– As refugees, we don’t have much, but we have time and free hands. Then I wanted to give something back to the local community that has welcomed us so well. Nina Isaieva finds a children’s book from the pile of books they have collected, and gives it to her son Georgiy (1.5). In the meantime, Nina managed to unpack a couple of new items of clothing in the tiny room in the center of Årdalstangen. – We want to give clothes and things new life. Here, those who want to come can find what they need, she says. Here, she and five other refugees from Ukraine have opened an exchange centre, where those who want can both deliver and pick up clothes, shoes, children’s books and the like. Stagnant population decline In the evacuation municipality of Årdal, nine Ukrainian refugees have so far arrived. The municipality has said it is willing to accept 55 – regardless of nationality. – It means an incredible amount to us and to all other municipalities that struggle with the population. We had a decline in both the first quarters of this year, so everyone’s mouths are tight, notes Hanne Stedje. The Immigrant Contact in Årdal municipality is overwhelmed with excitement at how enterprising the newly arrived Ukrainian ladies are. Within just a few days, the exchange center in Årdal, run by five Ukrainian women, was up and running. Photo: Sondre Dalaker / news – We just have to applaud and praise. When they come to us and ask to be allowed to contribute, we naturally have to say yes! While the municipality in Indre Sogn is happy to curb the population decline, Ukrainian refugees have contributed to population growth nationally. The total population in Norway made an unusually large jump and increased by 20,000 people in the second quarter of this year, despite a birth deficit. Mainly because of the Ukrainian refugees, concludes SSB. After half a year of warfare, 24,000 Ukrainians have applied for asylum in Norway, according to the Directorate of Immigration (UDI). So far, 16,000 of them have been resettled around Norway, according to figures from the Directorate of Integration and Diversity (IMDi). The clothes that piled up Nina Isaieva was weighed down by the man when Russian forces attacked Kyiv on 24 February. The tiny family sought shelter in a cellar. After a few weeks, she, her son and mother fled to Norway via Poland. First to Oslo, then to a reception elsewhere in Norway, before they arrived in Årdal in mid-May. The man had to stay in his home country. – It is safe and quiet here. I can sleep in safe houses. That is the most important thing. Bombed houses in Kyiv. The capital of Ukraine has been exposed to severe attacks. Photo: håvard greger hagen / news After the war broke out, a steady stream of clothes and shoes came to the refugee center in Årdal. Those who have fled here have received what they need, and it has piled up at the office of the refugee service in the municipality. Then Nina and the others from Ukraine decided to take matters into their own hands. They opened an exchange centre. – We lack a system for clothes and shoes here. So this is two birds with one stone: both that they really want to give back to the Årdal community, but also the environmental and recycling part of doing something like this, says Hanne Stedje at the relocation office, who had found a vacant premises within a couple of days . Photo: Sondre Dalaker / news – Important for self-esteem Someone who has looked at the integration of refugees and the benefit they can make in society is Jan-Paul Brekke. The research leader at the Department of Social Research has done a lot of research on flight, migration and integration. He believes it is important for the refugees’ own sense of self to be able to contribute, be of use and to produce something. – I get a lot out of working. There are routines and activities and a normal weekday. We form bonds, feel like we are doing something useful, we gain a network, learn languages and understand how society works through work, says Brekke. – And in addition to doing something for society, it will be important for their own sense of self to contribute, he claims. Gave away their clothes at home When Nina, her son and mother fled, they only packed the most important things with them. Most of the clothes were still in the wardrobe at home in the apartment. – I asked my husband to take many of my clothes home and give them to people who need them in Ukraine. Now we can do something of the same here, she says. They are open three hours every afternoon and three hours every Saturday morning. It also gives them a golden opportunity to get to know the locals better. – We are very grateful for everything the municipality and Norway have done for us. So we want to do something back to become part of the local community. The photo shoot was not what Georgiy was most keen on. After a couple of pictures, he clearly expressed that now there were other things he would rather do. Photo: Sondre Dalaker / news
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Ukrainian refugees want to give something back – news Vestland
