My name is Yuri, and my story began in 1994. It's a complex tale because my dad was born in Georgia, my mom in Ukraine, and in 1993, my entire family moved to Belarus, where I was born. After finishing school, I served in the military for 18 months and then started a travel business. All my life, I dreamed of living in the U.S., a country I always found beautiful. In 2018, my family and I moved to the U.S., and I am now a proud American citizen.
Arriving in America was a wonderful experience. The country felt very open, and the people were incredibly nice. From my first day here, I felt a sense of belonging. I was happy to be in a place where people were always willing to help and support each other.
Adapting to the new environment while my home country, Belarus, was under a dictatorship was one of the toughest challenges I faced. Life in Belarus was very difficult, but here in the U.S., the process of getting documents, opening bank accounts and securing a job was very fast and efficient. In just two years, we were able to buy a new house and two cars. Everything progressed smoothly, and I felt very supported.
I've noticed that some new refugees believe that America will provide them with everything they need without requiring much effort. This misconception can lead to a lack of motivation to work. I always emphasize the importance of working hard, studying and actively contributing to society. It's essential to move beyond relying on welfare and strive for personal and professional growth.
Success, for me, means achieving my goals and helping others along the way. My Christian faith and my community provide me with the energy and inspiration to keep moving forward. Being in the U.S. has opened many opportunities for me to help people, both within and outside the country. For instance, with Dr. Jaco Garza, we opened a clinic to help Ukrainian people who have lost limbs. This kind of work keeps me motivated and inspired.
Reflecting on my journey, one of my proudest achievements is that within two years of arriving in the U.S., my family and I were able to buy a house and start a business. This rapid progress was possible because we had clear goals and worked hard to achieve them. The success of our travel business and our ability to build a stable life here are significant accomplishments for us.
Currently, I am focused on helping others. We opened a foundation two years ago to assist people, especially Ukrainian refugees, who have lost limbs. We provide them with food, money and other necessities. My dream is to continue expanding this foundation and support more people in need.
My advice to new refugees is to work hard every day. Stay committed to your goals and make use of the opportunities available. It's important to communicate with new people, study and, if necessary, move to find better opportunities. Remember, the U.S. is a land of opportunities, but success requires effort and determination.
