Be Brave Like Ukraine

by Alyona Sherekhora

There’s nothing new about what’s been happening in Ukraine since February 24th, 2022. But our country has continued to suffer from Russia’s aggression since 2014.

It is one thing to read about or watch the news updates about the invasion from afar, and another completely when you are involved in this war routine. Though I live in a region far from military activity, we have sheltered thousands of people who were running from war. We’ve organised shelters and houses for them. 

Photo credit: Green Youth of Ukraine

And do you know what? It’s very difficult to listen to their stories. Can you imagine a woman with 2 children (3 and 10 years old), fleeing with her elderly, ill, mother, who has lost everything? They have no place to return to and no relatives to turn to. We’ve also helped the women who were pregnant and ran from shelling to protect their future children. I’ve seen so many eyes full of tears and desperation. Of course we all here try to help them with housing, clothes, and food. But we can’t replace their homes, we can’t give them back their lives, and no one can tell them when they and their children will no longer fear loud noises or hear constant air raid sirens. 

We all have lost something or someone since 2014, but losses of the last 15 months have been enormous.  Every family has suffered from Russia. We’re all victims, but we believe that soon our great country will win. We all have become stronger. 

Be brave like Ukraine.

Alyona Sherekhora

Deputy Head of the Green Youth of Ukraine on international activities

Korsun-Shevchenkivskyi, Ukraine