Tetyana from Ukraine: “Don’t be afraid, you will find support and assistance in Caritas”

My name is Tetyana and I am from Luhansk region in Ukraine, I have been in Bulgaria since June 2023. In 2021, my eldest son came to work and live in Bulgaria, and in 2023, my youngest son and I decided to come here too, to live together in a peaceful and calmer environment, without the threat of war. He is currently a student at the Technical University in Sofia.

That’s how I ended up in Bulgaria, without a job, without knowing Bulgarian, and with a bunch of other challenges.

The language barrier was the biggest challenge after I arrived. At first, my children told me about the organization “Open Doors”, where I turned to for help with a job, and they referred me to Caritas, since they have employment specialists.

At first, I didn’t believe that I could work in my specialty as a chief accountant and started working as a packer in a sewing company. The employees of Caritas Sofia offered me a Bulgarian language course, and then professional training in accounting. I successfully completed both courses. This gave me a chance again, with the support of the Caritas team, to start working as an accountant in an accounting firm.

When the question of opening a bank account arose to receive my salary, it was only thanks to the employees of Caritas that I was able to open a bank account. Before that, I had applied to several banks and was refused.

It was very easy for me to communicate with the specialists of Caritas, as they are professionals in their work. The employees of Caritas approach each person individually who has turned to them in search of a job or training.

I am currently working in the specialty of accountant, which I also worked in Ukraine, and I am very happy with it. I cannot say that it is easy for me, because accounting in Bulgaria has differences from Ukrainian, and the Bulgarian language is not so easy, but life goes on. If I had the opportunity, I would buy a house on credit and pay monthly not for a rented apartment of almost a thousand leva, but for my own home. I would like to stay here to help my children. I feel comfortable in the team, my colleagues help me and give me advice.

My advice to refugees who want to start working: do not be afraid to turn to Caritas specialists – in their person you will find support and assistance.

This publication is part of the project activities under the Framework Agreement with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees No. PFA-BGR-23021-263400-00 and Project No. 23021Y24M263400 – and partners “Rousse Catholic Organization – Caritas”, Association “Caritas – Sofia” and Foundation “Charitable Catholic Organization Caritas Vitania”