DIMA FROM MARIUPOL

One year ago, Dima had just turned 18 and was preparing for a long career in football, playing regularly for the under-19 side of Mariupol FC, his hometown’s football club His days were dominated by studying, practicing, playing football, and spending time with his girlfriend Anna. But his plans, and those of so many others, were shattered by the onset of war

Dima remembers it like it was yesterday “It was 5 in the morning, I was still asleep – then I got a phone call, two actually First, my girlfriend Anna called me, then my father’s girlfriend They said that the Russians have started bombing Ukraine ”

Even though they acted quickly, it was too late to leave Mariupol “It was difficult to leave the city because the battle for Mariupol was raging on the outskirts of the town At first, we were afraid to leave When a Russian shell hit the house next door, we took shelter in the basement. We stayed down there for a week Then a missile hit our house and smoke filled the basement so we had to flee, fearing for our lives, shells falling all around It was the worst day of my life, so I decided to leave no matter what."

Dima had a new plan: survival and getting out of the war zone Dima and Anna fled for Donetsk, and from there, they embarked on a dangerous journey across Russia toward their final destination: Budapest

They chose Budapest after a Russian vlogger put them in touch with András from ACT member Hungarian Interchurch Aid “I called András and asked him if we came to Budapest would there be something waiting for us there He assured me that we would be getting support from HIA And so it was – I ended up staying with HIA from April to July. During that time I even started working nightshifts in a warehouse ”

As he settled in Budapest, his old dream of playing “the beautiful game ” resurfaced “For months I didn't train, I didn't play, I almost made up my mind that my greatest dream had been taken away from me by the war Then, overnight, everything got better, and now I can do my bit to make my dream come true again ”

Today, he lives in Székesfehérvár, a smaller town some 60 kilometres from Budapest, and chases the old dream again "HIA found a football club that was ready to take me on The club’s management was very understanding This is how I ended up in MOL Fehérvár FC "

Many thoughts still trouble Dima as the fighting continues into a second year "It was clear from the start that the war would last This is extremely difficult for all Ukrainians I also understand how horrible it is on the front line, and how many of our guys are dying there. Also, it is particularly difficult for peaceful civilians – I remember what it was like in Mariupol I hope that with God’s help, the war will end by summer and that we will live in a free country, without war and free from occupation."