A woman forced to flee war-torn Ukraine is hoping to revive her natural cosmetics business in Ayrshire – after the Russian invasion left her homeless and penniless.
Khrystyna Yarema had to leave her beloved country two weeks after the start of the war when it became clear it was too dangerous for her to stay.
Thankfully she found a safe haven in Ayr, where her mother Liliia Thomas calls home after she married a Scottish man a few years ago.
Now Khrystyna plans to breathe new life into her zero-waste cosmetic products business.
Khrystyna told Ayrshire Live: “Sadly, war in Ukraine has put a stop to business.
“For the first two weeks of the invasion I stayed in Ukraine. I was volunteering and hoping for a quick end of Russian attacks.
“Unfortunately, the war is still on and I was left with no business and no money. So I packed all the cosmetics I could fit into my suitcase and went to mum in Ayr.”
Khrystyna’s range of beauty products is called DOTYK (meaning touch). They are zero-waste beauty products and 100 per cent natural.
She said: “I am hoping to sell our cosmetics here in order to make every customer’s skin feel love and care and also to be able to pay my rent and pay salaries to my team-mates back home.”
Mum Liliia said: “It’s needless to say what my country is going through at the moment; thousands of Ukrainians are killed by Russians, including children and millions of peoples’ lives are ruined in one day.”
Sadly, Liliia’s father died a few days ago and, under the circumstances, it wasn’t safe to return to say a final goodbye.
She said: “I couldn’t even be with my family and say goodbye to my dad. Luckily, if this word is appropriate, he didn’t realise the war began, as he suffered dementia for the last few years.
“I know dozens of people in Ukraine with their own story of losses, broken lives, destroyed houses, etc. I would like to help my country to survive, as I am a part of it.”
Khrystyna will be displaying her range of products at the next Handmade in Ayr Market this Saturday, April 2 at the Grain Exchange, Ayr High Street, between 10am and 4.30pm.
Also in attendance with her own stall will be mum Liliia, who is an accomplished crochet maker.
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
