Rediscovering herself: Yana’s journey from Nikopol to a new beginning through education
Yana Vodyanchuk is a hairdresser from Nikopol who, like thousands of Ukrainians, lost her livelihood due to the war. After multiple relocations and the loss of her primary income, she found herself in a state of uncertainty. But giving up wasn’t an option. “It was tough, especially after moving. But sitting still and doing nothing isn’t for me,” says Yana.
When she was offered free vocational training in her new community, she saw it as a lifeline. She quickly mastered new haircutting techniques, found inspiration in her instructor, and started to regain confidence. Today, Yana is not just working — she is growing, helping others, and standing firmly on her own two feet.
The educational program that helped Yana was made possible by the NGO Responsible Citizens, which for over a year and a half has been implementing short but practical training courses across communities in Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia regions — giving displaced people a fresh start and a new professional path.
📍 Dnipropetrovsk region, Nikopol
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“In all the years of war, this is the first time I’ve received assistance,” shared 63-year-old Natalia Mykolaivna from Kehychivka in the Kharkiv regionWhen the full-scale invasion began, Natalia and her family made the decision to stay home. Besides the difficulty of leaving their home, where they had lived their ...
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Classes under the TEAM UP Programme Launch in a Child-Friendly Space in Kharkiv RegionIn a Child-Friendly Space in Kharkiv region, sessions under the “TEAM UP” programme are launching. TEAM UP is a body-oriented group psychosocial support programme for children aged 6 to 18. The programme was designed for implementation in wartime and post-conflict settings. It is grounded in practical experience and delivered through movement, play, and interaction.
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We have completed another stage of the project to provide multi-purpose cash assistance to those affected by the warThe NGO "Responsible Citizens," in partnership with Mercy Corps and with funding from the UK government, has successfully completed another stage of the project aimed at supporting people affected by the war.
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Maria’s Story: How the support of a mobile team helped a girl regain confidence and inner balanceThe project “Comprehensive Multi-Sectoral Assistance for Vulnerable Families in Kharkiv Region” is implemented by the NGO Responsible Citizens in partnership with the Charitable Foundation “Unity for the Future” and the Charitable Foundation “Development and Social Justice of Ukraine” with financial support from the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund (UHF).
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Where risks increase — we strengthen our presenceIn eastern Ukraine, especially in frontline areas of Donetsk region, shelling is intensifying and civilian infrastructure is being heavily damaged. Under these conditions, mobile teams from the NGO Responsible Citizens are working directly in affected communities, offering comprehensive support to those who need it most.