A 10-year-old Leonid was brought to our community center in Kharkiv by his grandmother. She couldn’t keep up with all her grandson’s schooling and needed help.

Even though Leonid has parents, he shares a special bond with his grandmother: they endured city bombings together, sought humanitarian aid, studied at home, and continued dreaming. Leonid’s school was bombed, and several airstrikes occurred very close to his home. This inevitably affected the boy’s psychological state.

So, Leonid came to the center feeling lost, insecure, and withdrawn. However, he quickly endeared himself to the other children and our staff with his gentlemanly behavior: always polite, respectful of his elders, and attentive to others’ feelings. Despite his challenges, Leonid diligently applied himself to his studies and made progress.

During sessions with the psychologist, it became evident that the boy was deeply concerned about his parents, who had been in a difficult situation since the war began. Leonid especially missed his mother’s attention. However, by participating in the center’s activities, he began to engage more with his peers, felt supported, and gradually opened up emotionally.

Later, Leonid’s dad went to defend Ukraine, which brought significant changes to the boy’s life. Worries about his dad’s safety and a newfound appreciation for the value of family brought Leonid closer to his mom. They began spending a lot of time together, and now Leonid’s mom brings him to our center. Additionally, while awaiting his dad’s return from the war, Leonid had to take on more responsibility within the family.

During the winter holidays, Leonid’s dad returned home on leave, bringing immense joy to the boy! It was an unforgettable family reunion. Leonid excitedly shared the experience with our staff, and we can see how much he appreciates these positive changes in his family and within himself.

In this way, we assist children affected by war in resuming their education, overcoming the trauma of conflict, and confidently moving forward into the future.