Here & Now

Ukrainian Seeks Shelter in Wisconsin

Frederica Freyberg:

Also this week, Ukrainians who arrived in the U.S. by April 11, fleeing the war and Russian violence, are eligible for temporary protected status, shielding them from deportation, and granting permission to work and access services. This is good news for a Ukrainian mother now in Wisconsin with her daughter, finding refuge, if not relief. Marisa Wojcik reports.

Marisa Wojcik:

Varvara Druzhyna is like any other six-year-old girl. Every morning she gets ready for school with the help of her parents. But Varvara has only had this particular routine for about two months. Ever since she and her mother escaped Ukraine. They came to Madison to stay with friends.

Man:

We lost all control. Varvara’s in charge.

Marisa Wojcik:

The mother, Anna Mykhailova, video calls her husband Sasha, Varvara’s father, back in Ukraine every morning. And same as if he were here with them, accompanies Varvara and Anna on the half mile walk to school.

Anna Mykhailova:

I have perfect life. I have everything. I have family. I have husband. I have perfect, best daughter.

Woman:

Have a good day, kiddo.

Anna Mykhailova:

I couldn’t accept this new reality. It’s like maybe a dream or

Woman:

Nightmare.

Anna Mykhailova:

Nightmare. The Russian army came. It was forced decision. And to — we can’t decide by ourselves what we would do, where we will live, how we will live. They decided for us.

Marisa Wojcik:

What was it like making that decision? Okay, we need to leave, and figuring out how you were going to leave?

Anna Mykhailova:

My husband he asked every day. You should leave. You should leave, please. You should leave. I saw picture of a dead girl on internet. And she was the same age like my Varvara. And I thought it could be my kid too.

Marisa Wojcik:

They made it to the U.S. on March 3rd. What did you feel when you landed in the United States?

Anna Mykhailova:

Guilty.

Marisa Wojcik:

Why?

Anna Mykhailova:

Because I am safe. But all my family, not. They have stayed in Ukraine.

Marisa Wojcik:

More than anything, Anna wants to go home.

Anna Mykhailova:

And I am here only because of Varvara. I think if I didn’t have Varvara, I would be in Ukraine with my husband, with all my family.

Marisa Wojcik:

But she’s also seeing things through her young daughter’s eyes.

Anna Mykhailova:

Our Polish friends, they ask if she missed home and she said, yes, I miss home. But I want to live too. To have real life.

Marisa Wojcik:

Anna’s Russian relatives refuse to believe this reality.

Anna Mykhailova:

I have relatives in Russia, in Rostov. And they didn’t believe. They didn’t believe me. I sent pictures from my apartment. When it will touch them personally, I think they will wake up.

Marisa Wojcik:

Without knowing the future, Anna endures. What brings you joy?

Anna Mykhailova:

Good news from home. Only good news.

Marisa Wojcik:

Her husband comforts her from inside the war zone.

Anna Mykhailova:

Yeah. I’m okay. I’m okay. But I hear Bubba. Sasha, Sasha. Someone close the door. I think whole world like united because of Ukraine.

Marisa Wojcik:

She fears the world will soon forget Ukraine.

Anna Mykhailova:

I am afraid that it’ll be everyday news. I had life. I had everything, and now we have nothing.

Marisa Wojcik:

What does victory mean to you?

Anna Mykhailova:

We will free again.

Marisa Wojcik:

For “Here & Now,” I’m Marisa Wojcik in Madison.