How did the masterclass at “Beloved" change Sofiya Motuz’s life? She didn’t just learn how to make candles; she turned it into a way to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
How did one candle-making workshop at Beloved change Sofiia Motuz’s life? She didn’t just learn a new craft — she turned it into a way to support Ukraine’s Armed Forces.
From student and occasional participant to education program administrator in Kyiv — that’s how 25-year-old Sofiia Motuz’s journey with Beloved, a project supporting the families of servicemembers, unfolded. Just a year ago, she attended her first workshop, hoping to distract herself from the constant stress of war. Today, Sofiia not only has a new skill — she’s turned candle-making into a meaningful act of service, crafting each one by hand to raise funds for the Ukrainian military.
How creative workshops became a path to self-empowerment and inspired her to volunteer — read on to find out.
In 2023, Sofiia’s fiancé enlisted in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and she had to adjust to a new reality — managing daily life on her own and adapting to life in a war zone.
“At first, you don’t think about yourself. You think about how to manage the household, how to meet all his needs,” Sofiia shares. However, over time, she realized that she needed more — not just to survive the routine, but to have her own space for personal growth.
It became increasingly difficult to communicate with acquaintances who didn’t have loved ones on the front lines. “It’s not that we stopped talking entirely, but there are things they just avoid — because they can’t really relate,” she admits.
A turning point came when Sofiia stumbled upon a communications course at Beloved. She decided to join, unaware that this opportunity would change her life.
In February 2024, Sofiia learned about the Beloved educational project when she came across an enrollment opportunity for a communications course for the families of soldiers. The course had already started, but registration was still open, so she applied. This opportunity intrigued her as a way to expand her knowledge and meet others in similar situations. Her first visit confirmed it: this was a place where she could feel supported and learn something new.
“Beloved became a place where you are understood, where you can meet others who are going through similar experiences.”
At first, Sofiia attended several creative workshops. In the friendly company of other women and girls, she felt comfortable for the first time in a long while. These were people who also waited for calls from their loved ones on the front lines every day, so over time, it became easier to openly share her fears and hopes.
In addition to moral support, the project offered an opportunity to learn new skills. Sofiia enrolled in a communications course for families of military personnel to gain useful knowledge for her work. Beloved offers many such opportunities: for example, in the first six months in Kyiv, participants completed an adult English course, learned the basics of communications, and even studied how to create a business plan for their own venture. These activities help take your mind off the anxieties of the moment while providing a sense of personal growth and usefulness. And more about the first year of activity can be read here.
One of the most memorable experiences for Sofiia was the workshop on making decorative candles. She made two — one kept for herself, and the other was donated for a raffle to raise funds for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. At that time, she never thought this would mark the beginning of a volunteer initiative.
“I just tried to make candles at home. I wasn’t sure it would work because the workshop had special equipment, and I was using only makeshift materials. To my surprise, it actually turned out really well,” Sofiia recalls.
This is how the idea was born: to make candles for charity raffles. The first fundraiser brought in 18,000 hryvnias. People eagerly donated to get exclusive scented candles. To Sofiia, it felt like more than just a hobby — it was her way of supporting the bigger effort.
Later, she launched another fundraiser — this time for military medics. “At that point, I wasn’t planning to do any more raffles — but then I got a message from the Repower foundation asking if I could help. And I realized I could,” she shares.
Now, Sofiia no longer makes candles regularly, but she’s ready to donate them as prizes for other fundraising campaigns. “Maybe it’s no longer something fresh for my own audience, but someone else might be able to use the idea to raise money for things that really matter,” she adds.
Sofia wasn’t the only one who turned her new skills into something meaningful for others. Participants in the project shared stories about how, after attending workshops, they started their own small businesses or volunteer initiatives. Some, having learned the basics of psychology, began supporting families of soldiers, while others, after taking finance courses, helped raise funds for a pickup truck for the front.
At Beloved, creative workshops go beyond unwinding — they’re an opportunity to find something that motivates and makes a difference.
Sofiia started out as a participant in the Beloved project, and by September 2024, she had joined the team as an event administrator. “I knew this was a place of understanding, so when the opportunity arose to join the team, I didn’t think twice,” she says.
Now Sofiia helps organize events — from educational workshops to creative evenings. For her, it’s more than just a job: Beloved turned out to be a space where you can not only feel supported but also help others find their community.
“I never thought I’d be part of the team when I first arrived. Now, I realize that I’m capable of contributing something valuable to others,” Sofiia says.
She admits that this project has significantly changed her life: it gave her new purpose, confidence, and a sense of community. Beloved is more than just a job for her; it’s a second family where everyone can find support and grow alongside those who share the same values.
______
Sofiia’s story is just one of many that demonstrates the importance of joining spaces like Beloved. In this community of like-minded people, military families find support and new friends, while the knowledge and skills gained inspire them to help others. For military families, it’s not just about courses or workshops — it’s a chance to feel needed again, learn something new, and work together to bring our victory closer. The project operates in Kyiv and Lviv, and all events are free of charge.
