Slaven Vujic's Blog, page 7

For Happier Christmas in Ukraine

My redemption mission in Ukraine has completely changed my life. When I embarked on this journey in early March, I had no idea what to expect and how to provide help. I’ve met so many Ukrainians in Zahony, at the border with Ukraine, and it felt like they are my own people.
Some thirty years ago my country fought a bloody war for independence and I could understand the pain and suffering of Ukrainians.

In Zahony I met thousands of Ukrainians. I’ve learned their language. I’ve learned much about their traditions and customs before establishing a base in Dnipro, Ukraine. I was joined by Iryna, a refugee I met in Poland. She was my teacher and my guide and now she is my love, my partner, and my future. We live together in Croatia with her son Maksym, but we are eager to provide support and help to Ukrainian families who are about to celebrate their first Christmas under bombs and sirens.

For Happier Christmas in Ukraine is a simple fundraiser aiming to provide funds to refugee families we have personally met. I’m blessed with friendships with many Ukrainian kids. You can find faces I’ll never forget here. They are now part of me forever.

For our humanitarian work in Ukraine we have received several Thank you letters:

from City of Dniprofrom the Armed Forces of Ukrainefrom the Association of the Blind

Together with the Social Department of Dnipro, we distributed Envelopes of Hope, providing financial support to 50 Ukrainian families.

The majority of Ukrainians are Orthodox and they celebrate Christmas on January 7th. We are hoping that we can raise funds for dislocated families in Ukraine and families living far away from home, so they can provide happier Christmas to their children. We have personally met every family included in this Christmas fundraiser and funds will be distributed equally among them, directly to their accounts. We nurture close personal relationships with them and we’ll continue doing so throughout the next year.

Please send your donations as gifts by PayPal to trueslaven @ gmail.com and add a simple Christmas note that we’ll translate into Ukrainian.

Thank you for supporting my activities in Ukraine one more time!

The post For Happier Christmas in Ukraine appeared first on Slaven Vujic.

Croatia: The Ultimate Guide for Digital Nomads

1. Introduction

Being a digital nomad seems to have become a trend, and in fact, there is a lot of talk about this lifestyle. Thanks mainly to social networks and the photos we see on Instagram, we have come to idealize digital nomadism.

Truth to be told, being a digital nomad isn’t easy at all times, but it is one of the best experiences you’ll ever have. Why? Let’s look at the main reasons:

Freedom to work anywhere, anytime

Location independence and flexible hours are the obvious benefits of being a digital nomad. As remote workers, we choose our temporary base, our working hours, and our office setup. When you are a digital nomad, there are virtually no limits to where you can be, and the same goes for your working hours.

Sure, you have to devote the required hours, but you don’t have to ask anyone for permission to take a day off.

Likewise, you can work 10-12 hours one day, and 4 hours another. If your organizational specificities allow it, you’ll be the master of your own work.

Inspiration from nonstop travel

Traveling means being a modern explorer, discovering distant lands, and immersing yourself in foreign cultures. A digital nomad lifestyle guarantees unlimited travel, averaging 12 countries per year.

You could do more, but a month per country is the minimum you need to feel a little settled and avoid the fatigue of the journey. Regardless of the number of countries, constant traveling has one main advantage: inspiration.

If you are a travel enthusiast, you will find that nothing beats the inspiration you get from seeing fascinating places, meeting interesting people, and breaking through cultural barriers. Inspiration for what? You may ask. The answer is simple: inspiration for life.

Traveling fuels your motivation to live a life worth living, to understand the world a little better, and to ask more of yourself. As a result, all the inspiration you get from long journeys can foster your personal growth but also provide courage for your entrepreneurial journey.

Geo arbitrage

Another great advantage of digital nomadism is geo arbitrage. This is a relatively modern term that could be defined as “relocating to take advantage of the lower costs of a city or town.” As such, geo arbitrage allows you to increase the quality of your life by moving to a cheaper location.

Think, for example, about New York and Austin. In this context, the same salary will offer you a much better lifestyle in Austin than in New York.

As a digital nomad, you can take full advantage of the price differences.

