Participant in the regional “Young Person of the Year – 2026” competition “Creators of Change and Opportunities” category: Yana Oryshchyna
Yana Oryshchyna’s journey from her native Bakhmut region to coordinating key social projects in the Carpathian region is an inspiring example of how personal challenges can be transformed into a source of strength to help others.
A native of the village of Verkhnokamyanske in the Bakhmut region, Yana earned two college degrees, but she made her most important choice in 2015. Working as a teacher and social educator at “Caritas Kramatorsk,” she dedicated herself to helping children and parents in the frontline zone, restoring their sense of safety, warmth, and hope.
The forced relocation to Ivano-Frankivsk due to the full-scale war was a challenge that Yana’s family overcame together. Starting out as a volunteer, she soon led a large-scale international humanitarian project with a team of 53 specialists, caring for thousands of displaced people, children, and the elderly.
Today, Yana works as a social manager on a project focused on building resilience. She develops new grant programs, coordinates cooperation with government authorities, and creates specialized support programs—including retreats and mutual support groups for the families of fallen defenders, veterans, and those missing in action. At the same time, Yana stays in touch with her home community in Zvaniv, helping to preserve its unity.