Hennadiy Ivanushchenko, the 500th arrival on the Homes for Ukraine programme in Coventry, comes from a small village in Sumy Oblast in northeastern Ukraine, near the border with Russia.
He arrived in the past few weeks after two years of uncertainty, on invitation from his UK host and friend, Father Mykola Matwijiwskyj. Hennadiy led a quiet life in his native village. Then the war wreaked havoc.
We asked Hennadiy how he felt about the upheaval he had experienced.
“When the war started, I was in my village,” he explained. “To tell the truth, the invasion was not completely unexpected. Before it started, there were talks about its possibility. There was a lot of information on TV and internet about Russia’s pulling troops closer the Ukrainian border.
“So, our village started to prepare for the worst-case scenario: we organised civil defence patrols to protect and defend the villagers.
“On the morning of the invasion, these groups patrolled the village and collected information about the advancement of the enemy troops. I managed to make some phone calls to my relatives. Even though you may be ready, you are never out of reach of danger. There are always people worrying about you.”
“Then the enemy attacks began. The administrative centre – Sumy – was besieged on 1 April in 2022. It took one month of resistance to liberate the Sumy Oblast by the combined efforts of the Ukrainian army and local defence patrols.
“Everybody was helping: my neighbours, friends, former students. Adversity fastened everybody together.
After the liberation of his village, Hennadiy went on acting as a volunteer, helping with the deliveries of equipment and medicines. He was making trips to Sumy looking for food to bring to his village.
The decision to come to the UK was not an easy one. “When the invasion began, my friend of seven-years, Father Mykola Matwijiwskyj, called me and invited me to be his guest in Coventry for as long as I needed it,” Hennadiy said.
But when Sumy was surrounded, Hennadiy couldn’t leave the country, he stayed to help his fellow villagers.
At some point he broke both of his arms, and it took time to recover. Once Hennadiy rehabilitated, he was back to volunteering, this time looking to bringing medicines for the hospital. But his age was taking its toll. Recently Hennadiy turned 60.
He said: “This year, Father Mykola invited me again and I accepted his invitation.”
So, in June 2024 Hennadiy arrived in London.
“It’s not easy to start your life from a scratch at my age,” he confessed. “But there are still people who are fighting for my country back in Ukraine. They need all our support, and it invigorates me.” Hennadiy is unsure what the future holds for him, but he remains defiant.
Several days after his arrival, Hennadiy started looking into some work opportunities as he didn’t want to be a burden for his host. Even here, far from the dangers of the war, Hennadiy wants to be helpful. “I would like to volunteer for the Ukrainian community in Great Britain to help the resistance movement in Ukraine, my relatives, friends, and my students, who are fighting in the armed forces.”
A former teacher and professional archivist, Hennadiy worked as a Director of State Archive in 2005-2010 in Ukraine. That is why, when he was offered a job in the Ukrainian Information Centre, as an archivist, Hennadiy immediately jumped at the chance.
“I feel lucky because it took me only three or four days to find a dream job. I am so happy!” Hennadiy’s eyes shine with enthusiasm.
However, it is not only work that inspires Hennadiy. He also hopes to improve his English. Even though he speaks Ukrainian with his friend father Mykola, they made an agreement with other family members who will speak only English to Hennadiy: “Now, I will have a good practice to brush up my speaking skills.”
When asked whether he would want to visit anywhere in the UK, Hennadiy admitted that he would like to visit The British Museum, Big Ben, the Tower, and other historical places. Hennadiy said: “It is one thing when you read about them in the books, and it’s a different feeling when you see them in real life. There’s a lot to see here!
“I am grateful to everybody, who helped me to arrive in Britain, for their patience and support - my friend Mykola, his family, Coventry City Council. Thank you from all my heart.”