In the Carpathian mountains of western Ukraine, a group of 50 children grapples with the absence of parents lost to the ongoing conflict. Among them is 15-year-old Dima, who recalls the profound moment his father, a soldier, warned him he might never return when Russia's full-scale invasion began. As they sit around a campfire sharing stories, these children find comfort in community and the beauty of their mountainous surroundings—far from the noise of war.
This innovative summer camp, organized by the charity Gen.Ukrainian, serves as a refuge for kids grappling with the trauma of their missing loved ones. The government estimates that over 70,000 individuals are currently unaccounted for, leaving many families in a state of uncertainty. The camp provides a therapeutic environment where children can express their emotions, learn coping strategies, and for a brief moment, escape the fear of air raids that plague their everyday lives.
Vanui Martirosyan, the lead psychologist at Gen.Ukrainian, emphasizes the complexities of grief for these children. While they navigate the pain of missing fathers, brothers, and other relatives, they often feel stuck in a state of limbo, unable to grieve fully due to a lack of closure. This nuanced trauma complicates their emotional landscape, further challenging their ability to plan for a future without their loved ones.
The poignant stories shared during the camp reveal the deep emotional scars left by war. Dima clings to hope that his father may still be alive despite conflicting reports about his fate, while other children share their fears and happy memories. The camp fosters bonding through artistic expression and physical activities, allowing the children to channel their experiences into creativity and movement—both vital for healing.
Young participants like Nastia, whose soldier father has been missing for over a year, find solace in shared memories, recalling moments of kindness and joy. From swimming pool outings to even simple therapies addressing past traumas, the camp allows these children to find strength in vulnerability and discover they are not alone in their grief.
As the camp approaches its closing ceremony, emotions run high, with several children expressing reluctance to return to their disrupted lives. Oksana Lebedieva, the founder of Gen.Ukrainian, highlights the importance of solidarity among these children, emphasizing that their shared experiences can help lessen the burden of trauma.
"This is a humanitarian catastrophe," Lebedieva remarks, recognizing the overwhelming challenge of supporting millions of children affected by the war in Ukraine. Through the camp's nurturing environment, hope is sparked, and for these kids, a semblance of normalcy is restored—if only for a fleeting summer.
