‘I try to not cry’: Teen refugee copes with leaving parents in Ukraine

CNN's Matt Rivers shares the story of 17-year-old Alla Renska, a Ukrainian teen refugee sent to Budapest, Hungary, by her parents to escape the war. Then, CNN's Kyung Lah visits a public school in Warsaw, Poland, where the Polish teachers and students don't mind crowding into classrooms with Ukrainian children because it's for a "good cause." #CNN #News

42 comments

    1. @Hasaan Khan
      Yes! Hamas has ruined that part of the world! Using schools and hospitals as human shields. So tragic.

  1. I have been a refugee for 62 years, I didn’t experience war as these young people have, but it’s always on my mind, I can just emagine what damage is being done to these poor souls. May PEACE BE WITH THEM and they can return home real soon, “THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME”

    1. 😏.. THIS LIKE THAT TIME THEY BLEW THE PROJECTS UP…..SO WE GOT TO MOVE TO A BETTER SAFER PLACE..🦉

    1. These kids aren’t really tough. I am also glad they are getting food and shelter but they are also going to need some therapy …. some special love.

  2. Dear young lady – I applaud your strength. You have a beautiful smile which is contagious.. I pray and hope that you will be with you parents soon..Stay strong – with love from 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 …..

  3. Thanks CNN for sharing this very emotional Ukrainian who are refugee’s other countries while these Ukrainian are very attached to their family

  4. To the young man in Warsaw – thank you so much for showing us how to be hospitable and considerate. I hope you will build lasting relationships with your new friends.

    Sending love from 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

    1. Indeed very mature for his age. Its heartbreaking to think that these young minds must think of the terrible things happening, have to reflect on it at such a young age.This attack on ukraine is affecting so many people.

  5. I’m old enough that my own father was sent away to Scotland when a German bomb damaged his home in Leeds, UK. He was taken in but made to work on a farm in the highlands without electricity. My mum lost her 5-year-old brother.
    The scars of the war never really left that generation. It’s incredibly sad to see it happening again in Europe or anywhere for that matter.

    1. @Grace Demers – Yes, I guess my father didn’t speak to his parents until after the war. My grandfather fought in WW2 and came back a changed man.
      This young woman might be safe but she and millions like her will still fear for her parents or fathers left behind and every time they hang up they will wonder if it is the last time they see them. This will never leave their thoughts as they try to do school work and readjust to a new life in a new country. All this will stay with them for life and those that lose loved ones will always be haunted by it.

      Wars can last months but the losses and pain last a lifetime.
      They need care and also protection from criminals who may try to take advantage of fleeing young people.
      Seeing the images of mass graves looking identical to the ones in history books from WW2 but in colour and taken in the last few days is absolutely heartbreaking.

  6. A child became an adult in minutes. Such wonderful courage in the face of sorrow and trauma, emotionally, Mentally, and abuses of senses from every direction. May God keep her family to reunite them asap.

  7. My heart is with Ukraine and its people. This is so sad. I pray for peace. Much love to all.

  8. A Tribute to Ukraine
    The Fight

    Where were you
    when the walls came crumbling down.
    Fearing for our lives
    In our home towns.

    Where children once played
    Laughter was everywhere
    We now find graves
    Seems like only…we care.

    But now,
    We’re standing side by side
    Defending arm in arm
    Praying for our lives.

    And now,
    We’re standing toe to toe
    Fighting hand to hand
    Dying for our nation’s soul.

    Instrumental 🎶 

    If we lose.
    If this was your last fight.
    I promise you
    We wouldn’t run and hide.

    Only one way to live
    Head high, full of pride
    What we would give
    Our blood and tears we cried.

    But now,
    We’re standing side by side
    Defending arm in arm
    Praying for our lives.

    And now,
    We’re standing toe to toe
    Fighting hand to hand
    Dying for our nation’s soul.

    Instrumental 🎶

    A burst of lightning
    coming from the morning sky
    confuses all
    We will not run and hide.

    But now,
    We’re standing side by side
    Defending arm in arm
    Praying for our lives.

    And now,
    We’re standing toe to toe
    Fighting hand to hand
    Dying for our nation’s soul.

    And then,
    There’s one thing that remains
    Fight until the death
    Fight for our Ukraine.

    But now,
    Our prayers were not met
    By those who stood by
    By those who would forget.

    By Humble Driver YouTube

  9. God bless all refugees fleeing wars, violence, oppression, poverty, and natural disasters around the world.
    🌍🙏🌎🙏🌏

  10. I have girls, and I’m SO emotional watching this. Such brave parents to make this heartbreaking decision, but wr as parents our concern are our children. She’s doing wonderful by continuing her education, and keep life going.

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