{"id":13244,"date":"2025-08-05T09:36:53","date_gmt":"2025-08-05T09:36:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/afew.org.ua\/?p=13244"},"modified":"2025-08-05T11:30:43","modified_gmt":"2025-08-05T11:30:43","slug":"leons-story","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/afew.org.ua\/en\/leons-story\/","title":{"rendered":"Leon’s Story"},"content":{"rendered":"

Regardless of where they live \u2014 in large cities or small towns \u2014 teenagers facing difficult life circumstances are looking for a space where they can be themselves, ask tough questions, and receive honest answers.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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These are exactly the kinds of spaces created by the AFEW-Ukraine<\/em><\/strong><\/a> team and the \u201cReturn to Life\u201d Charitable Foundation<\/strong><\/a> within the project \u201c<\/em>Emergency support of HIV and SRHR services for adolescents who use drugs in war and post-war times in Ukraine.<\/span>\u201d<\/em><\/a><\/strong> These initiatives not only provide knowledge about health, rights, and safety, but also offer support, friendship, and even help young people find their voice.<\/p>\n

Leon first came to one of these spaces with a friend. It became his first truly safe environment \u2014 a place where he was able to rebuild trust in adults and realize that support is not a myth. He gradually started attending group sessions, learned about the prevention of psychoactive substances (PAS), HIV, STIs, sexual and reproductive health, emotional well-being, and how to recognize and resist stigma.<\/p>\n

Over time, Leon became one of the most active participants. He completed training and joined the mini-project \u201cPeer-to-Peer Support\u201d with the support of the Alliance for Public Health. This initiative was a natural continuation of the \u201cBeyond Trauma\u201d<\/em> project \u2014 engaging teenagers themselves in supporting their peers, expanding the reach of prevention services, and building trust in the community.<\/p>\n

Since March, Leon has been working on outreach routes as the youngest peer consultant. He provides consultations on PAS, SRH, and HIV prevention, talks to teens in schools and on the streets, invites them to events, helps organize activities, and brings others into the project.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s not just spreading knowledge \u2014 he\u2019s building trust. And what\u2019s more \u2014 he truly understands the struggles of those he supports, because he\u2019s been in their shoes.<\/p>\n

Leon is an active participant in city events and helps lead educational sessions in schools and at the center. Starting in September, school officers plan to work with him as a full-fledged consultant \u2014 his knowledge of health issues is impressive even to adults.<\/p>\n

And there’s something else that makes Leon special \u2014 his amazing homemade pastries! His cakes, sweet breads, and Easter loaves have already become a local legend. Everyone looks forward to the days when Leon brings something freshly baked.<\/p>\n

In a conversation, Leon shared how he discovered the center, why he decided to become a leader, and how the experience is changing him.<\/p>\n

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\u2014 What\u2019s your name?<\/strong>
\u2014 Leon.<\/p>\n

\u2014 What do you like to do in your free time?<\/strong>
\u2014 I love cooking \u2014 I do it often.<\/p>\n

\u2014 What do you dream about?<\/strong>
\u2014 I can’t say I have one big dream. I have short-term goals \u2014 what I want in a month, a year, or three. For example, in three years I want to have my own house. And I\u2019d love to study abroad.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Do you already know what you\u2019d like to study?<\/strong>
\u2014 Not yet. I don\u2019t have any clear ideas for now.<\/p>\n

\u2014 How do you understand what it means to be a leader among teens?<\/strong>
\u2014 A leader is someone who can organize a group, guide it, and offer help.<\/p>\n

\u2014 How did you first hear about this space?<\/strong>
\u2014 My friend invited me. She’s sitting over there.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Did you know what you were getting into? Were you scared?<\/strong>
\u2014 I had a rough idea. No, I wasn\u2019t scared \u2014 lots of my friends already went there.<\/p>\n

\u2014 What motivated you to come?<\/strong>
\u2014 I just wanted to be with my friends and take part in group activities. Everyone was going \u2014 so I joined too. I was curious to see what it was like. The atmosphere was friendly, and that really pulled me in. And the certificate*<\/strong> was a nice bonus \u2014 it felt good to know that your involvement mattered and was appreciated.<\/p>\n

