Ukrainian refugee Yulia Chernitskaya who broke down when an elderly man gave her money at a gas station turning her into a symbol of Romania’s warm welcome of refugees, says it’s time to return home.
The mother of four left her home in March as fighting engulfed the Black Sea port of Odessa and entered Romania.
Kindness
She spoke about how she had been overwhelmed by kindness and random acts of generosity in Facebook posts.
On one occasion, an elderly man gave her 200 lei after seeing she had Ukrainian license plates.
She described how she teared up as the man did not seem well-off.
But now, she says it’s time to go back with her children.
„I’s my third attempt to return home, dear Ukraine. I pray to God that no one will stop us. I learned to start from scratch, take care of my children and work in a foreign country.
I accepted help from strangers, every moment I was thinking where we were going to live and at what cost. I saw myself in many ways, much stronger, but also more vulnerable. I felt tired and sad, but I was strong for my children’s sake.
Ukraine
I managed to stop crying and think about the kids. But I never stopped wanting to return home to Ukraine, despite all the difficulties.
Even if I have all the possibilities here in Romania, I have peace and a good life, I am returning home. To you, my beloved Kiev, to my home country, Ukraine.
Maybe it’s too early, maybe it’s late, I don’t know, but my heart wants to go back home and the kids support me. I am happy like a child and I am ready for whatever happens,” Yulia Chernitskaya announced on Facebook, according to Digisport.
Border
„I will protect my children as their father does on the front lines. God, I can’t believe that this day is about to come. I will get on my knees after crossing the border,” Yulia Chernitskaya wrote.’
Ms Chernitskaya was one of more fortunate refugees as she drove to Romania and found a job at a fitness center in the town of Brasov.
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