Despite being stricken by a serious illness — Ewing sarcoma, a rare type of cancer — Artem Kharchenko from Starokostyantyniv in Khmelnytskiy Oblast did not give up volunteering. Taking along his guitar, he continued to perform his lyrical songs at hospitals, homes for the elderly, orphanages and even bases in the ATO zone (now Operation of the Joint Forces zone). For his efforts, he was named the winner of the Charitable Ukraine 2016 national contest, and was awarded the For a Free Ukraine, ATO Order by the 90th Battalion. The whole country, however, learned about Artem when he took part in the Ukraine’s Got Talent Children-2 television show. Now, at the age of 13 and in remission, he continues to volunteer and dreams of becoming a professional musician.
“I’m a volunteer and I must admit that I’m loving it. Because it is positive for me and for the others. I give people a lot, and they give it back to me. I love doing good for the people and bringing them joy.
If you love something, the strength to do it comes on its own.
I became a volunteer on Aug. 29, 2015. Oksana Radushynska, a poet from Khmelnytskiy, called my parents and said: “I’d like to invite your son to sing at the charity concert for ATO soldiers.” The concert was held in the street. We have a place in the city we call ‘the hundred meter stretch’ — Proskurivska Street. People take strolls there and put money in donation baskets for the military, whatever they can afford to give. Our local brigade, which was called the Mystetska Podilska Sotnya organized the concert and I came to perform. And when I did, I saw that people started donating more money, and I realized that that was what I had to do, and that I would continue doing it.
Then followed performances at various hospitals and health centers where servicemen are treated and recuperate, and at orphanages and homes for the elderly. I performed there and brought them joy. And then, when I got sick, I also performed for children suffering from cancer.
I would wish for people who are diagnosed with serious illnesses not to give up, and keep going, overcome everything and never lose heart. Then, anything is possible!
I remember when I first started writing songs. It was the day before my 12th birthday, actually an hour before. On July 19, at 11:00 pm, I started writing a song. It took me 15 minutes to write it and I presented it to my parents. It was titled “Mom, Don’t Cry.” Everybody can relate to it: the servicemen in the ATO and those, who are waiting for their sons at home and mothers of sick children. They all want their loved ones to live.
I performed this song at the Ukraine’s Got Talent Children-2 show. Taking part in this show is one of my greatest achievements. This is something I’ll remember all my life. At the time I came to the show I had written five songs. Then, I wrote two more, for the semi-final and final. I realized that I couldn’t stop, that I had to keep writing. So, I keep writing songs, one after the other.
I was introduced to the guitar at the age of 10. I wanted to play. I had a friend, who explained the basics to me and I went on to learn to play on my own. The one thing I regret is that I cannot learn music professionally, as there are no music schools in our city. I plan to go to Kyiv in a year or two and continue to study there.
At the moment, I tour around with concerts and do what I’ve been doing all this time: volunteer, help others and give people hope.
I’d like to have a happy future.
I dream that our nation will be healthy, that we all live in peace and harmony, and that our country is united and independent.
I see Ukraine in the future as a technologically developed country. I also hope that it will be environmentally friendly, because all diseases come from bad, polluted environment; the environment that nobody cares about, and that makes me feel really disappointed. I want our country to be clean; I want us to live and breathe fresh, clean air that gives us life!”
