A series of psychological support sessions for children took place at the premises of Vinnytsia Higher Vocational School #11. The program was designed for children who have experienced difficult events and sudden changes in their lives. Among the participants were also children from the city of Sumy. The first meetings were not easy. Memories brought up strong emotions, and the children appeared tense and cautious. But little by little, an atmosphere of trust began to grow. The children started taking part in the activities more confidently, speaking more openly about their feelings, and trying new ways to cope with anxiety.
One of the participants had been struggling with anxious dreams for a long time after being evacuated. At first, she kept her distance, but with each session she became more open. Eventually, she shared that the dreams were no longer as frequent and didn’t scare her as much. Another participant is going through a difficult separation from his mother, who is currently serving in the military. At the beginning he was quiet and reserved, but gradually he became more engaged in the sessions and later said that the techniques he learned are helping him manage his worries.
This experience once again shows that when children have a safe space, professional support, and a group of peers around them, things begin to feel a little better. They are not just talking about difficult experiences — they are learning how to move forward, drawing on new inner strengths.
