When the full-scale war began, Mariia was only six. She clearly remembers that morning – her mother woke her earlier than usual, the family hurried into the car without even having breakfast. Mariia only managed to grab her favorite teddy bear. Nova Kakhovka, where the family lived, was occupied by the russian invaders on the very first day, and they never returned home again.

After three months at her grandmother’s in Italy, they went back to Ukraine – first to Odesa, then to Kyiv. They longed for home more than they feared. In June 2025 Mariia came to school in the Solomianskyi district – and did not recognize the familiar places: streets without windows, devastation after the night attack.

Her dream is simple and immense at the same time – peace, and a home where she can be a child again.