Sofiia Rybalchenko
I had always been interested in human rights work, but I never thought I would manage to get into it. You could say I watched a little from the sidelines and admired the people who, through their actions, try to change entrenched norms that contradict human rights (choice, freedom, entitlement). And then it so happened that I had been following Insight closely — and I decided to leave my previous job and try myself at something that would genuinely bring me satisfaction and improve the environment I live in.
I am the assistant to Mykyta Karimov, the head of the psychological service, and also a psychologist of that service: I provide individual counselling, run therapy groups, and deliver trainings and lectures.
What fuels me:
I love seeing the community and the way it builds communication. I like that there is space for self-expression, growth, creativity and structure. That you are treated as a living person and not as a function.
Blitz interview:
One sentence about yourself that isn’t a job title
I live so as not to regret the things I did not do.
What do you do when you’re not saving human rights?
I adore dancing — moments of movement are hugely energising. I have a lot of plants that I give names to and that lift my mood. And of course, right now I appreciate sleep and good food enormously. Since early childhood I have been keen on sport and extreme disciplines. And if you see me out on the street, 99.9% of the time I will be wearing headphones and fun socks. Because music takes up a big piece of my life, and socks always lift the mood in any weather.
Describe yourself in three words
Creative, free, responsible.
Your favourite queer film or series — and why that one
“Carol” — a film based on the novel, with a compelling story. I also have a favourite episode of “Black Mirror”, about an extraordinary couple — “San Junipero” (season 3, episode 4, if I am not mistaken). It is the episode that brought a tear to my eye and that I still remember well.
