A caring couple stepped in to help a refugee Ukrainian mum and her nine-year-old daughter who were left without sponsors just as they were crossing the Romanian border.
Larisa Laitan, 35, and Dasha, received visas to stay in Newcastle under the Homes for Ukraine project but after three weeks their hosts were rejected by officials.
The decision was made by Larisa at the airport to continue the journey and join her cousin who also fled Ukraine with her nine-year-old son to stay with a couple in Torthorwald.
Larisa said: “I was in shock after I received a message from our sponsors, they said they cannot host us anymore. We travelled to Romania from our home town Odesa, it was a long journey itself.
“I did not know what to do as we were about to fly to Edinburgh Airport where we were supposed to change for the train to Newcastle.
“I still do not understand how we were given a positive answer that we can stay with this family and then it all changed. The sponsors we were meant to stay with still don’t know the answer either.”
Immigration officers were concerned that Larisa and Dasha couldn’t travel to Newcastle. They gave them options to go to Edinburgh to stay at a hotel for Ukrainian refugees or return to Romania.
Larisa said: “I only had two hours to decide if I want to travel or stay in Romania and find another safe place to stay at.
“Thankfully, my cousin Iryna and her son Kyrylo fled Odesa to live in Torthorwald with their sponsors and I am very thankful that they allowed me to join them.”
Iryna Boryskova and her nine-year-old son were settling in Torthorwald and about to move to a new flat in Dumfries which was found by their sponsors.
The decision was made by the Torthorwald couple and their families that Larisa will move to a new flat with Iryna as it had an extra bedroom to accommodate both of them and their children.
Iryna said: “From the beginning I wanted Larisa to live as close to me as possible. After the whole situation with their sponsors, it was very confusing but I am glad we are now living together.
“We always had a close relationship with each other and I am happy that we can now help each other while things at home are uncertain.”
Larisa said: “I am very lucky that I am now here with my cousin. I am grateful that I have someone I know here. We are supporting each other every day and it is easier to stay in the flat together than to live in different places.
“We are finally feeling safe. Dasha enjoys her school and although it differs from Ukraine, she’s quickly learning every day.
“She has made new friends and everyone is so welcoming, they are trying to learn some Ukrainian to make it easier for her.”
Larisa added: “I was deciding to move to the UK since the war started. When I saw how scared my child was I had to pack our bags and leave. I still cannot believe that we are here in Dumfries and our families are in Ukraine but we had to do what is best for the children.”
