They also couldn’t drive through ….

Posted 5/18/22

They also couldn’t drive through the night due to curfews that were in place and had to sleep in shelters along the way. According to Larisa Ovdienko, while heading to the border, all the road …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

They also couldn’t drive through ….

Posted

They also couldn’t drive through the night due to curfews that were in place and had to sleep in shelters along the way.

According to Larisa Ovdienko, while heading to the border, all the road signs and city names were covered in duct tape so that Russian soldiers would have a harder time 昀nding their way.

Once they made it across the border, “They were overwhelmed by the warm welcome from Poland. Volunteers told them where to go, and got them food and shelter,” said Kovalenko.

The pair stayed in Poland for a day, and then met up with some friends and headed to Germany. Larisa Ovdienko said the people they encountered throughout the trip were very generous and helpful. In Germany, they were provided with a condominium to stay in with several other friends who had left Ukraine. They were able to receive medical treatment while in Germany, which they said was graciously provided to them free of charge.

Larisa Ovdienko already had a tourist visa to enter the U.S. from before the war. Her daughter was able to obtain one while in Germany, though everyone else they were staying with was denied a visa.

“Larisa cried every day in Germany; it didn’t feel right. It didn’t feel like home,” said Kovalenko. “She knows a lot of people fromhere[Hastings]andhasmanyfriends.”

The Ovdienkos have spoken with their family daily, and they have heard that things are somewhat quieter in Kaniv currently. Larisa Ovdienko left her husband, two adult sons, an adopted daughter, and a cat. Her daughter Violetta also left her 昀ancé. Their family in Ukraine has continued to help other people displaced within the country, giving them a place to stay for long or short term. The Ukraine State Border Guard Service has prohibited men ages 18 to 60 from leaving the country.

The Calvary Christian church has been contributing aid, according to Larisa Ovdienko, by sending money to Ukraine to help purchase food and resources. Larisa Ovdienko said her biggest worry is the thought of never going home.

“Only God’s prayer has given them relief in those feelings. They were questioning their decision of coming here, thinking maybe they should’ve stayed home and died as a family,” said Kovalenko.

Before the war, Larisa Ovdienko was a music teacher. She worked at an art school instructing students on an instrument called a bandura. It has 55 strings and is the national instrument of Ukraine. She also was heavily involved in the community church and sang in the choir.

Violetta Ovdienko, who is 21 years old, had recently graduated college with a degree in music, and wanted to pursue a further degree, though that has been paused. She was also planning a wedding for July and had to leave her 昀ancé the day before they had scheduled to complete the paperwork to be of昀cially married.

“She misses home very much, especially her 昀ancé,” said Kovalenko. “He hasn’t been very emotional, but recently he has admitted to her it’s been very hard for him.”

Larisa and Violetta Ovdienko said they deeply appreciate the help and sense of community they have found in Hastings and hope to be able to return home sooner than later.