Oleksandr is 12 years old. The war broke into his childhood in Kharkiv, forcing his family to seek safety first in Yukhymivka and later in Vinnytsia. Despite the loss of a familiar life, fear, and the need to grow up too soon, he has preserved his curiosity about the world, his dream of becoming an IT specialist, and the inner strength to move forward. His story is a testimony to how Ukrainian children experience war beyond their years, yet continue to hold on to hope for the future.
🎥 Video Story
🟦 1. WHO IS OLEKSANDR
Oleksandr is a 12-year-old boy from Kharkiv — calm, thoughtful, and remarkably focused.
He has a natural analytical mind and finds comfort in structure and logic.
Even after experiencing war and displacement, he remains disciplined, curious, and kind.
Since childhood, he’s loved swimming, computers, and learning how things work. His dream is to become an IT specialist and create technologies that help people.
💬 “After swimming, I think better. It helps chase away bad thoughts.” — Oleksandr
🟩 2. BEFORE THE WAR
Before the full-scale invasion, Oleksandr lived in Kharkiv with his family.
He studied at School №16, practiced swimming, and took English lessons.
💬 “I have been swimming since I was three years old. At my first competition I came in eighth — later, second or third in Sumy.”
His family spent weekends together — cooking, going on trips, or walking in the forest.
💬 “We often went around Ukraine or picked mushrooms in the woods. It was peaceful.”
🟥 3. THE DAY EVERYTHING CHANGED
💬 “I remember when my brother said the war had started. I jumped up, scared, and started dressing fast.
We went to the basement. It was terrifying.”
He was nine years old.
The family stayed in Kharkiv for two weeks before deciding to evacuate.
💬 “We packed quickly — everyone took what was most important.”
🟧 4. THE ROAD TO SAFETY
The family’s route was:
Kharkiv → Yukhymivka (Vinnytsia region) → Vinnytsia.
💬 “First, we went to relatives. Then we found a place in the city.
In Yukhymivka I studied online, and later I joined a school in Vinnytsia.”
🟦 5. SCHOOL AND FRIENDS
Oleksandr quickly adapted to his new school.
💬 “Online learning wasn’t hard for me — I understand technology.
But I was happy to return to offline classes because I like talking to people.”
He soon made new friends.
💬 “At first, nobody knew I was from Kharkiv. Then I told them, and everyone was kind.”
🟪 6. SPORT — HIS SOURCE OF STRENGTH
Swimming has been part of Oleksandr’s life since childhood.
He now trains six times a week as part of a sports team.
💬 “I almost have the third adult category in freestyle.
I’m also working on my breaststroke.”
For him, swimming is more than a sport — it’s therapy.
💬 “After swimming, my brain works better. It helps me not think about bad things.”
🟨 7. HIS TRAITS AND INNER STRENGTH
Oleksandr sees the world rationally but feels it deeply.
He remembers moments of panic but has learned how to manage them.
💬 “In the first year after we moved, I had a panic attack.
My friends helped me — it got easier.”
His logical thinking helps him understand emotions and cope with fear through action — studying, training, and helping his family.
💬 “If something doesn’t work out, you just keep going.”
🟦 8. FAMILY AND SUPPORT
Family is Oleksandr’s foundation.
💬 “My parents worry about us more than about themselves. They’re my heroes.”
He helps his parents with his younger brother and sister — takes care of them and helps at home.
💬 “Sometimes I skip training if I need to stay with my sister. That’s important.”
🟪 9. INTEREST IN TECHNOLOGY
Oleksandr dreams of becoming an IT specialist, inspired by a relative who created a school app.
💬 “I use that app and I’m proud of it.
I want to create programs that make people’s lives easier.”
His favorite subjects are math and English, which he considers key to his future.
💬 “To be a programmer, you need English — all the documentation is in it.”
🟨 10. RESPONSIBILITY AND AMBITION
💬 “My goal is to earn my first adult swimming category —
and then build a career in IT.”
He believes discipline and learning will help him achieve both.
💬 “First you have to learn — then everything else will follow.”
🟦 11. MEMORIES AND HOPE
Sometimes he thinks about Kharkiv — the city he still calls home.
💬 “It makes me sad sometimes. But when I swim or study, it goes away.”
His grandmother still lives there, taking care of a child with disabilities.
💬 “We talk often. She doesn’t want to leave — she’s helping someone who needs her.”
🟪 12. OLEKSANDR’S MESSAGE TO THE WORLD
💬 “People think kids get used to war easily — but that’s not true.”
💬 “You have to find something that helps you relax — sport, art, anything. And keep going.”
💬 “When victory comes, everyone will meet in the city square. It’ll be warm and bright.”
🟧 13. PHOTO GALLERY
Oleksandr Today. Calm, focused, and mature beyond his years. He still dreams of creating useful technologies and keeps growing despite the war.
The survey was conducted by the NGO “Network of Civil Society Organizations Supporting Internally Displaced Persons in Ukraine” with the support of the Askold and Dir Foundation, administered by ISAR Ednannia, within the project “Strong Civil Society of Ukraine as a Driver of Reforms and Democracy,” funded by Norway and Sweden. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of the NGO “Network of Civil Society Organizations Supporting Internally Displaced Persons in Ukraine” and does not necessarily reflect the views of the governments of Norway or Sweden, or of ISAR Ednannia.
