Where There Is Peace, There Is Home: The Story of the Boghiu-Pasenco Family

Every morning begins early at the Refugee Accommodation Centre in Nisporeni. The hallway fills with small footsteps and mixed voices. Lilia looks for her backpack, Ramir ties his shoelaces, and their mother, Iryna, prepares breakfast for the youngest ones. “In the morning, I send the children to school, then I feed the little ones and clean. That’s how every day goes,” she says with a tired but peaceful smile. 

From the Fear of War to Today’s Peace

Iryna Pasenco and her husband, Artiom Boghiu, a Roma family from the Mykolaiv region of Ukraine, fled their home in August 2023 together with nine of their eleven children.

“On February 24, 2022, the war began. We stayed in cellars for almost three weeks. I was afraid we’d be buried alive. The children were crying, it was cold, and there was no food,” recalls Iryna. 

Since the start of the war in February 2022, millions of families have been displaced from their homes in Ukraine. The conflict has devastated cities such as Mariupol, Kharkiv, and Mykolaiv , destroying schools, hospitals, and essential infrastructure. According to the UN, over 14 million people have been forced to flee either within Ukraine or across borders, making it one of the largest humanitarian crises in Europe since World War II. 

After months of uncertainty, the family reached the Republic of Moldova. “We arrived at night, it was cold, and all the hotels were full. We slept on benches at the train station. In the morning, I looked for help. That’s how we got to Nisporeni, where people welcomed us with kindness.”

For the past two years, the nine children have been living with their parents at the Refugee Accommodation Centre in Nisporeni. Five of them attend the “Mircea Eliade” Theoretical Lyceum. The younger ones come every day to the Child-Friendly Space (Ludoteca), created by Ave Copiii with the support of UNICEF and the European Union, where they enjoy Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) as well as recreational activities. 

“The children have adapted well. Teachers help them and explain both in Romanian and Ukrainian. The girls go to church and concerts on weekends, and the boys play football. They like it here and don’t want to go back until the war ends,” says Iryna. 

A Small but United Community

“At the moment, there are five families with children living in the Nisporeni centre. The largest is the Boghiu-Pasenco family, with nine children here and two older ones who remained in Ukraine,” explains Rodica Covali, the social worker supporting the centre as part of the partnership with UNICEF. “We also have a family with three children, another family with one preschooler, and one more with a ten-year-old who studies online. We’re like a small community where everyone supports each other.”

Over time, the relationship between social workers and refugee families has grown stronger, supported by continuous collaboration and capacity-building efforts carried out through the partnership between UNICEF, the European Union, and AVE Copiii. These sessions helped them better understand refugees’ children and provide tailored child protection and social assistance so that each child and family can integrate more easily into the community.

Rodica knows all the children by name and follows their progress every day. “We support them both emotionally and materially,” she says. “The children attend school and have access to clothing, school supplies, and hygiene products as needed. The centre ensures that families have a safe place to live and the stability required to rebuild their lives”.

Dreams and Plans for the Future

Despite the challenges, each child is finding their own path. Cristina, 14, dreams of becoming a prosecutor or lawyer. One of the boys wants to become a football player, while others are passionate about electronics.

“The oldest girl studies English and Romanian. She wants a better life. My children are my strength. If they’re not with me, I can’t find peace. When we’re all home, it’s quiet,” says Iryna warmly but firmly. 

The Ludoteca, the children’s favorite place, is full of colour and laughter. 

“Through recreational activities and psychosocial support, we teach them to collaborate, listen, and help one another. I can see how they’re learning to be more considerate and to support each other when someone needs help. These are simple things, but they matter for their integration into society,” says Alina Sarivan, the animator. 

The Refugee Accommodation Centre in Nisporeni is managed with the support of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection. Through the partnership with AVE Copiii and with support from UNICEF and the European Union, the Ludoteca offers children educational, creative, and psychosocial activities in a safe and welcoming environment. The activities in the Ludoteca and the sessions with psychologists help children overcome the trauma of war and rediscover their childhood. 

“The psychologists have helped us a lot. At first, I used to flinch at every loud noise, but now I’m no longer afraid. I feel at home here,” says Iryna. 

“Since the beginning of the war, Moldova has become a safe refuge for thousands of children and their families,” said Tatiana Danilescu, Child Protection Officer at UNICEF. “The prolonged crisis continues to affect children’s lives, and our efforts focus on strengthening protection systems, training professionals, and creating safe and inclusive services. We want every child, whether local or refugee, to grow up in a stable environment where they are protected and have the chance to build a dignified future.” 

A United Family, a Future Rebuilt

Although their dream is to return to Ukraine, Iryna and Artiom look to the present with gratitude. “We want to rebuild our home, have our own household again, and see our children live without fear, study, and walk freely. The most important thing is that there’s no war. Everything else will come after,” Iryna says. 

Since the start of hostilities in Ukraine, more than 1.8 million people fleeing the war have entered Moldova at some point. As of 31 August 2025, Moldova hosts over 135,000 Ukrainian refugees who remain in the country, and 49% of them are children. 

In one corner of the Ludoteca, the youngest child, Elidar, is colouring a big yellow sun. “It’s warm,” he says with a smile. Around him, the other children laugh while Iryna watches quietly. After everything they’ve lost, the Boghiu-Pasenco family has regained what matters most: safety, hope, and the joy of being children again.