The Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) continues to provide grant support for the development of a psychological assistance program for children affected by war trauma in Ukraine as part of the “Helping Hand for Ukraine” project. This project trains psychologist-trainers to work with children and adults affected by war trauma using the unique methodology “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques”. The project is implemented by the “HOPE worldwide Ukraine” Charity Foundation with the support of Canadian partners, HOPE worldwide Canada.

The grant is for 16 months (from September 2024 to December 2025) years. During this time, 4 trainings will be held for 80 trainers, and 200 group training sessions for children and adults in the “Children and war. Teaching Recovery Techniques” methodology. New trainers will conduct sessions as part of their certification process. Trainers who completed training and certification in 2023–2024 will also work with children and adults across Ukraine.

Volodymyr Yermakov, President of the “HOPE worldwide Ukraine” Charity Foundation, shares: “The project team is sincerely delighted to have the opportunity to continue its work and expresses its gratitude to our partner, the Canada-Ukraine Foundation, for their support. This partnership provides a sense of stability to our organization during these uncertain times. Living and working under the conditions of war makes external support and reliable partners invaluable. It not only instills confidence in the future but also motivates our team to work with maximum dedication. Every contribution and every opportunity we receive is a new step toward helping children affected by the trauma of war. We are doing everything possible to use this support effectively to provide psychosocial assistance to children, creating conditions for their emotional recovery and a better future”.

Iryna Sukhova, the head of the Project’s training team, adds: “We are especially grateful to CUF for their trust and continued collaboration, which enables us to implement vital projects. Due to the traumatic and painful events associated with the prolonged war against Ukraine, the need for psychological assistance continues to grow. Every day, we witness the impact of the trauma of war, but at the same time, we see positive changes in the psychological and emotional well-being of children during and after completing our courses. We receive heartfelt words of gratitude and warm feedback from parents, affirming the importance of this work. Thanks to the compassionate people supporting the “Helping Hand for Ukraine” project, we work with unwavering dedication, bringing hope and a chance for a fulfilling future to our children”.

Since the russian federation’s 24 February 2022 full-scale war against Ukraine, the number of people in need of humanitarian aid and protection increased from approximately 3 million people (since 2014) to nearly 18 million, and hostilities and fighting spread from the east across the country. In 2022-2023, millions of Ukrainians endured intense hostilities, which killed and injured thousands of civilians, forced millions from their homes, destroyed jobs and livelihoods, and left many struggling to access food, water, health care, education, a safe place to live and other essential services. Authorities reported an estimated 15 million Ukrainians to need psycho-social support because of the war. WHO also concluded that at least 9.6 million people may have mental health conditions after being exposed to the horrors of fighting and hostilities. From overcoming war trauma to social isolation to daily struggles without power and heating to displacement-related challenges, and more, the consequences of the war are expected to cause mental health problems for at least five years after the war ends.

The methodology “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” is an effective tool of psychological self-help for people with traumatic consequences of war, natural disasters, and other cataclysms. It works well with both children and adults, as it is a result of the combined years of direct experience of working with child survivors of war and disaster. The methodology was developed in 1998 by professionals from the Institute of Psychiatry in London, UK, and the Center for Crisis Psychology in Bergen, Norway, and has been used after earthquakes in Iran, India, Chile, and China, the tsunami in South East Asia in 2000, as well as war conflicts in Africa, Sri Lanka, Palestine, Iraq, Syria, and Ukraine. The manual “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” has been translated and adapted by experts from the Ukrainian Institute of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Lviv, Ukraine). Since 2015, it has been successfully used to teach trainers and to conduct therapy courses in Ukraine within the framework of the “Helping Hand in Ukraine” project, implemented by “HOPE worldwide Ukraine” Charity Foundation.

The expertise of the “HOPE worldwide Ukraine” Charity Foundation includes working with the trauma of war and PTSD since 2015; providing therapy for children and adults, including internally displaced persons (2015–2018) and those residing in the “gray” conflict zones (2019–2022); delivering therapy to children, adults, and families of internally displaced persons during the war (2022–2024); training and supervising psychologists, volunteers, and educators under the “Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques” program; and collaborating with volunteer and charitable organizations, social services, and educational institutions.

