From the Frontlines to the Capital – A Ukrainian Family’s Singapore Journey
Getting sucked into the chaos
Picture this: a 50‑year‑old woman named Mayya Dzhos in Odessa, Ukraine, leaving behind her home with two 13‑year‑old twins and a 14‑year‑old son. The only thing that helped her breathe was the sound of her children’s laughter, even as the world went sideways.
- “People were running with their bags, everyone was in a hurry,” Mayya cried, her eyes glued to the heartbreaking scene.
- They packed everything “off the shelf” – snacks, toys, school supplies – and slept on the first floor of their house, tipping their heads toward whatever might happen next.
- A 90‑hour odyssey followed: from Vinnitsa to Moldova, onto Poland, then Rotterdam and Istanbul before a flight finally landed in Singapore.
Arrival in the Lion City
When the family finally touched down on March 8, the relief was palpable. Paulina, the older twin, and her sister Angelina shared their sparkling joy.
- Paulina: “Finally, I’m safe!”
- Angelina: “I just felt relieved and happy — it’s a new country, a new city, everything was new to me.”
Settling In – The New Set of Struggles
Leaving the warfront doesn’t automatically mean a smooth life. Mayya confessed that a lack of English and an unfamiliar climate keep tossing her family a few sandstorms their way.
- The first rainy, thunderous day had the girls sobbing in the doorway, “Do you hear that? That’s rocket showers!”
- Financial worries loom large: tuition, expenses for her parents in Ukraine, and a son who’s stuck in conscription‑eligible age.
- Her eldest son, age 23, is prohibited from leaving. He’s squadbed for possible deployment at any moment.
A hopeful future amidst uncertain horizons
Despite the trials, there’s a glimmer of calm that has settled in the Dzhos family’s new life in Singapore. The past month has been about finding new normalcy. Whether that calm will stay or die in the next gust remains to be seen, but for now, the family has a new chapter to savor each day.
<img alt="" data-caption="Dzhos' eldest son, a 23-year-old who must remain in Ukraine in the event that he's called on to serve Ukraine.
PHOTO: Screengrab/YouTube/Lianhe Zaobao” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”0f6a8fa8-ce97-4073-8c26-c10cd311150c” src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/270822_dzhosson_screengrabzaobao.jpg”/>
Our Singapore Escape: A Family on the Verge of Returning Home
Dzhos and her kids are living the temporary dream in Singapore. Their stay isn’t a long‑term vacation; it’s a work-for-accommodation situation. Her hubby works at a shipping firm here, but the contract is winding down in less than three years.
Why the Hurry?
At a glance it might look like a typical “time‑sensitive” move, but the real driver is the war in Ukraine. Supporting them is the uncertainty of when peace will finally arrive—or if Ukraine will even survive intact.
“We’ve always fantasised about a bright future,” Dzhos confides, “but the war ripped that out of our plans. It’s hard to draw any roadmap when the ground keeps shifting.”
Hope: The Anchor in Uncertainty
Despite the chaos, Dzhos keeps her optimism sunny. “The most important thing? My eldest son is alive.” She pensively wishes for a tightly‑wrapped hug when they finally touch down in Ukraine.
- Temporary Singapore life until the contract ends
- Constant worry about Ukraine’s stability
- Dreams of being together charted but remain in flux
She’s focusing on the one thing she can guard: making sure her son stays safe. That hope fuels her daily courage.
Takeaway
In a world riddled with unpredictable events, staying hopeful feels like a superpower. Dzhos and hers prove that keeping that spark alive, even while waiting for an uncertain future, gives the real meaning to any journey.
