This is a story about what it feels like to live with HIV when the biggest challenge of your life is overshadowed by another: war.
It’s the story of Yana, Liza, Yehor, and Mariya and how they faced the outbreak of war, endured its hardships, and what continues to support them.
This story is captured in the new documentary Eyes on Ukraine, created with the support of renowned actor Richard Gere, who served as executive producer, and his brother David Gere.
You can learn more about the film in an article by Mykyta Oshuiev, published on DW.
Stories
“This war was started by the older generation, but it’s up to us, the young, to end it.”
Yana was born with HIV, spent her early years in an orphanage, endured bullying, and at 16, founded Teenergizer to support other teenagers like her. Forced to leave Ukraine due to the war, she continued her work with Teenergizer from abroad.
For Mariya, life was forever changed not only by the virus but also by the war. In March 2022, the home she shared with her grandmother burned down after being struck by a Russian shell.
Liza, now 19, learned of her diagnosis at the age of nine. She encountered the war in Bucha, where she witnessed columns of Russian armored vehicles from her window. For five days, she hid in a basement with only a small amount of food and two liters of water — enough to take her HIV medication.
Yehor, from Kryvyi Rih, discovered his diagnosis at 13. Passionate about the military, he joined the territorial defense forces as a volunteer. Though he wanted to serve on the front lines with Ukraine’s Armed Forces, he was denied due to his HIV status.
These are the stories of Yana, Liza, Yehor, and Mariya — stories shared by thousands of young people living with HIV who now face the added challenges of war. Neither HIV nor the many other struggles young people endure have disappeared. On the contrary, they have deepened amidst the horrors of war.
HIV remains a pressing issue that has not diminished since the onset of the full-scale war. Ukrainian youth living with HIV now need more attention and support than ever. We are incredibly proud to have contributed to a project that shines a light on those who need it most!
