The “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” program is designed to help people overcome psychological difficulties caused by war. But how effective is this knowledge? Does it truly benefit those who receive it? The answers to these questions come directly from participants’ feedback.

Feedback not only helps to evaluate which techniques work best, but also reveals what needs to be added to make the training as useful as possible. It allows the program to be adapted to the real needs of people seeking support and recovery.

Every shared experience, every word of gratitude, and every suggestion for improvement serves as a guide for trainers striving to ensure the training meets today’s challenges. Therefore, feedback is not just participants’ opinions and impressions — it is a crucial tool for enhancing approaches to providing psychological support.

We would like to share the feedback of  the “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” program participants about their experience gained in autumn 2024.

From March 11 to 13, a “Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques” training for trainers was held in Poltava. The event was organized by the “HOPE worldwide Ukraine” Charity Foundation in cooperation with the Poltava M.V. Ostrohradskyi Academy of Continuing Education.

A total of 24 specialists — psychologists, educators, and social workers from Poltava and the Poltava region — participated in the training. All of them work with children and families affected by war, thus the training was highly relevant. The specialists carefully studied new methods for working with psychological trauma, as they frequently receive requests from parents and children for psychological support.

The training was conducted by experienced professionals Natalia Podolyak and Iryna Sukhova, both of whom have extensive experience in working with war-related trauma. The event was coordinated by Khrystyna Kravchenko.

All participants gained the necessary knowledge and skills to share these methods with colleagues and apply them in their work with children. This training represents an important step in strengthening the psychological support system during wartime, helping hundreds of children find inner resources to overcome difficulties and regain a sense of stability.

Participant Testimonials

Tamila Rabukhina:
“For me, any learning opportunity is always relevant because I follow this principle: if I learn something, I will always find a place to apply these skills. The most valuable part was the ‘live collaboration’ — the experience of the trainers and colleagues. The trainers were amazing! Now, it’s simply impossible not to work in this direction!”

Tetiana Vatulina:
“I needed techniques for working with children and teenagers in crisis situations, and I received exactly that! The most useful aspect for me was the structured approach to the work. I enjoyed the training for its clarity, tactfulness, logical presentation, and friendly atmosphere. It feels like a brand-new professional START!!!”

Tetiana Butko:
“This training is 100% relevant because, unfortunately, our present reality has made us anxious, and such training sessions help bring us back to normal life. Everything was useful! You are amazing!!!”

Participants also praised the high level of organization and the support provided by the trainers and coordinator:
“For an organizer, the key is precision, coordination, care, and humanity. This makes you want to learn and create, not just observe!”

This training once again proves that professional growth and teamwork can bring real change, helping children and their families heal.

From March 5 to 7, a “Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques.” training was held in Kyiv for future trainers. The training was conducted by experienced trainers Natalia Podolyak, Olena Bozhor, and Iryna Sukhova, with Olha Posternak coordinating the group.

Ten pairs of trainers from Kyiv, the Kyiv region, and Zaporizhzhia participated in the training. The atmosphere was filled with motivation, support, and active engagement in mastering the methodology. Participants deeply immersed themselves in psychological assistance topics, recognizing their significance for children in the Kyiv region as well as for children and adults in the recently de-occupied areas of the Zaporizhzhia region.

Ahead lies practical work with groups, and we wish each trainer strength, patience, and inspiration. May the acquired knowledge help as many children as possible find inner balance and cope with their experiences. Each of you is doing incredibly important work!

Here are some participant testimonials that reflect the atmosphere and impressions from the training:

Tetiana: “It’s great that everything is gathered in one place. Professional. Accessible. Structured. Necessary. Inspiring. Thank you!”

Vadym: “I am incredibly pleased with the universality of the training — this is what makes it truly unique.”

Liubov: “An intensive program with many interesting and effective tools. Everything is clear and well-structured. I am confident that the knowledge we have gained will help many more people.”

These testimonials are yet another proof that the training not only provides knowledge but also builds a strong community of professionals ready to help children.

On February 4, a festive certificate award ceremony was held in Kyiv for the trainers of the “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” program. The event brought together specialists from various cities across Ukraine, including Kyiv, Kherson, Mariupol, Tarashcha, Dymer, Boryspil, Kryvyi Rih and others.

The participants completed their training back in October 2024. After that they began working with groups of children and adults, helping them to cope with the consequences of war. Over the past four months, they have gained invaluable experience — some have conducted two or three courses, some – as many as nine!

