This summer, our team of trainers Tetiana Bilobrova and Olena Kurchenko began important work in frontline Kharkiv, providing essential psychological support to displaced children living in a local shelter for internally displaced persons (IDPs). The goal of these sessions was not only to relieve stress but also to teach children how to cope with trauma independently, using the “Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques.” program.
Many of the children who arrived from occupied territories or active combat zones live in a state of constant anxiety. For example, Artem, who for a long time couldn’t fall asleep in his new surroundings, said he felt as if “the night had lasted for several years.” The words of his grandfather — “You must keep living” — became crucial for him. During the sessions, Artem learned to turn this pain into an inner anchor by practicing deep-breathing techniques and creating a “safe place” in his imagination.
A similar experience was shared by Valeria. She admitted that she had “learned to hold her tears inside,” but during the training, she found a path toward the future. At first, Valeria drew only empty roads, but later she created a drawing of a home with a swing and a garden, saying, “This is our home when we come back.” This beautifully illustrates how these techniques help children restore hope and regain a sense of control.
The impact of this work was also visible to parents. Oleksandra’s parents shared that after the training, “our daughter started smiling again,” and her inner calm was gradually returning. Other parents emphasized that thanks to the trainers’ sensitivity, their children became more open and confident. One particularly touching moment came when a mother said, “For the first time, my son and I were able to talk about what happened. No shouting, no tears. Just talk.”
Thus, in Kharkiv, we are giving children not only temporary relief but reliable tools for resilience that will stay with them for life.
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.
