Creativity saves: Daria meets her mentor
Ten-year-old Daria from Kharkiv Oblast adores drawing. For her, art is a way to express feelings and find balance. In one of our video, she shared her biggest dream—to meet her mentor, the artist Lana Ra.
And that dream came true.
Daria and her mother receive support from the mobile brigade of the NGO “Responsible Citizens,” operating in the Barvinkivska community with UNICEF’s support. A psychologist, social worker, and art therapist help children who have experienced stress discover new development opportunities and realize their talents.
“We met Lana Ra last year when organizing online classes for children in communities without access to creative clubs. She immediately responded and started offering free lessons. That’s when we saw Daria’s drawings—they were extraordinary. Lana Ra wanted to support the girl, giving her books and paints, and later inviting her to her workshops,” says social worker Marina Shiyka.
Psychologist Alina Chaychenko adds:
“Creativity is a powerful resource for recovery. Daria is a vivid example of how art can provide strength and motivation. We’re thrilled we could help her find a mentor and fulfill her dream. Daria was eagerly awaiting this meeting. She prepared, drawing a portrait of her mentor. When they finally met, it was a moment of pure joy. It’s crucial for a child not only to have a dream but also to receive support on the path to realizing it.”
The meeting took place at Havrylivskyi Lyceum. Lana Ra spoke with the students, conducted a creative workshop, and gave gifts. “I see how children change when you give them faith in their abilities. Daria is incredibly talented, and I’m happy to be by her side on her creative journey,” the artist says.
This story also marked the beginning of a larger initiative. Together with Lana Ra, the mobile brigade organized a series of meetings for children, helping each one discover the world of art, find inspiration, and receive support.
Dreams should come true. And we help make that happen.



Більше новин
-
On Youth Day, “Responsible Citizens” participated in the All-Ukrainian Youth Forum
Youth leaders and activists from civil society organizations across Ukraine gathered in Kyiv for three days to unite their efforts and articulate their vision for t...
-
Join our training: addressing individual needs and conflict prevention
The NGO “Responsible Citizens” invites you to participate in an in-person training: “Meeting Individual Needs – From a Sense of Security to Confli...
-
About evacuation from frontline territories: live stream
The Head of the Board of the NGO “Responsible Citizens,” Olga Kosse, spoke on the air of the Suspilne Uzhhorod channel about the current issues of evacu...
-
‘Responsible Citizens’ Board Head joins mental health events led by Olena Zelenska
Olga Kosse participated in events dedicated to World Mental Health Day in Kyiv.
-
Over 2,500 families with children in Zaporizhzhia have already received assistance through Child-Friendly Spaces during the first half of 2025
This project is implemented by the NGO “Responsible Citizens” with the support of the UNICEF Country Office and in cooperation with the Zaporizhzhia City Center for Social Services.
-
Alla Maslakhova, Project Coordinator of NGO “Responsible Citizens,” in a Special Edition of the “SPIU Podcast
What does responsibility look like in practice? What are the current trends in the civic sector? How do we provide support in frontline areas, what lessons have we ...
-
We are conducting innovative classes to help children with special educational needs catch up with the school curriculum
Since the beginning of September, the NGO “Responsible Citizens” has been implementing a project in the communities of the Dnipropetrovsk region aimed a...
-
Responsible Citizens became partners in the charity fair “On the Road of Childhood” in Zaporizhzhia
This event is a series of celebrations for children from occupied and frontline territories who live in the Zaporizhzhia region.