Author:
Євгенія Малащук
Like across the country, the month of May at the Voices of Children Foundation’s regional centers was marked by the anticipation of summer break. Our young visitors were busy with tests, passing final exams, participating in and winning competitions, and even creating their own manga (Japanese-style comics).
Throughout May, our centers welcomed around 2,000 children and nearly 500 adults. Our specialists provided around 900 individual consultations and conducted around 500 group psychological and psychosocial support sessions.
Throughout May, our centers welcomed around 2,000 children and nearly 500 adults. Our specialists provided around 900 individual consultations and conducted around 500 group psychological and psychosocial support sessions.
Girls in Mykolaiv Created Their Own Comic
In our Mykolaiv Center, an Anime Club has been running for several months now—a creative space for teenagers who love Japanese animation and comics.
Recently, many new visitors started coming to the center. We thought the best way to help them get to know each other and bond would be to find a shared interest. Many teens are now into Japanese culture, so I suggested we form an Anime Club—and draw our own manga,
The teenagers enthusiastically embraced the idea.
We had to come up with the characters first. I came up with two main characters—both girls—because I wanted female characters to be the active ones in our manga. I even brought my best friend to the club, and she joined our creative team, too,
At first, the club mainly attracted girls. According to Iryna, the boys were just observing—but started joining once they saw how fun and exciting the sessions were. After inventing their characters, the teens began illustrating the manga, describing the adventures of their heroes.
I love drawing. And beyond making new friends, the Anime Club helped me figure out my dream—I want to become a book illustrator. Maybe I’ll make it my career,
The club’s first comic is now complete. The team is currently taking a short break to reflect and recharge. They’re gathering at a center, watching famous anime films, and drawing inspiration. The next challenge is even more exciting: each participant will now create their own original manga.
Info: Manga is a Japanese comic form read from right to left. Its themes range from fantasy and adventure to deep social drama.
Info: Manga is a Japanese comic form read from right to left. Its themes range from fantasy and adventure to deep social drama.
Maryna Wins at a Model Airplane Competition
13-year-old Maryna from Kryvyi Rih discovered an aviation modeling club by chance. She saw a demonstration at school by a girl launching a model plane—and was instantly intrigued. She asked her mother to take her to the local Station of young technicians, where the model-building classes were being held. Soon enough, Maryna was spending hours carefully crafting flying machines.
Last month, Maryna and other Station participants travelled to the Open Junior Championship of Ukraine in aviation modelling. For three days, the sky over the Chernivtsi region was filled with model aircraft as 12 teams from across the country competed for top honours.
Maryna won first place in her category (based on age and aircraft type).
Last month, Maryna and other Station participants travelled to the Open Junior Championship of Ukraine in aviation modelling. For three days, the sky over the Chernivtsi region was filled with model aircraft as 12 teams from across the country competed for top honours.
Maryna won first place in her category (based on age and aircraft type).
I might have become the overall champion... But I made one mistake,
Now, Maryna has a new goal—to take part in the world aviation modeling championship. That will require lots of practice—but Maryna has no shortage of drive and determination.
My dream has wings!
The team at our Kryvyi Rih Center is especially proud. They’ve been supporting Maryna since her father left to defend Ukraine.
Bohdan Prepares to Enter His Dream College
14-year-old Bohdan is from the town of Balakliia. His father was killed in March 2022 while defending their home region of Kharkiv. The loss hit the boy hard—so hard that during the funeral, he suffered a panic attack and couldn’t breathe. His mother, Iryna, is still grateful to the priest who performed the ceremony. He embraced Bohdan, whispered something softly to him, and helped him calm down.
At the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Bohdan and his mother fled the Kharkiv region and evacuated to a safer area. But after Ukraine liberated Balakliia in September of that year, they returned home. Fortunately, their apartment was still intact.
At the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Bohdan and his mother fled the Kharkiv region and evacuated to a safer area. But after Ukraine liberated Balakliia in September of that year, they returned home. Fortunately, their apartment was still intact.
School is now fully online, so Bohdan spends much time on his laptop. He studies hard—but also draws frequently. One of his artworks even made its way to Latvia and now hangs in the newsroom of a publication that interviewed him. Bohdan also loves cooking. He dreams of becoming a professional chef and opening his own café. After finishing 9th grade (the final year of lower secondary school in Ukraine), he’s now preparing to apply to the Kharkiv Vocational College of Food Industry. He’s already enrolled in online prep courses.
It’s not easy—the Kharkiv region has been under heavy shelling in recent weeks, and like many others, Bohdan often lies awake at night. Getting up in time for class is a challenge. But he has a dream and a goal.
The team at our Kharkiv Center—where his mother, Iryna, recently came for humanitarian aid—believes in him. They believe that not even the shelling will stand in Bohdan’s way.
It’s not easy—the Kharkiv region has been under heavy shelling in recent weeks, and like many others, Bohdan often lies awake at night. Getting up in time for class is a challenge. But he has a dream and a goal.
The team at our Kharkiv Center—where his mother, Iryna, recently came for humanitarian aid—believes in him. They believe that not even the shelling will stand in Bohdan’s way.
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