Nikopol is a city in Dnipropetrovsk region that is under constant shelling, sometimes several times per day. People do not hide in bomb shelters, they live there. For children and their parents who spend nights in bomb shelters the “Helping Hand for Ukraine” Project of the Charity Foundation “HOPE worldwide Ukraine” in cooperation with the “Nikopol Center for Adult Education” organized the “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” therapy courses. Project trainers Olha Pastushok and Liudmyla Semencha work with the participants right in the bomb shelter. They teach them various self-help techniques: how to calm down during a panic attack, how to deal with a scary memory or fear, how to fall asleep to the sound of explosions.
“We are very grateful for the “Children and War. Teaching Recovery Techniques” methodology. We can use it to help children and their parents in this difficult time, – says Olga Pastushok. – It is difficult in Nikopol, there are constant explosions and gunshots, but we are working. People really need help, their psychological state is terrible. But together we overcome fears, pain, practice self-help techniques, they are effective. There is a lot of work. For example, today we held two groups for children and two groups for parents. After the session, we presented our little participants with gift backpacks from the “Helping Hand for Ukraine” Project. It was a real surprise for the children. There was so much joy that even some adults couldn’t hold back their tears.”
