Anastasiia

Anastasiia is from the village of Verkhniokamianske in the Donetsk region. Before the war, her life was filled with warmth and joy – she grew up in a close-knit family, full of dreams and plans for the future. But the war changed everything. Her family was forced to leave their home, and soon after, Anastasiia lost her father. Later, the war wiped away not only their house but everything that was dear and familiar.

Now Anastasiia lives with her mother in Poltava. They hold on to each other and are learning to rebuild their lives from scratch. Despite the pain and loss, she preserves the memory, love, and faith in a peaceful future.

According to Anastasiia, the Children of Heroes Charity Fund became a breath of fresh air to her family during the most difficult times. The Fund provided tremendous support – from food, hygiene products, and material aid (clothing, phones, a laptop, even beds) to psychological assistance. For Anastasiia, the most meaningful support turned out to be free English classes and a trip to Croatia – her first journey abroad, which had long been her dream.

“The war fundamentally changed my life. What once seemed simple and ordinary has now become out of reach. I faced loss and pain at an early age, and it left a deep mark on my soul. At the same time, the war taught me to be stronger, take responsibility, and grow up faster than I wanted to,” says Anastasiia.

She was always very close to her father. For her, he will forever remain an example of strength, love, and support. “He knew how to inspire, instill confidence, and give warmth. Nothing can fill this emptiness, but the memory of him will always live in my heart,” she adds.

Today, Anastasiia is searching for her own path. She successfully graduated from college and earned the highest qualifications as both a waiter and a bartender. Taking a year off to work and gain experience, she is now deciding on her future direction and plans to enroll in a university the following year. Traveling is her dream, and she is determined to do everything possible to make it come true.

The support of the Children of Heroes Charity Fund had been incredibly important for her. It helped her get through challenges more easily and feel that there are people who care and are ready to lend a helping hand. This gave her the strength not to give up and to believe that a brighter future lies ahead.

Anastasiia shares: “The pain of loss never fully disappears, but over time, it turns into a quiet memory and love that always lives in the heart. It is important to allow yourself to feel emotions, not to close yourself off, and to seek support from those around you. I believe that even after the darkest times, a ray of light will always appear. And the memory of those we have lost must be cherished, because they continue to live within us.”