When Kherson was occupied in the first days of the full-scale invasion, the Zakharevych family – Roman, Oksana and their then 5-year-old son Nikita – had to leave their home.

To the sound of explosions and amid uncertainty, they set off on a difficult journey – first to a safer region of Ukraine, and later abroad. The family found shelter in Europe: Roman and Oksana tried to give their son a sense of stability and safety.

When Kherson was liberated, the family dreamed of returning home. But the reality turned out to be too dangerous – constant shelling, destroyed infrastructure and fear for Nikita’s life.

So the Zakharevyches returned to Ukraine, but not to their native Kherson – to Mykolaiv, a city that has become their new home.

Roman and Oksana found jobs, and Nikita, who is now 8, started at a local school. A new city, new acquaintances, but the same values – love, support and faith in a better future.