When war broke out in 2022, Sasha and his mother Lyudmila fled their home in Kharkiv, Ukraine, without taking any of their possessions.
“I realized that if we didn’t escape, we would either be killed by bombs or starve to death there,” Lyudmila said.
After a dangerous seven-day journey, they arrived in Slovakia, and soon after began a new life in the capital, Bratislava.
Adjusting to their new life in a different country wasn’t easy, but they found renewed hope when they received a phone call from Special Olympics inviting them to join “United with refugees” Sports activities.
Lyudmila explained that her eight-year-old son “has difficulty communicating due to his developmental differences as a result Autism.
“Thanks to Special Olympics we somehow started to go somewhere, see something and meet new people, including Ukrainians. We met and became very united.”
In Slovakia, Sasha began participating in physical activities at the Dream Day Activity Center alongside children with and without disabilities. Meanwhile, Lyudmila was appointed as a teacher at the same center.
“Physical activity affects Sasha’s development. The fact that I can work at least a little makes me feel like a human being, not just a refugee.
Since its establishment in 2016, with the support of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF), Special Olympics United with Refugees has been instrumental in providing critical social integration opportunities through sport for two of the world’s most marginalized populations – refugees and people with disabilities. Intellectual disabilities all over the world.
To date, more than 10,000 young refugees with and without ID from reception centres, refugee camps and community centers around the world have been positively impacted. It currently has active programs across Belgium, Cyprus, Italy, Kenya, Malta, Moldova, Netherlands, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Tanzania, Thailand and Uganda.
Lyudmila understands the crucial role that sport plays in living a better, healthier life. She said: Many disorders in the head are caused by disorders in the body. That’s how sports heal, you have to move.
Sasha especially enjoys swimming, and diving is one of his favorite activities. “He is such a beautiful fish! Thanks to sports, my son has become more disciplined. He listens to me more attentively and understands what it means to work as a team and follow orders.
Lyudmila added: “We hope to return to our homeland, Ukraine, but no one knows how things will end.” Right now, Special Olympics is our only hope keeping us going and moving forward.
