“What do you want me to tell you? I’ve lived my life already,” Mr. Andrii told psychologist Daria during their first session at our Hope and Healing Center in Hatne. Forced to leave his home in Donetsk, he lost the familiar world he once knew and found himself in a new reality that felt cold and alien.

Loneliness, dark thoughts, and a sense of having nothing left to live for—this is what often those who have lost their homes feel. Mr. Andrii seemed weighed down, crushed under the burden of his pain. But instead of succumbing to despair, we invited him to reconnect with his most valuable asset—his life story.

During his sessions with the psychologist, memories came alive: his parents, joyful childhood moments, his decision to become a miner, his beloved wife, and his faith in the future. With each recollection, Mr. Andriy discovered new reasons to keep moving forward. It was as if his heart was opening up again.

“I feel like I can stand tall again!” Mr. Andrii said at the end of his sessions. These words reaffirm that even the most challenging life trials can be overcome when one finds the strength to fight and has someone to support them.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who joins us in helping those who have endured the horrors of war restore their lives. Together, we restore their confidence and desire to live again.
***
These consultations are part of the Comprehensive Psychological Assistance for Children and Families Affected by War program, implemented under the Usaid Ukraine project Building a Sustainable Public Health System, supported by Pact. The initiative provides psychological support to displaced adults and children who have experienced trauma.