Choosing to Stay: Upholding Our Community Through Conflict
although leaving might appear safer, remaining means protecting our community adn preserving the fragments of life untouched by war.
Life on the Edge: The Reality Near Active Combat Zones
Living close to a battlefield demands finding stability in whatever control remains. My hometown in northwest Ukraine now sits just 20 kilometers (approximately 12 miles) from ongoing fighting.
The frontline has gradually advanced over recent months, with new villages falling under occupation every few days, tightening the grip on our region.
Our city center has endured direct strikes from cluster munitions. Air raid sirens wail relentlessly-sometimes for up to two full days. over time, residents have adapted mentally; rather than staying confined in basements for hours on end, people cautiously venture outside, fully aware that each moment could be their last but steadfast to live meaningfully despite constant danger.
The Arduous Decision: To Leave or remain?
The choice between evacuation and staying is heart-wrenching for many families here-including mine. This place holds our roots, memories, and everything we’ve built together over generations. When some relatives decide not to leave while others do,it complicates an already painful dilemma.
My daughter and I have opted to stay; she sleeps in a hallway away from windows as a precautionary measure. With schools closed for summer break, some families temporarily relocate-to relatives’ homes or summer camps-before reassessing their options later. Others have packed up permanently and left behind their entire lives here.
Cultivating Childhood amidst Uncertainty
I witness firsthand how children’s attendance fluctuates during classes I facilitate through a local initiative supported by humanitarian organizations. One day a child eagerly participates; soon after they may disappear without warning due to displacement or safety concerns.
These sessions provide rare moments of joy and normalcy-a brief escape from months or even years of remote learning caused by conflict disruptions-and offer vital opportunities for face-to-face interaction where children support one another while building resilience against trauma.
Nurturing Healing Through Creativity
- Younger kids express themselves through drawing and painting activities that help them communicate feelings difficult to verbalize amid chaos;
- They engage in team sports and practice mindfulness exercises tailored specifically for managing anxiety during emergencies such as air raids or shelling;
- Tweens and teens collaborate on community projects-one girl dreams of launching a photography club while another boy envisions creating an online storytelling platform-learning practical skills like budgeting,proposal writing,and project management under mentorship guidance.
This creative outlet offers young minds essential relief from harsh realities by expanding their imaginations beyond war’s shadow-a critical factor often overlooked when assessing conflict zones’ impact on youth development worldwide today.
the Hidden Scars: How War Steals Childhoods
“I want my mom,” said one boy whose mother serves far away with humanitarian aid-highlighting how separation weighs heavily on these young souls.
A girl who initially struggled socially after prolonged isolation gradually opened up through group activities.
Saying farewell repeatedly becomes routine as friends move elsewhere seeking safety.”
The constant threat disrupts fundamental needs like sleep-which is crucial for healthy growth-turning restful nights into distant memories amid sirens echoing unpredictably throughout neighborhoods at all hours.
A Moment of Light Amid Darkness
During one unforgettable session inside our shelter-turned-classroom,two fifth-graders brought along guitars intending simply “to play.” Encouraged enthusiastically by peers and facilitators alike, they transformed this humble space into an impromptu concert hall lit only by phone flashlights .For several precious minutes amidst bombardment fears, laughter filled the room reminding us why choosing to stay matters so profoundly .
The Power of Staying United: A Shared Duty
This experience strengthens my resolve-and that of others who remain-to protect Sumy’s families despite ongoing threats. Children need hope more than ever; these gatherings embody that hope .
No matter where you flee within Ukraine-from border towns like Sumy itself or major cities-the uncertainty follows as true safety feels elusive-a daily gamble amid shifting battle lines affecting millions nationwide today (over 7 million internally displaced persons reported).
If Everyone Departs… What Will Endure?
- If all residents abandoned Sumy tommorow there would be no community left standing;
- No advocates remaining;
- No defenders preserving culture or providing care;
- no future generations growing up connected here but instead scattered forever due to displacement;
- This collective decision shapes not only survival but identity itself amidst adversity faced across global conflict zones-including Ukraine’s ongoing struggle since 2022 with devastating humanitarian consequences impacting millions daily.*
