Kamianets-Podilskyi became a place of reunion, peace, and hope for children from the city of Melitopol who have experienced the horrors of war. “Helping Hand for Ukraine” project trainers conducted “Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques” therapy courses for four groups (43 children in total) at the camp, organized by the Charitable Foundation “SOS Civil Defense Headquarters,” for children from various regions of Ukraine.
For many children, arriving in Kamianets wasn’t just a vacation — it was an unexpected joy of reuniting with classmates and childhood friends with whom they had been separated by the war. Hugs, laughter, and the heartfelt exclamation: “You’re also here?!” created an atmosphere of unity that no therapy could replace.
During the sessions, children didn’t just talk about pain, anxiety, and fear — they learned how to find strength within themselves. Simple yet effective techniques — breathing, visualizing a safe place, muscle relaxation — helped them reduce stress and regain the ability to regulate their emotions. In this warm circle of support, each child could simply be themselves — not pretending to be strong, but just being with those who understand.
One particularly touching moment stayed in memory for a long time. After a session, one of the trainers found a small stone wrapped in a napkin inside their bag, with a child’s note on it: “So that you also have something of your own, in case you lose everything.” This heartwarming gesture is a reminder that children’s hearts wounded by war are capable of giving great gifts: care, trust, and love.
We are sincerely grateful to our partners for making this initiative possible — and even more grateful to the children, who, despite their own pain and losses, continue to share their light.
This project was created by the “HOPE worldwide Ukraine” Charity Foundation with the support of a grant from the Children’s Resilience Fund: Providing Capacity Building and Funding to Ukrainian Civil Society Organisations in Ukraine. The program is implemented by Crown Agents in Ukraine and Integrity Action.
The content of the news does not necessarily reflect the views of Integrity Action, or Crown Agents in Ukraine.
