Viktoria can't wait to move home

For the past year, 14-year-old Viktoria has been living with her mother, father and older sister in a one-room modular house in the Ukrainian city of Irpin. Before the war, the family lived in an apartment in Irpin, but everything changed one morning at the end of February 2022 when the family was woken up by loud explosions after Russia started its war against Ukraine and fierce fighting broke out in Irpin.

- It was very scary. We rushed to a shelter where we spent a day and a night," says Viktoria.

The next day, the family was evacuated from the city. All but the father then made their way to Poland.

- My father couldn't come with me. "All men under the age of 60 must stay in Ukraine to defend the country," explains Viktoria.

In early April, the Russian army withdrew from Irpin and Viktoria's family decided to return. They didn't want to stay in Poland because Ukraine is their homeland where they want to live. Before they returned, Viktoria knew that her family's house had been destroyed in a Russian attack.

- But when I returned here and saw it with my own eyes, I felt terrible. It was destroyed and black with soot. I was very sad," says Viktoria.

Support from Erikshjälp's partner organization

Initially, the family stayed with relatives in Irpin, but in the fall of 2022 they moved into the room in the modular house that is now their home. The room is 13 square meters and the family shares a bathroom, toilet and kitchen with other IDPs.

- Our living conditions are completely different from how we lived before, but I've gotten used to it. Now it feels okay," says Viktoria.

She goes to school in Irpin and in her spare time she mostly hangs out with friends. Sometimes life gets boring, but on this day Erikshjälpen's Ukrainian partner organization WCU has been visiting and had social activities. Viktoria has participated in them with some other children and young people. During the activities, the children get the opportunity to process traumatic experiences while having a fun time.

- I love it when volunteer organizations come here and do activities with us or give us presents. For Christmas and New Year last year, we had to write Christmas wish lists. I wished for, and received, a power bank that I often use here," says Viktoria.

Dreaming of lasting peace

Electricity is often lost in the 'modular city' because many power plants have been destroyed in bombings. The Russian army often fires missiles at Irpin, but the Ukrainian air force manages to destroy most of them in the air.

- The airplane alarm sounds quite often and then we have to run to the shelter. It's scary, but we've had to get used to it," says Viktoria.

Victoria usually reads or draws when she is scared. As an adult, she wants to be an artist.

- Now my greatest wish is for our house to be renovated so that we can move back home. I don't know when that will happen. It might take five years," she says.

Victoria believes, and hopes, that Ukraine will win the war and that there will be a lasting peace.

- Even though there is still a war going on, I have high hopes for a better future," concludes Viktoria.

Author: Bengt Sigvardsson