Notes on Courage: Yaroslava's Journey of Healing Through Music

One year ago, the war in Ukraine forced Yaroslava and her family to leave their home in Kherson. Today, she learns to play "Shchedryk," a world-famous Ukrainian Christmas song on the piano with her teacher at the integrative music and art therapy studio "Music Works Wonders" in a western suburb of Kyiv. The studio is a safe place to learn music and engage in a range of creative activities such as piano, art and yoga classes.  It provides a sense of community and belonging to participants, many of whom relocated because of the war and are in the process of integrating in their new city.  

In the heart of Kherson, Yaroslava embarked on a journey that would forever change her life. At the age of 18, Yaroslava and her family, like many others in Ukraine, were forced to leave their homes due to the devastating impact of the war. The family struggled to survive -- often without water and heat - and lived under the constant threat of shelling. After enduring these conditions for some time, it became clear that the family's only option was to leave their home.  "We moved about three weeks after the de-occupation of Kherson. We first traveled to a temporary shelter in the Khmelnytskyi region and then a week later to Kyiv. It was challenging for many reasons. We didn’t have enough clothes, as we each took just one pair of pants and a sweater with us. We moved with a minimal set of belongings and had to set ourselves up again in the new place over time," Yaroslava explained.

In this unfamiliar city, Yaroslava and her family found themselves in a dormitory for internally displaced people from Lysychansk, Luhansk region. It was there that a compassionate dormitory coordinator introduced Yaroslava to “Music Works Wonders”. Yaroslava's face lights up as she describes her newfound passion for music. "For the first time in my life, I have had the opportunity to discover the beauty of art and learn how to play the piano. I was always curious about these things at school before but I didn't have the opportunity to participate. I am so happy I have the opportunity now," shares Yaroslava.

Aside from her interest in music, Yaroslava has been passionate about physics and mechanics since the ninth grade. 

Until recently, Yaroslava’s main passion has been science and technology. Yaroslava always perceived music and art as something distant and inaccessible. But now, at the "Music Works Wonders" studio, she has the opportunity to cultivate her new passion for music by learning to play the piano. She has also enjoyed taking contemporary dance classes. These classes have helped Yaroslava find balance and solace in her life during trying times. It provides an escape from the harsh realities of war, and it motivates her to keep pushing forward.  

"Music helps me a lot. The challenge of learning to play new pieces on the piano is a very satisfying and motivating experience," reflects Yaroslava. 

The studio's head instructor, Viktoriia, was also internally displaced from her home in Lysychansk, where she used to manage a music school that was destroyed during the war.  She shares, "It was very painful to leave behind all the musical instruments in Lysychansk. The saddest thing was that right before the new year of 2022, we received two electronic pianos, which also remained there. With IOM’s support we have been able to buy new instruments.  For me, it's a gift from God to be able to teach music again."  

Yaroslava recognizes that her story is one among many. The war in Ukraine has left many people in the country displaced and struggling to provide for themselves and their families. For now, she plans to continue her studies at university, her work with sustainable hydrogeneration technology, and her newfound passion for art and music. "I won't reveal all my secrets and dreams, but in terms of music, I would like to learn to play the piano well so that I can entertain myself and others. To continue dancing and creating art and, of course, to continue enjoying life."

The "Music Works Wonders" studio is one of 12 inclusive creative initiatives that receives IOM support, funded by Yoshiki Foundation America. The aim of the project is to improve the integration and social cohesion of the war-affected populations in Ukraine through music and the arts.

Text written by Yuliia Homonets and Zaak Garret, IOM