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*For completing certain indicators in the mini-project, leaders receive certificates for purchases at the \u201cFaino Market\u201d \u2014 a form of recognition for their time and effort.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u2014 What activities do you enjoy the most?<\/strong>
\u2014 Picnics, art therapy, hikes, games, things like that.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Are there any events you especially look forward to?<\/strong>
\u2014 I\u2019d really like to attend summer camps organized by the center together with other leaders.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Is there something that hasn\u2019t happened in the center yet but you\u2019d like to see?<\/strong>
\u2014 A film club. We\u2019ve tried to set one up a few times, but it didn\u2019t work out \u2014 the sound and visuals weren\u2019t good. Technical issues.<\/p>\n

\u2014 As a leader, how do you interact with teens who have experience with substance use?<\/strong>
\u2014 I do outreach \u2014 talk to teens in the streets, in schools. I explain what the space is and what we do here. I invite them to events. After that, I fill out reports \u2014 how many people I spoke with, what we talked about, what questions came up. Sometimes I help organize activities at the space or help facilitate discussions.<\/p>\n

\u2014 What challenges do you face as a leader?<\/strong>
\u2014 I often have to explain the basics to peers: about consent and respect in relationships, contraception methods, HIV \u2014 how it\u2019s transmitted, how to protect yourself, what myths still exist. Also, how to recognize stigma and learn to resist it while supporting others and yourself. People just don\u2019t know this stuff, because society doesn\u2019t talk about it.<\/p>\n

\u2014 What other topics cause confusion?<\/strong>
\u2014 For example, stigma. At school, people get bullied for their looks or belonging to certain groups. I explain that this is not okay \u2014 everyone deserves equal rights.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Have you personally experienced bullying?<\/strong>
\u2014 Yes. I walk down the street and someone shouts \u201cdyed hair!\u201d But I don\u2019t judge. Everyone has the right to look the way they want. And we don\u2019t always choose how we look.<\/p>\n

\u2014 How do you cope with these situations?<\/strong>
\u2014 I honestly don\u2019t care \u2014 it doesn\u2019t bother me. I\u2019ve gotten used to the fact that people are different \u2014 everyone has their own fears, upbringing, and beliefs. Some just repeat what they\u2019ve heard from others. But that doesn\u2019t mean something\u2019s wrong with us. I know who I am, and I\u2019m not going to change just to please someone else. I believe everyone has the right to be themselves \u2014 and that\u2019s what I try to show others: by example, by conversation, by action.<\/p>\n

\u2014 How comfortable are you in the new space?<\/strong>
\u2014 It\u2019s better than before. It used to be really cramped when lots of people came.<\/p>\n

\u2014 How many people are usually in a group?<\/strong>
\u2014 From 5 to 10, depending on the day.<\/p>\n

\u2014 How often do you visit the space?<\/strong>
\u2014 Twice a week: on Tuesdays and Fridays. Tuesdays are for sessions, Fridays are game days, art therapy, and leader discussions.<\/p>\n

\u2014 What kinds of topics do you discuss with other leaders?<\/strong>
\u2014 For example, how to properly fill out reports after outreach \u2014 we record how many people we talked to, what we discussed, and their reactions. We also talk about the most common questions teens ask when we invite them to events. Then we plan upcoming activities \u2014 who\u2019s doing what, who\u2019s responsible for what. Sometimes we prep for events together: decide on the topic, prepare materials, or plan interactive elements.<\/p>\n

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Leon\u2019s story is a powerful example of how a safe space and support can spark transformation. Today, he is not just a service user, but part of the team. His journey shows how trust, knowledge, and comprehensive support can shape experiences and drive personal growth.<\/p>\n

In the space, teens receive more than emotional support \u2014 they gain access to primary HIV prevention services, testing, humanitarian aid, crisis consultations, group sessions with psychologists, and trainings on consent, rights, health, and self-protection. The Kropyvnytskyi space isn\u2019t just about leisure \u2014 it\u2019s about safety, knowledge, and a community that can change lives.<\/p>\n

Leadership isn\u2019t a status \u2014 it\u2019s a choice to stand beside others. And that\u2019s the choice Leon makes every day in Kropyvnytskyi, showing teens that they are not alone.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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