Story #61. The Girl Who Draws For Ukraine

December 10, 2022
The story of 7-year-old Maria Partala from the city of Zhovti Vody, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
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She sells her drawings and donates the proceeds to people affected by the war and to the Ukrainian military. #UkraineWorldTestimony

One morning in February 2022, Maria's mother Katya woke up her daughter with the words: "Masha, don't worry, get dressed, and take your favorite toys. The war has begun".

Maria and her parents, Katya and Artem, had to flee their home because of the war. Now they live in western Ukraine. Her uncle Maxim and her grandparents remain in her hometown of Zhovti Vody. At first, they came with Maria for a few days, but grandparents felt too homesick, and decided to head back. Maria has only seen her uncle for two days since then, and she hasn't seen her friends and grandparents for over 8 months. She misses them all very much.

Far away from her home, school, and friends, Maria draws cute pictures. Her uncle Maxim helps her to sell her drawings on Etsy and manages her Instagram.

Maria's family donates the money she earns to volunteer centers, Ukrainian refugees, and military procurement efforts for uniforms, helmets, gloves, thermal imagers, and more. Some of the money has been used for crucial medicine which is hard to buy in Ukraine at the moment.

Maria's family was able to purchase water heaters, some kitchenware, lots of food, and hygiene supplies for refugees from war-torn regions. Maria and her uncle also helped the local animal shelter in Zhovti Vody with dog and cat food. Part of the proceeds from Maria's sales help her family to rent their apartment in Uzhhorod. Maria doesn't fully realize how much her art shop helps Ukrainians, but she is very happy that so many people like her drawings and that it is benefitting her people. Even before the war, Maria wanted to help people. She has a big heart.

She is also excited to have her own subscribers on Instagram. People all over the world buy Maria's drawings and send their best wishes and concerns about the situation in Ukraine.

"I hope there will be peace and that we can go back soon," Maria says. Despite the fact that she is now safe, enjoys painting, playing the piano, and dancing, Maria still misses her family and friends from her hometown very much. Unfortunately, central Ukrainian cities are still targeted by Russian missile strikes and have problems with electricity and water supplies.


This material was prepared with financial support from the International Renaissance Foundation.