Adventure

Just like inspiration, full-time travel is a reliable source of adventurous experiences and memorable moments.

Rafting in Bosnia and Herzegovina, hiking around volcanoes in Costa Rica and wine tasting in the Chilean Andes are just some of the activities that you can take part in within a span of a one-year time. If you are a digital nomad, a new adventure is looming around every corner.

The only limit to what you can experience is your imagination, and your bank account, of course.

Personal growth

As a digital nomad, you constantly expose yourself to new situations, challenges, and ideas. Whether it’s discovering a country’s subway, meeting like-minded entrepreneurs, or suffering from setbacks, personal growth is a key aspect of digital nomadism.

You will become more open, more confident, and more adept at organizing things. All of these qualities will serve you later no matter if you decide to be a digital nomad indefinitely or establish yourself somewhere.

Opportunity

Finally, the last big advantage of a digital nomadic lifestyle concerns networking.

You may find it difficult at first, but once inside the coveted bubble of digital nomadism, opportunities will come your way and you will realize that they would have not been in your reach if you were back home.

Why Croatia?

So, now we know why being a digital nomad is just as great as people describe it to be: but why should you decide to have this adventure in Croatia? There are many reasons to choose Croatia as your destination for nomad traveling, which we’ll look at throughout this e-book. First, we’ll look at the documents you’ll need to put together, and how you’ll have to apply for the visa. Then, we’ll talk about the main characteristics of Croatia, such as its culture, natural beauty, connectivity, and safety. We’ll also discuss what is there to see in Croatia, such as its islands, national parks, and cities. Afterward, we’ll give you some tips and tricks on how to enjoy your time in Croatia, such as a possible road trip, what to eat locally, what are the best hotels for digital nomads, and which activities can be performed in Croatia. Enjoy your reading and fall in love with Croatia!

Join my mailing list and download this guide for free!

The post Croatia: The Ultimate Guide for Digital Nomads appeared first on Slaven Vujic.

(VIDEO) Interview With Refugees From Severodonetsk

Tamara and Bogdana are mother and daughter that fled Severodonetsk before it was occupied. They lived in the basement for several weeks, having almost no food and clean water. Eventually, they fled to Lysychansk just to spend more time in the basement with their family. The next stop in their painful journey was Dnipro where they settled down in a small apartment with ten other refugees. They couldn’t stand the sirens and rockets, so they decided to leave #ukraine and start a new life in Croatia. In this video, they share with us their story, a difficult journey from the war zone to new life under a peaceful sky.

The post (VIDEO) Interview With Refugees From Severodonetsk appeared first on Slaven Vujic.

(VIDEO) How to Survive Sleep Apnea?

It is estimated that over 20 million people suffer from sleep apnea.
I’ve been a sleep apnea patient for over 7 years.
My AHI (apnea-hypopnea index) is 96, which basically means I have 96 episodes of choking and gasping per hour.

In this video, you’ll meet Regica, my #cpap device that keeps me alive!
I’m also sharing some useful tips on how to survive a severe sleep apnea attack.

Sleep apnea is a dangerous disease that can cause #heartattack, #stroke, #highbloodpressure , #depression, #concentration troubles and more.

The post (VIDEO) How to Survive Sleep Apnea? appeared first on Slaven Vujic.

(VIDEO) Interview With Refugees From Lysychansk

Andriy and Ohlena are from Lyschansk, a city in Luhansk Oblast, #ukraine. Two days before the war Andriy suffered a stroke and has been paralyzed ever since. Together with their family, they fled Lysychansk under fire and settled down in Dnipro. Ohlena’s parents didn’t make it as they were taken by the Russian army. We arranged their journey to Croatia and halfway through it, we sat down for a quick interview. This is a story about unconditional love. A story about what matters in life. A story about the lives of ordinary #ukrainian people.

The post (VIDEO) Interview With Refugees From Lysychansk appeared first on Slaven Vujic.