“HOPE worldwide Ukraine” has received a grant from the Children’s Resilience Fund to expand its psychological assistance program for children affected by the trauma of war in Ukraine

The “HOPE worldwide Ukraine” Charity Foundation has received a grant to expand the “Helping Hand for Ukraine” project from the Children’s Resilience Fund: Providing Capacity Building and Funding to Ukrainian Civil Society Organisations in Ukraine, implemented by the Crown Agents Ukraine and Integrity Action program. The project provides psychological support to children affected by war trauma in Ukraine using the methodology “Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques”.

The grant is allocated for the period from November 2024 to October 2025. During this time, 130 “Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques” therapy courses are planned for 1,560 children. The Charity Foundation sincerely thanks the donors for their trust and partnership.

Volodymyr Yermakov, President of the “HOPE worldwide Ukraine” Charity Foundation, shares: “The support we have received from the Children’s Resilience Fund lays a strong foundation for the expansion of the “Helping Hand for Ukraine” project. Thanks to the assistance of the Children’s Resilience Fund, we are able to scale our efforts, engage new communities, and provide psychosocial support to even more children affected by the war”.

Iryna Sukhova, the head of the Project’s training team, adds: “Our partnership is not just financial support—it is a commitment to restoring hope and resilience among those who need it most. This assistance ensures that children and families affected by the trauma of war have access to proven methodologies that foster emotional recovery and empower them to rebuild their lives. We are deeply grateful to the donor for their trust and partnership”.

Since the russian federation’s 24 February 2022 full-scale war against Ukraine, the number of people in need of humanitarian aid and protection increased from approximately 3 million people (since 2014) to nearly 18 million, and hostilities and fighting spread from the east across the country. In 2022-2023, millions of Ukrainians endured intense hostilities, which killed and injured thousands of civilians, forced millions from their homes, destroyed jobs and livelihoods, and left many struggling to access food, water, health care, education, a safe place to live and other essential services. Authorities reported an estimated 15 million Ukrainians to need psycho-social support because of the war. WHO also concluded that at least 9.6 million people may have mental health conditions after being exposed to the horrors of fighting and hostilities. From overcoming war trauma to social isolation to daily struggles without power and heating to displacement-related challenges, and more, the consequences of the war are expected to cause mental health problems for at least five years after the war ends.

The “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” methodology is an effective tool of psychological self-help for people with traumatic consequences of war, natural disasters, and other cataclysms. It works well with both children and adults, as it is a result of the combined years of direct experience of working with child survivors of war and disaster.

The methodology was developed in 1998 by professionals from the Institute of Psychiatry in London, UK, and the Centre for Crisis Psychology in Bergen, Norway, and has been used after earthquakes in Iran, India, Chile, and China, the tsunami in South East Asia in 2000, as well as war conflicts in Africa, Sri Lanka, Palestine, Iraq, Syria, and Ukraine. The manual “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” has been translated and adapted by experts from the Ukrainian Institute of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Lviv, Ukraine). Since 2015, it has been successfully used to teach trainers and to conduct therapy courses in Ukraine within the framework of the “Helping Hand in Ukraine” project, implemented by “HOPE worldwide Ukraine” Charity Foundation.

The expertise of the “HOPE worldwide Ukraine” Charity Foundation includes working with war trauma and PTSD since 2015; providing therapy for children and adults, including internally displaced persons (2015–2018) and those residing in the “grey” conflict zones (2019–2022); delivering therapy to children, adults, and families of internally displaced persons during the war (2022–2024); training and supervising psychologists, volunteers, and educators under the “Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques” program; and collaborating with volunteer and charitable organizations, social services, and educational institutions.

In 2022-2024, “HOPE worldwide Ukraine” conducted 42 training sessions (both offline and online) with the participation of 1,377 new trainers. Additionally, 1,364 “Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques” therapy courses were organized across Ukraine, involving 11,435 children and 3,446 adults.

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.

