In wartime conditions, children and adolescents can feel as though the ground has fallen away from beneath their feet. They suddenly find themselves adrift in an unrecognizable and frightening world. They lose their homes, their family members. They lose hope. We’ve only just begun working with our partners in Ukraine to bring hope and healing to young people affected by the ongoing war in Ukraine and we are already beginning to hear encouraging words from some of them who have participated in volunteer-led House of Youth (HofY) summer camps designed to bring relief from the painful and traumatizing challenges they continue to face.
Below are some of the comments we’ve received from both camp volunteers and young Ukrainian kids we’ve been helping our partners serve.
House of Youth Student Volunteers Reflect on Changing Lives for the Better — Including Their own
Our lives changed forever after we met the public organization Kokhana Krayina (“Beloved Country”). We were all born and raised in a small village in the south of Ukraine called Kazanka. There were never any initiatives or activities for children and youth except for an art school or a single dance group. While studying at school, most of the children were waiting for the day when they would go to another city to study, where they could learn new things and realize themselves. In the summer of 2023, we heard some interesting news: volunteers came to Kazanka and needed help in organizing a children's camp. At first, it sounded as a good attempt to make another boring summer fun, but [this] camp managed to unite a whole group of bright and dedicated teenagers to serve other children. . .
Thanks to Kokhana Krayina, we not only can find new friends or have fun, but we learn to recognize our true selves and build a new, healthy vision of life. . . We have all become dear to each other - we have become a family. But none of this would have been possible without ChildVoice, which has supported HofY throughout its existence.
-Excerpted group message from HofY Student Volunteers
A Gift of Compassion
I will never forget the day I found out about our HofY social camp. When I crossed the threshold for the first time, I felt awkward, I didn't know what to expect. But later I realized that it was a real gift of fate. In the first few minutes, I felt incredible warmth from the then-complete strangers to me. I not only had a rest there, but also found good people who were committed to their cause as friends. Together we worked, rested, sang songs, shared with your thoughts and impressions. And in every smile, in every hug that they gave me, I felt that I was not alone, that I had support and encouragement. And by participating in this volunteer project, helping others I realized that doing good is the best thing that can happen. This camp taught me compassion, empathy and showed me how important it is to be part of something more. It became not just a holiday for me, but a real family.
- Sofia, Kazanka
A Mother Expresses Gratitude
I am Eva’s mother. My daughter is 11 years old. Unfortunately, the fears and events of the war affected my daughter and the children of our village. Our children were deprived of a peaceful childhood, of communication with each other, as school classes are held online. The shelters have replaced their children's rooms, the benches in the shelters have replaced their cribs, and the air raid alarms have replaced school bells. This is how mercilessly the hostilities take away childhood from little Ukrainians. On behalf of our entire family, we would like to express our gratitude to the entire staff of the camp and sincere thanks for the emotions you give to our children and parents. You are great! Thank you for taking care of our children, thank you for accepting them as your own and being faithful to them friends! Thank you for giving bright emotions, laughter, taught new things, united and distracted from sad thoughts. The holiday went well, the children were happy, cheerful and distracted from their problems and had fun on the full programme!!! You are BEAUTIFUL! You are active and modern! Thank you! I wish you good health, good mood and fulfilment of your dreams.