In March this year, our foundation began a partnership with the international organization LYNC (Love Your Neighbor Community). Their mission is to support communities worldwide, fostering a culture of mutual care and assistance. This spring, a training for trainers in the program “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” was held in Chernivtsi.

Over the course of six months, the newly trained specialists conducted sessions with children, helping them learn self-help techniques and cope with the effects of stress. Throughout this time, they received supervision and support from our foundation’s experienced supervisors, which ensured both the quality and effectiveness of their learning and work.

On September 6 in Chernivtsi, we gathered for a warm and heartfelt meeting to hand out certificates to the new trainers. This event marked not only the celebratory conclusion of six months of work but also the beginning of a new stage in spreading the program further.

We sincerely thank our partners at LYNC for their trust and fruitful cooperation. Together we are doing important work — helping children discover inner resources for recovery and move forward with confidence.

We wish inspiration, resilience, and success for the newly certified trainers in their daily efforts. We believe that thanks to their dedication, even more children will receive support and experience the power of healing.

This summer, our foundation’s team of trainers once again had the honor of working with children in different parts of Ukraine. One of these special places was the children’s recreational camp “Lisova Pisnya”, located in the picturesque Kamianets-Podilskyi district. It is a cozy spot surrounded by nature, where children can combine rest and leisure with new discoveries, creativity, sports, and sincere communication. The camp’s atmosphere fosters a sense of safety, brings positive emotions, and helps children regain their strength.

Throughout the summer as well as spring, our team conducted the “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” therapy courses. This methodology helps children better understand themselves, reduce anxiety, cope with traumatic memories, lower stress levels, and gradually restore inner balance. For many participants, this was their very first experience with such knowledge, as most of the children in the camp come from large families, single-parent households, or families with limited financial means. For many it was their first time attending psychological sessions, going on excursions, joining engaging programs, and discovering that the world can be colorful and safe.

“We see how even a few sessions can become an important step in a child’s life: their attitude toward themselves changes, they gain more confidence, and begin to feel that they are capable of overcoming challenges. Such small yet truly meaningful changes inspire us even more,” shared Tetiana Kharkova, psychologist and trainer of the “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” program.

We are sincerely grateful to our donors and partners who have supported our initiatives for many years. It is thanks to their constant care and trust that we can implement these programs, reach more and more children, and expand the circle of support. Every child who receives help is proof that our shared efforts are truly changing lives for the better.

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.

This summer, our team of trainers held dozens of therapy courses for children in camps across Ukraine. One of them was the children’s camp SOCSR “Smaragdove Misto” — a special place with a complex history. Once located in Donetsk region, it was forced to relocate to Khmelnytskyi region because of the war. Today, the camp continues to welcome children from frontline territories, remaining a space of safety and growth.

At the camp, our trainers conducted 24 group sessions for 300 children. These were boys and girls from Donetsk region: some had to leave their homes and now live in other regions, while others remain in their towns, facing the harsh reality of war near the front line every day. Regardless of their path, each child carries pain and experiences that should never become the burden of childhood.

During the sessions, we taught children simple but effective self-help techniques:

• how to reduce anxiety and tension;

• how to cope with fear and painful memories;

• how to restore a sense of control and safety;

• how to find support in one another.

An equally important part of the meetings was the sense of community: children shared their stories, laughed, played, and most importantly, felt that they were not alone in their struggles.

Our trainers created a safe space where children could set aside their worries and reclaim their right to childhood.

We sincerely believe that these meetings became a step toward resilience and healing for the children. Every child deserves a life free of fear and filled with hope for the future.

There are moments when it’s worth stopping. To put down the burden of the daily race, to set aside tasks, deadlines, and the constant “should,” simply to be. To be together. To see each other outside of work, and to remember why it all began.

This retreat became exactly that — a meeting point with ourselves and our team. We changed after the retreat: with clarity in our eyes, new ideas in our minds, and warmth in our hearts. Because a team is not just about work — it’s about connection. That’s where true creative energy is born.

We’re sharing the reflections left by the participants. Each one is a support point for us and our team.

Serhii Serhieiev:

“Life nowadays is so tense — the news, the situation in the country… everything feels difficult and uncertain. You don’t know what tomorrow brings. To have the opportunity to come here and sleep without air raid alerts, to laugh, to walk — that’s precious. And to realize that you’re worthy of it, that you’ve earned the chance to rest and gain strength — that’s important. Personally, I did gain strength. I’m very proud to be part of this team.”