One of the courses under the program “Children and War: Learning Healing Techniques” has concluded this fall in Kamianets-Podilskyi. The sessions were conducted by experienced trainers — Tetiana Hordiі and Tetiana Khameliuk — and hosted at Kamianets-Podilskyi Lyceum No. 9.

“What stood out about this group was its openness and sincerity. Every session was filled with deep conversations about experiences, challenges, and emotional responses to difficult situations. This allowed everyone to feel heard. The children focused on mastering healing techniques and eagerly shared their impressions and progress at subsequent meetings,” the trainers shared.

At the end of the program, the children expressed a heartfelt desire to continue meeting even after the sessions officially ended. Many still stop by to talk with the trainers, as this group has become a true space of trust and support for them.

The sessions were made possible thanks to financial support from the Canada-Ukraine Foundation.

From October 21 to 23, a training program titled “Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques” was held in Kyiv. Twenty-eight participants from Kyiv, Cherkasy, and Kherson came together in a warm, welcoming setting to learn new techniques to support those affected by war. In a time when online classes are the norm for schools and many projects, participants particularly valued the chance to meet in person, connect, share experiences, and gain hands-on knowledge.

The training was led by experienced facilitators—Irina Sukhova, Natalia Podolyak, and Olena Bozhor—who provided not only theoretical knowledge but also practical tools for working with those in need of psychological support. By the end, participants shared positive feedback and gratitude for what they learned, underscoring how essential this support is in such challenging times. Here are a few of their comments:

– Natalia Litvinova: “I’m inspired by the mission of this project. I’m inspired by the people working on it. Huge thanks to the trainers for such accessible instruction. It was emotional, practical, and interesting!”

– Sofia Shevchuk: “In times of hardship and worry, it’s so important to come together and bring some goodness into this world.”

– Viktoria Isayeva: “Caring for those around us means caring for our future! Wishing success to everyone—and victory for us all!”

– Sofia Shevchenko: “Right away, you feel part of something powerful, something that drives the world forward. Together, onward to victory!”

During these three days, participants gained not only new skills but also a renewed sense of purpose and motivation for their work ahead.

The online training program ‘Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques,’ was held on October 14-18  by trainers Natalia Podolyak and Tetyana Oboyanska. Sixty trainers from various regions of Ukraine (Kyiv, Kharkiv, Cherkasy, Kherson regions) and from abroad (Germany, Hungary) took part in the training. They will now be able to organize support groups for children and adults in their communities.

The goal of the ‘Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques’ program is to help children and adults overcome the traumatic consequences of war. The participants learned practical psychological self-help techniques, including methods of stabilization, anxiety reduction, and prevention of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These techniques have already proven to be effective: they help children reduce stress, improve sleep, and lower anxiety levels, which is critical for adapting to wartime conditions.

The training included practicing techniques for working with traumatic memory and managing emotions, which help strengthen the psychological resilience of both children and adults. The newly trained trainers will now continue to spread this knowledge in their communities, promoting the program across Ukraine.

Participants’ feedback: 

Natalia Yurchyk: “Thank you for the incredible training! I received great techniques and tools that are already helping me. Moving forward with new knowledge!”. 

Svitlana Antonovych: “I am extremely grateful for the knowledge and the opportunity to participate in the training!” 

Kateryna Parfeniuk: “Thank you for provided information! It is very valuable.”

On behalf of the organizers’ team, we express our sincere gratitude to all participants for their interest and desire to help others. Their contribution in restoration of the psychological resilience of our society in these challenging times is invaluable.

Special thanks to our long-time friends and partners, the charitable organization “HOPE worldwide Canada,” whose support made this training possible. Their assistance enables us to strengthen the psychological resilience of our society and help our communities overcome the challenges of wartime.

On September 9-11, 2024, Iryna Sukhova, head and lead psychologist of the “Helping Hand for Ukraine” project, attended the “Mastering the skills of coordination and work in the field of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS)” training for specialists that took place in Odesa.

