Stories From Ukraine: Anjana Sunar

Meet Anjana Sunar, a Senior Customer Support Specialist at Preply. Seven years ago, she decided to call Ukraine her home. But on February 24, 2022, she had to make a tough choice and move her entire life to a safer place.

“My mom had called me, and she told me that Russia had attacked Ukraine. I was in disbelief at first but just 2 minutes later, I heard a blast, and I knew she wasn’t lying. I ran to my kitchen as I could see the gas station from there. Tons of people were lined up to buy gas, and most of the cars were driving to leave the city. I was scared because I lived alone and I didn’t know what to do. Most of my colleagues were on the other side of the city and I had literally nobody with me.

One thing about me is that I never panic, but this day made me have a mental breakdown. It was impossible for me to travel long distances, so I had to find a way to get out of this. Preply arranged the evacuation bus, and my teammates were there for me. I returned back to Nepal.

If I could go back in time to that day, I would tell myself: cry loudly, and everyone will understand your pain. It’s a pain everybody shares. You don’t have to do it all by yourself and act like everything’s ok, because it’s not.

I moved to Ukraine when I was 17 in 2016, all by myself. There is nothing that I don’t miss about Ukraine. This country, if I may say, was like a mother to me. Someone who made me the person I am today: my behavior, manners, confidence. I miss every part of it. My biggest dream is to return one day. I couldn’t even say a proper ‘goodbye’. I want to go back, meet the people there, and bid a proper farewell.

Ukraine has gone through a lot in the past year, but with that, it has shown so much bravery, perseverance, patience, determination, and kindness. Here are some quotes from the Ramayana that resonated with me for this situation, “There is no greater strength than the power of determination.”

If you ever feel tired thinking about how the opponent is not giving up, remember, “even the mightiest can be humbled by destiny,” and good always triumphs over evil, which shall happen very soon.”

#Preply #StoriesFromUkraine