“Through children, we can change the world”

Yulia had always been interested in crafts and sustainability. In her new home, she launched the brand Bondars Art Home, where she produces beeswax candles and reusable beeswax wraps for food storage — an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic wrap.

Through IM’s partner organisation D.O.M. 48.24, Yulia took part in a training programme that concluded with a competition for social projects. Her idea, A Planet Without Plastic Bags, was selected for support, giving her the opportunity to bring her vision to life: to spread knowledge about the environment and sustainability to children and young people.

“The idea of the project is to teach schoolchildren and students about sustainable habits,” says Yulia.

“I believe awareness must start in childhood. Through children, we can also reach their parents. Adults who have used plastic bags all their lives rarely change just because someone tells them to. But when a child comes home and says that plastic harms animals and the planet — that is when parents start to listen.”

Yulia’s workshops have been a great success. It began with a simple post on social media — and soon schools from all over Ivano-Frankivsk got in touch.

Today, she holds classes for students ranging from primary to upper secondary school. During each workshop, she first explains how people’s lifestyles affect the environment and how beeswax wraps can be part of the solution. The children then make their own wraps from fabric and beeswax — and finally test them by wrapping sweets in their newly created, eco-friendly packaging.

“The youngest children are always the most engaged and curious,” Yulia says with a smile. “Their energy and enthusiasm give me hope.”

Through her commitment, Yulia shows that change can begin even in the midst of the chaos of war — with something as simple as a piece of fabric, a little beeswax, and a desire to do good for the planet.

Text and photo: Milena Vitrovska