Some people endure hardships that seem impossible to bear. Even after profound loss, they find the strength to move forward and protect what matters most. This is the story of 20-year-old Diana Poklad.
Diana was born in Bakhmut, where she completed both school and vocational college. Later, she and her parents moved to Chasiv Yar, but the war changed her life forever. During one of the attacks, she lost both her mother and father. Shortly after turning 18, Diana enlisted in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. During her service, she worked as a sniper, a communications specialist, and also helped her fellow service members with documentation. It was there that she met her future husband. When Diana became pregnant, she went on maternity leave. She gave birth to her daughter Adel in Sloviansk, where they remained for some time. However, as the security situation continued to deteriorate, Diana decided to look for a safer place where her child could grow up.
That is how Diana and her baby daughter arrived at the HOPE project center in Zhytomyr region. Here caregivers help her look after six-month-old Adel, while Diana receives psychological support.
Watch Diana's story in our latest video.
HOPE is an important initiative for the most vulnerable people in regions of Ukraine that have suffered the most from the conflict. The project gives evacuated Ukrainians a chance to feel stable again, gather inner strength, and believe that even after a difficult journey, it is possible to start over.
The project is implemented with the support of Caritas Italiana and Caritas-Spes Ukraine, with the assistance of Save Ukraine.
office@caritas-spes.org
0800 300 344 - Hotline
Head office:
Borychiv Tik 22A street, 02000 Kyiv, Ukraine
