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12.02.2025
A Difficult Escape and Fear for Safety: The Story of 12-Year-Old Sofiia from Kharkiv
A stream of cars and hours-long traffic jams stretching for kilometers—the highway in the direction they planned to escape was utterly stuck. No food was left in stores or gas stations, and they barely had time to grab anything to eat. That's how Sofiia remembers leaving her hometown of Kharkiv, where she had lived before Russia's full-scale invasion began.
The war took them by surprise. At first, Sofiia and her mother decided to stay home, but by April 2022, they realized they had to flee—and set out on the road. No one could have imagined their neighborhood becoming a battleground for fierce fighting.
Sofiia, being just 10 years old then, was highly anxious. Her anxiety was fueled by news that Russian forces were shooting at cars carrying people trying to evacuate.
Eventually, the family reached Chernivtsi, where they began to rebuild their lives. That's where we first met Sofiia—she began attending psychological support sessions run by the Foundation.
Sofiia, being just 10 years old then, was highly anxious. Her anxiety was fueled by news that Russian forces were shooting at cars carrying people trying to evacuate.
Eventually, the family reached Chernivtsi, where they began to rebuild their lives. That's where we first met Sofiia—she began attending psychological support sessions run by the Foundation.
Sofiia is passionate about aerial gymnastics and crafting. She's also a huge fan of K-pop bands, and her biggest dream is to go to a BTS concert.
In our centers across Ukraine, children can work through their fears and talk about the things that worry them. You can support our work here.
In our centers across Ukraine, children can work through their fears and talk about the things that worry them. You can support our work here.
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