Sophia, Grade 10, Kyiv
My name is Sofia and I am a 10th grade student in PSI (Pechersk School International). The school is located in the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv. On February 24, 2022 Russia started a full scale invasion on Ukraine. PSI reopened in August of 2024 after a long period of online learning and displacement for many students and families. The reopening marked a powerful moment of resilience and hope for our school community, even as the effects of the war continued to be felt deeply across the country.
The war has had a huge impact on everyone emotionally. Living in a war zone meant spending many parts of your day in bomb shelters, hearing constant sirens, drones and missiles, and dealing with the stress and uncertainty of whether you and your loved ones would be safe. During this difficult time, the only place I truly felt calm and safe was at the stable with the horses. Being around them gave me peace and helped me manage the emotional pressure that came with living in war conditions.
This personal experience is what inspired my Personal Project. I realized how much horses helped me, and I started thinking about the children in Ukraine who might not have the same support. Many of them have experienced trauma, especially those from occupied territories or living in orphanages. I wanted to give them the chance to feel the calm and safety I felt at the stable. That’s why I decided to focus my project on equine therapy, using activities with horses to support children’s mental and emotional well-being. For my project, I organized an event where children affected by war could spend time with horses in a peaceful, supportive environment. They were able to ride, groom, and interact with the animals under the guidance of experienced instructors. This experience gave them a chance to relax, build trust, and express their emotions in a non-verbal way. Horses are incredibly sensitive to human feelings, and they respond to energy, body language, and emotions. This makes equine therapy especially helpful for children who find it hard to talk about their feelings.
The impact of my project on the local community is meaningful. It provided a safe space for children to heal, even if just for a short time. It also raised awareness about alternative types of therapy that can be used to help those affected by war. The children who attended the event all said they felt an impact and would definitely come again, describing the experience as calming, joyful, and something they would love to repeat. This project was very important to me because it brought together three things that matter deeply in my life: my love for horses, my personal experience of living through war, and my desire to help others, especially children. I believe everyone deserves to feel safe and supported, and I’m proud that my project gave that to even a few children during such a difficult time.
