Olha Dryha’s story: how forced displacement became the beginning of a new business

After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, Olha Dryha was forced to leave her hometown of Toretsk in Donetsk region and start her life over in the Lubny community of Poltava region. Despite losing her home and the life she had built, she found new opportunities and turned forced displacement into a momentum for launching her own business. 

Together with her husband, Olha initially continued pursuing their shared passion for crafting leather goods. Over time, they decided to make the most of the resources available in their new community and started a business in agriculture. Today, they run their own farm, raising poultry and rabbits, managing greenhouses, and steadily rebuilding their lives. 

Through her participation in the NIZHNA (Unbreakable Initiative of Women: Persistent and Active) project, implemented by the NGO "Light of Hope" with technical support of UN Women Ukraine and funding from the United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), Olha received support to grow her business and move forward with greater confidence. 

Learn more about Olha’s story and her business in the video.

This video was produced by the NGO “Light of Hope” with technical support from UN Women Ukraine and funding from the United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), however, the views expressed and content included do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.