Anna, 13 , has a great passion for dance: “I performed in different cities in Ukraine.” She spent the rest of her time going to school, hanging out with friends, and spending time with her family in her city, Kiev. Her life has changed radically since the war broke out.
“All my friends left, headed to different parts of the world. I was forced to go to Poland where I stayed for six months and during the whole summer I didn’t see my father or my mother.” Once upon a time summer was the time for fun: “We traveled, we visited my grandparents, we had picnics in the countryside.” Anna now lives in the Lviv region, in the village of Bryukhovychi, (where there is a center supported by donations collected by the Emergency Committee of the Focolare Movement, the AMU and AFN). Here she has made new friends, who have been important for her in adapting to her new life: “I really like where I am now, but this city will never replace the one I grew up in. But I can’t go back to Kiev yet, it’s too dangerous. At least here I’m more relaxed.” The Christmas holidays and New Year’s Eve remind Anna of happier times: “I remember when we all went to my grandmother’s house on New Year’s Eve. She cooked delicious dishes. We exchanged gifts.” What are Anna’s wishes for 2023? “I have only one wish. I want this terrible war to end as soon as possible and I want to return home with my entire family. Here: I would like us to sit at the same table as before and celebrate our victory.”
