I feel fear and I'm not entirely sure it will work out. But the desire to get back on my feet, the desire to build something of my own, and the feeling that I am ready for change — give me hope.
Her Journey
Kateryna's story
Kateryna fled Kharkiv seven months pregnant, with two small kids and no money for food. Her 13 years of nursing and a driver's license will set a path into a new medical career.
She stood on the platform in Odesa at seven months pregnant, alone, with not even any money for food. She had fled Kharkiv with her children when the full-scale invasion began. Her husband was already gone. She didn't know where to go next and was afraid she'd give birth before she got there.
Volunteers helped her find her footing. Her youngest son was born in Odesa, where she has rebuilt her life in 420 sq feet, on social payments.
Kateryna is a trained nurse with 13 years of experience. She is raising her children alone. Her oldest son has ADHD. Her youngest has been through three surgeries and is frequently ill. For three years, leaving for work wasn't possible with the needs of her children, the constant power outages, and the air raid sirens that make routine impossible.
Now her youngest has started kindergarten and a window opened.
Kateryna is ready to work toward a career that puts her medical background, her people skills, and her growing independence together into something with real income potential.
Hope Bravely is funding her driving school to open up her opportunities. She has short-term plans to start earning while she builds toward it.
More Stories
Meet more of the women Hope Bravely supports.
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Juliia Shevchenko
Juliia is raising six kids and runs private speech therapy sessions out of her home. A master's degree in Rehabilitation Therapy stands between her and the children's rehabilitation center she is determined to build.
Read story → -
Оksana
Before the war, Oksana's handmade toys shipped around the world. The war took her studio but she is creating again. And working toward the day her craft pays for her daughters' futures.
Read story →
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