Dogs, dark humour and determination – what I’m taking with me as I leave Ukraine

Patricia Maruschak is the outgoing Country Director of FCA Ukraine. As she completes her posting that began the same year Russia launched its fullscale invasion of Ukraine, she reflects on her experiences in the country and with its people.

THREE AND A HALF YEARS AGO, when I arrived in Kyiv, Ukrainians were still trying to understand how to live with the effects of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Today, the challenges of navigating air alarms, the sounds of shooting from air defence systems, electricity outages and the hassle of travelling around Ukraine and internationally via long train rides are barely even discussed.

Tired of the war, carrying on with life

People are tired of the war, its impact on their lives and the fact that there is no end in sight, but there is no alternative for Ukraine but to keep defending itself. The common explanation is that Ukrainians are resilient, but the reality is that everyone is doing what they need to do to get on with their lives, even during an ongoing war. In my experience with Ukrainians, this often translates into a lot of dark humour and not too much complaining.  

In education, the sector where FCA has had the greatest impact, the extensive network of underground schools being built in the frontline areas is, in my opinion, the most inspiring example of Ukrainians figuring out how to adapt effectively to their unfortunate new reality.

I’ve found that Ukrainian teachers, parents and students place an extremely high value on education and really respect the education process. After years of online learning due to COVID and then the full-scale invasion, the desire for in-person learning has inspired education officials to turn metro stations into warm and welcoming learning spaces. These colourful, newly constructed underground classrooms are attracting thousands of students and are a huge source of pride in the city of Kharkiv. The parallels with Finland’s network of well-used underground shelter spaces are obvious to anyone who has seen both.

Ukrainians are keen to continue learning, teaching and building

FCA has supplied furniture and equipment, and our psychologists have trained educators and students to deal with the stress and their fears in Kharkiv which is only 30 kilometers from the frontlines. Speaking with students and teachers and hearing how keen they are to continue learning, teaching and building their lives despite Russia’s attacks is, to me, the most impressive sign of Ukraine’s capacity to survive and thrive, if given the opportunity.

I see these same traits in FCA’s staff in Ukraine. Prior to the full-scale invasion many of them were working in the private sector and had never heard of humanitarian assistance. Working for FCA has been their entry into this world and their motivation to help their fellow Ukrainians inspires them. I have seen them grow into skilled humanitarian professionals, taking every opportunity to learn more about their work and how to help most effectively. And, doing all this while also coping with the war’s impact on their own families.

FCA staff in harsh conditions

During this past winter, the harshest in years, several of our staff did not have heat in their homes for weeks at a time. And, electricity outages happened daily, often for 8 or more hours at a time. They had to figure out how to prepare food, do laundry and deal with their families’ daily needs despite all of these challenges. Yet, they came to work everyday and did their jobs as professionally as always.

This past winter was harsh, but I’ve seen our staff work through challenging situations over and over again  – wearing headlamps in the office to keep working during power outages, holding meetings in the underground parking garage because of air attacks, sleeping (or trying to sleep while hearing explosions) in hallways, bathrooms or in underground shelters all night and coming to work on time.

It has been such an honour and pleasure for me to work with our team in Ukraine and I know they will continue to make FCA proud.

Internally displaced pet

Finally, I was asked to share something about Ukraine that I didn’t know before. I have to take this opportunity to share some insight into Ukraine’s dog-friendly culture.

Dogs are welcome everywhere – restaurants, stores, offices, public transport and even movie theatres. And Ukrainians welcome them with water dishes, dog biscuits and affection.

Stories of the military and volunteer organizations bringing stray dogs and cats from the frontlines for adoption in safer parts of the country abound.

This inspired me to adopt my own IDP (internally displaced pet), Stesha, who was found by soldiers in eastern Ukraine.

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We thank Patricia deeply for her valuable work for FCA and her unflagging committment to the Right to Quality Education for all Ukraine’s children and youth.

All images courtesy of Patricia Maruschak.