In 2020, Olga Studneva was actively involved in the volunteer movement in Belarus — she looked for lawyers and food for victims, accompanied evacuations, verified and coordinated dozens of stories of assistance. In November 2020, she herself was under threat of arrest and was forced to urgently leave for Lithuania.
Until August 9, 2020, Olga was apolitical. Everything changed in a few days.
“I started remotely, I was afraid to go out,” Olga recalls. “I did everything I could online: I looked for food, lawyers, and on August 15, I went to a protest myself for the first time.”
The woman found herself helping victims of the actions of security forces and quickly became involved in the volunteer movement: she collected stories, identified fake appeals, provided food and psychological assistance, and coordinated feedback.
“I even had to advise on leaving Belarus,” the activist says. – I accompanied people to the border, took responsibility at critical moments. I helped fired artists, worked in the regions, especially in Mogilev."
The activity attracted the attention of the security forces, and in November 2020, Olga was informed that they would come for her any day now. At that time, she was organizing a corridor for the evacuation of a Mogilev activist with her children — and decided to leave with them. After crossing the border, she temporarily took care of the children and helped with paperwork, but she herself was left alone — in a new country, without status, with broken nerves and severe burnout.
“At the end of 2020, a lockdown began in Lithuania due to the pandemic, but I continued my volunteer work: I reported on more than 200 implemented assistance projects, supervised the evacuation, wrote applications, helped with every day and informational issues to those who applied,” the activist explains.
In order to adapt faster and get a profession, the Belarusian entered college. She ran an Instagram account for applicants, and managed to submit lists of Belarusian students for grants, thanks to which they received free education. She helped them with adaptation, communication with the administration, and solving educational issues.
After her studies, she moved to Klaipeda and got a job in production. But due to a conflict with her employer, she actually ended up on the “black list”.
Until recently, freelancing helped her stay afloat, but due to income instability and health problems, her resources were depleted. Her last savings were gone, and the woman found herself in a financial hole.
“I always approach my work responsibly, I do everything quickly and honestly. Perhaps because of my straightforwardness and meticulousness, I have conflicts with employers, but I am convinced that honest work and responsibility should not be a reason for bullying and ignoring,” says Olga.
Now she is moving to another city in hopes of finding a job. She is asking for help to recover, get back on her feet and return to human rights activities. The Belarusian is counting on solidarity and hopes that she will not be left in a difficult situation.
How much is needed?
€3000
€1000 – rent;
€1500 – dental and neurological services;
€200 – food and household expenses;
€300 – debt repayment.