The Story of Kateryna from Bakhmut

Kateryna’s family from Bakhmut could hardly believe that a full-scale war would begin. They didn’t leave the city immediately, still holding onto hope that the fighting would end quickly, even as explosions drew closer and closer to their home. When one of the blasts went off very nearby, and Kateryna found a shell fragment in their yard, there was no longer any doubt — they had to evacuate urgently.

A difficult but necessary decision

It was hard to accept this new reality and to believe that all this horror was actually happening. Kateryna’s father assured the family that the war was creeping ever closer: shelling was becoming more frequent, and aircraft were constantly flying overhead, leaving no time for hesitation. Staying in the city had become too dangerous — they had to protect their lives.

The family managed to leave in time, and later their home sustained damage. Kateryna’s grandmother and great-grandmother left later, when the situation had become critical. There was no electricity or water in the city, most shops were closed, and neighbors and residents were dying when they went out for bread. At first, the family arrived in Dnipro to take a short break. Their final destination was Lviv, where they had to start an entirely new life from scratch.

Kateryna and her family tried to frame the move as if it were a vacation, to make the changes easier to bear.

The first period was especially difficult, particularly coming to terms with the fact that life as it had been before was gone. The city was devastated, the school Kateryna had attended was destroyed in an airstrike, and acquaintances and relatives had died. The family mourned their city, their home, and familiar streets, but they still held onto hope that one day they would return.

Changes after the SviTY program

Before the war, Kateryna had been studying English and playing music — she played the flute. When the war began, she stopped going anywhere and barely interacted with her peers. She had experienced severe stress in Bakhmut and was afraid to leave the house, even briefly, to walk the dog.

In February 2023, Kateryna’s mother learned about the SviTY program and enrolled her. During the first weeks, Kateryna was withdrawn and quiet, yet even without words, her deep feelings were visible. She attended sessions almost daily and actively participated in them. Over time, positive changes became evident: Kateryna grew more open and confident, attended activities with enthusiasm, and returned home in a good mood. She is gradually changing: she has made friends, and her smile appears more and more often.