My name is Olena Zashyvaiko, and my story is a journey from the small Ukrainian town of Horishni Plavni, Poltava region, to the heart of the Netherlands, where l found a new home and a new calling. Today, I want to share with you how the war changed my life, how I discovered the power of community, and how, together with a team of like-minded people, we created the volunteer media project “Radio Ukraine The Netherlands” – the voice of the Ukrainian soul abroad.
From Ukraine to the Netherlands: A New Chapter
I was born and raised in Horishni Plavni, a small industrial town in Poltava, where factories set the rhythm of life, and the beauty of nature the Dnipro River and the surrounding forests gives it a unique charm. This place has always been in my heart as a symbol of home, warmth, and my first dreams.
My life in Ukraine was closely connected with people I worked as an HR specialist in a large international company. My job was to unite, motivate, and help people unlock their potential. I loved this work because it allowed me to be a bridge between business and human stories.
Everything changed on February 24, 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. At that moment, I realized that the life I knew would never be the same. Together with my mother and son, we made the difficult decision to leave our homeland in search of safe-ty. We chose the Netherlands— a country that opened its doors to thousands of Ukrainians fleeing the war. It was the beginning of a new chapter, full of challenges but also unexpected opportunities.
The Birth of “Radio Ukraine The Netherlands”
Moving to the Netherlands was not just a change of residence but also an internal transformation. Leaving my career in HR, I faced the question: what will I do in this new world? The answer didn’t come immediately. At first, I felt lost— how to find my place in a country where everything was unfamiliar: the language, the culture, the people? But over time, I realized that my calling was to continue being a voice that unites.
Thus, together with Dutch volunteers, the idea of “Radio Ukraine The Netherlands” was born a project that became not just a hobby but a way to maintain a connection with my homeland and support those who remained in Ukraine.
Creating a radio show, which later transformed into a video podcast, was a bold step. I had no prior media experience, but I had something more important— a desire to act and a belief that Ukrainian culture, music, and literature could resonate in people’s hearts worldwide. I started looking for those who shared my vision, and soon a team of incredibly talented and active people gathered around me, each bringing something unique to the project.
The Dream Team
“Radio Ukraine The Netherlands” is not just media; it is a joint effort of people who have become my second family. Our team includes:
- A university professor from Kharkiv,
- An artist from Chernihiv whose works inspire,
- A writer from Ternopil who creates children’s fairy tales and books for teenagers,
- Psychologists who help us cope with the trauma of war.
We are all different, but we are united by a common goal to tell the world about Ukraine, its beauty, strength, and resilience.
Each podcast is a small miracle. We create programs about Ukrainian culture and literature, invite guests— representatives of the diaspora, volunteers, and artists— and together build a bridge between the Netherlands and Ukraine.
Community and Cultural Events
Living in the Netherlands opened the doors to the Ukrainian diaspora a community that became a pillar of support for me, my mother, and my son. I quickly realized that Ukrainians abroad are not just people who left their country; they are an active force working for its future.
I began participating in community activities and soon became an organizer of events promoting Ukrainian culture. Ukrainian foundations and organizations host concerts, literary evenings, and art exhibitions, and our project serves as an information platform supporting organizers and volunteers.
Every event is not just an opportunity to remind the world about Ukraine but also a chance to raise funds for those fighting on the front lines. Donations from charity events go to our defenders, who risk their lives daily for our future. For me, this is not just assistance it is a way to say “thank you” to those who gave us the chance to live in safety.
One of the most important aspects of my work is supporting Ukrainian volunteer organizations. I believe that volunteers are the heart of Ukraine, its invisible army keeping the country afloat.
This work has taught me to value the power of community. I see how people who have never been to Ukraine become its ambassadors, how the Dutch learn to sing our songs and cook borscht. This inspires and gives hope that our culture will live on, even if we are far from home.
Personal Challenges and Victories
Of course, the journey of creating a media project and organizing events has not been easy. There were moments of doubt – would I be able to handle it? Would I have the strength? The war left a mark on all of us, and I am no exception.
But every time I heard feedback from listeners-Ukrainians who said our podcasts became a breath of fresh air for them or Dutch people who discovered Ukraine through our content—I realized that everything was worth it.
Thank You!
With best wishes,
Olena Zashyvaiko
Contacts:
Amsterdam, Netherlands
