What was your life like before...

Before these terrible events began, we lived in the small but incredibly cozy and beautiful town of Beryslav in Kherson region. We had a big, very close and happy family, where everyone was passionate about their work. My mother worked as a crane operator at a factory and loved her job enormously, putting her whole soul into it. My father was also a hardworking man and had a favorite pastime. I worked as a nanny, giving warmth to other people's children. Before the war, our family also shared a great passion — we lovingly grew grapes, and in season we also sold the famous, most delicious Kherson watermelons. Our home was always full of joy. My older daughter Kristina was 10 at the time — she was growing up a very creative girl: she adored drawing, attended various clubs and loved dancing, often performing on stage and at concerts. My younger daughter was only 2 — it was the time of her first words and big discoveries. We were completely happy, hardworking and had lots of plans for the future.

How does this affect your everyday life?

The war completely destroyed the world we knew, and now every day is a hard emotional, physical and psychological struggle. It is incredibly hard for me emotionally; I cry very often, but I have to hide my tears from my daughters and family so that I can stay their support. My mother is also taking this disaster very hard — because of constant stress her health has seriously worsened, and she has developed serious problems with her legs. It is incredibly hard for my father too; he has suffered two strokes. Watching my own parents, who used to love their work so much, fade and suffer is an indescribable pain. Despite all this despair and anxiety, my family and I try incredibly hard every day and do everything possible and impossible so that our children are well and feel safe and warm. It hurts so much that they have been deprived of a carefree childhood: Kristina misses her dancing and drawing, and my younger daughter doesn't remember peaceful life at all. But we don't give up, and every day we fight for our parents' health and our children's smiles.

Your strengths and dreams

My main strength is my daughters, my parents and my boundless love for my whole family. We try very hard and give it our all to provide our children with a peaceful life and our parents with proper care, despite all the current difficulties and health problems. It is for them that I find the strength every day to hide my tears and keep going. Besides that, our whole family has never been afraid of any kind of work; we were used to working a lot and honestly back home in Beryslav. For me, work is not only a way to provide for my family but also real medicine for the soul. When I am busy, when my hands and mind are working, it really helps me think less about bad things and take my mind off heavy thoughts. Diligence, endurance, family unity and the iron rule of doing everything for our children's happiness and to save our parents — that is what keeps us afloat.

What exactly will the funds be used for?

We really need money to buy firewood, which is very expensive now. We live in an old house with strong drafts everywhere because of large gaps in the floor and the big old windows. Firewood is very expensive, winter is coming, and we have to keep warm somehow. We also need money for the medicines my parents constantly need so that they feel better. In addition, we have to pay utility bills and buy warm clothes for the children. Everything has become much more expensive, and we simply don't have enough money even for food. We will be very grateful for any help for our family. Take care of yourselves.