“I sew costumes to restore a sense of celebration for children” – Maryna, a participant in the Reboot programme

Maryna Tantsura is originally from Lysychansk. Before the war, her life revolved around creative work: she sewed clothes and curtains, made dolls, and organised children’s events. She even had her own playroom, where a joyful atmosphere was always present. But all her belongings remained in occupied territory, and Maryna found herself in Kyiv without work and without the tools she relied on.

She learnt about the Reboot programme by chance, through an acquaintance.

“I never imagined I would be able to return to the work I love,” says Maryna.

Thanks to a micro-grant, she was able to buy sewing equipment and a sublimation printing kit for fabric. This marked the start of a new chapter: she now has everything she needs to work and create once again.

Today, Maryna makes costumes for animators and children’s events, including snowmen, puppies, dinosaurs, Night Furies, and lions. She has even received some unusual requests, such as a coronavirus-themed costume.

“I’m grateful that programmes like this exist. They are vital for people who, like me, have lost everything and been left without work,” she says.

Maryna dreams of restoring a sense of celebration for children affected by the war, and each costume she makes is a small step towards that goal.

The Reboot programme in Kyiv is implemented by the Ukrainian Red Cross in partnership with the Spanish Red Cross.