Starting with what you know: Tetiana Kovalenko’s story of a new beginning after displacement

Due to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Tetiana Kovalenko relocated from Kharkiv to the Valky community. At first, she felt lost — her life had changed drastically, and she needed to find a new sense of stability. Over time, Tetiana realized she should start with what she knows best. She began offering her massage services within the community and gradually built up her first client base.

For now, Tetiana does not plan to return to her hometown, primarily for the safety of her daughter. She opened her own office in Valky and was able to scale her business thanks to her participation in the NIZHNA project (Unbreakable Initiative of Women — Persistent and Active), implemented by the NGO “Light of Hope” funded by The United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) with technical support of UN Women Ukraine. Through the project, Tetiana received essential equipment that allowed her to expand the range of her services and improve the quality of her work.

Learn more about Tetiana’s story and her journey in the video.

This video was produced by the NGO “Light of Hope” with technical support from UN Women Ukraine and funding from the United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), however, the views expressed and content included do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.