A Writer Bringing Hope to Children: The Story of Tetiana Rumenko

Photo: NGO “Institute for Partnership and Sustainable Development”

The current state of the publishing industry in Ukraine, particularly in the field of children’s literature, is extremely challenging. Many publishing houses have reduced or suspended operations due to Russia’s attacks on printing facilities, a shortage of resources, destroyed infrastructure, loss of distribution markets, and the evacuation of both staff and readers. Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, nearly a thousand libraries holding over 200 million Ukrainian books have been destroyed or damaged.

For vulnerable groups of children — those from internally displaced families, children of military personnel, orphans, and children with disabilities — access to quality children’s literature has become even more limited. In such circumstances, supporting initiatives aimed at preserving and promoting children's reading is critically important.

That’s why, as part of the WOMEN’S POWER project, the initiative “Give Life” was launched, resulting in the distribution of 760 children's books to vulnerable children in the Dnipropetrovsk region.

WOMEN’S POWER is an educational grant programme supporting women-led initiatives. It focuses on strengthening competencies and uniting women leaders across various sectors to address urgent humanitarian challenges in their communities and to increase women’s influence in planning and recovery processes. In 2024, the programme helped coordinate the efforts of 150 women's teams from civil society, local government, and local businesses. Together, they implemented 52 women-led initiatives, meeting critical humanitarian needs of more than 6,828 people across different regions of Ukraine. WOMEN’S POWER 2024–25 is implemented by the NGO Institute for Partnership and Sustainable Development with technical support from UN Women Ukraine and funding from the UN Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF).

One of the programme’s graduates is Tetiana Rumenko—a children’s writer, founder and director of Mushlia Publishing, and a woman who inspires others by example.

“I am the daughter of a superwoman, the mother of two smart kids, and a children's writer,” Tetiana begins her story.

In 2014, she and her husband had to flee their home with their newborn son. With no acquaintances, no support, just a suitcase of baby clothes and a deep belief in a new beginning, the family relocated to the city of Pavlohrad in Dnipropetrovsk region.

In 2020, Tetiana founded Mushlia Publishing, with the mission of raising conscious young Ukrainians through high-quality, values-based literature. In 2021, the publishing team launched the Life series, including the eco-project book In Search of Winter Sleep. This book not only teaches children to love nature but also donates part of the sales proceeds to support brown bears at the “White Rock” animal sanctuary. Another book, Eco Alphabet, helps families foster environmental awareness through simple yet profound images and examples. Today, Eco Alphabet is bringing joy to children in nearly every corner of the world—from Ireland to Japan. In late 2022, Tetiana received awards from Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska, the Ukrainian Book Institute, the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In 2024, Tetiana joined the WOMEN’S POWER educational programme, where she spent the summer gaining new skills and working on her new book How Are You, Dad? I Love You, Mom!. In the fall, she was selected to represent Ukraine at the Frankfurt Book Fair as a publisher.

“I’m happy we chose Pavlohrad—it gave me new meaning, friendships, and inspiration. I’m especially grateful to Olena Kochanova, founder of the NGO Center for Innovative Development ‘Persona’, with whom I partnered through WOMEN’S POWER. Together, we implemented an important initiative for children. I truly believe that synergy changes the world,” says Tetiana.

As part of the WOMEN’S POWER project, the “Give Life” initiative distributed 760 children’s books—Eco Alphabet and In Search of Winter Sleep—to vulnerable children in Dnipropetrovsk region.

“During the implementation of WOMEN’S POWER, we witnessed incredible waves of change that I believe will transform education in Pavlohrad. We recently received a report from one school that used our book, distributed through the programme, as the basis for an integrated learning day. Lessons in environmental studies, math, and Ukrainian language were designed to fully immerse children in the eco-story that is now highly appreciated around the world. It’s a story about love, empathy, tolerance, and environmental consciousness. These values became the foundation of the learning experience—all thanks to the programme.”

Tetiana’s story is one of female strength, resilience, inspiration, and belief in kindness. It is a story of how one book can offer hope—and how one woman can change the world around her.

Launched in 2022, the WOMEN’S POWER programme has united over 220 local women’s organizations, government bodies, and businesses to jointly respond to challenges. It has supported 124 initiatives that have met the critical needs of over 100,000 people across Ukraine. The WOMEN’S POWER network fosters effective cooperation among civil society, government, and business to address humanitarian challenges, build the capacity and cohesion of women leaders and their teams, and strengthen the resilience of civilians.

“Women from communities, government, and business are united in the fight for independence, freedom, truth, and dignity. Ukrainian women are a reliable humanitarian backbone and the foundation of Ukraine’s recovery,” says Daria Mustafina, founder of the programme and Director of the Institute for Partnership and Sustainable Development.

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 do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.