Ivan Halin 16, male from Kharkiv

My name is Ivan Khalin. I am 16 years old, and I live in the village of Slatino in the Kharkiv region with my family. Despite all the challenges we’ve faced, I’ve learned how to adapt to any situation and find common ground with people of all ages. These qualities, along with my curiosity and thirst for knowledge, have shaped who I am today.

Since my birth on July 19, 2008, my life has been filled with trials, growth, and discoveries. I’ve always enjoyed figuring out how things work, especially computers and technology. In my free time, I love experimenting with Linux distributions, modifying operating systems, and learning the basics of programming. My favorite school subjects are biology, English, and computer science because they help me better understand the world around me.

As a child, I explored various activities—from karate and kickboxing to football and programming courses. However, I dedicated most of my time to ballroom dancing, which I pursued for about five years. During this period, I won numerous medals, certificates, and awards. Dancing taught me discipline, resilience, and self-confidence.

In 2022, when the full-scale war broke out, our peaceful life was turned upside down. Before the war, we lived in a cozy house that my family had been building for 10 years. We loved our home, with its vineyard, garden, and loyal German Shepherd named Tagir. Every New Year, we hosted relatives, decorated a big Christmas tree, and enjoyed the warmth of our family gatherings. But all of that changed in an instant.

On the morning of February 24, 2022, we were awakened by loud explosions. Our village, located just 15 kilometers from the border, became a war zone. By evening, columns of tanks and military vehicles were moving through our streets. Intense street battles raged for several days. We spent nights lying on the floor, afraid to move or even breathe.

Life quickly turned into a fight for survival. Stores and pharmacies were destroyed in the first days, and shortages of food and medicine began. By early March, electricity, water, and heating were gone. We slept on the cold floor of the hallway in our winter clothes, using candles we learned to make ourselves. During heavy shelling, we would run to the basement and stay there until it was quiet again. Sometimes we went to the basement multiple times a night, enduring the cold and damp conditions. To get water, we risked our lives under constant shelling, melting snow and ice when there was none. For heating, we initially used a gas oven, but when the gas ran out, volunteers provided us with a wood-burning stove. We gathered wood from the streets to keep it going, taking turns watching over the fire during the night. When even the stove wasn’t an option, we cooked food outside on a barbecue grill, struggling to light it in the damp mornings.

There were many abandoned animals that we took care of. They often gathered in packs near our yard. When the streets were empty, my mom and I would walk around feeding them.

Despite everything, my family found the strength to help others. From the first days of the war, we became volunteers. Initially, we supported local residents by distributing food, hot meals, hygiene supplies, medicines, diapers, and other essentials. Using our family car, we delivered humanitarian aid to people living just 5 kilometers from the Russian border. Later, we focused on helping the military—bringing camouflage nets, warm clothing, sleeping essentials like mattresses and pillows, repairing temporary shelters, preparing meals, washing clothes, and providing any support we could.

The war hit our family hard. One of our homes burned to the ground, and another was severely damaged by direct strikes. Our yard was hit by five shells. We lost our vineyard, garden, and our beloved dog, Tagir. Yet, despite all of this, we returned home and began rebuilding what could be saved. My parents taught me that even in the darkest times, hope must never be lost.

These experiences have profoundly shaped me. I’ve learned to face challenges with resilience, adapt quickly, and never lose faith in my dreams. My greatest aspiration is to receive a quality education, master the English language, and visit the United States—a country I’ve always admired for its opportunities and diversity. I hope to gain knowledge and skills that will not only help me achieve my goals but also contribute to rebuilding Ukraine, supporting my family, and serving my country.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. It means the world to me. I hope to one day achieve my dreams and inspire others never to give up on theirs.