Our story began on 24 January [2015]. It is still very difficult to talk about it. Everyone knows about the tragic events in Skhidnyi [district of Mariupol] where we live. After that, we were faced with big problems concerning our child. She was so frightened that we could go to bed and fall asleep only with the lights on, hiding under the bed at every rustle.
I was at work and our daughter was with my husband. Her fright could also develop because all the window glass on our balcony was shattered and blown out. And the balcony is in the child’s room. For a very long time after that, she could not be there.
She could not spend a minute alone. She followed me everywhere. We moved out for two days when there was no electricity. We stayed at our grandmother’s place. Our intention was to leave. But what about the family? How about the near and dear ones? What about the job I like? What about our home comfort that was created over the years?
Before these tragic events, the scariest thing for Arina was the fairy-tale character Baba-Yaga (bogeywoman). Our girl is very sociable, and we never noticed her fearing anything.
I realized that we would continue living in this city and in this district. This is our home city and our district.
Arina (the daughter) shows her drawings:
‘Here is a picture of a bomb shelter to hide from shelling. And I also drew this picture at school. There is a magician here, and he has got a magic wand. He protects all of us.’
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