The first shift of the “Karamel” summer children’s camp in the Capathian mountains (Volovets, Zakarpattia region) has ended. During June 2023 over 100 children from all over Ukraine have had their recreatnio time there. Guided tours, competitions, sports and table games, disco parties and communication with peers – they have had all. However, the war has left horrible trace in the children’s hearts and minds.
At the same time, the war left its terrible mark on children, so participation in the “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” therapy course was useful and appropriate. The psychologists of the “Helping Hand of Ukraine” project Khrystyna and Leyla Kravchenko worked together to help children learn to get rid of scary memories, gain inner peace and relief.
“Thanks to participation in the “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” sessions girls and boys had an opportunity to share their thoughts, experiences and fears, – says the trainer. – Together we learned a lot, worked on ourselves, discussed our situations, supported each other, drew and played. It was a pleasure for me to see children’s grateful sincere smiles at the end of the camp shift!”

“Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” therapy group sessions were held thanks to the financial support of our partner – the OutcomesX social outcomes marketplace and UBS Optimus Foundation.

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This spring our Foundation has started to cooperate with the new donor – the OutcomesX social outcomes marketplace and UBS Optimus Foundation. Thanks to this cooperation already over 15 “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” therapy groups have been conducted in different cities and villages of Ukraine. The project engages experienced trainers; children with war trauma receive psychological assistance, learn to be self-confident and strong, meet new friends and have interesting and useful time together.

Photos are provided by trainers, Yulia Zabara, Halyna Shaida, Oksana Don, and Svitlana Dmytrieva, who conducted therapy groups in Dnipro in June and July.

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On June 26-29, 2023 a retreat for 10 psychologists of the “Children and War. Training Recovery Techniques” program took place in Truskavets, Lviv Region, within the “Helping Hand for Ukraine” project. This was the event for trainers who have worked relentlessly within the project, since the beginning of the full-scale war against Ukrain. They train groups of new trainers, supervise them, coordinate the work of groups in all regions of Ukraine and abroad, and also work “in the fields”: they themselves conduct therapy courses for children and their parents. The purpose of the retreat was the psycho-emotional relief and relaxation of the psychologists, also to finally meet together, communicate face-to-face, and feel themselves as a team. The participants have shared about the atmosphere and importance in their feedback.

Feedback from participants.
Olena Bozhor: “This retreat was incredibly heartwarming and inspiring! Our circle was very cosy, my soul was healing, it was so much needed in such difficult times! Thank you very much for such a wonderful and intensive program, where there was time to heal the body and soul. I liked everything ! SPA activities, master classes, our trip to Synevyr, gala dinner, photo shooting, and a violinist! Many thanks to all the organizers, donors! I’m delighted!”

Iryna Sukhova and Oleksiy Sukhov: “Unbelievable time! During war, losses, inhuman tension, suddenly there has been an opportunity to reload our nerve system and brain, our thoughts and feelings. During the times like these, it looks like a miracle, but it is very timely and very therapeutic. The real-life communication was the most valuable during this retreat – we missed each other so much, the looks, the hugs, the shared laughter. We were even eating at a common large table in order to use every minute, to be together! The intensive program was rich and interesting. Many thanks to the guide Mr. Andriy for a thousand stories from the life of carps, the inhabitants of the Carpathians. Thanks to Ms. Oksana Voloshyna and Ms. Zoryana Leniv for the master classes, interesting facts about external and internal care. And in fact, care was felt in everything – delicious food in the hut, hospitality of the “Alkor” hotel, relaxation in the pool and saunas of the SPA center. And the violinist Roman, a real maestro, has charmed us all. But the most valuable moments were in ourselves, in our communication, in the opportunity to go shopping for embroidered blouses together or to walk in the streets of Truskavets and get lost there. Waving to each other on the lift in the mountains. Sharing sandwiches on the bus. Taking a picture of someone taking a picture. A special big thank you to the long-time friends and partners of our project, “HOPE worldwide Canada” charity organization, for the opportunity to organize such a resourceful trip and to Oksana Voloshyna for the organization! We are looking forward to winter to repeat it!”

Tetyana Oboyanska: “A difficult period, during which a lot of support was given to children and adults. Exhaustion from the war. And this was a great opportunity to rest, switch focus, recover, be in the circle of friends and like-minded people, dream together about the victory! Inspiration to work further because of the huge support. Gratitude to the Universe, team and sponsors for the opportunity to reload ourselves!”

