The exhibition «The first days of a premature baby's life through their own eyes. Thoughts aloud about trials, pain and hope» was created as part of the national perinatal support programme «First Breath», initiated by the humanitarian agency ZDOROVI in partnership with ISAR Ednannia, Global Giving and UNICEF.

Polish photojournalist Agata Grzybowska, known for her work for the Associated Press, Reuters and The Times, spent a week at the capital's Perinatal Centre, documenting a reality that cameras are not usually allowed to capture. Her lens captured births accompanied by the sound of sirens, the coordinated work of medical staff in critical conditions, operations on babies weighing less than a kilogram, and their first breaths to the rhythm of breathing apparatus.

These images are complemented by confessional texts –  the ‘inner monologues’ of children about fear, pain, first touches, and small but daily victories. The voices of famous Ukrainians –  Anna Salivanchuk, Yegor Gordeev, Olena Topolia, Timur Miroshnychenko, and Hryhorii Baklanov –  add a special touch to the exhibition. They read the children's stories, becoming the voices of those who cannot yet speak for themselves. Their intonations will echo in audio installations, creating a sense of presence alongside the children in the most fragile moments of their lives. Visitors will hear the story of Yaroslav, born amid night-time explosions weighing only 980 grams; Artem, a boy whose first touch with the world was his father's chest during a partner birth; Viktoria, a girl from Kharkiv who was born in Kyiv two months prematurely; twins Dmytro and Denys, two ‘hurry-ups’ who dream of returning to their military father; and Eva, a girl weighing less than 900 grams, for whom her mother's voice became her first support in an unknown world.

One of the key goals of the exhibition is to raise $61,000 to purchase 150 doses of surfactant, a critically important drug that allows premature babies to take their first full breath. Without surfactant, the survival of such babies is almost impossible. ZDOROVI has already delivered 150 doses to perinatal centres in Ukraine, but the need remains high.

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The First Breath programme also provides for updating the regulatory framework, improving the qualifications of neonatal specialists and upgrading technical equipment in hospitals – all to ensure that every premature baby in Ukraine has a chance to survive and live a healthy life. The opening on 17 November will be the first public showing of the photo project, which is also planned to be presented at medical conferences, museums, shopping centres, and international events.

The exhibition is designed as a visual and emotional platform that reminds us that supporting our youngest citizens is not a gesture of charity, but a component of national resilience. On 17 November, Kyiv residents and visitors to the city will be able to see these stories, hear their voices and feel that life goes on, despite everything. Come and support those who are just starting their journey.

Register.

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