Tetiana Oboyanska:

“I inhaled this lightness — it’s incredible. I was deeply moved by our trip to Tustan — everything was green, lush, free. I wanted to stay in it, lost in my thoughts. This retreat was very, very important to me. I felt extra care, support, and — I’d even say — a recognition of value. The value and importance of what we do together as a team — it’s truly incredible.”

Olha Posternak:

“Every day was fast-paced, practically scheduled by the hour. We went on guided tours, played bowling, talked in the pool — and it was awesome. I really liked the workshops — each one touched a different chord of my soul. I’m grateful to the trainers for that. I know I wouldn’t have gone if it weren’t for Iryna and the foundation’s support. I’m so thankful that you persuaded me, supported me, and helped. I feel replenished now, though there’s still a journey of recovery ahead.”

Olena Bozhor:

“These days I felt a sense of family, emotional warmth, and comfort. That’s so valuable. Our circle has been together for many years — there’s a deep sense of reliability, of knowing that you’re not alone, that colleagues and friends are by your side. Every moment was filled with various emotions, but there was a constant thread of care running through it all. My soul rested, my body relaxed.”

Yana Serhieieva:

“I’m so happy and grateful that you believed in me back then. It’s amazing to be in this team — truly incredible. Here at the retreat, every day inspired me — the breathtaking mountain views, the faces of friends, the colors on the canvas, the delicious food. I was inspired by everything. I rested, put everything else aside, didn’t work at all. This time felt like three months of therapy for me.”

Yevhen Moroz:

“I’m not someone who easily gets going. It’s hard for me to break out of my routine, my little world. But this time, I rested, reloaded, and I honestly can’t remember when I last painted. This time, I’m bringing a painting on canvas home.”

Nataliia Podoliak:

“So many memories surfaced — of our shared work and the adventures within this project. I realized that even with close friends, traveling can be tough. You can be friends, but travel is a whole different thing. And yet, our team came together so well, even though we’re all so different. We’re a real team!”

Iryna Sukhova:

“We’re like horses pulling heavy wagons of stress, human trauma, and healing. So, we must also care for ourselves — to restore strength for this difficult work. Ukraine’s resilience depends on the resilience of each family. And every family is made up of a mother, a father, and a child. If we talk about our professional community — it’s the resilience of every psychologist individually. I truly want to support and nurture that resilience so that our work can continue.

The goal of this retreat was to provide a resource for our project team. But resources can look different. Some need to relax — just swim, rest, eat, live in comfort. Others seek new impressions — excursions, new places, new activities. Others need inner work — to go deeper, to heal something. Resources are different. And so are we.

But I think we managed to plan a program that worked for everyone. It was also an opportunity to be together as a team, to reflect, to recharge, and to step into the future with renewed strength.

None of this would have been possible without our sponsors — for their humanity and understanding that behind every team are people. People who are living through this war, yet still find the strength and desire to work on this project and help both young and adult Ukrainians nurture their resilience. We are immensely grateful to them for this.”

There are teams that work like mechanisms. And then there are teams that work like a heart.
The “Helping Hand for Ukraine” team of trainers is just like that. Alive. Deep. Humane. A team that heals not only with techniques, but simply by being there for people.

This June, in the heart of the Carpathians, in the cozy and picturesque town of Skhidnytsia, a special retreat took place — for those who usually care for others, who support, endure, and carry many hearts on their own shoulders.
The “Helping Hand for Ukraine” team of trainers came together to make a pause — not because the struggle has ended, but because it continues. And that means we need strength.
Strength that is born from unity, from connection, from breathing, from the little things we often postpone “for later.” Delicious food, sunshine and water — rest for the body enabled rest for the mind and soul.

Workshops by Nataliia Podoliak, Khrystyna Kravchenko, and Olena Bozhor created a space for deep inner reset. Every exercise was more than a technique — it was a moment of reconnecting with ourselves, with the exhaustion we’ve learned to ignore, and with the hope we want to preserve.

A special highlight was the meeting with artist and volunteer Khrystyna Solomchak from Drohobych, who shared how painting can express what words cannot.

