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.
