Help for Ukrainian refugees

Three years after the beginning of the war, many Ukrainian families in Romania are no longer facing an immediate emergency, but they continue to navigate uncertainty, separation from loved ones, financial pressure, and the challenge of building a new life far from home. As public attention shifts elsewhere, the need for safe spaces, community support, and opportunities for integration remains as important as ever. 

One story that illustrates this journey is that of Olena, who arrived in Romania from Kharkiv with her teenage son, Pavlo. Before the war, Olena was focused on caring for her family. Everything changed when they were forced to leave their home. Pavlo struggled with the trauma of displacement, becoming withdrawn and finding it difficult to connect with others. Olena, meanwhile, faced the overwhelming challenge of rebuilding daily life in a new country while supporting her son through uncertainty and loss. 

Through activities organized by the EDNAE Association, both found more than services, they found a community. Olena participated in occupational therapy, culinary therapy, and non-formal education activities, while Pavlo joined programs designed for children and young people. Gradually, routines replaced uncertainty. New friendships replaced isolation. Confidence began to return. Today, Pavlo is a university student pursuing his education and looking toward the future with hope. For Olena, the support she received helped her regain balance, strength, and the confidence to move forward. 

Their story reflects the broader impact of the project. Through educational, recreational, psychosocial, and community-based activities, the initiative has supported 3,195 beneficiaries, including 2,774 children and young people, 150 mothers, and 253 seniors. The project has focused not only on meeting practical needs but also on creating opportunities for healing, learning, and belonging. 

Children and youth have benefited from educational workshops, English language classes, sports activities, creative therapies, and opportunities to build friendships and confidence. Mothers have participated in language learning and therapeutic workshops that reduce isolation and strengthen resilience. Elderly refugees have found meaningful social connections through recreational and occupational therapy activities that help preserve dignity and emotional wellbeing. 

What we have learned is that the needs of the Ukrainian community have evolved. In the early months of the war, support focused on shelter, food, and immediate safety. Today, families need something different: integration, emotional stability, educational opportunities for children, language learning, and strong community networks that help them build a sustainable future in Romania. Psychosocial support remains especially important as many families continue to experience anxiety, separation, and uncertainty about the future. 

As one community representative explained, "the war continues, and so do people's needs." While remarkable progress has been made, many families still live in an "in-between" stage, no longer in emergency conditions but not yet fully integrated into their new communities. 

Your support helps make this journey possible. Every donation contributes to safe spaces where children can learn, mothers can find encouragement, seniors can reconnect with their community, and families can regain a sense of normality. Stories like Olena's remind us that lasting change does not happen overnight. It happens through consistent support, caring communities, and people who choose to stand alongside families rebuilding their lives one step at a time. 

Thank you for helping Ukrainian refugees find not only safety, but also hope, belonging, and the opportunity to build a brighter future.