There was also time for exploration — a trip to the spiritual site of Tustan in the Skole Beskids, where ancient stones remember stories of resilience.
And there, under the open sky and amidst the mountains, came a moment that moved us all: our married team members, Anastasiia and Yevhen, shared the joyful news that they are expecting a baby. They even organized a gender reveal — a celebration met with tears, joy, and a shared sense of hope.
It wasn’t just an announcement — it was a symbol of life that continues, that wins.

In the warmth of our team circle, we reflected on the road we’ve walked — on how much we’ve done for children, teachers, parents, for Ukraine. But even more — we spoke of the future.
Because the threat hasn’t vanished. Which means we must stay strong. Not hardened by pain alone, but united by trust, shared purpose, and human warmth.

This retreat became not only a space for professional growth, but also for simple, sincere togetherness — over a cup of coffee, on a walk, in late-night conversations about meaning and plans.
It became a charge of energy, a foundation for the coming year — for us, a team that knows how to heal, to hold, to lift, and to move forward.

On June 16, another stage of the “Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques” program training concluded in Kyiv, resulting in 18 participants receiving trainer certificates. The new specialists work in Kyiv, the Kyiv region, and Zaporizhzhia — areas that have been especially affected by the full-scale war.

The certificate awarding ceremony took place in an atmosphere of joy and mutual support. Key project team members — Iryna Sukhova, Olena Bozhor, and Olha Posternak — took part in the event, offering recognition and encouragement to each participant.

The “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” program is based on scientifically validated methods for working with childhood trauma and loss. Every newly certified trainer is a source of hope and strength for young Ukrainians who have experienced traumatic events and need a safe space for healing.

Participant Feedback from the “Children and War” Program: Real Stories of Impact and Growth

We also want to share feedback from the participants — voices that reflect the transformative power of the “Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques” program:

Anna Horbachenko: “What makes this training different from others?
There are so many training opportunities nowadays, but I’ve never encountered topics like these before! The exercises weren’t just things to listen to — we truly lived them, studied them, memorized them, and now we’re ready to teach them further.This was my first experience as a trainer.
We enrolled children into two groups in almost one day because this program is already known, and children wanted to join. I was proud to be the one who helped children recognize their trauma and learn how to manage their emotional state. All of them have trauma — the war.”

Vlad Korniienko: “Special thanks for the support throughout the entire project.”

Rehina Serdechna: “This was my first time acting as a trainer — I had previously declined such roles.
But after this training, I clearly see my professional growth. Participants in our group showed positive changes in post-program testing, and they shared their experiences, which is so valuable. The exercises were great — especially the drawing. Even for adults, expressing problems on paper is incredibly powerful!”

Olha Konovalenko: “I can clearly see people feeling better.
A huge thank you for techniques that seem simple, yet they’re effective and easy to understand.”

Olena Shapar: “By the time we reached the final sessions, we had created an incredible atmosphere of trust.
The children shared their most personal thoughts during our sessions.”

In June 2025, an important initiative for the regional educational community came to a close within the walls of the M.V. Ostrohradskyi Poltava Academy of Continuing Education — the certification of specialists who completed the Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” training program. Over several months, participants applied the knowledge they gained in real-life settings — working with students, educators, and families.

This was not just a course, but a profound journey into trauma-informed work: conversations with children about their pain, creating a space for healing and support, and developing new skills to endure stress, calm the body, and accept the difficult. All of this took place in a context of instability and constant alerts.

At the final meeting, 22 participants — practical psychologists and educators from the region — received certificates of program facilitators. They are now ready to implement the program in schools of Poltava region starting from the new academic year.

The project was implemented by the “HOPE worldwide Ukraine” with the support of the M.V. Ostrohradskyi Poltava Academy of Continuing Education. The training was conducted by experienced trainers — Iryna Sukhova and Nataliia Podoliak.

We also express our sincere gratitude to Tetiana Khorosheva — coordinator of the psychological service at the Academy — who became the driving force behind this initiative in the region. Her dedication, professional attention to every stage, and belief in the importance of psychological support for children are true examples of caring for the future of our country.

On June 02, 2025, the training project for professionals working with children and adolescents in the fields of education and social protection has ended in Sumy. The “Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques” program provided participants with practical tools to support children in the challenging conditions of war.

