In a bright room at the Gheorghe Palade Perinatal Center No. 1 in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, we meet Camila, a young mother from Ukraine, who welcomed a healthy baby girl into the world this morning. Camila's journey to Moldova began in August 2023, after nearly two years of war in Ukraine. When asked why she didn't leave her homeland earlier, she shares that she did not want to leave her parents alone. However, her pregnancy eventually pushed her to leave Ukraine.
Describing the exhausting 26-hour childbirth, Camila confesses, "I was so tired after giving birth, I just wanted to get back home as soon as possible," highlighting the patience and dedication of the medical professionals. Reflecting on the delivery room's conditions, Camila expresses amazement at the optimal comfort: "Everything was spot on, with new facilities and a comfortable, sterile environment. It exceeded my expectations."
Camila's decision to come to Moldova was influenced by its similarities to Ukraine, making adaptation quicker. The lack of language barrier also played a crucial role. "I feel comfortable in Moldova. People are open, which helps my integration and adaptation during this exciting but vulnerable times of having my firstborn," explains Camila.
Recalling life during the war, she shares the challenge of readjusting to the sounds of peace in Moldova. "Upon our arrival, I reacted to fireworks or the sound of a plane flying. It was strange. I had to get used to the fact that planes fly in peaceful skies, and it doesn’t mean there is a threat of an airstrike. It took about two months to get used to the sounds of normalcy again."
During the war, Camila met her future husband, Artur, who had come to visit the girls at the hospital. Their love story during the wartime, is a bit like a plot twist. "He messaged me first, his Facebook profile had only one picture. He seemed secretive and enigmatic. He asked me out, and on the first evening, he proposed, and I accepted the same night." When asked about the rapid decision, Camila smiles and says, "From the first glance, I felt he was the one. Despite not wanting a relationship so soon, both of us felt like we found each other after many years of separation."
Merely a month after their first date, they married in March, with Camila humorously remarking, "We didn't rush at all, he was ready to marry us the next day." In the wartime context, Ukrainian law permitted immediate marriage after submitting the application. Following their marriage, they moved in together, and in August, when Camila was pregnant, she made the challenging decision to leave Kyiv.
Upon arriving in the Republic of Moldova, Camila registered for temporary protection, resulting in the birth of their first daughter being covered by the state through UNFPA Moldova funds. This assistance proved crucial as Camila struggled to pay her rent.
Camila is eager to start working as soon as the baby gets a bit older. She also intends to complete her university studies in Moldova, wrapping up the final year at the Faculty of Environmental Engineering. "I'll finish the last year, send my child to kindergarten, and secure a job in my field, either here in Moldova or back home."
Smiling, Camila harbors hopes for a peaceful future, yearning to return to Ukraine. When asked, "What do you wish for your daughter?" Camila says she wishes for her to possess calmness and strength of character, emphasizing that "the most important thing is to have strength of character and always rise up if you fall."
