🎥 Video Story
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🟦 1. WHO IS OLESIA
Olesia is a 13-year-old girl from Kharkiv who relocated to Vinnytsia at the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
She is calm, thoughtful, and precise in her words — a deep thinker who prefers to understand before she speaks.
Her particular strength lies in her analytical mindset and her ability to recognize and process fear through reflection and reasoning.
“Peace is when rockets don’t fly and there’s no hatred.” — Olesia
🟩 2. BEFORE THE WAR
Before 2022, Olesia lived in the Novobavarskyi district of Kharkiv.
She attended school, painted, and practiced pole dance — a mix of athleticism, flexibility, and focus.
“I loved drawing. And I really liked pole dance — you have to concentrate and think about each move. It helps you calm down.”
Her family often spent weekends in the Borg-Hryhorivsky forest, a place that still symbolizes peace and childhood for her.
🟥 3. THE FIRST DAYS OF WAR
“We woke up because our neighbor was knocking — she needed the key to the basement.
It was terrifying. They said the war had started. Planes were flying over the house.”
The first weeks were spent hiding in the basement. Later, the family decided to evacuate.
Olesia took her most important things — her two cats and gluten-free food she needs for her diet.
“We left almost with nothing. But we were alive — that’s what mattered.”
🟧 4. THE ROAD TO SAFETY
Family route: Kharkiv → Poltava → Vinnytsia
“A neighbor drove us to Poltava. Then Dad met us there — he had managed to escape the shelling near Chuhuiv.
After a week, we traveled to Vinnytsia. We left at 5 a.m. and arrived around 10 p.m.”
The road was long and exhausting, but it marked the beginning of a new life.
🟦 5. NEW LIFE IN VINNYTSIA
Upon arrival, volunteers helped the family find shelter.
“A woman volunteer let us stay overnight. Later, through friends, we found a small house to rent for a symbolic price. People were kind.”
Now Olesia lives with her parents and grandfather in Zarvantsi, a quiet village near Vinnytsia.
🟪 6. SCHOOL AND ADAPTATION
“In Kharkiv, I finished third grade. In Vinnytsia, I completed fourth.
At first, it was scary — I preferred online lessons. It’s easier when no one stares at you.”
Early on, school was challenging due to bullying and adaptation stress.
“Some said I was ‘different’ because I couldn’t speak perfect Ukrainian.
One teacher even said the war was because of people like me.”
Today, Olesia studies in the 8th grade in a new, supportive school environment.
“Now I have a good class. My teacher is kind. I go to school calmly.”
🟨 7. INNER STRENGTH AND SELF-DISCIPLINE
Despite moments of fear, Olesia knows how to act rationally in stressful situations.
“When I heard bombings, I would assess if it was close. If it was, I’d lie down and cover my ears. It became automatic.”
Her ability to analyze situations helps her cope with anxiety and stay grounded.
“Hard things are steps toward the future. Everything will be okay.”
🟦 8. HOBBIES AND CULTURE
Olesia still loves art and Ukrainian music, though she admits she sometimes lacks inspiration.
She enjoys concerts and theater — especially local productions.
“I really liked the play ‘Rebellion.’ I even kept the program on my wall.”
Her family consciously switched to Ukrainian language and culture after moving.
“We stopped watching Russian content completely.
We want to support our own culture.” — mother
🟪 9. HEALTH AND PERSONAL GROWTH
Olesia lives with a chronic health condition, which requires special care, but it never stops her from learning or pursuing her interests.
She studies independently, takes extra classes in algebra, chemistry, and English.
“My favorite subject is English. I’m at level B1 now — I can speak quite freely.”
She also runs a small private media account where she shares thoughts about books, art, and daily life.
🟨 10. FAMILY AND SUPPORT
Olesia’s family is close-knit and supportive.
Her mother takes care of the household, her grandfather is ill, and her brother — who once suffered an injury — now works in IT.
“My brother is my closest person. We’ve always supported each other.”
The family chose to stay in Ukraine consciously:
“We thought about leaving but decided to stay — to help rebuild the country.”
🟦 11. SELF-EXPRESSION AND DREAMS
“I want to become a programmer — like my brother and dad.
And to have a family, kids, pets…
Just a normal life. In Ukraine.”
Her dreams are modest but full of meaning — peace, stability, and belonging.
“Peace is when rockets don’t fly and people aren’t afraid.”
🕊️ 12. OLESIA’S MESSAGE TO THE WORLD
“I want the world to understand that Ukraine is not a third-world country.
We are modern, educated, and strong.
Give Ukraine protection — so our children don’t have to live in fear anymore.”
