MOEVIR Magazine November issue 2024

[ Resilience Amidst Chaos: Anna Deverishcheva’s Journey ]

Interview with Anna Deverishcheva, Ukrainian Refugee and Entrepreneur in Portugal

https://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/2939945

Creative Director/Female Model/Fashion Designer/Makeup Artist/Retoucher/Photographer: Anna Deverishcheva @anna.deverishcheva

Dress: Elagia

Shoes: Jimmy Choo

Top: H&M 

Trousers: Zara

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In February 2025, it will already be three years since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. For many Ukrainians like Anna, the conflict disrupted life as they knew it, sending them on journeys filled with uncertainty, resilience, and determination. Today, Anna shares her remarkable story with us — how she fled the invasion to protect her family, her challenges and triumphs as a refugee in Portugal, and the indelible link she maintains with her homeland.

Q: Anna, can you take us back to those early days when the invasion began? How did you make the decision to leave?

Anna: It was surreal. When the invasion began, I was overwhelmed with the need to protect my daughter and my parents. We had to leave quickly, with just the essentials. It wasn’t an easy decision to abandon our home and everything familiar, but the safety of my family came first. I didn’t leave alone— I brought with me two families of friends from the gated community where we lived. Together, we left Ukraine through Moldova. The kindness and help from volunteers along the way were incredible. I’m still so grateful to those strangers who became our lifelines.

Q: You ultimately chose Portugal as a place to rebuild your life. What were the first days like?

Anna: It was tough, to say the least. I didn’t know a single person in Portugal; I didn’t speak the language or understand the culture. I had to start from scratch. After a while, I managed to find work in marketing, my field of expertise, but the transition wasn’t easy. In the beginning, I faced a lot of hurdles at work, some subtle, others more blatant. As a refugee, I was often given additional tasks outside of my responsibilities. It felt like some people thought I should “prove” myself constantly, just because I was a refugee.

Q: How did you handle those challenges?

Anna: Honestly, it was frustrating. I quickly realized that some people felt threatened by the skills and talents I brought with me. There’s a certain jealousy in seeing a foreigner, especially a refugee, succeed. But I wasn’t going to let that stop me. I knew what I was capable of, and I refused to let discrimination dictate my future. After gaining experience, I decided to start my own business in marketing. My work has always been my refuge — it kept me focused, driven, and allowed me to prove that I could succeed despite the odds.

Q: You seem to have achieved so much in such a short time. How does it feel to look back on that journey now?

Anna: It’s a strange feeling. I’m proud, of course, but there’s a lingering sadness too. I’m here, in a peaceful country, building a life, while my friends and loved ones back in Ukraine are still facing shelling, explosions, and uncertainty. The invasion may be distant physically for me, but emotionally, it’s ever-present. I check the news constantly, talk to people back home, and try to stay involved in whatever way I can. In many ways, my heart is still in Ukraine.

Q: This cover photo is powerful. Can you share what it represents to you?

Anna: This photo was created with Artificial Intelligence, which is one of the fields I work in. It feels so real, though, and it captures exactly how I feel. On the surface, I might appear calm, like I’ve found a new life away from the conflict, but in my mind, the conflict is still happening in the background. Every explosion, every update I hear about Ukraine, it’s a reminder of what my people are enduring. I may be living in Portugal, but my thoughts are always with those who stayed behind, who continue to fight every day.

Q: What do you hope readers will take away from your story?

Anna: I hope people understand the resilience and strength it takes to rebuild a life from scratch in a foreign country. It’s not just about surviving; it’s about finding purpose again, overcoming prejudice, and using every hardship as fuel to succeed. And for those who read this and have never experienced military conflicts, I hope they’ll gain a little more empathy for refugees. We aren’t here to “take” anything — we’re just people trying to live, contribute, and, one day, hopefully, return to the place we call home.

Q: Finally, what are your hopes for Ukraine?

Anna: I dream of peace. I want Ukraine to be a place my daughter can return to someday — a safe, thriving country free from the constant fear of attack. Ukrainians have shown incredible resilience, and I believe that strength will lead us to victory. Until then, I will continue to support my homeland in every way I can, and I hope that people around the world will keep Ukraine in their thoughts and support our fight for freedom.