Support for Children in Ukraine

Caritas in Ukraine continues to provide child-friendly spaces that prioritize the wellbeing of war-affected children in the country. These spaces have been instrumental in offering a supportive environment where children can heal, learn, and grow despite the challenges they have faced. They are playing a crucial role in addressing the needs of children affected by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. These spaces offer a safe and nurturing environment for children to engage in recreational activities, receive psychosocial support, and access educational resources.

One of the primary objectives of these child-friendly spaces is to support the emotional and psychological well-being of war-affected children. Trained professionals, including psychologists and social workers, are present in these spaces to provide counseling and therapeutic support to children who may have experienced trauma and are in need of emotional healing. Through individual and group sessions, children are encouraged to express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences, helping them process their emotions in a safe and supportive environment.

To this point 13 Child Friendly Spaces have been established, and up to 10,000 children and young people have had the opportunity to be children, make friends, receive learning support, switch off from everyday life in these locations.

The impressive development of Alina*

Alina is 10 years old. The girl lives alone with her mother in avillage near Odessa. The father does not take care of the child since the divorce of the parents. Alina's mother has lost her job because of the war and sometimes works in temporary jobs. The family is in a difficult financial situation. Together they live with friends of the mother, because she does not have her own apartment.

When Alina's mother learned about Caritas' offer of help, she immediately came forward to get help for her child. Alina needed psychological support and social interaction, as the child had lost contact with friends and peers first due to the Covid quarantine and then due to the war. This caused her to become withdrawn and very sad.

At the Caritas Center, the girl received social and psychological support. At the beginning Alina kept away from other children, but after 2-3 sessions she changed: she became more relaxed, friendly and open-minded towards everyone who surrounded her. According to her, she liked the creative classes and the psychological trainings the most.

During the six months of classes at Caritas, Alina became more confident, open and responsible. After working with a psychologist, she even acquired the knowledge of how to help her mother with panic attacks that occur as a result of the war.

* Name changed to protect the client

Links:

• Info of Caritas Austria support for Ukraine (GER)