Caring for Ukraine's Children through Trauma Healing, Hope, and Critical Care

Executive Summary

The ongoing war in Ukraine has left deep psychological and emotional scars on its youngest and most vulnerable citizens. In response, the project “Caring for Ukraine’s Children through Trauma Healing, Hope, and Critical Care” was launched to provide targeted support for children and their families impacted by the conflict. With 21 therapy teams conducting 39 group sessions in 16 cities across Ukraine and Germany, the project reached 449 children and 81 adults.

Praying and invoking the Power of the Holy Spirit, utilizing proven therapeutic techniques developed by Patrick Smith, William Yule, and Atle Dyregrov, associated with the Children and War Foundation, and tailored for Ukraine’s cultural context, the program achieved significant outcomes in healing trauma, fostering emotional resilience, and equipping participants with tools for coping with stress. Despite numerous logistical and environmental challenges, such as power outages, air raids, and leadership changes, the program demonstrated its adaptability and effectiveness, making it an essential resource for children and families affected by war.

Introduction

The war in Ukraine has raised numerous painful and pressing questions: “How can one continue to live after losing peace of mind, loved ones, and the comfort of home? How does one go on when it feels like life is no longer grounded in reality but instead filled with thoughts and memories of the past—memories of a home that no longer exists and parents who are now in heaven?”

The project “Caring for Ukraine’s Children through Trauma Healing, Hope, and Critical Care” was launched in response to the profound psychological and emotional impact of the ongoing military conflict in Ukraine. The initiative aimed to provide trauma healing, instill hope, and offer critical assistance to children affected by war, forced displacement, and violence. Through a series of carefully structured programs, workshops, and therapeutic interventions, the project sought to address both the immediate and long-term needs of children and their families, fostering recovery and resilience after the trauma they endured.

A unique feature of this project was the challenging circumstances under which it was often conducted—amid air raid sirens, explosions, and the roar of aircraft. Sessions were sometimes held by candlelight during power outages and, on occasion, even in bomb shelters. Volunteers traveled to remote and hard-to-reach villages and settlements, fully aware of how critical this assistance was for children and women fleeing the war or enduring occupation. In such difficult life situations, the presence of another person can make all the difference—especially when that person is a child with a fragile and vulnerable psyche. Goodness always triumphs over evil, and this project has become like living water for the children and women of Ukraine.

The trauma healing program participants were selected based on a single criterion: their willingness to attend group sessions. Therapists actively worked to engage participants, creating an environment that fostered interest and participation.

The program was specifically adapted for Ukrainians and has been in partial operation in Ukraine since 2014, following the onset of conflict in the country’s eastern regions. It utilized a range of therapeutic tools and techniques, such as “Steps of Fear” and “Safe Place,” which were highly effective across various age groups and trauma types. These methods equipped participants with strategies to manage stress and navigate challenging situations in their daily lives.

Therapists continuously refined their approaches by gathering participant feedback, including insights from parents or guardians, teachers, caregivers, and children. This feedback provided valuable perspectives on how the participants’ lives and emotional well-being were evolving, ensuring the program remained responsive and impactful.

Project Overview

The project’s primary aim was to deliver spiritual and psychological healing and foster resilience in children who have experienced direct or indirect trauma, including witnessing violence, displacement, and the loss of family members. Activities included group therapy sessions, individual counseling, creative workshops, and resilience-building exercises.

LYN Community collaborated closely with its key partner in Ukraine, the Krasche Maibutne charitable foundation, which played an essential role in the project’s successful execution. The foundation provided critical logistical support, as well as bookings and scheduling, facilitating the seamless implementation of therapeutic sessions and workshops across multiple locations. This partnership formalized through the LYNC—Krasche Maibutne Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), underscored the shared commitment to supporting war-affected children and families. (See the attached LYNC—Krasche Maibutne MOU).

Key Metrics

• Participants: 449 children and 81 adults (including 163 who witnessed or were victims of war).
• Therapy Teams: 21 teams delivering 39 group sessions.
• Cities Covered: Cherkasy, Lviv, Kyiv region (Boryspil), Bautzen and Hoyerswerda (Germany, Ukrainian refugee centers), Myrhorod, Zhmerynka, Zhytomyr, Kherson region (Novopavlivka), Kryvyi Rih, ⁠Izyaslav (Khmelnytskyi region), Chernivtcy, Znamyanka, Okeksandriia, Kirovograd Region, ⁠Druzhkivka (Donetsk region), ⁠Velikiy Berezniy (Transcarpathia region), Golenishchevo (Khmelnytskyi region), ⁠Dnipro, Kamyanske, Kamyanez-Podilskiy (Khmelnnitskiy region), Tcikova (Khmelnitskii region), and others.

Challenges

The project encountered a significant obstacle near its conclusion when the project manager unexpectedly resigned to establish their own organization focused on similar initiatives. This abrupt leadership transition created disruptions at a critical stage, requiring swift adjustments to maintain momentum and ensure project continuity.