Serhiy Sergeyev and Yana Sergeyeva: “Thank you very much for the opportunity to join an incredibly resourceful and interesting event! Despite the terrible present in our homeland in the east of Ukraine, we felt real relaxation and had the opportunity to recharge. An incredible trip to Synevyr, a friendly circle of colleagues, live music – that’s all which inspires to continue work with new forces, to be useful and to bring our victory closer!”

Olena Dorohavtseva: “The impressions are incredible. In short, I haven’t sung since 2014. And you have managed to inspire me. For the first time since that time, I really wanted to do it, and singing didn’t evoke terrible memories and tears. My soul was singing. It has managed, at least for a while, to relax in the circle of like-minded people, real friends, family! Now I love mountains again. I am inspired by them. Today I was even drawing them. I am infinitely grateful for this time, communication and support.”

Khrystyna Kravchenko: “I am very happy to share my impressions of the incredible three days in Truskavets! Firstly, thank you for the wonderful opportunity to visit this place! Secondly, for the opportunity to spend time together with our wonderful, friendly team, which has long been a second family to me! And of course, thank you for the wonderful program! The SPA activities on the first day were very relaxing and helped to relieve fatigue and tension. Also, unforgettable experiences from the guided tour to Lake Synevyr, the bear zoo. The last day was training in a warm circle of like-minded people that had a very useful and calming effect on me. And finally, a magical gala dinner accompanied by the violin and singing of our friendly team. Thank you very much for the pleasant, useful and unforgettable experiences!”

Tetyana Solovei: “It was the first time I took part in such an event. I am sincerely grateful for the warmth, understanding and support, interesting guided tours, new knowledge and acquaintances. This experience is priceless for me!”

Larysa Sushko: “My “reload” took place in Truskavets: warm hugs and sunny smiles, a trip to the Ukrainian Carpathians – rivers that teach wisdom and how to move forward, forests that roar with invincibility, and mountains that give strength and hope for the best! And the largest high-altitude lake Synevir greeted us with the raining arms and forever remained in my heart! Those were unforgettable days! Travels, conversations in a warm circle, master classes gave us strength for further work. Throughout the entire time, the team felt an atmosphere of trust, care for each other , there was a very warm mood. Thank you to everyone who was there!”

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All participants of the “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” group therapy courses have their own stories of healing. This is one of many.

In July 2022, during the rocket attack on Vinnytsia, ten-year-old Nadiyka and her grandmother have been meters away from the explosions in the city center, and where the rocket hit. They have witnessed all the terrible consequences of this event: dead and injured people. But the most painful thing for the girl was the memory of the little boy in the car, who was waiting for his parents. Nadiyka saw him as they passed the car. And after a few minutes there was an explosion. At first, the girl believed that the boy had managed to escape, but after some time she found out that the car was locked… The girl told about this at the 4th session after practicing the “Fear Thermometer” technique. At the last meeting, she thanked the trainers and said the following words: “This memory sat in me like a terrible ball, and I was afraid to tell about it, but now I’m not afraid anymore.”

The photos are from te “Children and war. Teaching healing techniques” therapy courses held in May-June 2023 in Vinnytsia. Trainers of the program, Viktoriia Yavdoshchak and Oksana Ryabokon conducted three groups for 40 children. We are grateful to our partners, OutcomesX Social Results Fair and UBS Optimus Foundation, for their kind hearts and support for Ukrainian children.

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On June 24, 2023, tne new trainers of the “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” program received the certificates in Lutsk. Ira Sukhova, manager and psychologist of the “Helping Hand for Ukraine” project handed the certificates. During the meeting the new trainers shared about the implementation of the program in Lutsk, about working process within the groups, their own experience of conducting the therapy sessions. Many groups were held on the premises of the Volyn National Lesia Ukrainka University for students of different specialization. Among them were local people and those who survived occupation and internal displacement, and who have losses.

Group therapy sessions for children, parents and students were held also by university professors. They worked with enthusiasm as the program was aligned with their professional academic experience. We are grateful to the Volyn National Lesia Ukrainka University for cooperation.

The event was held with financial support of the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF).

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The training project for the group of “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” trainers ended on June 10, 2023. The project consisted of three stages – training, practice, and certification. “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” training took place in March this year and lasted for three days. After the training the participants gathered groups of children and parents and conducted “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” therapy courses. They taught them self-help techniques in conditions of war and constant stress. Almost all participants noted the effectiveness of the program and good results in processing traumatic experience in the groups.

