I am Viktoria Shemena, a psychologist, from Ukraine.

I left my homeland behind, I left my colorful summer house, my sons, my
granddaughter, my friends. But I carried with me the knowledge and the
conviction that I could help. I arrived in Sofia in a car driven by volunteers.
I couldn’t understand the language, but I understood the people — through
their eyes, and their kindness. Only 11 days later, I was already learning
how to help my fellow Ukrainians here, people living with trauma, fear, and
pain. I have now journeyed across the Black Sea coast, the mountains, and
the cities, as a psychologist but also as a human being. Through games and
therapy, I have embraced many wounded souls, reminding them that they
are alive.

This place changed me. I found serenity, friends, and new inspirations. I sing
Bulgarian songs, I am learning the proverbs, I can dance the horo. Bulgaria
became my second home — not out of necessity, but because it embraced
me. I began writing fairy tales for children and recently published my first
book, a co-authored work on transformational games.