How an 18-Year-Old Became the Guardian of Four Children
After witnessing his mother die from a shell explosion, Viacheslav Yalov became the guardian of his younger siblings. He took them out of their village in the Donetsk region and does everything he can to ensure they have a bright future—one without pain, but full of opportunities for growth.
When Viacheslav was walking home, he saw his brother Danylo from afar. Danylo was standing in the garden, waiting for them and their mother. Their native village of Verkhnotoretske in the Donetsk region was ablaze. For eight years, the village had been divided almost in half between Ukraine and the self-proclaimed “DPR.” On March 16, intense fighting took place there.
The older brother went grocery shopping with their mother but returned home alone. Sixteen-year-old Danylo immediately realized what had happened. Viacheslav entered the kitchen. In the room to his left sat 11-year-old Nikol, 10-year-old Tymur, and 8-year-old Olivia.
It was only at home that the young man, who had just turned 18 a few months earlier, realized he was now the guardian of four children. Yet the responsibility did not intimidate him. He sums up his feelings simply: “Nothing is impossible. If I were alone, I wouldn’t even manage myself.”
Viacheslav prefers not to recall his mother’s death—she died right before his eyes when a shell landed nearby. Viacheslav was stunned, and unfortunately, his mother did not survive.
By March 17, he had decided to evacuate the children to the western part of Ukraine.
Viacheslav grew up embracing the role of the oldest brother. He always wanted to be independent, help his family, and not burden his mother. He began working at age 12—painting, sweeping, and assisting with construction.
“Many things can be done; the most important thing is to want it,” he says.
His mother didn’t like that he worked so much, but he wanted to earn his own money and share it with his family.
“I enjoyed it. I could buy something for myself and give something to my mother. It felt good,” Viacheslav smiles.
Later, he worked as an event entertainer, which helped him get to know Ukraine and make friends with people from different regions.
Before Russia’s full-scale invasion, he helped his mother with projects at the youth center she managed.
“I performed a lot,” he recalls.
Viacheslav speaks fondly of his family home with its large garden. His mother worked hard to make it beautiful. In the living room was a tree with leaves and little birds, sculpted from plaster by his mother.
As soon as Viacheslav decided to evacuate, he called a friend: “Tell your people to get us out,” he said briefly. That night, the friend arranged a car and paid the driver. By 7 a.m., they were out of the basement, evacuating under fire.
“We were lucky it all went well,” Viacheslav recalls.
They reached Kostiantynivka and considered their next steps. Going to Russia was not an option.
“How could I live there, knowing they destroy everything? I wouldn’t survive. Plus, you can’t express your opinion freely there, and I can’t do that. I always say what I think,” he shares.
Next, they traveled to Kramatorsk. At the train station, there was only one crowded train; people were standing even in the vestibule. The family had to wait for the next one.
“They told me there was a 70% chance the next train would arrive. I just believed it,” Viacheslav recalls.
Eventually, the train arrived late. So they went from Kramatorsk to Lutsk, stopping briefly, and then decided to settle in Drohobych, where Viacheslav had friends.
“You can’t even imagine how hard it is to live in a dormitory,” he says.
What bothered him most wasn’t the lack of a place to sleep; there was no space for studying.
“Everyone’s learning in one room. Just imagine the noise,” he says.
Viacheslav, as he puts it, started “fighting” for another room and eventually managed to get a whole section. Now he’s putting all his time and resources into making it feel like home, a place where the kids can study comfortably above all. The children have more or less adapted to their new life.
“Although 10-year-old Tymur is taking it hard,” the young man pauses. “But we talk a lot, and I try to pull them out of that sad state, so they don’t dwell on the bad things. Every day, I involve them in different activities.”
Viacheslav also finds time for himself. Despite the sudden changes in his life and the responsibility of caring for younger siblings, he prepares for his university entrance exams every day. Back home, he had already enrolled in a medical college and plans to enter a medical university this year. He believes it’s impossible to build a successful life without education.
He’s already saving money for a new house where the whole family will live together. He plans to make their home as warm and welcoming as their mother once did.
For now, Viacheslav looks only ahead—preparing a future full of opportunities for his brothers and sisters.
“Danylo is certain he’ll be a programmer. Nikol says she wants to be an international lawyer. Tymur will probably go into law enforcement, and Olivia dreams of becoming a judge. That’s the plan for now, but they’ll grow up and find what they truly love. I just try to make them understand how important education is.”
If you’d like to help Viacheslav raise funds for a new home, please contact Voices of Children by email—we’ll guide you on how to do it.