These trainers have become true agents of change, who are creating safe spaces for children where they can express their feelings and learn to manage stress. There is still much important work ahead, and this certificate marks only the beginning of a long and meaningful journey.

We wish each of them strength, resilience, and new achievements in this noble mission! Together, we help children find stability and hope for the future.

On January 24-26, 2025, an inspiring “Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques” training for participants from the Sumy region took place in Poltava. They combined learning, emotional relief, and engaging leisure activities during three intensive days.

The training was led by Iryna Sukhova and Tetyana Oboyanska, who contributed greatly to creating a motivating atmosphere and sharing valuable practical experience.

The program covered theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills. It also included a “Phoenix” masterclass, which became a true highlight of the training. Participants explored personal renewal, regained strength, and found confidence in their abilities—symbolically “rising from the ashes.”

Relaxation was also part of the experience: delicious food, walks around Poltava’s historic center, warm smiles, and meaningful conversations fostered a spirit of support and mutual understanding. Thoughtful gifts, including psychological games and metaphorical cards, added a touch of joy and served as lasting reminders of this shared journey.

The event was organized with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, funded by the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. And, this is just the beginning of a larger project. Moving forward, the participants plan to conduct “Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques” group therapy sessions for both children and adults under the guidance of our foundation.

We are hopeful that the new partnership between “HOPE worldwide Ukraine” Charity Foundation and UNDP in Ukraine will be fruitful and long-lasting.

We are pleased to announce the launch of the HOPE worldwide Ukraine Resource Space, designed to provide psycho-emotional support for the trainers and psychologists of our project. The Resource Space program includes group and individual sessions, resource development workshops, and specialized psychotherapeutic support.

Working with children’s traumatic experiences, our trainers’ team faces immense emotional strain daily. To effectively help others, it is crucial to maintain personal resilience and restore inner resources. This is precisely what our new initiative aims to address.

The first event within the Resource Space was the “Support Within Me” workshop, conducted by practicing psychologist and psychotherapist Kateryna Sukenyk. Participants received practical tools for managing their emotions, as well as techniques to help them cope with professional burnout and accumulated stress.

“To touch someone else’s pain, one needs exceptional inner resilience and the ability to renew oneself. This is exactly what we will cultivate within the Resource Space,” say the organizers.

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 Ukraine and Integrity Action. The content of the news does not necessarily reflect the views of Integrity Action, or Crown Agents in Ukraine.

A Drawing Instead of Words

Children’s drawings are a unique window into their inner world—one that they often cannot or do not want to express in words. The lines, colors, and images they choose reveal their deepest emotions and concerns. When this world is filled with pain and fear, dark and heavy imagery appears on paper. But when there is room for joy and love, it is immediately noticeable—bright colors, happy scenes, and cheerful stories reflect inner harmony.

For many children, psychological support groups become a safe space where they can, for the first time, speak about their pain. However, some of them are not yet ready to speak or cannot find the right words. In such cases, drawing becomes their voice. Through their art, children express what troubles them, helping psychologists understand their experiences.

Many of these drawings are heartbreaking: tanks, shelling, destroyed homes, wounded people. Fear, pain, and loss are embedded in these images. When children pick up pencils, they transfer their inner anxiety onto paper. This process is crucial, as it marks the first step toward healing.

“During one session, a boy drew a house split into two. He explained that it was his home, destroyed by shelling. Another girl used only black color, saying that this was how her city looked after the explosions. Each drawing carries the imprint of their experiences,” share the trainers.

The Path to Light Through Colors

Therapy sessions create an environment where children gradually open up—not only about their pain but also about what gives them hope. Over time, dark colors are replaced with brighter ones. The sun, flowers, and smiles begin to appear on paper. This does not mean that the child has forgotten the pain, but rather that they are learning to live with it and move forward.

Drawings are tiny stories of war and peace, anxiety and recovery. They speak louder than words, showing not only what a child has been through but also what they aspire to. These images reveal not just the pain of war, but also the resilience of a child’s soul—one that searches for light even in the darkest times.

Why This Matters

Drawing in “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” therapy groups is not just about creativity; it is a therapeutic tool that helps children overcome fears and find the strength to heal. It is crucial for children to have a safe space where they can express their emotions, even if it takes time.

Each drawing is another step toward healing the wounds of war. Though the journey is long, support, care, and attention to a child’s inner world can lay the foundation for their new future.