2014 changed Karina's life forever. The hostilities forced the woman to leave her native Luhansk and seek refuge in Kharkiv, where she started a new chapter in her life.
Today, 39-year-old Karina knows not only the joys of motherhood, but also its most difficult trials. She is a single mother raising her daughter Myroslava and son Tymofii on her own. Their home is a dormitory, but Karina does everything she can to fill it with warmth, laughter, and hope for a better tomorrow.
One of the places that supports the family is the “Girls. Children” club, where there is an atmosphere of warmth, friendship, and inspiration. Karina found out about the children's space quite by accident as she saw an announcement in one of Kharkiv's Telegram groups inviting children to a new creative space. The very next day after the club opened, she and her daughter visited it and realized that they had found what they had been missing.
Myroslava attends workshops, art therapy classes, plays board games, participates in creative activities, and always comes home in a good mood. Thanks to the support of specialists, the girl overcame her anxiety, became more open, and made friends.
The family is especially grateful to the club's psychologist, whom Myroslava genuinely likes. She has taught the girl to see her strengths, believe in her own abilities, and feel that she will be heard, understood, and accepted for who she is.
"At the “Girls. Children” club, children are always greeted with a good mood and interesting activities. The staff are attentive, patient, ready to support children and parents, and show kindness and humanity. My children and I are infinitely grateful to everyone who creates this space. You are doing a truly important job by giving hope to those who need it most," Karina shares.
Today, the woman and her children believe that only the best lies ahead. After all, when there are people nearby who are ready to lend a helping hand, even the darkest days become brighter.
The project “Response Consortium: Providing Multi-Sectoral Humanitarian Assistance to Conflict-Affected Populations in Ukraine (2023–2026)” is funded by the American people through the U.S. Government, Acted Ukraine, World Vision Ukraine Crisis Response in cooperation with the NGO Girls. The contents are the responsibility of the NGO Girls and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Government.
Photo from the family's personal archive. Myroslava at a class at the “Girls. Children” club in Kharkiv.
