“I got the chance to grow my business in the field of art” — Tetiana, a participant in the “Reboot: Expanding Employment Opportunities” programme

Before the war, Tetiana and her family crafted wood paintings, orthopaedic rollers, and decorative textiles in Kharkiv. Everything changed with the onset of the full-scale invasion — the family was forced to evacuate to the Cherkasy region, taking with them only the remnants of their equipment and a few finished products.

In the new city, Tetiana refused to give up. She started from scratch, driven by self-belief and a desire to help others. At first, she made orthopaedic rollers free of charge for people who had lost limbs in the war. Their stories became a source of inspiration and strength for her.

A turning point came when she joined the Ukrainian Red Cross’s “Reboot: Expanding Employment Opportunities” programme, supported by the Spanish Red Cross. Through the programme, Tetiana received counselling, psychological support, and a micro-grant — enabling her to purchase an industrial overlock, iron, embroidery machine, and materials, as well as rent a space to restart production.

Today, Tetiana’s handmade items are once again finding buyers, both in Ukraine and abroad. She plans to open a gallery of contemporary Ukrainian art, where each piece will tell its own story of strength, beauty, and recovery.

“I want to pass this business on to my children. Because creativity isn’t just about business — it’s about healing, growth, and faith in the future,” Tetiana shares.