One young adult was successfully brought back from the temporarily occupied territory

As part of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Bring Kids Back UA initiative, the Helping to Leave team helped Marharyta* leave the temporarily occupied part of the Kherson region and return to Ukrainian-controlled territory.

In the town where Marharyta lived, finding a job was extremely difficult. She spent most of her time at home, trying to find things to do, although she often lacked the emotional energy to do so.

Eventually, Marharyta found the courage to leave and reached out to Helping to Leave for assistance. The team helped coordinate her route and arrange the journey.

Today, Marharyta is back in Ukraine. Now, she wants to gradually return to a life where there is room not only for survival, but also for her own wishes and plans.

“I want to remember what it feels like to live, not just exist,” Marharyta says.

She dreams of finding a job, getting a tattoo, and meeting up with friends.

“Perhaps these are very simple wishes, but they mean a lot to me.”

Returning home is an opportunity to start building one’s life again, to dream, and to make plans for the future at home.

*Name has been changed for security reasons.