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 Foundationand 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 series of the “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” group therapy sessions has been conducted in Vinnytsia. This initiative provides psychological support to children affected by the consequences of war, helping them process traumatic experiences, learn self-help techniques, and discover inner resources for recovery.
Visible Changes from the Start
With each session, trainers observed noticeable improvements in the children’s mood and emotional state. Initially, painful memories triggered intense reactions, but through specially designed exercises, children began to respond to their experiences with less distress.
“Each session transformed the way how children perceived their memories and traumatic events. We witnessed them gradually opening up, learning to overcome fear and sadness, and stabilizing their emotions,” the trainers share.
Vyacheslav’s Story: A Path to Hope
One of the participants, Vyacheslav, a 15-year-old boy from Kherson, experienced the hardships of war firsthand. Due to constant shelling, his family had to hide in a basement, and after one attack, their house was damaged, and their yard was destroyed. With no electricity, they stayed at friends’ for several days before evacuating to Vinnytsia.
At first, Vyacheslav barely spoke. But during one exercise, he shared a painful memory—the day his dog went missing. He and his mother searched for their beloved pet but never found him. This loss haunted the boy, becoming one of his most distressing memories.
At the final session, Vyacheslav expressed a new perspective—he now believes that someone found his dog and is taking care of him. “I imagine that his new owner is also a boy, just like me. And maybe, one day, we will meet,” he said with a smile.
The Importance of Such Initiatives
The “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” program continues to prove its effectiveness in helping children cope with trauma. Through structured exercises, emotional support, and a safe space for sharing experiences, participants can reframe their past and take steps toward healing.
This is yet another example of why it is crucial to create environments for children’s psychological rehabilitation, ensuring they receive the support needed to overcome the impact of war.
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. The content of the news does not necessarily reflect the views of Integrity Action, or Crown Agents in Ukraine.
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.
55 children, participants of the “Children of War” project by SOS: Civil Defense Headquarters, received holiday gifts from our foundation. Each child was given a soft toy and sweets – small but meaningful gestures of joy and comfort.
These children, who have been living in a frontline area for nearly three years, need warmth and support. We are truly happy to have been part of this important initiative and, together with our partners, to create a festive atmosphere for them.
Representatives of SOS: Civil Defense Headquarters shared that the children were pleasantly surprised by the attention and gifts. Many of them spent the entire day with their new toys, even taking them to their classes. Their smiles and joy are the best reward for our joint efforts.
We thank SOS: Civil Defense Headquarters for the opportunity to contribute to the “Children of War” project. Together, we continue to bring hope and kindness to children, even in the most challenging times!
With financial support of the Canada-Ukraine Foundation. We sincerely thank our partner.
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.
