Growing up in Europe: the story of a Guardian in Slovakia

In Slovakia, the highest number of refugee and migrant children in need of guardians comes from Ukraine, reflecting the ongoing impact of the war at the Slovak border. Many of these children are cared for by relatives or close acquaintances who suddenly find themselves in the role of exercising parental responsibility, often without prior preparation or clear guidance. While their commitment is undeniable, the responsibilities they take on can be overwhelming, highlighting the need for accessible support, clear procedures, and guidance from authorities to help them navigate this complex role.

This is the story of Svetlana, a young woman from the Donetsk region who became a guardian to her 17-year-old nephew, Jurij. Svetlana arrived in Slovakia five years ago to study, building a new life far from her hometown. After the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022, she naturally became a strong source of support for others arriving in Slovakia from Ukraine. Although her life in the Donetsk region was disrupted by the ongoing conflict, as her city almost no longer exists and she has lost everything, she never lost the strength to help those around her.

She always knew that the time would come when her nephew would join her. After finishing secondary school in Ukraine, Jurij’s parents made the difficult decision to send him to Slovakia as the situation at home grew increasingly unstable. At first, Jurij did not want to leave his country, reluctant to leave his family and friends behind and having grown used to the constant threat of bombing and shelters. But he respected his parents’ decision.

For Svetlana, taking care of him felt like a natural responsibility. Even though she lived in a small one-room apartment, she welcomed him without hesitation and began to care for him. At the beginning, she was unsure how to proceed with formal guardianship, believing a power of attorney from his parents would be enough. She soon realized, however, that she needed to apply for official guardianship, even though no one clearly explained what this would involve.

She had to navigate applying for guardianship and then temporary protection for Jurij, school enrolment, and health care on her own, learning as she went. Although she had already been living in Slovakia for some time, the responsibility was still overwhelming. Their life together was not easy at first. Jurij struggled with the language and did not feel comfortable connecting with others, while Svetlana was carrying her own worries, including concerns about her family back home and uncertainty about her own future.

Through many conversations, they eventually decided that attending high school in Slovakia would be the best path for Jurij even although he had finished his secondary school studies in Ukraine. It would allow him to learn the language, integrate into society, and slowly find his place.

Over time, Jurij began to change. He learned from his experiences, built friendships, and gradually became more confident. He transformed from a shy boy into a young man who could navigate life in a new country, experiencing a more stable adolescence without worrying about his basic needs. Svetlana continued to support him, even as she balanced her own struggles and responsibilities.

Jurij is now an adult, but their relationship today remains strong. They stay in close contact, spend weekends and holidays together, and continue to support each other, sharing both everyday moments and important decisions.

Yet Svetlana’s thoughts often go beyond Jurij. She wonders about other children who arrive without support, without a guardian to guide them. Svetlana often reflects on how she became a mother-like figure almost overnight, carrying both the weight and the meaning of that role and how important it is for people like her to have support to carry out this responsibility.

She feels that people in her position need more help to be able to carry this significant responsibility, including clear guidance to follow, a checklist of steps, stronger institutional support, and better access to reliable services.

She would like to find a space where she can share her experience and connect with others in similar situations, but so far, it seems that people in such positions remain invisible and are difficult to reach.

Svetlana’s role in Jurij’s life has been immense, and she is grateful that she could provide the assistance he desperately needed.  Her story is one of responsibility, resilience, and care, that continues to evolve with time.

*Personal details have been changed to protect anonymity.