I'm Natalia. I was born in the Kyiv region, had a happy childhood and a rather interesting life in general. My grandmother survived the Second World War at an already conscious age (she was 14 when hostilities began on the territory of Ukraine). She sometimes shared memories of those times and was afraid all her life that it might happen again.

We looked in amazement at the strategic stock of matches and salt and convinced my grandmother that in the modern civilized world such barbaric events cannot take place. My grandmother was very upset when she found out that my sister had entered a medical university. She said: "Girl, if suddenly there is a war, you will be forced to go there".

The full-scale war radically changed the life of every Ukrainian. Even now, a year later, it is difficult to describe the whole range of emotions...On February 24, 2022, the war in Ukraine has lasted almost 8 years.

Spooky morning of February 24 in Kyiv. I was very scared. My cat was running away and stubbornly did not want to be in the carrier. And we had to go to the suburbs to our friends who sheltered my sister and me. I was not ready for everything that was happening.

We were engaged in the purchase of products . When everything was being unloaded from the car, an enemy helicopters were flying over us. In an hour we saw a lot of them - it was a Russian landing party heading to the airfield in Gostomel.

We spent several nights in the cellar, sometimes hiding there during the day as well. We heard explosions, hailstones flew above us. And I naively believed that in a few days everything would end like a terrible dream.

My parents and relatives found themselves under occupation in the Kyiv region. The enemy was getting closer and closer, fierce battles were taking place in nearby settlements. Then - evacuation, fear, despair and unknown. My mother would occasionally get in touch.

The picturesque nature of Transcarpathia and local support were valuable to us. After 3 weeks, we received good news from home - Kyiv region was liberated. And then shocking facts about the atrocities of the enemy in Buch, Irpen, and Borodyanka began to be revealed. Morally it was difficult. But those who found themselves in the occupation had a thousand times worse.

We returned home at the end of April. It was scary, but we adapted to new realities. Rocket attacks on the entire territory of Ukraine continue to this day, and experts do not rule out the possibility of a second attack from the north.

With the beginning of the summer, I started looking for ways to be useful to the country, apart from donations. I already had volunteer experience - in 2014-2015, together with my friend and sister, I helped friends who went to the Armed Forces and volunteer battalions. But it took a week to start the first money raising.

Our friend's division needed a car to go on missions, transport ammunition, and evacuate the wounded. The boys did not ask for help, but independently searched for the cheapest options in Ukraine.

Enlisting the support of family and friends, my sister and I initiated a money raising for the purchase of a car on social media. The money raising was successful! The enthusiasm and support of colleagues and friends in Ukraine and abroad is amazing. I am glad that I am surrounded by the best people.