Anastasia Dziuba 16, female from Kharkiv

Hi, I’m Anastasiia. I’m 16 and from Kharkiv — a city that’s bombed almost every day, but still stands strong. Before the war, Kharkiv was a vibrant place full of students from all over the world. Now, life has changed. I attend school online because of the danger, studying Korean and English. I love languages, and I’m always eager to learn more.

Life is not easy here. I miss spending time with friends and going to school in person. I often ask myself if I’ll ever get to live a normal teenage life. But I’ve found ways to cope — I love roller skating. It gives me a feeling of freedom and helps me forget about the war, even for a little while.

Volunteering has also become a big part of my life. I help care for animals and people in need. Every Sunday, my family and I visit an animal shelter. We walk dogs, help the staff, and spend time together. Helping others makes me feel hopeful.

I live with my parents and younger brother. We used to love exploring the forest together with a metal detector. Now, our adventures look different, but we still make time to laugh, watch movies, and stay close.

One of the hardest things was losing my dog Elina to a missile strike. She was more than a pet — she was family. After that, I adopted two pet rats, Emmy and Tamara, and I still have my rabbit Alisa, who’s been with me since I was 10. They bring me comfort.

Despite everything, I stay curious and motivated. I love learning about other cultures and traditions — it helps me feel connected to the world. I enjoy deep conversations, watching movies (especially thrillers and disaster films!), and spending time with people who care.

My biggest dream is simple: to feel safe, to live a full life, and to be a teenager again — without fear. I’d love the chance to be part of a peaceful environment, to grow, and to share who I really am with others.