Life-Changing Project: How the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation helped 9-year-old Volodymyr hear the rain and find friends

Volodymyr from Kharkiv is now 9 years old. The Foundation met him in 2022: the boy had severe hearing impairment and needed help. The hearing aids received within the framework of the “Rinat Akhmetov — For Children. Now I Can Hear” project have had a dramatic impact on the quality of life of Volodymyr and his mother.

The first sounds that Volodia identified when he first went outside with his hearing aids were the rustling of leaves, the dripping of rain, and the singing of birds. Over time, he fell in love with nature in general.

“It was strange to me. I did not know you could hear it — I thought rain did not make any sound. Nature for me was like a room with a lot of greenery and nothing in it. I really like palaeontology, plants, and the world, I want to study them," Volodymyr shares his observations.

The boy recalls that until he was seven years old, before he received hearing aids, he had difficulty understanding words and constantly asked for everything to be repeated. Often he did not understand the teacher’s questions - he could only tell by their lips that he was being addressed. Now these difficulties are behind.

“Now Volodia keeps up with all the children in the learning process and feels more confident. Now he has many clubs and friends, says Volodymyr’s mother Nataliia.

The changes had a positive impact on her life: looking back, the woman realizes how stressed she was, constantly worrying about her child. Now her son is more independent, and she is much calmer.

“Help received on time is invaluable. Hearing aids have begun a new stage in our lives. I am very grateful to the Foundation that we became part of one of the programs, and I want as many people as possible to know that such a Foundation exists and does many useful things,” emphasizes Nataliia.

Watch the video with Volodymyr’s participation on the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0VDPMy41E8

Assistance with hearing aids as part of the “Rinat Akhmetov to Children. Now I Can Hear” project can be received by children with hearing impairments under the age of 7 who live or have lived in territorial communities in zones of combat, occupation, or encirclement. More than 230 children have already received such assistance from the Foundation.

In addition to the Now I Can Hear project, the Rinat Akhmetov to Children program implements projects that comprehensively support children whose childhood was taken away by Russian aggression.

Owing to the program, young Ukrainians receive treatment, hearing aids, undergo psychological and physical rehabilitation, relax at the Blogger Camp, and can also develop and realize their dreams. During its operation, the Foundation’s assistance has reached more than 5 million children. Rinat Akhmetov to Children. Help that gives tomorrow.