Svenko, his wife, and his two children came to Ireland to visit his sister in 2006. They intended to stay for a few months, but Svenko’s daughter almost immediately became ill. The family lived near Dublin for over one year while she received medical treatment in the hospital. During that time, Svenko found jobs to support the family although he did not have a work permit. Svenko’s daughter eventually recovered from her illness, and the family wanted to return to Ukraine. However, they could no longer afford to travel after paying the medical bills.

Svenko talked with other migrants in Ireland and learned that IOM could help. He made an appointment to discuss voluntary return, and found that he could apply for a grant to start a business in Ukraine. Svenko had been trained in car maintenance, and began planning to open a repair and supply shop. IOM helped Svenko to arrange his family’s travel documents and made special considerations for his daughter.

Petro came to Ireland in 2008, after he could not find work in Ukraine. He planned to stay with friends until he could afford his own apartment. Petro worked for nearly a year before he lost his job. For the next six months, he could not find work because he did not have a permit. Petro could no longer support himself, and decided to return to Ukraine.

His friends gave him an IOM leaflet, and he made an appointment to apply for assisted voluntary return at the Dublin office. Because of Petro’s vulnerable situation, he was eligible to receive support for his return. He was also told that he could apply for a reintegration grant once he was in Ukraine.

After he returned, Petro applied for the grant immediately. He used the fund to purchase building materials to start a small business repairing and finishing apartments, offices, and houses. Petro found that planning his business required a lot of time and thought. Because building contracts can be inconsistent, he is glad he had a plan for how to support himself during slow times.

Viktoria came to Ireland in 2008, hoping to find better work than she had in Ukraine. She lived in Ireland for nearly two years, until she suddenly lost her job. With no way to support herself, Viktoria decided to return to Ukraine to live with her family.

Viktoria heard about IOM from friends, and she made an appointment to visit the Dublin office. She learned that IOM could assist her with the cost of travel back to Ukraine, and that she could apply for a reintegration grant.

For a few months after she returned, Viktoria lived with her family and received their support until she found work. She was a skilled tailor, and so applied for the reintegration assistance to purchase sewing materials to create and alter clothing from her home. To supplement her income, she also began working as a manicurist. She does not yet earn enough to support herself, but Viktoria is confident that her client base will grow.

Danko and Nikita both came to Ireland from Ukraine, looking for good jobs to support their children. Danko came to Ireland first and Nikita joined him two years later. After a few years, however, they both found themselves without work. In 2011, they realized that they missed their children too much to be separated from them, and decided to return.

Danko and Nikita could not afford to pay for their return after such a long period of unemployment. A friend recommended that they ask for assistance from IOM. Danko met with IOM staff and learned that he and Nikita could apply for support with the cost of their return.

In Ukraine, Danko and Nikita supported themselves and their children with help from family. Danko found seasonal work in agriculture, and Nikita was eventually hired as a cook. Nikita was frustrated with how long it took her to find a job, and wished she had known more about the labour market in Ukraine before returning.

Natalya came to Ireland from Ukraine with the hopes of earning a living and improving her English. She worked for two years without a permit, but found it increasingly difficult to make ends meet. In 2010, Natalya became pregnant and realized she could not support herself and her child without consistent employment. Natalya wanted to return to live near her family and receive help in raising her child. She asked her friends for help in returning to her hometown, and they told her about IOM.

Natalya met with IOM staff in Dublin and learned that she could receive assistance in returning to Ukraine. Through IOM, she was able to organize her travel documents and pay for a plane ticket. She also met with a doctor to ensure that she could safely fly during her pregnancy. Natalya was told that, once in Ukraine, she could apply for a reintegration grant, to help her begin a business or continue her education after she returned.