War leaves a heavy mark on the soul of every Ukrainian. But the most vulnerable ones are those who have lost their homes and family members. Shelling and occupation changed their lives forever. This is why our project, “Comprehensive Psychological Support for Children and Families Affected by War,” launched as part of the @usaid_ukraine program “Building a Resilient Public Health System” with support from @pactworld, is so important. Thanks to this initiative, psychologists from our Hope and Healing Centers have held over a thousand individual and group sessions for adults and children who have endured war-related losses and trauma.

Today, we’re presenting to you the project’s gist, sharing the most inspiring stories of its participants. All of them embarked on the difficult journey from a life in ruins to healing. Each of these stories represents strength, courage, and a renewed sense of hope.

🔷 Vika from Beryslav, 15 years old
Fifteen-year-old Vika and her mother had to flee their incessantly shelled hometown of Beryslav. We offered her to participate in art therapy and group activities at our center. And it worked. She made new friends and learned to manage her anxiety. Today, Vika is open to the world and is planning ahead in full confidence.

🔷 Lyubov from Luhansk, 59 years old
At 59, Lyubov had to leave her native Luhansk. Initially, she found solace in volunteering, but she couldn’t handle it for long and asked for help. Our “Healing the Soul and Body” program came to the rescue. Thanks to it, she found peace and emotional balance. Now, Lyubov sleeps soundly again. She is also ready for a new life.

🔷 Ruslan, 16 years old
The war left 16-year-old Ruslan feeling apathetic and socially isolated. At the beginning, he refused to see a counselor. However, after some gentle nudging, he agreed to a first session. It took just several for him to open up. His self-esteem and confidence have grown significantly since then.

🔷 Artem from a de-occupied city, 12 years old
Russian occupation hampered Artem’s life for two years. After leaving the occupied territory, he bottled up, avoiding contact with peers and adults. Art therapy and group sessions helped him open up. He has since made new friends.

🔷 Vitalyk from Donetsk, 8 years old
After fleeing his native Donetsk, 8-year-old Vitalik joined our center. The incessant shelling left him terrified of darkness and loud sounds. We helped him overcome his fears and find calm using fairy tale therapy. Now, he feels safe, sleeps better, and even enjoys playing with other children.

🔷 Ivan, 10 years old
Ten-year-old Ivan witnessed his neighbor’s death. He had known him his entire life. So, this loss took a major toll on him. Unable to express his grief, he found comfort when our counselor encouraged him to draw to express emotions. This was his first step toward healing.

🔷 Danylo, displaced child, 10 years old
Danylo’s parents were killed during the war. His aunt became his only guardian. To cope with the loss, he received psychological support and group therapy. This helped him to reconnect with his trueself. His favorite activity is drawing for the soldiers: bright colors and symbols help him express his feelings. Art has become his personal therapy and a way to feel valued.