We swiftly appointed Ms. Oksana Vlasova as the new project manager to mitigate the impact. Ms. Vlasova immediately stepped into her role and demonstrated remarkable commitment and efficiency. She successfully helped to organize the project’s final event and oversaw the preparation of this comprehensive report. Her leadership ensured that the project’s objectives were met and that the support provided to children and families was recorded and reported despite the unforeseen challenges.

Key Outtakes and Achievements

1. Psychological Healing and Emotional Resilience

• In Kamianets-Podilskyi, a group of children, including many internally displaced persons (IDPs), participated in trauma-healing sessions. They actively engaged with the presented techniques, demonstrating long-term retention and the ability to use these tools in stressful situations. Some even provided advice to other children and adults in need.
• In Lviv, displaced children who faced family rejection received intensive support, resulting in notable improvements in emotional stability and social interactions. For instance, Matviy, an 18-year-old from a large family, transitioned from being withdrawn and immersed in virtual games to expressing himself, interacting with peers, and discussing his emotions after just three sessions.

2. Building Trust and Safe Spaces

• In a Western Ukraine orphanage, despite confidentiality challenges and scheduling conflicts, children gradually opened up, shared their traumatic experiences, and trusted the therapists. This trust fostered deeper emotional healing.
• Myroslav (9) and Katya (10), raised in dysfunctional families, initially did not speak and cried frequently. After several sessions, they began smiling, sharing about themselves, and building connections with their therapists, even bringing them brightly colored drawings.
• In Zhmerinka, the program highlighted the importance of creating safe environments where children could learn and express themselves. By adapting trauma-healing techniques to individual needs, children overcame communication barriers and reduced emotional stress.

3. Problem-solving through Creative Techniques

• In Druzhkivka, children living under constant shelling learned to express their feelings and recognize their trauma. A boy grieving his father shifted from crying to calmly discussing his loss, marking significant emotional progress.
• In Velykyi Bereznyi, children openly discussed their fears, reducing feelings of isolation and fostering peer support.

4. Effective Adaptation to Challenges

• The program displayed flexibility in addressing logistical challenges like power outages in Lviv. By adjusting schedules and utilizing both online (Zoom, Skype) and offline formats, the program ensured continuous support for children and adults despite external obstacles.

5. Addressing Diverse Trauma Reactions and Needs

• Groups, such as one in Znamianka, included children with varied trauma backgrounds, requiring extra time to build trust and tailor interventions to individual needs. Some children received additional individual sessions to establish psychological connections and support.

6. Overcoming Cultural and Emotional Barriers

• In regions like Chernivtsi, initial distrust due to differing perspectives on the conflict and reluctance to share traumatic experiences hindered group cohesion. However, by the third or fourth session, participants began opening up, building trust, and eagerly anticipating future sessions.

7. Case Studies

• Sofia from Borodianka, a 10-year-old girl, initially exhibited aggressive behavior and fear after her home was destroyed. Using drawing and discussion techniques, Sofia processed her trauma and imagined a positive future, significantly improving her behavior and emotional regulation.
• Alina from Znamianka, an internally displaced girl, suffered from fear of loud noises, such as explosions and sirens. By learning and applying calming techniques, Alina reduced her anxiety and improved her psychological resilience.
• Maksym from Zhmerinka, an orphan traumatized by his parents’ constant fights, Maksym overcame his fear of loud voices using the “Safe Place” technique. This method helped him achieve emotional stability and reduced his sensitivity to triggers.
• Vitya, from the orphanage, lost his mother, his only family member, during the war. The therapists helped him process his grief by encouraging him to cherish her memory rather than forget her. This approach comforted him, and he formed a deep connection with the therapists, whom he often sought out for hugs and support. Their warmth and care significantly improved his emotional well-being.

Integration of Psychological Practices with Spiritual Aspects

A unique feature of the program was the inclusion of prayer during each session. The educators, who are Christians, prayed with the children, offering comfort and hope during air raids. Many children heard about God for the first time, and some shared these lessons with their families, even teaching their parents to pray during air raids. The combination of psychological tools and sincere prayer provided peace and wisdom to the children’s souls, emphasizing the importance of faith during challenging times.

Impact and Future Directions

The program has made a lasting impact on participants, improving emotional well-being, reducing stress, and equipping children with tools to manage trauma. It has also enhanced family dynamics, as children shared their learning with parents and caregivers. The project’s adaptability and cultural sensitivity were key to its success, demonstrating that such initiatives are crucial for addressing the ongoing psychological needs caused by the war.

As the conflict persists, the demand for psychological support grows. Expanding this program will ensure that more children and families receive the care they need to rebuild their lives and futures.

Conclusion

The “Caring for the Children of Ukraine” project has proven to be a vital resource in addressing the psychological and emotional needs of war-affected children. Fostering resilience and emotional healing has brought hope and stability to those in dire circumstances. Despite the challenges faced, including the sudden resignation of the original project manager, the program concluded successfully under the leadership of Ms. Oksana Vlasova. Continued support for this initiative is essential to ensure the well-being of Ukraine’s children and their ability to overcome the challenges posed by war.

Many participants and volunteers have continued their involvement, providing ongoing care and hope to children in need.