Back To The Island Of The Gods, This Is The Story Of PMI Spa Therapist Who Took Refuge In A Bunker When The Russians Were Bombing Ukraine

A total of 26 Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) from Bali who were evacuated from Ukraine arrived at the Domestic Arrival Terminal, I Gusti Ngurah Airport, Rai, Bali./PHOTO: DAFI - VOI

BADUNG - A total of 26 Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) from Bali who were evacuated from Ukraine arrived at the Domestic Arrival Terminal, I Gusti Ngurah Airport, Rai, Bali.

The PMIs from Bali are all women. The average work as a SPA therapist in Ukraine. Their families have been waiting for their arrival since the afternoon waiting for the PMIs to arrive and finally they returned to their respective areas in Bali.

One of the PMIs who works as a spa therapist in Ukraine is Ni Wayan Sukerayani from Payangan District, Gianyar Regency, Bali. He told of his condition when he worked in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine.

According to him, since February 24, 2022, Indonesian citizens (WNI) there must take shelter in a bunker that has been prepared by the Ukrainian government when they hear the siren.

"We especially Indonesian citizens wake up at three o'clock in the morning with the sound of sirens. We take shelter in the bunker, sometimes we sleep two hours from the 24th (February)," said Sukerayani, Monday, March 7.

He often heard the sound of guns exploding which made the atmosphere tense. However, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) on February 27 picked him up for the evacuation process

"Yes, I was definitely (afraid) because I heard the sound of the explosion. We are under the protection of the Indonesian Embassy. We are not allowed to go out on the 27th, we are picked up by protection and are safe and we are escorted," he added.

Sukerayani has only worked in Ukraine for five months with a 1.5 year contract. When the situation returns to conducive in Ukraine, Sukerayani wants to return.

"If it's good, I want to go back to Ukraine. The boss is good, the hotel is also good, the salary is also good," he said.

Dewi, who is PMI from Singaraja, Buleleng Regency, Bali, also felt a feeling of dread in the midst of the Russian invasion. The sound of the explosion traumatized him

Dewi is grateful to be able to return to Bali amidst the onslaught of Russia, even though she has only worked for 9 months in Ukraine.

"Yes, he must be afraid, of course he will lose, but we can save ourselves more," he said.