How Our Ukrainian Developers Find Strength and Purpose Amidst Conflict & Chaos

About a year ago, when we needed to extend the team, I hired two developers from Ukraine. I was fully aware of the situation there and that it could impact the company, e.g. through infrastructure failures that could make communication harder. However, after I interviewed both of them, I was extremely impressed by their skills, strength, and professionalism. Combined with my personal desire to take a stand, it was then an easy decision to hire them.

Now after a year of working very closely together, I asked both of them to share their daily lives and how this conflict directly impacts them. I am extremely grateful for Anastasiia and Yehor for sharing their view below and do hope that you find their stories interesting (and maybe even unexpectedly inspiring).

Achim Haug

Founder & CEO AirGradient

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From Anastasiia:

The war turned my world upside down. It was scary, and everything felt so uncertain. But I realized that even though I couldn’t control what was happening around me, I could control how I reacted to it. That was a turning point for me.

Before the war, I was a language teacher. It was a good job, but I had this growing interest in programming. I learned in my free time and even started to think about switching careers. But, to be honest, I was a bit scared to leave my comfortable teaching job.

Then the war happened, and it put things into perspective. Suddenly, my fear of quitting my job seemed silly compared to everything else that was going on. I realized that life is too short to not go after what you want. I thought, “If I don’t try now, I might never get another chance.”

So, after it became a bit safer, I really focused on coding. It gave me something positive to concentrate on, and it felt good to have control over at least one aspect of my life. Even though things were still stressful, I was determined to make this change, and I got my first job pretty soon.

Later on, I got a job at AirGradient, and I was excited by the team, core values, attitude towards work, and commitment to innovation. It’s been amazing working remotely with such a diverse group, and it’s incredibly motivating to know that my work is making a difference.

Even with the war still going on, I feel like I’m moving forward. I’m proud of myself for not giving up on my dreams, and I’m hopeful about the future.

Resilience in unexpected places

I’ll never forget the day a missile struck nearby. I could hear the explosion just a minute before my developer call with Yehor, my teammate, and Achim, our founder. Without thinking, I grabbed my laptop and ran to my wardrobe – the safest place in the flat during an air raid when there is no shelter nearby.

There I was, crammed in my wardrobe, surrounded by clothes, trying to focus on the call while explosions were going off outside! I remember thinking, “Did they hear that?” But they were completely focused, so I just thought, “Thank God, we can continue.”

For me, being able to keep working gives me a sense of normalcy and control, even when everything else feels chaotic. Our lives are already turned upside down, so the chance to keep working and doing something normal is really important.

Looking ahead in small steps

I believe that even though life in Ukraine comes with greater risks, the essence of living and working is the same everywhere: taking responsibility, facing challenges, and moving forward with small, meaningful actions. It’s not about being a superhero; it’s about taking those little steps, those small actions that add up over time. Just like what we do at AirGradient, fighting air pollution one step at a time. These everyday efforts, however minor they may seem, are what help us stay grounded, connected, and hopeful, even when the world around us feels uncertain.

From Yehor:

I never imagined I’d be living through a war, let alone working remotely while navigating the complexities of daily life in a country under attack. It’s been a journey of adapting to the unexpected, building resilience, and clinging to optimism, even when things are tough.

I remember when I first joined AirGradient. I was searching for a job that meant something, something more than just a paycheck. I stumbled upon their website and was immediately drawn to their mission of providing open-source air quality solutions. Their commitment to transparency and improving public health resonated with me deeply. It felt like the kind of company that was actually making a difference in the world. I knew right then that AirGradient was where I wanted to be.

Working remotely has become commonplace for many, but my experience has a unique set of challenges. Imagine this: I’m in the middle of writing code or participating in a project meeting, and suddenly, the lights flicker and die. Power outages are a frequent occurrence because of the war, and internet connectivity can be spotty at best. But I’ve learned to be resourceful. When the power goes out, I grab my laptop and head to the nearest café or co-working space. I’ve even tethered to my phone’s hotspot a few times when the internet goes down completely.

One time, I was at a co-working space, just minutes away from a crucial meeting, when the power went out. Panic started to set in. Then, as luck would have it, the power in my apartment came back on! I sprinted back home, fumbling with my keys at the door, and managed to join the meeting just a few minutes late, breathless and a little flustered. It’s moments like these that make me realize how adaptable I’ve become.

This adaptability extends beyond work. I used to love going to the gym, but with rolling blackouts, even that has become an exercise in flexibility. Sometimes, I find myself working out in a dimly lit gym, relying on the emergency lights to guide me. But I’ve learned to appreciate these moments. They remind me that even in the face of adversity, life goes on.

The war has undoubtedly cast a long shadow over our lives. The constant threat of air raids and missile strikes weighs heavily on everyone’s minds. We’ve all seen the devastating images of destroyed buildings and cities. It’s heartbreaking. Both of the schools I attended were hit by rockets, leaving nothing but empty craters where my classrooms used to be. It’s a strange feeling to know that places filled with so many memories are now just gone.

We Ukrainians have a tradition of returning to our hometowns after university, visiting our old teachers, and sharing our accomplishments. Now, many people can’t even go back because their hometowns are on the frontline. It’s a loss that’s difficult to comprehend.

Despite the constant fear and uncertainty, I’ve found strength in the resilience of my community and my colleagues at AirGradient. We’ve all learned to support each other, sharing tips on how to cope with power outages, offering words of encouragement, and simply checking in on each other. This sense of camaraderie has been a lifeline.

Even with the ongoing conflict, I feel a deep sense of responsibility to keep moving forward. Life goes on, and we have to find ways to adapt and contribute. For me, that means continuing to work on projects that I believe in, projects that have the potential to make a positive impact.

I’ve also found ways to contribute to my community directly. I started installing outdoor air quality monitors in my neighborhood and sharing the data with my neighbors. It’s a small thing, but it helps people make informed decisions about when it’s safe to open their windows and get some fresh air. It’s a reminder that even in the midst of war, we still have to live our lives.

Looking ahead, I remain optimistic. I’m excited about the future of AirGradient and the potential of our open-source solutions to improve air quality for people around the world. I believe that even in the darkest of times, we can find ways to innovate and create positive change.

My experience has taught me that no matter the circumstances, life goes on. We find ways to adapt, stay connected, and keep contributing in whatever way we can. It’s this spirit of agility and resilience that I hold onto, and I hope it inspires others to do the same.