All gone, all lost
When conflict escalated in Ukraine in early 2022, 35-year-old Ganna Goyko and her young son, Vanya, lost their home. Their village was occupied, and a rocket attack reduced their house to rubble. What remained of their life – family belongings, memories, and treasured heirlooms – was cleared away in the aftermath.
“Everything is gone,” Ganna says, showing a video filmed by a local TV station. “The entire roof burned. Only one room survived. It took five truckloads to clear the debris – our whole life dumped at a landfill.” She pauses the video on a charred sewing machine. “My grandmother’s,” she says. “I wasn’t allowed to touch it when I was a child. And now it’s gone.”
Displaced and uncertain of what lay ahead, the family sought temporary shelter in a friend’s apartment in Chernihiv. Ganna had recently begun a teaching role that allowed her to work from home while caring for Vanya. But soon after their home was destroyed, the school where she worked was also hit. When their region was later liberated, there was nothing to return to.
Setbacks and challenges
In the months that followed, Ganna focused on rebuilding stability for her son. Vanya was enrolled in nursery shortly after turning three. Before the war, he had begun to speak in short sentences. But in this new environment, he stopped speaking altogether. At first, Ganna believed it was the impact of upheaval and trauma. Over time, with professional guidance, it became clear that Vanya needed more specialised support.
By early 2025, the family joined the Family Strengthening Programme run by SOS Children’s Villages Ukraine. What began as short-term support became a vital, longer-term partnership. In May 2025, Vanya was diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum. Around the same time, Ganna’s husband left, and she became Vanya’s sole caregiver.
This period brought profound challenges. Yet, with consistent, child-centred support, both Ganna and Vanya began to find a way forward. Vanya now receives tailored care, including counselling, speech therapy, and support to build his confidence and communication. Ganna also has access to ongoing support, ensuring she is not facing these challenges alone.
Rebuilding stability
Progress has been steady and meaningful. “He used to fear people,” Ganna says. “He wouldn’t look anyone in the eyes. Now he says hello, talks to people.” These moments reflect not only his resilience, but the importance of sustained, specialist support shaped around his needs.
Recognising Ganna’s role at the centre of Vanya’s care, SOS Children’s Villages also supported her to rebuild her own independence. With teaching roles no longer accessible, she retrained in sewing – reviving skills first passed down by her grandmother. Today, she earns an income creating made-to-order clothing and winter hats, with the flexibility to care for her son.
Life in Chernihiv remains unpredictable. Air-raid alerts and power cuts are a constant reality, and winter brings additional hardship. For Vanya, loud noises and disruption can be deeply distressing. During alerts, they shelter together in the safest space they can find, holding on to each other until it passes.
Despite everything, Ganna continues to move forward with strength and determination. Her focus remains clear: ensuring Vanya feels safe, supported, and able to thrive.
How is she now?
“Well,” she says “alive.”
As Vanya continues rolling his toy cars, he looks up once more and says: “You amazing mama.”