In the words of Kamilla Pivovarenko: “I continue doing things that bring satisfaction to me and joy to those around me”

Kamilla Pivovarenko is a 15-year-old girl from the city of Dnepr, Ukraine who fled the war with her mother and came to the Republic of Moldova. As part of a project through the MilleniuM Training and Development Institute, Pivovarenko performed in the charity show "Stories through Stones," along with other young refugees. Since coming to Moldova, she has continued to be involved in various creative activities that can change the world for the better.

”I came to Moldova with my mother on 11 March. My dad and grandma are still in Ukraine. We are from Dnepr and, to be honest, I really miss my home and family. I am passionate about dancing and when sorrow overwhelms me, I start dancing and everything arround takes on colour again. My life is divided in two: life before the war and the present. They are two different lives, but I have no choice. I have to live, to continue doing things that bring satisfaction to me and joy to those around me.

Less than three months after I came to Chișinău, I performed on the stage of the Luceafărul Theatre with other young people from Ukraine and Moldova. The hall was full. After the show, we hugged and cried out of emotion. It was an amazing experience, and I am very happy to have lived it.

As soon as I came to Moldova, I started looking to get involved in some useful and interesting activities. In Ukraine, I was a two-time champion in cheerleading, and I’ve also done dancing intensely for the past two years. I saw an ad on Facebook saying they were looking for actors to play roles in a charity show for Ukraine. I told myself I have to try, and I got a role. I worked very much and learned a lot from professional actors: how to sit, how to talk, how to work on a real stage.

The lights, the energy, the empathy of the people and the acknowledgement that we are doing something important and useful motivated us to carry on. Now, we are preparing to tour other locations in Moldova with this show. It is a story about teenagers and teenage problems, such as relationships with parents and colleagues. But towards the end of the play it becomes clear that these are not real problems compared with the risk of losing your life. The show is an educational experience and, at the same time, a motivational experience. I am not only referring to personal experiences but mostly to how its message is perceived in the context of the war.

I am 15, and I continue attending my school in Dnepr online. I believe that, regardless of what comes next, school is important. But there are other essential things also that I cannot give up. I made several friendships during a summer camp that I attended with other young people from Ukraine. By the way, I did a lot of training there; we even put on a show. All in all, it was an extremely creative and positive atmosphere. Recently, one of my friends from the summer camp suggested to visit a youth organisation in Moldova. In the next few days, we plan to visit them and see what we can do together. I don't have a plan, but I'm confident that it will be an opportunity to meet new people who are passionate about what they do and that we'll be able to create a beautiful project together.

I believe we must stay devoted to our passions and keep doing beautiful things, even though I have no future plans. In Ukraine, I knew what I wanted to do, and I thought I knew what tomorrow would bring. I like organising all kinds of shows and events, dancing and meeting interesting people. My mother and I are renting an apartment in Moldova, and we are waiting for the day when we’ll be able to return home. Most of all, I want to go home as soon as possible. It is important to me that I continue doing things I am passionate about.”