Young lawyer from Odessa: The world is tired of the war, but we must not stop talking about it

February 24. It is 5 a.m. My friend is calling me saying: "The war has begun." Right after I heard an explosion. A situation we can hardly imagine. Anastasia can. She experienced it. In an interview with Arrows, Anastasia Dzhyhola, a 24-year-old lawyer from Odessa, Ukraine, now also a leader of the Arrows Future for Ukraine project, describes her current life, her plans. What life is like for a 24-year-old lawyer whose home country is going through war. Does she plan to return? How is she trying to help Ukraians? All about that in the interview below.

Lawyer Anastasia Dzhyhola speaking at Business MeetUp 2022 at National Museum.

 

What was your life like before the war? And what were the days just before the invasion of Ukraine like?

I had a lot of plans for 2022. It's the year of the tiger, my year. I had plans to travel, to boost my career. I spent February 21 with friends in Odessa, the day after I celebrated my close friend's bachelorette party. We laughed a lot, such good days spent with friends. The next day, February 23, the night before the war started, we had a family party. We talked about all kinds of things, the future, the past, reminiscing about our childhood. It was a beautiful evening and I was grateful for everything I have. That memory is still fresh in my mind. With these thoughts, I went home to sleep.

What happened next?

You know, I was supposed to go to work, it was supposed to be a normal day at the court. February 24. It is 5 am. My friend called me saying: "The war has started." Right after that I heard an explosion. Odessa was attacked that very day. I called my friend, together we went to the gas station and bought some food. I packed a small suitcase with clothes and took money, documents and for the night my mother and I hid in a friend's basement. We didn't sleep all night. At five in the morning the next day my phone rang again, "Nastya, I don't want to hear anything. We're taking the suitcases, we have to leave," my friend urged me. I didn't know what to do.

So you were hesitant to leave Ukraine?

Yes, I was asking myself whether to go or not, what would I do elsewhere? I have everything in Ukraine, family, friends, property.

But in the end, you decided to leave...

Yes, it was very difficult, I didn't know where we were going, I didn't know where we would end up. Three girls and one small child in one car. On the way, I texted to my friend Nina, who lives in Prague. I asked her if we could spend one night at her place, just to rest. I thought we could then continue to Denmark, where another friend of mine lives. But when I met Nina, she told me that we could stay here, that she would help me with everything. You know, when I left Ukraine, I thought I would be back in a few days. That it wouldn't take long.

It had to be a terrible situation that none of us can even imagine. Leaving everything in one place and leaving.

Yeah, that's exactly why I hesitated.

You mentioned that you worked in the court in Ukraine. What exactly was your job?

I worked as an assistant to a judge. I really liked that job, I was mainly involved in civil law, I learned something new every day. At the same time, I had a clear idea of where I wanted to go with my career.

Are you planning to return to Ukraine anytime soon?

Yes, I am leaving for Ukraine on May 13 (Note: the interview was recorded on May 10).

Why did you make this decision?

I need to sort out some documents that I still do not have, like my driving license. But one of the main reasons is that my grandfather died on April 12 and I didn't even have the chance to attend his funeral. I want to be there now. My great-grandmother is also in Ukraine and my grandmother is taking care of her now. But she needs our help. At the same time, it is very difficult. I don't know what to expect. I don't know whether I will feel happy to be back, scared or sad. Maybe a mix of everything.

How safe is your city, Odessa, now?

It's not safe there. The Russians are pretty focused on Odessa right now. It's strange, you know, we've always been an international city. You could hear many different languages on the streets. A lot of Odessa residents spoke Russian, too. Now we're being shelled by rockets every day. But I'm sure we'll hold on, they won't break us.

You are very brave to go back to Ukraine now.

I must and I want to go back. We'll see what the future brings.

Now you are working at Arrows and you will also work remotely as a leader of the project Future for Ukraine. Can you describe what exactly the project is about?

We focus on legal and tax services for refugees from Ukraine. Specifically, we deal with the processing of various legal documents, such as obtaining citizenship. We also want to help Ukrainians who want to start a business abroad, to guide them through the process from A to Z or to contact foreign entrepreneurs who would like to invest in Ukraine. As part of the project, I also spoke with political representatives and leaders of organizations at the Chamber of Deputies on the topic of Strategic Assistance to Ukrainian Refugees in the Long Term.

Anastasia during her speech at the Chamber of Deputies.

 

The project then aims to help Ukrainians to feel like full-fledged people and citizens instead of refugees.

Exactly, that is one of the main goals of the project.

Is there anything else you would like to say in conclusion?

We all know that the world is tired of war, that people don't see it as much anymore. But right now it is so important to keep talking about it. To know that it is still there. It hasn't gone away. We, Ukrainians, are here in the Czech Republic because we have lost our homes. Please, talk about what is happening, support us, do not forget that the war is still there.

 

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