During the training, the participants improved the skills of interdepartmental coordination, got acquainted with the existing structures and guiding documents on the MHPSS, and also practiced planning and implementation of MHPSS activities. They fostered the knowledge through case studies and interactive role-playing games. The training was conducted by an international WHO expert, Dr. Fami Hanna.

The event for partners from Odesa, Mykolaiv and Kherson regions was organized by the technical working group of MHPSSUkraine and the Regional technical working group of MHPSS Southern Regions.

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Sixteen-year-old Katya from Nova Kakhovka, Kherson region, during the war against Ukraine, experienced many painful and traumatic events that affected her psycho-emotional state and health. Recently, the girl took part in the “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” therapy course and shared her impressions with us:

“I want to express my deep gratitude for the therapy sessions. They turned out to be extremely useful and relevant for me, since I survived three months in the occupation and the first weeks when my hometown, Nova Kakhovka, was actually on the frontline. And later there were several turning points for me moments: the blow-up of the hydroelectric power plant, health problems due to stress, and on my birthday I found out that my grandparents’ house was destroyed.

First, there are interesting methods and ways to eliminate anxiety, pain and obsessive thoughts. We practiced many so-called “tools” to overcome experiences. And they are really very effective. I used them myself and even shared with a friend. Although she had worries about unrequited love, but it also helped her. And this means that the training methods are universal and suitable for every situation when you want to support someone else or calm yourself down.

Secondly, the approach to discussing sensitive topics and providing support to training participants was very important to me. Trainers’ ability to create a safe and supportive environment allowed me to openly discuss difficult issues and find ways to ease my pain. Usually, I don’t like to talk about my experience related to war.

It’s really hard for me to adapt and accept that it will never be the same again. It’s hard for me to see new teachers, to sit in a new class with new classmates. It’s hard for me to sleep in someone else’s bed and not eat from my own plates. It’s hard to see my city being destroyed. It is unpleasant to hear when some people in the village where I live now say that all people from the eastern part of the country are separatists. This is the pain that thousands of displaced people and refugees face every day. Recently, I was cleaning and found the keys to my apartment. I haven’t cried so much in a long time. Such a small thing as keys made me very sad. But I remembered such a tool as the “feel good button”. And I immediately felt better. I still haven’t washed the sweater in which I left Nova Kakhovka. It smells like home. Thank you for your professionalism, sensitivity and desire to help me and other children who have psychological trauma due to war. Before, I dreamed almost every day that a Russian soldier was following me. Now this is rare, because thanks to the sessions I work through my inner fears and pains. Overall, the course is extremely useful and helped me a lot. I experienced a lot during the occupation and after, when I left. I was very lonely. But I found help and I’m glad that there are people who care about my pain.”

On the photo, group therapy sessions “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” conducted in 2024 in Izyaslav city and Pluzhne village, Khmelnytskyi region by the trainers of the “Helping Hand for Ukraine” project, Nataliya Savchuk and Oleksandr Dobrovolskyi.

We are grateful to the “VAV Better Future” Charitable Foundation for fruitful cooperation!

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In the summer of 2024, “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” Therapy Courses Took Place in the “Training project “Caramel” children’s camp near Kyiv in Nemishayeve village, Bucha district.

The atmosphere of the camp was very warm and resourceful, the program was interesting and rich. Children who survived the occupation and terrorist attacks, who are waiting for their father from the front or who already have an irreparable loss in the family, came to the camp. The “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” were conducted for them

A total of 633 children attended therapy courses. Young trainers – Marharyta Polyakova, Hanna Vlasiuk, Darya Tretyak and Yuliya Kalenyk – worked with them. They are students of the Volyn National Lesya Ukrainka University, who already have experience working with trauma and conducting therapy sessions.

This is how the trainers commented on their work at the camp:

Yulia Kalenyk: “Working as a psychologist in the camp has been an incredibly enriching and valuable experience for me. And the “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” program has proved to be extremely useful and allowed me to better understand how to support children who have experienced traumatic and challenging events. These sessions provided an opportunity to create deep emotional contact with the children, helping them to open up and share their fears and experiences. I am very grateful for the cooperation.”

