“I will gain experience and open a family-type children’s home. This is my dream,” says Ivan, a social worker from Kryvyi Rih.

Ivan’s story is about how small actions grow into big dreams. As a schoolboy, he helped displaced people from Donetsk and Luhansk regions—collecting sweet gifts for children, writing motivational notes, and joining volunteer initiatives. Back then, he had no idea that this help would be the beginning of a long journey.

This year, Ivan is defending his thesis in social work at Kryvyi Rih Pedagogical University. But he didn’t wait for a diploma to start doing what truly matters. A year and a half ago, he joined the team of the NGO “Responsible Citizens,” working with families and children affected by the war. His job involves individual and group consultations, supporting those who have lost their footing, and being a source of hope for those who have almost lost it.

“I have always wanted to help people. At first, I thought of becoming a doctor, like my mother. But then I realized that there are many ways to help. Social work is about being there when it matters most. It’s about giving support to those who have lost it,” Ivan shares.

Growing up as the only brother in a large family, he understands how important family warmth is. That is why his dream is to create a family-type children’s home—a place where every child can feel like part of something bigger, where they are heard, protected, and loved.

“I’m gaining experience—both professional and personal. Right now, I am in an incredible team that helps me grow. But I have long known that my dream is to create a home for children who need family warmth. Every child should know they are not alone,” says Ivan.

His work is not just about consultations or planning—it’s about changing lives. “It is important for a person to understand who they are and what their place in the world is. Their decisions, opportunities, and future depend on this. And I want to be the one who helps them find it,” he says.

Stories like these prove that the humanitarian field is about choosing to be there for others and believing that even small support can change someone’s life. Ivan’s work in Dnipropetrovsk region is a great example of people for whom helping others is not just an accident but a true calling.