Valeria Prach 15, female from Kyiv

Hello, my name is Lera Prach, I’m 15 years old. I’m from Ukraine and I live in Kyiv. I’m in the 9th grade and also go to music school and there I play the piano. In general school I study English and German languages and I get A, B grades. I like to sing, play the piano, draw, cook. And also I like to clean because I really don’t like it when things are scattered in my room. But my favorite activity is taking pictures and making videos. And that’s why I like to walk to see something new and take pictures of new places and nature. My favorite sport is Volleyball. Every summer in my village I play beach Volleyball. Also, I love swimming in the lake or in a sea. And I dream of seeing the ocean at least once.

A little about my family: I’m the youngest daughter in my family. I have two sisters. The first sister’s name is Alisa and she’s 23 and the second sister’s name is Masha and she’s 27 years old. Now I live with my mum, dad, and my grandma. We go to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And all members of my family have been on a mission. My parents served in Russia a long time ago. My older sister served in England and my middle sister in the Baltics. So I also really want to go on a mission too. I really like my life in the church. Especially events, conferences, the temple.

My mum is a psychotherapist and dad is a manager. In the summer my family and I spend a lot of time at the cabin. I really like to be there. My parents grow fruits and vegetables and I help them. And we try to be there more because it is safer there than in Kyiv. In Kyiv almost every night and every day we experience air alerts. We’ve already become accustomed to air alerts and we don’t run to the basement anymore, but it’s still scary when there are explosions nearby.

And this is my room: this is my bed, this is my desktop. My parents are in another room. This is my mum. And our dog named Lori also lives with us. I love her very much she makes our life more fun. And I love my family very much too.

I’m calmer by nature, not as emotional as my mum and my sisters. I’m responsible, friendly, attentive, and diligent. But I don’t only have positive qualities but also shortcomings like everyone else. For example, it’s difficult for me to suddenly change my plans.

I have two close friends. I love them very much. One of them is my classmate who lives nearby. And another friend is my neighbor in the village. We often have fun. And I love to surprise them and give them gifts.

I think that a trip to the USA will be an unforgettable experience. It will be a great opportunity to see another culture, live in a new family and, thanks to this, improve my English, find new friends, and have a little break from the difficulties associated with the war. When I return home, I will be able to share interesting stories and my impressions with my family and friends.