“Invaluable Help for Children Affected by the War”: Wounded 15-Year-Old Sofia From Mariupol Underwent a Rehabilitation Course From the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation

Sofia and her family met the full-scale war in their hometown, Mariupol. At the beginning of April 2022, she and her mother drove across the city to get some humanitarian aid, because there was no more food left. Russian soldiers opened fire on their car: the girl was wounded in her shoulder blade and had an open fracture. Later, due to the wound, she developed a curvature of the spine. Recently, 15-year-old Sofia underwent a rehabilitation course at a sanatorium in Zakarpattia, which was organized by the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation.

The girl’s mother, Nadiya, remembers well that the Foundation supported Mariupol on a large scale even before the big war. She admits that people from Mariupol still feel its help all the time.

“There is a lot of humanitarian aid in Ukraine, and very often it comes from Rinat Akhmetov. In a significant, tangible, and purposeful manner. And exactly what is needed. I know that the Foundation has provided rehabilitation to many children who suffered like Sofia. For these children, such moments of silence and peace, away from everything, are an invaluable help. Both moral and material... Many thanks. We just bow to the ground,” says the woman.

After the injury, Sofia’s family had to change several cities and hospitals. While they were away from home, their home in Mariupol was ransacked by the Russian military. The family overcame a difficult path, and now they live in Kyiv. The girl’s mother said that her daughter often has panic attacks. While staying in Zakarpattia, Sofia shares her impressions of the rehabilitation course, pointing out the psychologically comfortable atmosphere of the place.

“It is beautiful here. I feel at ease here, although I miss my friends a little. Many thanks to the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation for giving us the opportunity to visit a quiet place, this sanatorium, where we can have some rest,” says the girl.

The participants of the project Rinat Akhmetov for Children. Rehabilitation of Injured Children can be children under the age of 18 who received physical injuries or wounds of any severity level during hostilities in Ukraine in the period from 24 February 2022.

An application can be submitted using the link: http://akhmetovfoundation.org/s/d3a7be

For clarifications, please contact the Foundation’s toll-free hotline: 0 (800) 509 001.