When 11-year-old Sofia (name changed for safety) first entered our psychologist Dariia’s office, it felt as though she had brought the war with her. Rescued from the occupied Kherson region, her small shoulders were tense, and her silence was heavy.

Inside, Sofia was fighting a battle no child should know. She shouted at invisible enemies and was ready to fight the shadows only she could see. Closed off and aggressive, her anger was a shield for a world of pain.

Our work at the Hope and Healing Center began with breathing exercises and art therapy. Slowly, Sofia’s dark drawings transformed into suns and flowers—images that brought warmth and safety. Through cognitive-behavioral therapy, she learned to tame her fear.

Today, Sofia laughs again and plays with friends. Her eyes, once hollow, now shine with light. Her story proves that even after the deepest trauma, joy can be reclaimed.

Sofia’s recovery was made possible through the project “Comprehensive Psychological and Social Assistance to Ukrainian Children Returned from Russian Deportation,” implemented by Save Ukraine in partnership with the German Federal Foreign Office.

While this project provided essential humanitarian aid, its psychological component was the heartbeat of the recovery. Over the three years of this initiative, we have achieved significant results:

✅ 1080 psychological consultations were provided to children and their families.
✅ 21,100 hot meals were distributed.
✅ 54 children received additional assistance as part of our “winter support” initiative.
✅Beyond immediate aid, we focused on “winterization” and creating stable living conditions, ensuring families could focus on healing.

We are deeply grateful to the German Federal Foreign Office for their unwavering support. Together, we haven’t just provided aid, we have created a sanctuary where children like Sofia can leave the war behind.

Together, we are helping families rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.