11 Year Old Ukrainian Boy Reaches Slovakia Borders All Alone
He only carried a plastic bag, passport, a phone number written on his hand and a letter from his mother. His mother couldn’t accompany him as she stayed back to look after her elderly mother.
11 year old Hassan from Zaporozhye, a city in South-eastern Ukraine, has reached the borders of Slovakia safely but all alone. He travelled 1200 km to reach his destination by train.
He only carried a plastic bag, passport, a phone number written on his hand and a letter from his mother. His mother couldn’t accompany him as she stayed back to look after her elderly mother.
According to The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, “He won everyone over with his smile, fearlessness, and determination of a real hero.”
The volunteers took care of him and provided him with food and drinks when he reached his destination. They contacted his relatives, the details of whom were provided in the letter.
The relatives came to pick him up later. Hassan has requested the Slovakian officials for protection.
In a video posted by the Slovak police, the mother explained why the young boy had to travel all alone amidst the chaos of war.
“Next to my town is a power plant that the Russians are shelling. I couldn't leave my mum - she can't move by herself - so I sent my son to Slovakia,” said Julia Pisecka, who is a widow.
The people who are interested in helping Hassan’s mother and grandmother have been requested by Slovak officials to donate to Slovak Christian youth association ZKSM.
According to statistics from the United Nations more than 2 million people have now become refugees as a result of the war.
Hassan’s courageous story speaks about the plight of thousands of innocent Ukrainian children who’ve endured some of the most difficult situations in the face of the deadly war.