Author:
Mariia Kucova
For the Voices of Children Foundation, International Children's Day is one of the most important days of the year although we help them every day, not just on June 1st.
On this occasion, the team launched the "Children Are Dreaming" campaign: they collected children’s letters and drawings about their dreams and vision for the future of Ukraine. Here's what came out of it.
"I Want the War to End"
Currently, Ukrainian children are dreaming not about new toys or gadgets, but about the end of the war with Ukraine's victory. This is reflected in their letters.
I want the war to end and Ukraine to defeat Russia,
wrote seven-year-old Arsenii.
wrote seven-year-old Arsenii.
Often, children write not directly about the end of the war, but about related things, such as the liberation of all occupied territories, the rebuilding of cities, and returning home.
I really like the city of Kharkiv, and I hope it will be rebuilt, and we can return there with our family,
reads an anonymous letter.
reads an anonymous letter.
In addition, children want the explosions to stop so they can sleep peacefully. They long to attend school in person without having to go to shelters.
I dream that online school would disappear and I could play with dolls with my friends,
shared seven-year-old Kira.
shared seven-year-old Kira.
Amid the constant threat, both young children and teenagers are more concerned for their loved ones than for themselves: "I really, really want my mommy to live a long, long time". And also for their pets: "I dream that my dog will live to be 17–19 years old".
Children also remember their fallen family members: "I dream that my dad is doing well in heaven".
"Ukraine Will Be Beautiful in the Future"
Many of the letters are dedicated to dreams about the future of Ukraine - a free and developed country.
I dream that Ukraine will be beautiful in the future, there will be no trash on the roads, and the cars will be extraordinary,
wrote nine-year-old Yaromyr.
wrote nine-year-old Yaromyr.
Children are aware that the good life in Ukraine will require a lot of work, especially rebuilding cities after Russian attacks.
I think all the buildings damaged by the war will be rebuilt and our Ukraine will become much better,
shared 12-year-old Katia.
shared 12-year-old Katia.
Children are seriously concerned about environmental and equality issues, understanding that everything starts with them.
I want Ukraine to flourish and for the air and people's thoughts to be cleaner,
reads another anonymous letter.
reads another anonymous letter.
Moreover, children dream of new discoveries: "I really believe that Ukrainians will be the first to land on Neptune". Or: "I dream that a device will be invented that gives endless years of life, and everyone will live forever".
What Children Wish for Themselves
Despite experiencing the war, children remain children. They dream of new phones and pets.
I also dream of having a Doberman and a new phone,
wrote 13-year-old Olia.
wrote 13-year-old Olia.
Besides that, they want to be successful in life, but only through their skills: "My dream is to build my life with my skills, knowledge, and dreams".
They also want to worry less about trivial matters and uncover all the mysteries of the Universe.
We believe that children’s dreams will come true, and we are doing everything possible to make it happen. After all, they will not have another childhood.
If you are reading this, then all of this will come true,
says 13-year-old Milana confidently.
says 13-year-old Milana confidently.
For the Children’s Day, the foundation launched the "Childhood Guardians" campaign. Your contributions from May 24th to June 16th will help us provide vital support to families in the Kharkiv and Sumy regions, where the security situation has worsened.
Share: