A Snail in a Shell of Dreams: How Mykhailyk from Mykolaiv Is Learning to Live Without Fear
Eleven-year-old Mykhailyk’s more immediate dream is not to be afraid of the night. Because it is at night that Russian Shahed drones fly loudest over his hometown of Mykolaiv, and the whistles of Russian missiles can be heard. And that always scares him.
Psychologists from the Voices of Children Foundation are helping Mykhailo Pasiechnyk, affectionately known as Mykhailyk, overcome his fears so he can dream freely.
Every day, Mykhailyk runs a little journey through his hometown. On weekdays, he rides his scooter to school. He knows every inch of the route by now: to the end of his street, through a small park, and past apartment buildings. The whole journey takes exactly 20 minutes. On weekends, there are trips to entertainment centers, trampoline parks, or simply walks around the city. And, of course, visits to the zoo. His mother, Tetiana, laughs that if he could, her son would go there several times a month, because he loves animals so much.
At home, he has three cats, Chupa, Chucha, and Ryzhyi, and a dog named Pulia. He also has fish and a snail in an aquarium. When it’s cloudy outside, Mykhailyk turns his attention to studying his own little underwater world.
At the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the family left Mykolaiv for a year, first moving to Chernivtsi and later to the Lviv region. And although Mykhailyk loves traveling and feels comfortable in new places, more than anything, he wanted to be back home in his beloved Mykolaiv.
Mykhailyk also immerses himself in creative activities during the Voices of Children group sessions. His psychologist recommended that he attend these sessions to overcome his feelings of loneliness. After returning to his hometown, he became more vulnerable and missed spending time with his peers. Online schooling had taken its toll on him.
At first, Mykhailyk felt awkward during the group sessions and found it difficult to connect with children he didn’t know. But his mother noticed that he now comes home happy from the sessions. He enjoys creative activities, such as sculpting and drawing, as they help him relax.
Through individual and group sessions, Mykhailyk has learned to manage his emotions. When there are no air-raid alerts, but he still feels anxious inside, he redirects his attention by watching films or drawing. He loves sunbathing in a hammock, riding his bike, or simply sharing his childhood secrets with his older sister. The two are especially close.
When there is a threat from the sky, he drinks water in small sips and takes care of his animals.
At our regional centers, children can find a community of like-minded peers, receive psychological support, and take part in creative activities and games.
Anyone who needs support can also contact our free psychological support helpline for children and parents at 0 800 210 106.
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