“The key is not to be afraid to start from scratch and to seize every opportunity” — Liubov, a participant in the “Reboot: Expanding Employment Opportunities” programme

Liubov is a mother of four who lived in Kherson until 2022. She had a quiet life, raising her children and dreaming of creating a space where they could learn, play, and develop alongside their peers. The full-scale war in Ukraine forced her to leave her home and start anew. She and her family moved to Mykolaiv, where Liubov decided to pursue her long-held dream of creating a children’s development centre.

After learning about the Reboot programme, which is implemented by the Ukrainian Red Cross with the support of the Spanish Red Cross and supported in the region by the Danish Red Cross, Liubov applied for a microgrant. She developed a concept for the centre, which includes school readiness classes, English language courses for teenagers, groups for children with disabilities, and a part-time kindergarten.

Having become one of the programme’s winners, Liubov invested the grant in developing the centre. The facility quickly became popular with both internally displaced persons and local residents. Today, Liubov is a successful entrepreneur who has created a safe and welcoming space for children’s development. Her story proves that, even in the most challenging times, new opportunities can be found if you believe in yourself and stay focused on your goal.