Trauma Screening & Healing for Ukrainian Children

Today, our mission in Ukraine continues.

In the photo - Dr. Hollifield alongside two veterans from Canada who came as mentors to Sunflower Camp.

The name is no coincidence: a sunflower always turns its face toward the sun, no matter what's happening around it. During our short visit, we were able to see the camp, spend time with the children and mentors, and of course meet with the camp's director, Oksana - the person who holds together this vital environment of safety and warmth for 115 children: children of internally displaced families, children of fallen defenders, children of veterans.

Each of these children carries deep pain: the loss of home, the loss of loved ones, fear that isn't always visible on the surface. They need support, a safe space, and people willing to stand beside them. And at the same time, these children remind us every day what true resilience looks like - through their smiles, their play, their ability to trust the world again.

The people who come to be beside children like these are themselves remarkably strong. The Canadian veterans who mentored at the camp shared a phrase that will stay with us: "We help them - and they heal us." 

This is the essence of what the War Survivors Institute is about - healing after war always moves in both directions.

We're especially glad to see organizations already doing active work in Ukraine while also being ready to grow further - bringing in scientific screenings to better understand children's emotional wellbeing. This allows us to move beyond support alone, toward an approach that's evidence-based, measurable, and built to last.

We're glad to be building partnerships that carry this work forward. 

There's much more ahead - and we continue this mission together: healing hearts, growing peace.

The WSI Team