NatAlli spoke with Daria Mazina who recently received a Leitrim Volunteer Award for an International Person’s Contribution based on her leadership in Carrick-on-Shannon Tidy Towns in Ireland. After relocating from Ukraine, Daria quickly integrated into the Irish community and helped lead the town’s successful Tidy Towns efforts, culminating in the Ireland’s Best Kept Town award. Highly educated with a Bachelor in Arts and Master of Philology, Daria is currently working as a Ukraine Placement Development Officer. She shares her experience and insights on how Ukrainian women can connect with their communities and rebuild their network, a key goal of our NatAlli virtual ecosystem.
What does receiving the Leitrim Volunteer Award mean to you?
For me, receiving the award this year was a recognition of all my efforts, which I have been making for 2.5 years. My aim here in Ireland from the very beginning was to show with my personal example who Ukrainians are, what we can bring to Irish society and to introduce my struggling country from its best side. Leitrim Volunteer Award shows that I am on the right way. So I am happy I was seen and appreciated.
What steps did you take to become involved in the community after relocating to Ireland?
I arrived in Ireland, county Leitrim, in early May 2022 with my two teenage daughters because of war in Ukraine. Just one week later I started volunteering with Tidy Towns Carrick on Shannon and later I joined Leitrim Volunteer Centre first as an active volunteer, and in 6 months as a staff member. At first, I needed to get to know the local people, to learn from the inside who the Irish people are and what makes them special. The second very important reason of starting volunteering was to say thank you to the local community for hosting my family in the way I could afford at that time and I can say it was right decision.
Have you faced any challenges in building trust and collaboration with the local community?
The Irish people showed a very high level of sympathy for the Ukrainians and they gave a high credit of trust. Personally, I did not face any difficulties. As I see, in Ireland, if you are hardworking and honest, the reward will be the same.
How did your experience as a Ukrainian migrant influence your approach to community projects?
I always remember the fears and difficulties I experienced here in a new country. As a single mother, as a person in a new environment, sometimes without relevant skills or knowledge. Therefore, the main goal of my activity at the Leitrim Volunteer Center is to create a place and a space where Ukrainians can feel that they are not alone. That we are all surrounded by people and each of us can make a contribution to society, find our role. It could be only the first steps but it is very important to make them and not remain in isolation.
What skills or cultural perspectives from Ukraine helped you volunteer in Ireland?
The phenomenon of volunteering is not trivial for Ukrainians. During the times of the totalitarian Soviet Union, when Ukraine was one of its republics, the idea of volunteering was distorted. It was something you should do for free. If you don’t, you will be punished. It was coercion. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, of course, this idea gradually changed and now, when Ukraine faced Russian aggression, volunteering became a manifestation of unity and social solidarity. For the most part, volunteering for us now is helping the army or injured civilians. Unfortunately, difficult times have changed this concept for us. However, this idea of unity for the sake of a common result is key now for me and my people.
What advice would you give to Ukrainian migrants looking to integrate into Irish communities and make meaningful contributions?
Remember that there are no small steps. Each of them leads you forward and will definitely give results. If it’s still scary to go out into the world, find like-minded people. I know that it can be extremely difficult after the war experience, when you want to close yourself in any kind of shelter and I sympathise with all my heart but as long as we breathe, we can change ourselves and the world around us even in small steps.
How can Ukrainian women use their talents to connect with communities and build strong networks?
We know from statistics that the majority of Ukrainians in Ireland now are women, including mothers with children and we have something to share: many of us have higher education, applied skills, and business experience. We have a rich and unique culture and I believe that the process of cultural, intellectual and business exchange has already begun. After all, spreading your skills and knowledge means enriching both sides.
How do you plan to continue contributing to Irish-Ukrainian relations or supporting migrants in your role as a Ukraine Placement Development Officer?
First of all, I want to inspire people with my own example and I also believe that it is better to teach someone how to fish rather than to feed people every day. In other words, I will help Ukrainians to become independent and regain self-confidence in their new country. For some, this path may be longer, but it is worth it.
What lessons would you share with others about turning challenges into opportunities?
Here in Ireland I realised that every skill or ability can be useful. Appreciate all that you are capable of and share it with the world. The world will surely smile back at you. I believe in it.