(VIDEO) Interview With a #refugee Family From Lysychansk – All We Want Is a Peaceful Sky

Andriy and Ohlena are from Lyschansk, a city in Luhansk Oblast, #ukraine. Two days before the war Andriy suffered a stroke and has been paralyzed ever since. Together with their family, they fled Lysychansk under fire and settled down in Dnipro. Ohlena’s parents didn’t make it as they were taken by the Russian army. We arranged their journey to Croatia and halfway through it, we sat down for a quick interview. This is a story about unconditional love. A story about what matters in life. A story about the lives of ordinary #ukrainian people.

The post (VIDEO) Interview With a #refugee Family From Lysychansk – All We Want Is a Peaceful Sky appeared first on Slaven Vujic.

(VIDEO) War Through the Eyes of a Refugee Kid

Dimitry (10) is a smart young man from Dnipro, Ukraine. Together with his family, he fled to Poland soon after the beginning of the war and he’s now living in a small Polish town called Zator.

Dimitry agreed to a short interview with his mother’s approval, so I’m sharing it here with you.
I did my best with my limited Ukrainian language skills

The post (VIDEO) War Through the Eyes of a Refugee Kid appeared first on Slaven Vujic.

(VIDEO) Kanal 11 Interview on the Importance of Ukrainian Language

It was my honor to take part in a short story about the importance of learning the Ukrainian language.
The Russian language is widely spread in Ukraine, but more Ukrainians use their own language every day. As a writer, I take quite a big interest in Slavic languages and I was eager to learn Ukrainian while working with Ukrainian refugees and volunteers. I fell in love with the language and I’m looking forward to sharpening my Ukrainian language skills!

My part starts at 3:20

The post (VIDEO) Kanal 11 Interview on the Importance of Ukrainian Language appeared first on Slaven Vujic.

Official Thank You Note From the Armed Forces of Ukraine

I share with you the official Thank you note from the Armed Forces of Ukraine

“from the 108th brigade of the Territorial Defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

a Thank you note

to the international team of independent volunteers “Flaming Beacon”

for a great sense of patriotism, the warmth of the heart, mental support to the military personnel of the Armed forces of Ukraine, for your concern and kindness, for a wide desire to help others, without waiting for thanks and rewards, and for your personal contribution, in defense of our Ukraine.

Commander of the 108th brigade of the territorial defense
Oleg Sivokonj

The post Official Thank You Note From the Armed Forces of Ukraine appeared first on Slaven Vujic.

(VIDEO) Journey to Croatia: A Refugee Family from Lysychansk and Severodontesk Reaching Safety

Six frightened people. One 3,5-year-old child. One disabled person. Three cars. 1950 km from Ukraine to Croatia.

That’s the short story. A longer one begins in Severodonetsk where Tamara, her 24-year-old daughter Bogdana and 3,5-year-old Savely saw the end of their peaceful lives. Russia started shelling their city, moving them to basements. They lived there for two weeks, together with their neighbors and friends, sharing poverty, sickness, and sleepless nights. Eventually, they escaped to Lysychansk to share the same horrors with Olena and Andrei, the parents of Bogdana’s husband. Two days before the war Andrei suffered a stroke and was trapped in his body when the Russian rockets started destroying everything they hold most dear. After two more weeks in the basement, the family managed to hire a driver that took them to Dnipro. It was anything but a peaceful journey; explosions followed them until they reached safety. Relative safety, as days in Dnipro are also painfully colored by sirens and rocket hits.

They reached out to us asking for help with food and medicines. Our volunteer Sasha visited them soon after, just to learn how difficult problems the family is facing. We decided to pay them a new visit and explore options. We found them in a small room in the apartment where 16 people have found their shelter after fleeing homes. We knew they can’t live there for much longer. The decision was made and soon after they were Googling “Croatia”.

Ten days later they were on their first journey outside of Ukraine. From Dnipro to Vinnytsia, from Vinnytsia to the border with Hungary in Zahony. From Zahony to Varaždin, Croatia.

I didn’t see many great happy endings in Ukraine. Let me hold on to this one for a while.

The post (VIDEO) Journey to Croatia: A Refugee Family from Lysychansk and Severodontesk Reaching Safety appeared first on Slaven Vujic.