We interviewed three young members of our Youth Council in Ukraine for our Home for the Holidays appeal.
Anichka
Anichka* is a child from an internally displaced family, but despite the ongoing challenges in the region, Anichka shines when she thinks of family during the holidays.
What is your best and warmest memory of the Christmas and New Year holidays from your childhood?
My most vivid memory is when I went caroling with my brother. We collected a small backpack of sweets, and we were also given a hundred hryvnias and a big delicious chocolate bar. For me, it was a wow moment.
Why is it important for children to be with their families during the Christmas and New Year holidays?
Celebrating Christmas with your family strengthens family ties and through this family gathering you can learn certain traditions, strengthen family ties.
What Christmas traditions does your family have?
Christmas tree and kutia [a traditional Christmas wheat berry pudding]. I love kutia very much. I literally look forward to the Christmas holidays because of kutia. It is very sweet and I like it very much. We also put up a Christmas tree and decorate it all together. It's interesting and cool.
What is your most vivid and interesting memory of working with Lumos?
This is a meeting and interview with the UN. I was very nervous that day, but everything went very well. It was a very interesting and cool experience. I especially liked the fact that we were given the opportunity to speak up and be heard.
Maksym
Maksym* comes from a large internally displaced family. He has adapted very well to his new home, where he likes to read and meet with friends.
Why is it important for children to be with their families during the Christmas and New Year holidays?
Because family means happiness and peace. When you have someone to be happy with, someone to laugh with.
What is your best and warmest memory of the Christmas and New Year holidays from your childhood?
I guess it was when my father and I would set the table, then sit down at this table and watch a New Year's movie. And when it was just a little bit before the New Year, we would count down together.
What Christmas traditions does your family have?
Most likely, it's our meals, various gifts, and watching Christmas movies.
What is your most vivid and interesting memory of working with Lumos?
That was probably when I first came here. I was very scared at the time. But when I came, I saw how friendly Lumos was, how many people there were, what kind of people. They are different, but there was absolutely nothing to be afraid of.
Yana
Yana* is currently studying at university and is writing a book about her life experience. She loves walking outside, but due to her disability, it is difficult for her to move around on her own without crutches.
What is your best and warmest memory of the Christmas and New Year holidays from your childhood?
When the Christmas holidays come around, my family and I gather around the table and recall some of the moments that happened
We recall some good moments of life, what was interesting during this time. My mom, grandmother, brother, and father are always there. We celebrate in the family circle.
We usually celebrate in the family circle, because we have a small family, but we are quite close.
Sometimes there were moments when I would go to my childhood friend's house and we would just sit and talk and watch movies. And this is the warmest memory I can remember. Because now it's just a memory, because that friend is gone. But fortunately, I have something to remember.
Why is it important for children to be with their families during the Christmas and New Year holidays?
When children have a family, they feel supported and cozy. When a child does not grow up in a family, but grows up, for example, in an orphanage, it is not the same at all. Every child wants to be close to their family and those who understand them. I believe that this is the most important thing for every child to feel the warmth of family.
What Christmas traditions does your family have?
We gather at the family table, my mom cooks different dishes and we recall interesting moments that happened in our lives.
What is your most vivid and interesting memory of working with Lumos?
You know, my happiest memory of working with Lumos was when we had our very first meeting and I was telling my story and everyone who was there did not hesitate to come up and hug me. And I felt warm and cozy. And I was very pleased that no one was laughing at me, nothing like that, but they just supported me and said that I was doing well and the main thing is not to give up.
With a donation to our Home for the Holidays Appeal today, you can help us support more children during the holidays.
*Name changed.