3 Stories from the "Magic Wings" Team

Each of us has our own way of navigating difficult times. Some find strength in family, others in their work, and some simply hug their cat during another air-raid alert. And then there are those who simply wake up in the morning, brew a cup of coffee, and think: "Today, I need to keep living and doing what I can."

We asked our team how they cope and how they would describe their lives in Ukraine right now.

Their answers were vastly different. Yet behind each one lies the very glue that holds us together: loved ones, pets, meaningful work, and a clear understanding of why we do what we do.

Yulia is a project manager and the deputy head of the foundation. Her workdays are almost always packed: projects, team management, meetings, organizational logistics, dozens of messages, and an endless list of tasks to complete.

Yet, there is someone who helps her pause—if only for a few minutes.

That is Milan, her fluffy cat.

She admits that during recent night shellings, her biggest fear has been for him. When loud explosions echo outside, her thoughts instantly turn to Milan: Is he scared? Is he close by? Is he safe?

There is a strange sort of superpower in this.

When you worry not just about yourself, but about a small creature who depends on you completely, it becomes easier to pull yourself together. You get up, check on them, soothe them, and pet them. And in doing so, you find a bit of calm yourself.

Perhaps our resilience is built from these quiet, ordinary moments: a warm cup of tea after a sleepless night, a soothing purr beside you, and the steady thought that tomorrow brings a brand-new day.

For Andriy, the head of the foundation, his family is his primary source of strength.

They serve as a constant reminder that beyond the news cycles, sirens, deadlines, and tough decisions, there is a life worth protecting. There are people who inspire you to stay strong, even when your energy feels completely drained.

And then, there are the children.

The young lives the foundation supports today, and the reason our team wakes up every morning, opens work chats, plans new initiatives, seeks out opportunities, and looks toward the future.

Because providing help is not only about the "here and now."

It is also about the ability to look forward.

To map out new projects. To dream about tomorrow. To plan what we can accomplish in a month, six months, or a year—even when doing so feels exceptionally bold today.

That is why the foundation’s work continues uninterrupted. Every child we help represents a step toward the future we wish to see.

Katya, our event coordinator, relies on a simple framework to navigate Ukrainian reality: the 3:1 rule.

More specifically, three core pillars keep her afloat:

It might not be a strict mathematical formula, but it works.

The cat provides comfort and unconditional affection. Loved ones offer a sense of home and emotional support. Work provides momentum.

A fast-paced schedule leaves little room to dwell on sorrow. When you need to organize events, coordinate partners, double-check details, host gatherings, and solve a dozen issues simultaneously, there is simply no time to get stuck in heavy thoughts.

In its own way, this too is a form of resilience.

You do not always need a massive master plan to keep moving. Sometimes, it is enough to know there are three simple things anchoring you today.

We live in an era where "air-raid alerts," "shellings," and "sleepless nights" have become part of daily life. Yet alongside them remain family, friends, home, pets, work, dreams, and the future.

These are the anchors that propel us forward.

Resilience is not about never feeling afraid or exhausted. It is about finding the strength—despite the fear—to take the next step: to care for a pet, embrace a loved one, enjoy morning coffee, or dive into work.

Our shared story is written through these small daily steps.

These are just a few glimpses into our team. In our next article, we will share more about the people behind "Magic Wings": their dreams, daily habits, small joys, and everything that happens behind the scenes of our day-to-day operations.

Because behind every project and every child we help, there are people making it happen.