Forgotten Voices: The Struggle of African Students During and After the Russian Invasion of Ukraine
February 24th, 2022 will forever be etched into my memory. It's the day that my world was turned upside down and everything that I thought I knew about safety, security, and humanity was shattered into a million pieces.
At the time, I was a medical student living in Ukraine, a country that I loved and called home. But that all changed when Russia invaded. The days that followed were a blur of chaos and uncertainty. Military tanks were everywhere, and the city was under curfew. Sirens blared, and the sound of bombs exploding in the distance was a constant reminder of the danger that we were in.
My colleagues and my husband who did not hold European passports were in an even more precarious situation. It was unclear whether they would be able to leave the country, and the messages from the embassies were clear - we were on our own. The fear and uncertainty that I felt during those days were unlike anything that I had experienced before. I was far from home and terrified.
Finally, after days of waiting, my colleagues and I were able to cross the border to Romania, where we were welcomed with open arms. But the relief that I felt was short-lived. As an African student, my struggle was far from over. It seemed like everywhere we turned, we were faced with racism, discrimination, and a lack of support.
When we fled and attempted to carry on with our education we were repeatedly told that scholarships and aid were for "Ukrainians only," leaving us to fend for ourselves. The UK government didn't provide any aid, despite some of us also being British citizens. Many students fled to European countries such as the Netherlands where they have reported the Dutch government have even imposed a rule that third country nationals must leave by March, leaving many students facing deportation. It was like we were forgotten, left to pick up the pieces of our lives on our own.
For me, the struggle was about more than just continuing my education. It was about finding a sense of belonging and a place where I could feel safe and supported. It was about regaining the hope and optimism that I had lost during those dark days in Ukraine.
The war in Ukraine may still be ongoing, but we cannot forget the struggles that many have faced and continue to face even after fleeing the country. We need to come together as a global community to support those who have been impacted by this conflict and ensure that they are not forgotten.
For me, this experience has been a reminder of the importance of empathy and compassion. We never know what someone else is going through, and it's up to us to show up for each other and offer support and kindness whenever we can. Because when the world seems to be falling apart, it's the human connections that we make that give us hope and keep us going.
