May 12, 2025
News
Isabela is a future nurse and Alina is a future interpreter. They live together in a dormitory at Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian University in Ivano-Frankivsk. Despite illnesses and disabilities, they are full of dreams and determination. To support them on their way to making their dreams come true, the Caritas Czech Republic team renovated and refurbished the student accommodation so that Alina and Isabela could feel confident and comfortable.
I am grateful for such a simple thing as a convenient shower, says Isabela
Isabela is 21 years old. For more than three years she has been separated from her family, which is under occupation in the Kherson region. Before the full-scale invasion, she was studying medicine at Kherson State University. When Russian troops captured Kherson in 2022, the university relocated to Ivano-Frankivsk, where Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University supported the students and staff. So, Isabela moved to continue her studies.
“I live with a cat - it's my only friend because my whole family is under occupation and cannot flee,” says Isabela, holding the kitten in her arms. Pushok is her solace and support. It was a gift from a nurse at the clinic that Isabela visits almost every day. Before her final exams, the girl was admitted to the intensive care unit: her transplanted kidney failed. As a result, Isabela needs hemodialysis for life.
The rejection of the transplanted kidney has provoked a number of other health problems, making it increasingly difficult for her to study and take care of herself. She is currently on the waiting list for a transplant, but it is uncertain when exactly this may happen: more than two thousand other Ukrainians are waiting for a kidney transplant along with Isabela.
When the Caritas Czech Republic team in western Ukraine heard Isabela's story, they could not stand aside. They renovated and equipped a dormitory block with additional amenities, which now makes it comfortable for Isabela and other students with low mobility.
“Due to bone problems, it is difficult for me to bend and tilt my head, so I cannot use a normal bathroom. The new bathroom has a special seat and handrails that allow me to take a shower on my own. These seem to be simple things, but I am very grateful for them,” says Isabela.
As soon as we ask about her dream, Isabela smiles warmly: “I dream of Ukraine's victory and reunion with my family,” she shares.
A space without thresholds and with handrails gives a sense of care, says Alina
“We've never had such a nice room before,” Nadiia welcomes us to the apartment next door to Isabella's. She lives here with her 19-year-old daughter Alina, who is studying at the Faculty of Foreign Languages.
“We are very happy with it. The comfortable shower, where my daughter holds on to the handrails and railing, helps a lot. Special thanks for the hot water. Now we don't need to heat it to wash, we have a boiler,” says Nadiia.
Her daughter Alina has had cerebral palsy since birth. According to the mother, doctors did not even believe that the girl would live.“When Alina was born, I was advised to say goodbye to her. My girl was in intensive care, connected to a lung ventilator. But I prayed every day and asked for her to live,” Nadiia recalls.
She faithfully accompanies and supports Alina everywhere - in the dormitory, at study, and in public places. According to her, it is difficult for her daughter to use crutches or a wheelchair in public places, as not all of them meet the needs of people with disabilities. In case of an alarm, it is impossible to go down to the shelter on her own.
Alina adds that thresholds, curbs, and stairs constantly get in her way, and even equipped ramps are not always convenient - either slippery or too steep.
“In a space without thresholds and with additional handrails, I feel cared for and confident,” she says.
Alina is studying English, German, and French and plans to try her hand at simultaneous interpreting at meetings of foreign delegations. She also aims to translate scientific literature into Ukrainian and even provide voice-overs for TV series, so that more quality Ukrainian-language content is available.
When asked about her dream, Alina answers with enthusiasm: “I dream of walking and playing sports on my own. For example, to play football like my brother and sister.”
Caritas Czech Republic in Ukraine
Caritas Czech Republic has been helping people in Ukraine since the beginning of the war. In addition to providing much-needed humanitarian aid, we provide shelter to internally displaced people in modular houses in western Ukraine. We are also improving living conditions in dormitories.
In western Ukraine, we support Ukrainians who have decided to stand on their own feet after evacuating from the war zone. Through mini-grants, we assist the restoration of livelihoods for people in Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and the Transcarpathian region.
In eastern Ukraine, we improve the accessibility and quality of rehabilitation and reproductive medicine by modernising hospitals and educating staff.
Since 2025, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, we have been involved in setting up a network of Mental Health Centres in 4 regions: Dnipro, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Transcarpathia. In addition, Caritas Czech Republic supports Ukrainian educational institutions near the frontline by creating safe educational spaces, providing equipment, and funding psychological consultations and additional classes to help children catch up on their educational gaps.
In southern Ukraine, we are now working with partners to restore water supply in affected areas and set up mobile medical centres.
We are grateful to everyone who keeps helping with us!
