The family of Iryna and Serhii Shvora moved from the occupied town of Oleshky in Kherson region at the end of March 2022. The couple care for 8 children.

“We didn’t even have time to gather our documents, we only took a small photo,” Iryna recalls. “It was here that we had it enlarged into a portrait, so that every day we remember how happily and harmoniously our family lived before the full-scale invasion… An hour after we left, the town was occupied…”

With sadness and despair, the family remembers the home they built with their own hands over a lifetime. First it was looted, then destroyed, and later flooded after the Kakhovka dam was blown up.

Despite this, the Shvoras are building their life in Rivne region with incredible determination so that the children feel safe.

“The children enjoy studying at the local school and attend various after-school clubs. Their dad is actively volunteering, supporting Ukrainian soldiers,” Iryna continues.

The family’s drawing was made by the youngest daughter, Mariika.

The girl is also from Kherson region. Her aunt, who was her only relative, died in tragic circumstances. After that, new parents had to be found for Mariika.

Serhii and Iryna’s family gladly opened their arms to one more little heart.

Mariika loves to draw. She remembers that under occupation it was impossible to go to school, so her aunt taught her at home.

“Ukraine is like a big yellow-and-blue heart in the centre of the planet. Around it is part of the globe with colourful continents and blue oceans. Next to the Ukraine-heart are our symbols: a bright sunflower with a brown centre and yellow petals, a red poppy, and golden ears of wheat,” the young artist shares. “There is also a dragon. It guards and protects the Ukraine-heart.”