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Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: UKRAINE CHECKERS CHAMPION
HEADLINE: Checkers Champion, 11, Helps Ukraine War Effort
TEASER: Valeria is a checkers world champion from Ukraine who became an inspiration for millions of Ukrainian children; she plays checkers on the streets of Kyiv to collect money for the Ukrainian armed forces
PUBLISHED AT: 11/30/2022 AT 8:35AM
BYLINE: Anna Chernikova
DATELINE: KYIV
VIDEOGRAPHER: Eugene Shynkar
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: LR; CAW
VIDEO SOURCES: VOA ORIGINAL
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV X RADIO __
TRT: 2:49
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: TVPKG
NOTES: ))
((INTRO))
[[Eleven-year-old Valeria Yezhova, a checkers world champion in Ukraine, is one of many Ukrainian children who had to evacuate with her family when Russian forces started the full-scale invasion last February. Now, she has returned to her home and become an inspiration for millions of children. From Kyiv, Anna Chernikova has her story.]]
((NARRATOR))
Valeria Yezhova plays checkers with people on the streets of Kyiv to collect money for the Ukrainian armed forces. Each time she wins a game, the losing opponent gives her a donation of any amount.
Valeria has already collected more than 35-hundred dollars. Since she started her initiative back in June, she hasn't lost a single game. And this is not surprising as Valeria is the checkers' world champion. No one expects to beat her, but all who take their chances are motivated by one thing: they want to help.
At her age, the war has hit home. She had to evacuate with her family from Kyiv to Lviv in March as Russian forces intensified their assault on the capital.
Her family returned to Kyiv in April. That is when Valeria decided she wanted to have an active part in Ukraine's fight for freedom.
((Valeria Yezhova, Checkers World Champion – FEMALE IN UKRAINIAN – VOA))
“I really wanted to help our army, to help the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and I asked my mother what I could do. Mom asked in response - what do I know how to do best? And I said, ‘To play checkers.’”
((NARRATOR))
Valeria is helping soldiers directly or through trusted volunteer organizations. She hopes her contributions will help end the war faster.
Valeria’s mother, Liubov, says her daughter’s decision was influenced by the trials experienced by their family.
((Liubov Kvitka-Yezhova, Valeria’s Mother – FEMALE IN UKRAINIAN – VOA - 23 SEC))
“We experienced it all here. We lived in the school basement the first week. My parents in the Bucha district survived the occupation. And she had all this (happening around her). We talked about it, and she decided to help. I supported her, but to be honest, I delayed this moment because I did not think society would perceive it positively.”
Valeria plays checkers with people next to the supermarket near her home.
(((Valeria Yezhova, Checkers World Champion – FEMALE IN UKRAINIAN – VOA))
“I come there, set everything up, and if people stop, look, read then I say - "Don't you want to play checkers? It's for the Armed Forces of Ukraine." Most of them sit down, some don't, and a lot of people just give money to the Armed Forces.”
People on the streets trust Valeria. She is now a well-known volunteer in Ukraine.
She unexpectedly found herself as an inspiration to millions of Ukrainian children and proof that everyone can make an impact no matter one's age or social status.
((NARRATOR))
Ukrainian children will never get their innocence back. Millions continue to suffer the consequences of the ongoing war. At her young age, Valeria is showing that her generation can make a difference.
((ANNA CHERNIKOVA, FOR VOA NEWS, KYIV))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Kyiv
BylineAnna Chernikova
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
