Six-year-old Yaroslava plays alone on the playground. She doesn’t interact with other children and is especially afraid of being away from her mom for too long.

Not long ago, she and her mother were under bombardment in the Donetsk region, mostly staying in shelters. There, typical childhood activities like kindergarten, creative clubs, and fun games with friends were unthinkable. Their primary goal was survival.

After finally evacuating to the capital, Yaroslava and her mom faced new challenges: recovering from their traumatic experiences and adapting to life in a new city. Her mother was especially worried about Yaroslava’s socialization and beginning school, as she was also searching for a job. Their search for solutions led them to our Community Center.

Here, specialists from Save Ukraine began working with Yaroslava using a tailored approach. First, it was crucial to teach her to recognize and manage her emotions and to express her needs. After the trauma and stress she had experienced, Yaroslava was very anxious, often crying because she couldn’t articulate her desires.

Soon, Yaroslava started to feel more comfortable and open. She particularly enjoys activities in the interactive sandbox and on the floor, which help her learn a lot, including how to interact with peers. Each session helps her improve her coordination, overcome shyness, and build confidence.

Today, Yaroslava is smiling! She willingly interacts with other children and is much more psychologically stable, eagerly exploring new things. Her mother is also more at ease, no longer worried about preparing Yaroslava for first grade.
We are incredibly proud of the remarkable changes in Yaroslava and her mother’s lives. We will continue to provide our strong support to all children affected by the consequences of the war.