“Giraffes, Safari, and Support from Peers”: Prosthetic-Wearing Gymnast Sasha Paskal Visits Kenya as Part of the Dance of Freedom Tour
Ten-year-old Oleksandra Paskal visited Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, to present her international Dance of Freedom project there. During her stay in Nairobi, Sasha visited a local school, where she spoke with students, learned more about their lives and traditions, and told them about Ukraine.
“The children at the school are so great — they are constantly smiling and hugging each other. They were very happy when we came. I was curious to see the conditions in which they train. They kept asking me about Ukraine and about my tour,” says Sasha.
Oleksandra also visited a gymnastics club in Nairobi. As an athlete, she was particularly interested in seeing how her peers in Africa train, meeting them, and exchanging experiences. There, Sasha performed her “Dance of Freedom” and spoke about herself and the millions of Ukrainian children whose lives have been changed by the full-scale war.
Overall, the visit to Africa has been an incredible experience for the girl. It is her first time on the continent, and she is enjoying discovering its unique culture, nature, and people. One of the most vivid moments of the trip was a real African safari. Sasha was able to see Kenya’s majestic wildlife with her own eyes, observe animals in their natural habitat, and enjoy unforgettable views of the local landscapes.
“It is so exciting. I saw giraffes, elephants, and zebras. Before, I had only read about them in books, and now they are walking right next to me! I enjoyed watching the animals the most — they are so calm and funny,” the girl shares.
Today, Oleksandra represents Ukraine on the international stage and inspires thousands of people by her own example. Her story is one of resilience, perseverance, and belief in oneself. In May 2022, the girl lost her leg as a result of a russian missile strike on the Odesa region. She went through difficult treatment, rehabilitation, and prosthetic fitting, but did not give up on what she loved. Sasha returned to rhythmic gymnastics, demonstrating that strength of spirit can overcome even the most difficult challenges.
As part of her world tour, Sasha has already presented her “Dance of Freedom” in Paris, New York, and Rio de Janeiro. After Nairobi, she has one more special stop ahead — Tokyo. The trip to Japan has long been the athlete’s dream: Sasha has always wanted to see the country and discover its culture. Very soon, this dream will become a reality.
The Dance of Freedom project is implemented by the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation with the support of FC Shakhtar to mark the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's Independence. Its goal is to draw the international community’s attention, through Oleksandra’s story, to Ukrainian children whose lives have been forever changed by the war, and to show their strength, resilience, and determination to live.
