Letter 181
Y Yaroslav, 13 y.o.
Hello, my name is Yaroslava. I am 13 years old. I live in Zaporizhzhia and was born in the city of Huliaipole. I love studying, my favorite subject is Ukrainian language, and I would like to have winter clothes.
Letter 188
Albina, 13 y.o.
My name is Albina, I am 13 years ol Now I live in the city of Zaporizhia, but I really want to return home, to my native Mykhailivka, Zaporizhia regio Due to the occupation of my native land, I cannot see my native lands, friends and grandparent. I miss home very much and believe that soon I will return to my native home, go to my native school, breathe in my native air, Santa. I love to draw, and I wanted at least an art set. But my main dream is to win Ukraine and return home.
Letter 190
" Kirill , 14
y.o."
My name is Kiril, I am 15 years old. I am a 9th-grade student. I live in the city of Zaporizhzhia. I used to live in the city of Orikhiv, which has been completely destroyed. Now I study online. In my free time, I play football. Since the end of 2022, the life of every Ukrainian has changed. It feels like a terrible nightmare. Explosions, sirens, death… No person deserves such a fate. People should go to work, children to school and kindergarten. Just live life. Right now my biggest dream is for this cursed war to end. I want everyone in the world to remember that war is the worst thing that can exist. I believe the day of our victory will come soon. I also have a small dream — I would like a new pair of football shoes (size 45).
Letter 191
C Maria, 11 y.o.
Hello dear Santa. My name is Mariia Chervonenko, I am 11 years old. Before the war, my family lived in the town of Yakymivka, Zaporizhzhia region. On the first day of the war, occupiers entered our settlement, and we had to leave for a village because my father, a soldier, went to fight. After three months, we managed to leave the occupation and move to the city of Zaporizhzhia. I already have friends here, but I miss my home and my cat very much. Santa, I dream that the war will end soon and that all children will be able to return home. And most importantly — Ukraine’s victory. If you can, please gift me a wooden guitar. And if not, then a curling iron. I know that a guitar is a big and expensive gift, but only if you can, because I want to learn to play guitar. I go to the music school in our community, but I don’t have my own guitar. Thank you for your kindness and hope. Yours, Mariika.
Letter 192
Liana, 13 y.o.
Hello! My name is Liana, I am 13 years old. I am from the beautiful city of Vasylivka in the Zaporizhzhia region. It is known for the “flying Mariana,” and I am proud to have been born there. I lived in my hometown for 9 years. Every weekend we went to the village to see my grandparents. We went to the river and visited friends. Later, I got a little sister, and life seemed like a fairy tale. That was the bright stripe in our lives. But then came the dark one… On February 24, we woke up in the village, and I was supposed to go to school by bus. But things didn’t turn out that way — the war had started. Everyone believed Arestovych’s words about “2–3 weeks.” We decided it would be safer to stay in the village, so we went to Vasylivka to pick up a few things. The first week was calm, but then the horror began. On March 1, Vasylivka was occupied, and we could no longer leave. After that, the shelling became constant. We had no electricity for 11 days. We had to carry water from the well. All the shops were closed, so chocolate was out of the question. We were just surviving. We spent whole days in the basement. I clearly remember my little sister sleeping on bags of potatoes. Occupiers came to us asking for water, because otherwise they wouldn’t survive — and as much as we didn’t want to, we had to give it. They took my grandfather’s phone. After that, we began hiding all electronics and stopped wearing jewelry, so it wouldn’t be taken by force. Because of the blackout rules, all the windows were covered with blankets. Once, we lifted the blanket for a second and immediately dropped it because we saw a gun pointed at our house… it turned out it was just a parked vehicle. We prayed every day because it was terrifying. Even dogs ran away from the loud noises. Later, the road out opened, and we managed to leave because it was no longer safe to stay. But even after leaving, things were still not easy. We traveled all over Ukraine — first in Zaporizhzhia, then in Chernivtsi region, then Kyiv region, and eventually we returned back to Zaporizhzhia. Now it’s kind of okay, though sometimes still loud. I started dancing and made new friends. I study online, but it’s a little inconvenient at times. The school gave me a Chromebook, but it’s small and can’t handle all the programs I need. That’s why I really dream of getting a new laptop. My own! I need it for my studies. I hope Santa can grant my wish! With respect, Liana.
Letter 194
Varvara , 13 y.o.
Dear Santa!
We are sister and brother, Varya and Andriy, 13 and 8 years old. For the 4th year now, we meet you not at home, because our house is under occupation. All our favorite things, toys, gadgets, and entertainment stayed there — including our laptops, which helped us study, explore the world, and dream about the future.
We are trying very hard to study well, listen to our parents, and help each other. I, Varya, study at a music school with piano as my specialty, I also practice fencing and take part in tournaments all over Ukraine. My brother Andriy attends sports ballroom dancing and also participates in tournaments across Ukraine.
More than anything, we dream of the war ending, of returning home, of peaceful skies over Ukraine, and of a calm childhood. We also dream of having our own laptops, which we need for studying and communicating with friends. This would be a true gift and a great support for us.
We sincerely believe that you will hear us and bring a little miracle this holiday. Thank you for the kindness and joy you give to children.
With gratitude,
Varya and Andriy
Letter 195
Andriy, 8 y.o.
Dear Santa!
We are sister and brother, Varya and Andriy, 13 and 8 years old. For the fourth year now, we are meeting you not at home, because our house is under occupation. All our favorite things, toys, gadgets, and entertainment stayed there — including our laptops, which helped us study, explore the world, and dream about the future.
We do our best to study well, listen to our parents, and help each other. I, Varya, study at a music school with piano as my specialty, I also practice fencing and take part in tournaments all over Ukraine. My brother Andriy attends sports ballroom dancing and also participates in tournaments across Ukraine.
More than anything, we dream about the war ending, about returning home, about peaceful skies over Ukraine, and about having a calm childhood. We also dream of having our own laptops, which we need for studying and for staying in touch with our friends. This would be a true gift and a great support for us.
We sincerely believe that you will hear us and bring a little miracle this holiday. Thank you for the kindness and joy you bring to children.
With gratitude,
Varya and Andriy
Letter 196
Yevhen, 11 y.o.
Hello!
My name is Yevhen, I am 11 years old. I lived in Melitopol when it was occupied. We stayed there for two and a half months. It was very scary… There was constant shooting. I was afraid to go outside. My mom’s hands were trembling.
When we left, I saw the sun shining peacefully again for the first time — without gunfire.
I really love drawing, building with construction sets, and I also dream of studying on a tablet. I really need a tablet — to do my homework, play, and search for interesting things.
I wish that there would never be war again. That children would not have to hide from explosions, but could laugh and play football.
Thank you for reading my letter.
Letter 199
Valeriya , 12 y.o.
Good day! My wish is for the war to end and for all Ukrainian children to be health In general, if I wanted a soft toy, Moschino Toy2 Bubble Gum perfume or Victoria's Secret spray, then something that I would be delighted with
Letter 201
Anastasia , 7 y.o.
Hello!
My name is Nastia. I am very happy to have a chance to write you a letter. I really love rabbits and my dad. I miss him, so I drew a picture of him. I will soon be in the 3rd grade. Please, gift me a tablet so I can call my dad. Thank you, you are the best!
