Sandra

Sandra is studying Advertising and Graphic Design at a college in Toronto. She dreams of graduating, working as a designer, and one day creating posters for movies and TV series.

The war profoundly changed her life and outlook. Sandra says she has learned to value every moment, especially with her loved ones. She realized that you cannot put things off until later, because sometimes “later” may never come. For her, it became important to forgive, let go of resentment, and share what truly matters with those closest to her.

Sandra lost her father in the war. He was an incredibly important person in her life – an example of what a true man should be: strong in spirit, caring, and kind. She admits that her greatest regret is not telling him all the things she wanted to say. When her father left for the front, she told herself, “I’ll tell him when he comes back.” Sadly, that moment never came. Yet even now, she believes he is still by her side.

Despite the pain of her loss, Sandra continues to move forward. It has been a year since she enrolled in a Canadian university, and she is proud of her progress in English: in just eight months, she advanced from level A1 to B2. Most of her time now goes into studying, building her portfolio, and working.

A turning point in her journey was the support of Children of Heroes. Thanks to the Fund, she was able to attend English courses with a professional teacher and take part in international camps, where she made new friends and practiced her language skills.

Today, Sandra inspires others with her words:
“Don’t block your emotions – cry, grieve. It’s normal and nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone needs their own time to cope with loss. But it’s important to keep living for the sake of those we have lost. Set big goals, even if others say they’re impossible. Our loved ones are always with us. They live on as long as we remember them.”