Northwestern for Ukraine and the Buffett Institute for Global Affairs screened a documentary Tuesday evening about five young teenagers navigating the Russia-Ukraine War, while launching community projects to aid their home country.
“WE ARE U” was produced by the savED Foundation, an organization working to restore educational access to war-torn cities in Ukraine.
The documentary featured Medill freshman and current Daily Staffer Mira Trofymchuk, who also introduced the film and held a Q&A session afterward. Around 75 students, parents and local residents attended the screening in Lutkin Hall.
“I knew I had to be a voice for those who couldn’t be heard and represent those who have lost things in this war,” Trofymchuk said. “This movie was a great way to tell those stories.”
The film began by chronicling each student’s experience with the war. Trofymchuk grew up in the Ukrainian city Kakhovka, but her family was forced to flee to Augsburg, Germany, when her hometown was under attack.
The documentary also told the story of several Ukrainian students, including 18-year-old Dasha, whose family attempted to leave Ukraine on the first day of the war, only to have their flight bombed prior to take off. In a later part of the film, 15-year-old Dairy is also shown arranging sleeping bags in a gym for war refugees to sleep in.
Despite these challenges, the featured students shared a commitment to using their knowledge and interests to help their community. Under the guidance of teachers and mentors in Ukraine, the documentary showed each student’s personal project to help Ukranians during the war — including a medical initiatives center, an app to help inform Ukrainians about wartime resources and Trofymchuk’s environmental initiative to help shed light on the ecocide occurring in her country.
“I am constantly blown away by how talented and smart and driven these students are,” Grace Lewis, a program coordinator for strategic initiatives and undergraduate programs at the Buffett Institute said. “Mira (Trofymchuk) is amazing, and I already knew that, but it was really special to see what she does and her background on screen today along with her peers in her home country.”
The screening was attended not just by Northwestern students.
Chicago resident Jan Lorys said he was particularly moved by the teenagers’ continued commitment to their education and schoolwork despite these life-threatening circumstances.
“When they showed students trying to study under these circumstances and then create something, it was very inspirational,” Lorys said.
Medill freshman, Northwestern for Ukraine member and current Daily Staffer Dasha Dubinina also said it’s important to educate people about the war.
She said she specifically wanted to make sure people who aren’t directly affected remain engaged in supporting Ukraine’s defense efforts.
“I would say it’s really important for me to hear that people are still open-minded, people (are) still ready to work, people are still ready to cooperate, and people are still creating some really cool solutions in really hard situations,” Dubinina said.
Trofymchuk also said she has found a home at NU and that being on campus with friends has reminded her of her childhood in Kakhovka.
Despite her concerns about Ukraine and other Ukrainian school children, Trofymchuk said she believes her country’s resilience will shine through for years to come.
“I can see the bright future for Ukraine,” Trofymchuk said. “It may not be seen right now, but it will be seen over the next 10 years.”
Email: saitrivedi2028@u.northwestern.edu
Twitter: @SaiTrivedi12
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