Katya Gudzeeva 14, female from Kharkiv

Hello!

My name is Katya, and I’m 14 years old. I love to draw, read books, watch films, work on myself, and spend time outdoors. These things inspire me and keep me going, even when life around me gets difficult.

Drawing is my way of expressing thoughts and emotions—it feels magical. Especially now, with the war leaving its mark on all of us, I often pour my feelings onto paper. Books help me escape to other worlds, letting me forget the disturbing news for a while. I love films too—comedies make me laugh, and dramas pull me into the characters’ stories. But sometimes, even the screen can’t distract me from reality.

I try to grow and improve by learning new things and challenging myself, because I believe that even in hard times, we have to keep moving forward. Walks in the fresh air help me clear my mind, though they are often interrupted by sirens or an underlying tension that has become part of everyday life.

The war has changed all of us. It taught me to value every quiet day and every moment with loved ones. Sometimes it feels like my childhood ended too soon, but I still try to hold on to my dreams. I live in a very difficult time for my country. Sadly, the war has taken away people’s lives and children’s childhoods. Yet I’m still just a regular girl who dreams of a peaceful life.

One of my biggest dreams is to live like an American schoolgirl—somewhere calm, safe, and full of opportunity. I want to experience peace again. I enjoy setting goals and working toward them step by step. One day, I hope to travel the world, meet new people, and discover places where war doesn’t exist.

It was so nice to meet you!