Darina Kostenko, 42, and her two children aged 15 and 5 arrived in Orgères in Ille-et-Vilaine on March 9 after leaving kyiv and leaving their husband and father there, mobilized like all Ukrainian men from 18 to 60 years. It is Darina’s sister-in-law, a Ukrainian living here with her husband, who has taken her in since, but the family will soon be able to have their own temporary accommodation, until they can access social housing.
A general mobilization
They did not expect such a mobilization around them. The municipality, which had an empty dwelling but which needed to be renovated, decided to accommodate Darina and her children there. She therefore appealed to the kind hearts of the inhabitants who for the past two weeks have been bringing equipment every Saturday morning to this 80 square meter duplex on the church square.. ” It is a truly collective mobilization. The inhabitants were there immediately, from the first Saturday. We were really moved and happy to see people immediately mobilized to help. They are attentive to ensuring that the welcome is really warm, that they are well integrated. And then there are elected officials who are also very motivated. This Saturday, I have quite a few colleagues who will be there to help assemble the furniture. It’s really a beautiful human story around Ukraine “explains Solène Chevalier, the first deputy of the commune.
– Fanny Beaurel
An unexpected welcome
Darina didn’t expect so much. ” We are very well received. I am very happy. Psychologically, I wonder. I thank everyone “explains the mother who speaks neither French nor English. It is her sister-in-law Léna who accompanies her everywhere to do the translation.” They are happy I think. They expected to have a very small accommodation. I saw in their eyes that it was the good surprise “explains Solène Chevalier. This accommodation should be ready to welcome them next week.
“My head is still there”
This welcome comes to comfort Darina, Maksim and Rita who are obviously worried about their family staying there. There is still Darina’s husband in Ukraine, but also her parents and those of Léna. ” We worry about everyone, we get news every day. I watch the news a lot to see how it goes. But hell the horror goes on and even though I’m far away my head is still there “says Darina who, despite her smile, cannot hide her dismay.
The last donations to equip the accommodation are expected this Saturday between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. at the CCAS in Orgères. In particular, two mattresses, a single and a double, and some storage furniture are still missing.