More than 1.5 million people have fled Ukraine since the start of the war and some have found refuge in France. On Saturday March 5, a bus arrived near Aix-en-Provence with 53 children and several women on board. A transfer organized by a local association: “Friends of the children of the Rivne region”, a Ukrainian town near Chernobyl. The association, created shortly after the 1986 nuclear disaster, has since organized stays in France for Ukrainian children. It is therefore quite naturally that she mobilized to charter this bus.
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The last ray of sunshine of the day welcomes the Ukrainian refugees at the end of the afternoon. After three days of travel, the women, children and teenagers get off the bus and discover the French families who are going to accommodate them. Anastasia, 13, came alone. His whole life fits in a small pink backpack. “I’m relieved to have arrived, the journey has been very long, confides the teenager, I am sad because my family remained in Ukraine, but at the same time I find my French family.”
Vika also finds France. The 15-year-old fled Ukraine with her mother. “It’s the fifth time I’ve been here. But usually it’s as a visitor, as a guestshe explains. “This time I don’t know how long it will last. And then it’s hard for my mother who had to let my father go and fight…” The young girl hugs Patrick, the retiree from Aix-en-Provence who welcomed her during her previous visits. He is relieved that Vika has arrived at his destination. “We were in contact with her every day by WhatsApp and she called us for help.he says, We were absolutely not sure that the association could make a trip.”
It’s so important, in the times we live in, with the surrounding selfishness, to try to do something to help them.
Patrick, retired from Aixfranceinfo
Emilie waits, a little away from the bus. Earlier, thanks to donations, she collected clothes for the 9-year-old boy who will stay at home. He is accompanied by his aunt, 7 months pregnant, who will therefore give birth in France. “Nicole, the president of the association, said to me: ‘We chose you because you are a childcare assistant, so this mother will be fine between your hands’ so I’ll do my best“, explains the young woman with a smile. “We don’t have much to offer but our house may allow them to breathe, sleep, rest and rebuild at a minimum.” Barely arrived, the bus is already back on the road. Direction Ukraine to recover 150 other children and their families.