Daryna Krutenko 15, female from Donetsk

I’m Darina Krutenko. I’m from Avdiivka. I study in the 10th grade. I do well in school.

My family is big: I have a mother, three brothers, a sister, and grandparents. My mother’s name is Olha Korba. She is 40 and an artist. She paints pictures and teaches children to draw. My brothers’ names are Herman, Norman, and Nill. They are 5, 3, and 2 years old. My sister’s name is Evelina. She is 6 years old. My grandparents’ names are Lidya and Alex. They are pensioners.

I love active games, but snowboarding most of all. I enjoy traveling, but sometimes I cannot afford it. I have many hobbies such as rollerblading, reading, playing the piano, singing, and making figures from plasticine. I am friendly and like to meet new people. I like challenges. I really love God, and on Sundays I go to a Protestant church.

My dream is to visit the USA. I want to take a break from the war. I want to study in an American school, learn American culture, and practice my English. My dream is to go to Disneyland.

These days, there is war everywhere in Ukraine. I think that living in constant fear for your life is impossible, but losing the people you care about is even harder. The war destroyed our town and our family. My parents divorced.

Because of the war, my dad has psychological problems. I have not seen my sister for two years because her father took her abroad.

But I thank God that we can still live and that I have my family, who loves me.