Over five months — from January to May 2025 — school psychologists, social pedagogues, teachers, methodologists, and social service workers conducted therapy sessions with children, educators, and parents. This work took place under constant threat: Sumy and nearby communities experienced repeated shelling, which directly impacted the educational process and the psychological well-being of participants.

One of the most striking incidents occurred when a shell hit a schoolyard. Afterwards, students and teachers avoided entering the building for an extended period. Every wall, crack, and stairway became a reminder of life-threatening danger. The “Children and War, Teaching Recovery Techniques” program helped to swiftly overcome these emotional triggers, restore inner balance, and begin recovery. Teachers were able to first address their own fear and later assist children in dealing with acute reactions and returning to learning.

Twenty-two specialists have successfully completed the training and received trainer certificates. They were greeted by the program’s instructors and supervisors — Tetiana Oboyanska and Iryna Sukhova — as well as the group coordinator Khrystyna Kravchenko.

The project became not only a milestone in professional development for young specialists but also a significant contribution to strengthening psychological support within the educational environment of the frontline Sumy region. It represents the community’s response to the challenges of our time — a transformation of trauma into experience and action.

The training program was implemented within the “Helping Hand to Ukraine” project, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine and financed by the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The “Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques” therapy sessions were held in March and April in the city of Horishni Plavni, at the Specialized Secondary School I–III Levels #4. The groups were led by Iryna Hnoiova and Veronika Harahulia — experienced trainers who had completed training and been certified in this methodology. They note that each session was not just a psychological exercise, but an opportunity for children to take a step toward a fulfilling life, even amid the realities of war.

The trainers shared that children responded very warmly to the format of the sessions — after all, it wasn’t a typical lesson, there were no grades, but instead — a space where they could truly be heard. The energizers at the beginning of each session helped children become more relaxed and engaged, reduce internal tension, and build connections with one another.

A certain setup of how each session ended played a special role: children had the chance to speak, share something, or offer a “kind word” to others. It was in these moments that the group truly became a team — where support was more than just a word, it was an action.

One especially touching story was about a boy who had a younger brother with special educational needs, and a mother who suffers from a mental illness. Because of his quiet nature and inner struggle, he often skipped the group tea time and refused sweets. But after a few sessions, for the first time, he asked if he could take something tasty home — for his little brother. This wasn’t just a gesture of care — it was a sign of the warmth beginning to return to his heart.

The trainers say: sometimes the changes may seem small, but it is precisely these changes that mark the beginning of deep healing. It is for moments like these that the program holds such profound meaning.

We are grateful to our long term partners and friends at HOPE worldwide Canada for cooperation. Thanks to them it was possible to hold these therapy sessions. Their support allows us to strengthen psychological resilience of our society and help our communities cope with challenges of the war time.

 The “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” support groups were held in Sumt at two kindergartens #26 and #24. Unusually, these sessions were not held for children, but for women — mothers, caregivers, and educators.

Today, Sumy remains a hotspot on the map of Ukraine due to the lasting armed aggression of the russian federation, which makes the need for psychological support in the region especially acute. A total of 25 women participated in the therapy course openly engaging in the process of healing and support.

The groups were led by Olha Budianska and Halyna Halytska, both experienced certified trainers in this methodology.

For many it came as a surprise — “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” is a program designed for children, but it turned out that adults need it and benefit from it just as much. The participants did the exercises aimed at reducing anxiety, relieving stress, and coping with difficult memories — and they repeatedly returned to one simple yet powerful question: How can I provide support for my child if I don’t feel stable myself?

The sessions became a space for open conversation and genuine sincerity. One particularly emotional moment occurred when a participant, while working through memories, shared the pain of losing her husband — a loss she had struggled to accept for a long time. Experiencing this moment in a supportive circle gave her the strength to start speaking about the future again.

The second meeting ended on a warm and memorable note: the participants brought homemade treats — cakes, cookies, and jellies — which they enjoyed together during a cozy tea break. It was no longer just a group — it became a space of trust, where new strength for life was born.

Through such meetings, we learn not only how to support children — but also how to support ourselves, so we can truly be their anchor in a changing world.

These sessions were organized and held by “HOPE worldwide Ukraine” Charitable Foundation within the “Helping Hand for Ukraine” project, with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine and financial assistance from the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.