Living a difficult life in peace/ video

The family of Artyem and Ella Nakhoyans lived in Lugansk region in Ukraine. Ella cherished her life in Ukraine with her family of 5 including four children, Mikayel (14), Elizaveta (10), David (4) and little Eva (1,5). She earned a living as a cosmetologist, and was supported by her caring husband and friends. The family had been hopeful that the conflict in Ukraine would resolve and that they could resume their normal life and did so until the contrary was apparent. Unfortunately, the war crept up to their town, too, and they had to abandon hopes for a peaceful life. Artyem lost his job at a mine, and Ella said farewell to her clients with little hope that they would ever come back to her again. The family had no other choice but to flee – their life was in danger. They made a decision to go to Artyem’s ancestral home, Armenia.

The new challenges on the new land overlapped with the hardships related to their flight, and their life became really difficult. The small one-room apartment at a communal centre provided by the government, was serving as a sitting-room, study and a bedroom at the same time. ‘’Eva is running around, Elizaveta is trying to do her homework while Mikayel is playing the guitar (which is missing parts). And whilst all of this is happening concurrently, everyone seems content. Sometimes it’s just impossible to find a peaceful corner, to sit and to think about…our uncertain future.’’- Ella sighs sadly. Despite the awkward living conditions, no prospects for a well-paid job, Ella hopes for a better future. “I am determined to overcome the difficulties. What is important is that we are all together and that we can sleep in peace”. – Artyem, Ella’s husband says.

Besides the profession of a cosmetologist, Ella can also cook and sew. She manages to make some money by using the skills she had brought with her from Ukraine. Her husband helps her learn Armenian. Their children, who suddenly became quite understanding and conscientiousness after fleeing the war, do much better at school, help their Mom in housework and in the kitchen. They wish their mother’s dream could come true and she could have her own cosmetic salon one day, and that she could have her own business. Ella is inspired by the warm welcome of the host community and their readiness to help, be it the new neighbours, UNHCR or assisting NGO-s, like Mission Armenia and KASA Swiss Humanitarian Foundation. “I am sure the things will sort out, and we’ll be able to go back home, to Lugansk’’. – Ella smiles with tears in her eyes and looks out of the window, to the blue sky.

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Women and children from Ukraine fight for their future in Armenia. They are brave and full of hope. UNHCR and its partners do the utmost to make their lives in Armenia a bit better.

Prepared by Anahit Hayrapetyan

UNHCR Armenia, 12 June 2015

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