Marharyta Polyakova: “I am very grateful for the opportunity to work as a psychologist at the “Caramel” camp. This is an invaluable experience. Conducting therapy sessions on the topic of war and traumatic events, teaching children the self-help and self-calming techniques is very important. It was very nice to hear from the children that they were getting better after meeting with us.”

Hanna Vlasiuk: “The first session is always the most difficult for me, because you get to know everyone and you want to explain what our therapy sessions are all about. However, it was easy to carry out all the following ones. It was nice to see how children who were closed during the first meetings opened up and took an active part in the discussions.”

Darya Tretyak: “The participants expressed their thoughts on the therapy sessions’ topic beautifully and accurately, and during the exercises they were very focused on what they did. So, they liked to share their emotions and impressions. I have been working with the “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” program in the “Caramel” camp for the second year, and I already felt that I want to grow further to help others more.”

After the camps, Iryna Zavalna, director of the “Caramel” Training Project, shared her impressions: “Thank you for our cooperation and your attention to our project. This year, the experience of our joint work was especially felt. Psychologists in both camps are already part of our team and project family. We received a lot of positive reviews. Once, I dreamed that the children in the camp would have professional psychological support. And thanks to your work, my dream came true for more than one year in a row. Thank you! It is very nice to know that the children had a good rest.”

We also sincerely thank our long-term partner and good friend “Caramel” Training Project” and especially its director Iryna Zavalna for their cooperation.

The “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” therapy courses took place with financial support of the Canada-Ukraine Foundation. We sincerely thank our partner.

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Around 200 children who visited the “Lisova Pisnia” children’s camp near Kamianets-Podilskyi, Khmelnytskyi region this summer, attended “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” therapy course.

Summer camp always means loud, active, and fun! It is a holiday, with songs, dances, quests, games, contests, and entertainment. But children who came to the camp from boarding schools and large families with difficult life circumstances also received psychological support and help. The “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” sessions had a warm atmosphere. The participants shared their difficult emotions and anxieties, learned to express pain and sadness, overcome intrusive memories. They drew their fears and learned to overcome them with the help of various techniques and exercises.

The therapy sessions were held by Larysa Sushko and Tetyana Solovei, trainers of the “Helping Hand for Ukraine” project. We sincerely thank our partner, the Canadian-Ukrainian Foundation, for the financial support!

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A children’s camp always means entertainment, games, excursions, sports, dances, concerts, and communication. The camp in the village of Volovets in Zakarpattia region is also a wonderful experience of the incredible nature of the Carpathian Mountains. Here, in July-August 2024, 297 children of the “Caramel” Training Project attended the “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” therapy sessions. The therapy sessions were held by the certified trainers and psychologists of the “Helping Hand for Ukraine” project Khrystyna and Leila Kravchenko – daughter and mother.

“Wonderful, friendly, and talented children,” Khrystyna Kravchenko shared her impressions after another camp shift. – I like to see their sincere smiles, it is very inspiring… I am incredibly thankful for their trust, stories about their own tragic stories, difficult experiences of loss, and mutual support. Despite all this, they live, cry, laugh, and enjoy life!” Khrystyna expressed special thanks to the “HOPE worldwide Ukraine” charity foundation for the support and trust. She also thanked Iryna Sukhova, the lead psychologist of the “Helping Hand for Ukraine” project, for provided supervisory support.

The children also shared their impressions. Here is the feedback from soem of them:

“There was a very friendly atmosphere during the sessions. Psychologists are one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. The therapy sessions helped me get rid of obsessive thoughts, and now I feel much better. I recommend these sessions to everyone who has issues related to traumatic events.”

“Thank you, psychologists, for such interesting, calm, and open sessions. I really liked them. I can say – don’t hesitate to open up, it definitely won’t get worse, especially when psychologists are so professional in their area.”

“I liked the sessions. We learned a lot of different interesting techniques. From each meeting, I took something for myself, understood, accepted, in order to overcome my fears or calm down a little. All this helped me a lot.”

The “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” therapy courses took place with financial support of the Canada-Ukraine Foundation.

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