Legal assistance changed Svitlana’s life: her first passport after years without documents

Svitlana with her first passport — the result of legal assistance and support

For many years, Svitlana lived without any documents — no birth certificate, no passport. This limited her access to work, healthcare, and education. The issue began with her mother, who was also undocumented.

Thanks to legal assistance provided through the Roma Rights Center’s Legal Aid Office and the support of Roma mediator Maksym Dzhuma, the situation changed. Her mother’s identity was proven in court, allowing her to receive a passport and start the process for Svitlana.

Getting Svitlana’s birth certificate required legal effort, proving family ties, and cooperation with child welfare services. Eventually, Svitlana received her passport.

Today, with the help of legal assistance, she has new opportunities — access to employment, education, healthcare, and the ability to fully realize her rights.