Timofiy is an 11-year-old boy from Sloviansk, a child of war who is learning to be an adult earlier than he should have. There is no hysteria in his words – only quiet concentration and inner strength. He thinks logically, speaks restrainedly, but behind each phrase you can feel a deep loss of home, separation from family and an adult understanding of responsibility. Timofiy does not dream of the fantastic – he dreams of peace, work, home and family. His peace is not the absence of fear, but the ability to live with it. This is the voice of a Ukrainian child who has not lost humanity and faith in the future, despite the war.
🎥 Video Story
🟦 1. WHO IS TYMOFII
Tymofii is an 11-year-old boy from Sloviansk.
He is calm, observant, and prefers action over words. His way of understanding the world is through logic, order, and quiet reflection.
His particular strength lies in focus and self-discipline — qualities that help him adapt to change and manage fear with calm reasoning.
💬 “I see myself in Ukraine. When victory comes — I’ll go home and fix things up.” — Tymofii
🟩 2. BEFORE THE WAR
Before 2022, Tymofii lived in Sloviansk with his parents, grandmother, and grandfather.
He loved origami, spending time outdoors, and helping his father with small repairs around the house.
💬 “We used to walk by the river and go fishing. It was peaceful.”
He went to a small local school where everyone knew each other. The lockdown years were his first experience with online learning — something that would later help him adapt quickly after evacuation.
🟥 3. THE START OF THE WAR
💬 “I remember hiding in the cellar during the first sirens. It was scary.”
For the first weeks, the family stayed home, hoping the fighting would pass. But when it became too dangerous, his mother decided they had to leave — they packed in just one day.
💬 “I took my toys, tablet, and books. I thought we’d be gone for a year — maybe more.”
🟧 4. THE ROAD TO SAFETY
Their journey: Sloviansk → Uzhhorod → Vinnytsia.
💬 “At first we stayed in Uzhhorod, then moved to Vinnytsia.
My grandparents stayed behind — they said they had to look after the garden, even with the war going on.”
Leaving family behind was painful, but safety came first.
🟦 5. LIFE IN VINNYTSIA
At first, Tymofii and his mother lived in a dormitory for displaced families.
💬 “There were lots of kids. My friend Mysha was there — we still talk.”
Later, they rented a small apartment.
💬 “Mom made it feel like home. She’s my hero.”
🟪 6. SCHOOL AND FRIENDS
Tymofii started sixth grade as soon as they arrived.
💬 “My classmates were kind. We got along quickly.”
One of his closest friends is Yura — they often walk home together after class.
💬 “Sometimes I walk him all the way to his house. We talk a lot.”
🟨 7. LEARNING AND INTERESTS
His favorite subjects are natural science and physical education.
💬 “P.E. is fun — we run and play. Nature is easy; I just know it.”
He takes school seriously but without stress.
💬 “I do my homework because the teacher asks — it’s the right thing to do.”
He admits he enjoys online lessons:
💬 “At home, you can eat, wear comfy clothes, and still learn. It’s nice.”
🟦 8. SPORT AND HEALTH
Back in Sloviansk, Tymofii practiced origami and light exercise. Now he trains on his own, focusing on strength and posture.
💬 “I go to the gym. I do squats, back exercises, weights.”
He has some back problems, so he trains carefully.
💬 “If it hurts, I take a break — then start again.”
🟪 9. FAMILY AND SUPPORT
His father, grandmother, and grandfather stayed in Sloviansk. They speak often by phone.
💬 “Grandma didn’t want to leave. She says she needs to take care of the garden — it’s important to her.”
His mother is his greatest source of strength and stability.
💬 “Mom raised me, brought me here, and made sure I had everything. She’s brave.”
🟨 10. DREAMS AND FUTURE
💬 “I might become a massage therapist or an electrician. Both are useful — and they earn well.”
Tymofii is practical and already thinks about the future.
💬 “To be a massage therapist, you need to study medicine.
Being an electrician is riskier, but you can help a lot of people.”
He dreams of a simple, grounded life.
💬 “I want to work, save money, buy an apartment, and live.
Then I’ll get married and be a dad.”
🟦 11. MEMORIES AND LONGING FOR HOME
💬 “I sometimes miss home — the kitchen, the hallway, the old TV. It was small, but it was ours.”
Still, he doesn’t want to return while the war continues.
💬 “Everything’s overgrown. There are mosquitoes and it’s scary now.”
His greatest wish is peace.
💬 “So people could just agree — and Ukraine could decide for itself.”
🕊️ 12. TYMOFII’S MESSAGE TO THE WORLD
💬 “I want people to see Ukraine not just through war,
but through what we build — our schools, our kindness, our strength.”
💬 “When victory comes, we’ll all meet again — and just live.”
🟧 13. PHOTO GALLERY
Step by step, he’s building his future — from scratch, but with confidence.
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.
