Yulia and her daughter Anna, both originally from Rivne, are part of the group; she married at 18 and traveled over 2,500 kilometers alone with her daughter before settling in Sicily. Anna is not yet attending school. Governments have made significant efforts to ensure children's enrollment in school; however, there are few language teachers available, and municipalities often lack sufficient funds to hire additional educational staff.

Veronika has practiced various styles of dance since she was a child, but since moving to Sicily, she has abandoned this passion due to anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. Her dream is to return to dancing, preferably in her homeland.

Photograph depicting Vitalik's father, one of the few items he brought with him and cherishes as one of the most precious things. It recalls the heartbreaking farewell as a "see you later" with the fear of not seeing him again.

Natalia with her daughter Nastia. She has two children: a twenty-year-old son who wasn't allowed to join her, as is the case for all men, and Nastia. Her husband repairs vehicles and radios for the army and isn't always able to send money to help. Currently, she works as a cleaner at a local hotel but is always looking for other jobs to earn extra money.

Vitalik cheers inside Catania's stadium. Nearly all the boys from the neighborhood support their city's team and are avid fans, attending the stadium every Sunday. Thanks to football, Vitalik has managed to integrate well with the local population.

The mothers travel about every two months, dedicating three days or more to cover over 3,000 km to see their children and husbands again. Often, they bring groceries or medicines to help the family.

Yulia oversees the children in the community. A very common issue for mothers is leaving their children when they find work or need to take care of themselves. Their collaboration is excellent; they manage shifts based on their needs, ensuring constant childcare and support.

Nastia sleeps holding a plush toy given by her father. The war is also having a devastating impact on the mental health and well-being of children. It's estimated that 1.5 million children are at risk of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental health issues, with potential long-term implications and effects.

Irina with her three children in her new home in Acireale Town.

Yulia and Nirupa inside their home. Nirupa is of Russian origin and initially was not well-received by many of them. She is a meditation teacher, and thanks to it, she has found a spiritual connection with the community. She has dedicated years to actively participating in humanitarian projects to help people affected by the war in Kiev. Today, there is a strong friendship between her and Yulia. Nirupa argues that this war is caused solely by Putin and is not desired by the inhabitants, as Ukrainians and Russians have always been united and will continue to be so.

Vitalik and his mother Vitalina with Marina and her daughter Veronika in the sea of Catania. Vitalina and Marina have been friends for more than 20 years and have travelled together for a long time. The sea from their city, Poltava, was more than 1,000 km away and they could hardly ever go there, now it has become their point of reference.

Yulia is carrying out her work in the room. After nearly two years, she's happy to live here and feels much more empowered and liberated, engaging in various activities and creating numerous projects for the future. Even after the war ends, she wants to remain in the city. In Ukraine, she led a monotonous life, spending extended periods at home, and this event has shaped her way of being.

Anna celebrates her 5th birthday within the community. When she arrived, she was 2 and a half years old; today, she is happy to live in Sicily.