week, Halyna laughs. - At JutteluCafe, we learned about Finland, its culture and its people. It gave us the feeling that someone really cared about us.

Her daughter, who recently turned 18, has also found her own path in Finland. She completed her Ukrainian schooling remotely and now studies at a Finnish upper secondary school. Last summer, the ambitious young woman even ran her own small kiosk business in Saarijärvi.

- My daughter wants to apply to a university in Finland. I am so happy and grateful for how well she has adjusted to our new home country, Halyna says with a smile.

The help she received from the Red Cross inspired Halyna to start helping others — this time as a volunteer herself.

- Whenever we can, we help wherever we are needed. The Red Cross helped us in the beginning — now we want to help others, she says, and continues:
 - There are many elderly people in Saarijärvi. My family and I try to help whenever needed, to volunteer wherever we can be useful. We are always ready when help is needed.

Hope for peace in Ukraine and a steady everyday life in Finland

Today, Halyna describes her life in Finland as “peaceful and ordinary — in a good way.” She says she does not need much for herself — the most important thing would be for the conflict in Ukraine to end.

- My first and greatest wish is peace in Ukraine. That is the most important thing.

For her own future, she hopes to stay in Finland permanently and find work in her own field. - I have a good life here. I want to continue it and be useful to society, she says.

Finally, she wishes to express her gratitude to all Finns:
- I haven’t encountered anything negative in Finland. People are empathetic and kind. Even when a stranger smiles at you on the street — it means a lot.