This week signals the commencement of the school year in Ukraine. For Ukrainian teenagers, particularly those in their final year of high school, the return to education is laden with more than just academic concerns. Amid choosing universities and grappling with grades, these teens are also contending with the stark realities of war.
One student, haunted by memories of his hometown in the Luhansk region now largely under Russian control, finds it challenging to acclimate to life in Kyiv following the Russian occupation. Surrounded by constant reminders of his past, he wrestles with homesickness. In the face of daily threats from Russian-guided bombs and missiles in their front-line cities, two other teens ponder over their future professions while navigating the volatile landscape shaped by war.
Prior to the start of the school year, these three teenagers discovered a moment of tranquility and healing at a summer camp in Uzhhorod, established by the Voices of Children charity foundation and sponsored by the Olena Zelenska Foundation. The camp served as a safe space for children impacted by war to connect with peers who shared similar traumatic experiences and offered a much-needed respite to gather strength.
At the summer camp, sixteen-year-old Oleksandr Hryshchenko found solace in the absence of war-related discussions. Relieved to escape the relentless danger and explosions in his village near the Russian border, the camp provided a rare reprieve. Despite ongoing concerns about the intensity of shelling in his hometown, Oleksandr remains focused on his education, filled with hope for a brighter future amid the chaos of war.
Similarly, sixteen-year-old Valerii Soldatenko, haunted by memories of his hometown in the Luhansk region, seeks solace and connection with fellow “witnesses of war.” Forced to flee his village due to the imposition of the Russian curriculum, Valerii grapples with the loss of his childhood and anxiously navigates his uncertain future while preparing for university.
Dreaming of her graduation day amidst the challenging backdrop of war, sixteen-year-old Kseniia Kucher longs for moments of normalcy and stability. Facing the disruption of routine Russian strikes in her city, Kseniia finds respite at the summer camp, where she can unwind and connect with peers who understand the unique challenges of being a teenager in wartime. Despite the uncertainties of the future, Kseniia remains resilient and focuses on living in the present amidst the tumult of war.
