“I was grateful for everything we had then. Even if we had to live without heating in winter. I thought only about the lives of my children,” recalls Kateryna.
Eventually, Kateryna with her daughters and older brother Serhiy ended up in the collective center, which is situated in the small but cozy village in the Kyiv region.
Here, little Victoria and Anastasiia can spend more time outdoors, enjoying the freshness of summer, thereby strengthening their immunity. Kateryna discovered a sense of calm that eluded her in previous shelters.
“I am very glad that we made the decision to come here. There is a forest, and nature around. The children are very happy. I can even see changes in their eyes, even though sometimes there is a fear of explosions,” explains Kateryna.
In this challenging time, Kateryna’s family found support from organizations like World Vision and Youth Movement Be Free (YMBF). The assistance they received strengthened their resolve and gave them the courage to move forward.
''I am very glad that we made the decision to come here. There is a forest, and nature around. The children are very happy. I can even see changes in their eyes, even though sometimes there is a fear of explosions.''
“People who were forced to leave their homes and everything behind to save the lives of their children have the opportunity to be with the people of their country and start a new life in the collective centers.
The collective centers became their new home, where they found the warmth of being with other people, but also the feeling of safety and protection for their children.
World Vision and its partners are happy to help give them hope for a better future for their children", says Blerina Lako, the Chief of the Party for World Vision’s Bureau for Humanitarian Aid (BHA)-funded project.
The project has distributed institutional hygiene kits and non-food items made possible through our donors - USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), Ukraine Response Consortium, and ACTED Ukraine.
Kateryna's eldest daughter, Victoria, had been deeply affected by the traumatic events of the invasion. Despite Kateryna's efforts to explain and prepare her, the sounds of rockets flying nearby intensified her fear.
“One day a rocket flew into a nearby street, she heard it and was very scared. I did everything I could to calm her down and help her,” says Kateryna. With their relocation, Victoria begins healing from the traumas she had endured.
