The Parylo-Kyshko family is raising six children, and this is a joint drawing by 13-year-old Yelyzaveta, 12-year-old Sashko, 9-year-old Anzhelika, 8-year-old Ania and 6-year-old twins Karolina and Kamila.

The family evacuated to Zaporizhzhia in spring 2022.

“The road to the city was hard and very exhausting. Back then, our youngest – the twins Kamila and Karolina – were just 3 years old. Now our home is in the occupied territory,” says their mother Kateryna.

Everyone was immediately housed in a shelter. They were given 2 rooms.

“We received a lot of help and support. We are grateful to this city, the dormitory administration, the volunteers and everyone who cared about our family,” the woman continues.

Several other families with children were settled next door.

“It made me happy, because I was very worried about our children’s emotional state. When they all played together, I felt a little calmer that my children hadn’t lost the ability to adapt, and they also had something to take their minds off things and have fun,” Kateryna adds.

Little by little, the family settled into the new place. Her husband Oleksandr helps with everything.

“The children have been growing up here for 3 years now, and they like it. They have many friends. We were given children’s bikes and roller skates. It seems to me this place has already become home for them. You know, when you are the parents of six children, the most important thing is that everyone is happy and has everything they need,” the woman continues.

In the joint drawing, each family member depicted their own little dream.

“It is a chance to see the ideal picture of the world through our family’s eyes, where we are all happy. Where our dreams are of peace, calm and well-being,” Kateryna concludes.