A resident of the Kherson region, Kateryna Rozhuk became the guardian of her niece after the girl lost her mother. This story is an example of how family support and responsibility can change a child’s life.
Before the full-scale war Kateryna worked at a factory. Today she – a homemaker who raises three children: an adult daughter, a teenage son and the youngest – Anyuta.
Anyuta – the daughter of her brother. Her mother died when the girl was only six months old. The family did not hesitate for long – they decided to help and take the child in. Thus, at the age of one Anyuta ended up in Kateryna’s home. And since then she has not just lived there, but grown up in love and felt a true family warmth.
Over the years something much more than duty has developed between them. Anyuta is now 7 years old, and Kateryna simply cannot imagine her life without her.
“Right away I had the feeling that she was my child. Yes, there were sleepless nights and tiredness after work. But every time I saw how the little one waited for me, her joyful eyes – the fatigue disappeared. Now I see a lot of myself in her, so some misunderstandings only make me smile and that’s it,” Kateryna shares.
As part of the “Hugs 2.0” project, Kateryna also received counseling support from specialists. In particular, they helped her better understand how to interact with a child going through adolescence, how to find common ground with her, and how to teach the child to use pocket money responsibly. According to Kateryna, this knowledge proved very practical for her: it helped avoid conflicts, better understand the child’s needs and build trusting relationships within the family.
This story is about more important things: about the choice to be there when it is most needed, about the power of love and about children who need not a perfect adult, but someone who will always be by their side.
Perhaps Kateryna’s story will inspire someone today to take a step and choose one of the alternative forms of family care. Yes, being a parent is not easy. But the answer to all doubts is in Kateryna’s words: “You just have to be there and always give the child your love”.
The project “Response to the Crisis in Ukraine” is implemented by the charitable organization “Ukrainian Educational Platform” with the support of the International Rescue Committee.