With love for children: the story of Oleksandra from Kherson

Oleksandra, volunteer in a Child-Friendly Space in Ivano-Frankivsk, April 2025. Photo: photographer Oleksandra Siutkina

When Oleksandra thinks back to her life in Kherson, she remembers stability and confidence. She had come a long way in the banking sector, from a modest position as a cashier to becoming the head of a branch. Twelve years of responsible work, hundreds of clients, dozens of colleagues, clear plans for the future. And in 2020, her third child was born, little Katrusia. Oleksandra dreamed of time with her family, of warm mornings with her daughter in her arms and unhurried walks in the park.    

However, the world changed with Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine. The war came to her hometown. Instead of peaceful motherhood, there was fear, occupation and constant anxiety. Yet even in those dark days, Oleksandra and her husband did not allow themselves to break. They did not hide, they helped. They bought medicines for the wounded, distributed bread, grains and flour to people, and collected money to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Their home became a place of mutual support and care in a city that was suffocating under occupation.

New life with three children in Ivano-Frankivsk 

Two months later, taking a great risk, Oleksandra set off with her three children to Ivano-Frankivsk. The new city greeted them with silence and complete uncertainty, no relatives, no friends, not a single familiar face. They had to start everything from scratch. 

Despite exhaustion and the pain of loss, hope was still alive in her heart. She was searching for herself in this new world. Together with other women, she wove "kikimora" camouflage suits for the military, tried herself in volunteering, attended various courses, but for a long time could not find what would truly fill her soul. She was useful,yet still felt like an outsider. 

Conducting an applique workshop for children in the Child-Friedly Space, April 2025. Photo: photographer Oleksandra Siutkina

A Child Friendly Space as a new community 

Everything changed when Oleksandra brought three year old Katrusia to a Child Friendly Space, a warm, cozy place filled with care, respect and support. Here, other mothers and children quickly became friends. They walked together, celebrated together, laughed together, and no longer felt like lonely displaced people, but rather as part of a larger community.  

Oleksandra was deeply impressed by the energy and sincerity of the Space’s team. Their love for children was inspiring, and she wanted to become part of this magical world. She tried to attend every psychosocial support session at the Child Friendly Space. For her, it was much more than just meetings, it was an opportunity to once again feel part of a community of women who, like her, were looking for understanding, strength and meaning. What inspired her most was that she found kindred spirits among the participants. In parallel, she attended individual sessions with a psychologist.

Psychosocial support that changes lives 

After losing hope of returning home to her usual life, relatives and friends, Oleksandra desperately needed to pull herself together and keep living for herself and her children. In this lonely reality, psychosocial support became vital for her, like a breath of fresh air. This experience touched her so deeply that Oleksandra decided to study psychology. She wanted to become someone who could help others, both children and adults who, like her, had suffered from the war in Ukraine.  

Conducting the art workshop for children in the Child-Friedly Space, April 2025. Photo: photographer Oleksandra Siutkina

The decision to become a psychologist

Oleksandra's story is one of despair, support and the rebirth of strength. This is how she discovered her new calling. Oleksandra enrolled at Kherson State University to study Psychology. She paid particular attention to child psychology, because war leaves deep wounds on the youngest, often leaving scars for a lifetime. Oleksandra gained the opportunity to put her knowledge into practice and at the same time offer warmth to those who needed it most.  

From dream to action, learning and volunteering  

She began volunteering at the Child Friendly Space, holding sessions for children who had experienced loss and pain. In this way, her own path to healing became a source of support for others. It became her point of strength.  

Drawings, colors, images and play, all of this helped children express their emotions, soothe their fears and rediscover joy. Children's smiles could be heard during the sessions, and hope began to appear in the eyes of parents. Oleksandra realized that her strength lay in support, in the ability to see pain and gently touch the soul. She is not stopping. She dreams of creating programmes for psychological support for children and helping families who have lost their homes but not their faith. 

Her story is not just a journey from cashier to psychologist.  

It is the path of a woman who, having gone through war, did not lose her ability to love, empathize and give warmth. Because a true calling is to be a light where darkness prevails. 

The story is accompanied by photographs by photo artist Oleksandra Siutkina.  

The project is implemented by the All Ukrainian Child Rights Protection Foundation with the technical support of UN Women Ukraine and funding from the United Nations Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF). The United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) mobilizes critical support for local and grassroots civil society organizations working on women, peace and security and humanitarian action. WPHF is a flexible and rapid financing mechanism supporting quality interventions designed to enhance the capacity of women to prevent conflict, respond to crises and emergencies, and seize key peacebuilding opportunities. 

This publication is produced with funding from the United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), however, the views expressed and content included does not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.