And finally all trainers who were able to complete the training and practice have received the certificates. They met on June 10 to share their experience and implressions, discuss the difficulties and ways of handling them, to congratulate each other with the completion of the project. “Helping Hand for Ukraine” project manager Ira Sukhova and Vinnytsia group coordinator Khrystyna Kravchenko handed out the certificates.

We are grateful to Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) for financial support of the project.

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On June 09, 2023, tne new trainers of the “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” program received the certificates in Kyiv. The participants of the training held in February have worked for over two months with children and parents’ groups, received supervision from experience project supervisors, gained practical experience and have received certificates. During the meeting the new trainers shared their insights and impressions about the groups, what they taught and what they themselves learned in the process.

They discussed implementation of the program for different age groups and specifics of the online and offline, shared lifehacks of the trainer’s work. Trainers from Kamianske, Dnipropetrovsk region joined the event in Kyiv distantly. We are thankful to the group coordinator Olena Dorohavtseva, project supervisors Ira Sukhova, Natalia Podoliak, Olena Bozhor, and Tetiana Oboyanska for support.

Training, therapy groups and certification of trainers was conducted within the frames of the “Helping Hand for Ukraine” project with financial support of Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF).

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The first shift of the “Karamel” summer children’s camp has started in Kyiv region on May 27, 2023. Children from all over Ukraine came to rest and recover. The program of the camp is interesting and busy – games, contests, creative master-classes. Along with the entertaining activities 15 children from the camp have learned techniques of the “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” psychological self-help.
Sometimes during air sirens children had to go to the shelter. And they already knew what to do, how to calm themselves down, how to cope with their fears, what to do with negative thoughts and anxiety. Therapy sessions were conducted by the program trainers, Daria Tretiak and Marharyta Poliakova, students of Volyn National Lesia Ukrainka University.
On behalf of the “HOPE worldwide Ukraine” and the “Helping Hand for Ukraine” project we express sincere gratitude to “Karamel” training project for the long-term cooperation and reliability. We wish a resourceful summer to our partners and great leisure time to young Ukrainians.

We are sincerely grateful to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) for the financial support of our project!

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During March-May, trainers of the “Helping Hand for Ukraine” project conducted “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” therapy courses in Khmelnytskyi and Rivne regions. Larysa Sushko and Tetiana Solovei worked with the participants in Kamianets-Podilskyi, Khmelnytskyi region. Olena Lysianska and Tetiana Drabych worked in Berezne, Rivne region. Trainers taught children techniques of psychological self-help and recovery in conditions of stress.

We are sincerely grateful to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) for the financial support of our project.

We share one of the many stories of children who attend “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” therapy sessions to heal their souls, receive support from trainers and peers, learn to process their pain, overcome sadness, fears, obsessive thoughts and memoirs.

Ivan is 16 years old. Before the war, he lived in Selydove, Donetsk region, with his mother, father and younger brother. He loves sports and is training to become a professional boxer. At one session, Ivan shared his experiences with the trainers and group members: “My father went to protect us when the war started. I am very proud of him, but also very worried about him, especially when he does not write or contact me for days. I know that he is strong and courageous, that he will survive, I believe in him. My mother also believes, but often cries. We support her as much as we can. I continue to study and renew my training schedule so that I don’t lose shape. I am preparing for the competition that will take place in autumn; it is very important for me.” During the sessions, it was noticeable that Ivan has a strong connection with his father and worries about his health and safety. When children were creating amulets from air dry clay, Ivan sculpted the figure of his father, a warrior-protector, as a symbol of his support. And when they did the “Safe place” exercise, he drew his house and his dad, who came home alive and healthy.

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“Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” therapy sessions have been held in spring in Dnipro, Odesa cities and Vinnytsia region within the “Helping Hand for Ukraine” project. Trainers of the program, Alina Sheina and Olena Kichuk (Dnipro), Olga Kizilova and Sofia Kolbasina (Odesa), Oksana Tereshchuk and Svitlana Yurchuk (Tulchyn, Vinnytsia region) worked with groups of participants. They helped children to develop and master skills of coping with their traumatic experiences, using self-help, relaxation and recovery techniques in present conditions of war-related stress.

Nowadays, many children in Ukraine have suffered from the full-scale armed aggression of the rf, live in difficult conditions and need psycho-emotional support. It is difficult even to imagine how many children lost their loved ones or homes during the war, about children who sleep in bomb shelters, live amid the sounds of constant sirens in anxiety and fear for themselves and their relatives, or who were forced to leave for other countries, leaving behind their schools, friends and the normal life. “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” program is effective for processing and dealing with such traumatic experiences.

We are sincerely grateful to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) for the financial support of our project.

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