As war continues to ravage Ukraine, a heartfelt summer camp has emerged as a beacon of hope for children whose loved ones are missing. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Carpathian Mountains, fifty young Ukrainians gather to share stories and memories, slowly processing the profound grief that accompanies the absence of a parent.
Fifteen-year-old Dima recalls with a heavy heart the last message he received from his father before he went missing in action. "Dad sent a video of them all drinking tea in the forest," Dima remembers. “He wrote, 'Everything's fine, I'll call you tomorrow.'” The next day, however, Dima learned that his father had vanished, leaving behind a family in despair.
This summer camp, facilitated by the charity Gen.Ukrainian, is especially designed for children facing unprecedented emotional and psychological struggles. Many children share multiple traumas, as not only are their fathers missing, but sometimes uncles, grandmothers, and other relatives are unaccounted for too. The lead psychologist, Vanui Martirosyan, explains, “Many of these children are living in a frozen state. They cannot plan for the future because they do not know what it holds."
In the secure surroundings of western Ukraine, these children engage in activities like art therapy to express their emotions. One boy, Zahar, created a painting entitled "Daddy Comes Home," depicting the colors of the Ukrainian flag. Others share stories of fear during bombings, vivid memories of loving fathers, and the anguish of uncertainty.
As camp days progress, children participate in group therapy sessions, where they are encouraged to articulate their feelings and connect through shared experiences. Sixteen-year-old Nastia, from the embattled city of Kharkiv, remembers her kind father fondly, acknowledging that her heart remains heavy with sadness over his disappearance.
In addition to healing and support, the camp offers a respite from the anxiety of air raid sirens. Laughter fills the air as they swim, hike, and play volleyball, helping them release stress and heal.
As the camp concludes, emotions run high. Children express their reluctance to leave newfound friends and the shared understanding of their pain. Oksana Lebedieva, the founder of Gen.Ukrainian, emphasizes the importance of belonging and the overwhelming need for such programs. "Millions of Ukrainian children are traumatized by war. This is a humanitarian catastrophe.”
Through these initiatives, children not only confront their grief but also realize they are not alone in their struggles, building connections that could last a lifetime in the heart of such unimaginable chaos.
