I have some good and bad news to share. Every day is challenging and I feel this suffering is not going to end soon. I need to prepare myself every day for the upcoming life war because it is just the beginning. Unfortunately, when I start thinking positively, things go sideways. This suffering started on the 24th of February and is still ongoing. Now, I am thinking that I should have a strong mindset to face these challenges. I guess I should have kept in mind that my suffering started when the war started and when I left my home. This whole situation is not going to be stable too easily. I have lost home, I have lost my money, my investments and now I don't have any proper place to stay. I have to depend on others for shelter and seems like I am looking for their help like a beggar.
I never thought that refugee life can be so devastating, I don't have any roof or anything. I have been moving from here to there continuously and now again I have to move. I don't need to leave the country but I need to find a place again to stay. I assume that's how homeless people live, today here tomorrow somewhere else. I can't even cry now, I don't cry because I have accepted that this is my fate. I presume that when you have nothing, you have to depend on others.
This is my situation...Confused, heartbroken, and waiting for a helping hand (basically saving) every day like a beggar... I am sorry but this is my situation now. I have to find a new place for me and my dog within a week in this country.
Let's talk about good things. I have met a few people here in this shelter and we talk to each other often. I mostly talk to a girl who fleed from Kyiv alone and staying here with us. She is very strong-minded and talking with her helps me a lot. Yesterday morning she suddenly came to my room and asked me if I wanted to go out with her. She had mentioned that she is going to a place along with other Ukrainians where gift vouchers will be given. I haven't received any money from the government so far so I have decided to go with her. Basically, I was more interested in the gift voucher and also wanted to spend some time with her outside. We normally met in the shelter so this was the first time I had got the opportunity to go out with her.
Spring started here already and every day is a beautiful day now. This is the best time of the year and people enjoy spending time outside. The city Almere has plenty of canals so wherever you go, you will see canals or waterbodies.
I along with other Ukrainians got ready and started our journey. I and my friend had no idea where we were going, we were just following others blindly. First, we took the bus and after 20 minutes, we reached the location. The city is very small so it's not very hard to find a place if an individual has a google map and proper address. The entire city is divided into two parts. We went to the other side of the city, the city is split by a huge canal.
When I reached the given address, I saw a large warehouse. I was not so sure at that moment what was that all about because I was expecting something like a shop or office, but it was a huge warehouse. It was early morning and nobody was around. After some time, a guy came to us and asked us where we were from. Then he told us to wait for some time because we need to register ourselves for the gift vouchers. I was not so sure what was the registration for but soon I understood the entire process.
The name of the organization is Voedselbank almere, I have acknowledged that this was an organization that helps people like us by giving food products and clothes. Voedselbank means food bank. They help those people who are unable to meet basic needs due to financial distress. Anyone can donate there too.
They provide 45-50 euros worth of food products to each registered person every month. We are refugees from Ukraine so they have organized a special program for us.
The registration process was easy, I just gave them my documents and they registered me. They gave me a card and told me that I have 22 euros for this month on the card and I can pick up anything from the store within 22 euros. I became confused and asked them where I have to go to pick up the goodies. They showed me the shop and I was surprised to see the shop. It was like a warehouse...
This was not a store, this was basically a place where you will get your basic needs things for your life. There were some shelves full of goodies, some vegetables, and groceries.
I have picked up some stuff according to my needs. Some food products were completely free, especially onions, potatoes, and some vegetables. I didn't take vegetables because I don't have any place to cook here.
They also gave us a nice grocery bag as well and told us to bring it next time for shopping. This opportunity was a big help for many people like us. I know for many people this amount of money is nothing, but for us, this is a big help. Sometimes we have to accept the situation and learn to appreciate it. This organization is helping a lot of Ukrainians now by giving them free food products and basic needs products. If I go to the megastore, I need money to purchase these goodies but here I got them for free which is a big help.
Sometimes I feel bad seeing my condition but I also appreciate this help as well.
One thing I can say is that day I have seen many smiley faces...
You can follow my stories here:
War Story - Was it hell? - Kharkiv, Ukraine
From " Kharkiv, Ukraine " to " Warsaw, Poland " - War Story
From " Kharkiv, Ukraine " to " Warsaw, Poland " - War Story | Part -2 - Lviv
War Story - Present and Past but no Future
War Story - Walked on the street of Warsaw like a Refugee
War Stories - Psychology and My mindset
Help in the Netherlands for Pets from Ukraine- Got Dog Food for my Labrador
War Story - Wednesday Walk in Almere, Netherlands | Veterinary help - Refugee Life
War Stories - 12 km walk from Lviv to Poland Border "Medyka"
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Priyan...
I am
.... An architect, a dreamer, and a passionate writer who loves to write about life. I try to present my own perspective and experiences. Please leave your feedback and criticism because it's the only way I can know and reach your mind and thought easily...
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