By Iryna Drobot, Iryna Roik, Liudmyla Vovk
Behind every happy child lies the heart of a loving mother. Behind every strong nation lies the hearts of millions of loving strong mothers. Being a mother is a tough job. It is unpaid, offers no days off, and carries maximum responsibility — 24/7, 365 days a year.
In Ukraine in 2024, being a mother means all of the above, multiplied by:
Constant anxiety: Seemingly never-ending air raid sirens warn of missile danger, multiple times a day, while there are no 100% safe cities in Ukraine.
“We evacuated on September 27th. And on September 30th, another evacuation group was bombed. And it was terrifying.” – Olha, Prymorsk, Zaporizhzhia region
Permanent fear for children: A fear for a child’s life is real. As of April 26, 2024, russia has killed around 600 and injured more than 1,320 children. Moreover, russia is still able to do it.
“We know about the war from movies. I was so scared for my child and for myself.” – Inna, Kherson
Having to make tough decisions: Some mothers have to choose leaving their home country for their children’s safety. Over 2 million children have left Ukraine. Migration — temporary or permanent — provides children with safety but robes them of a father, friends, and their familiar environment.
“That night there was a battle nearby. Everything was exploding, but the children were sleeping, and we were happy that the children were sleeping and didn’t hear it.” – Inna, Kherson
Nova Ukraine stands by projects that support the mental health of Ukrainian mothers and children. There is nothing more future-proof than happy children. We believe in simple, heartfelt support to help families thrive during tough times.
Psychological Rehabilitation Program “Recovery During War” by Vaad Ukraine (Josef Zissels)
Children’s safety is a priority and mothers are just overwhelmed. In usual wartime settings, there is no time for a mother to sort out her feelings and recover. In 2022 to 2024, Nova Ukraine has already co-funded a three-week rehabilitation program called “Recovery During War” by Vaad Ukraine and Josef Zissels, helping 1,388 affected family members.
“We knew we had to live, but it wasn’t working out. My daughter closed herself off. I closed myself off. And we kept waiting. Here come Spring, Summer, soon we’ll be back.” – Olha, Prymorsk, Zaporizhzhia region
Every family has been affected by the russian war against Ukraine. russian occupation killed family members, and prolonged shelling of their cities.
“Everything was like in a fog. Life seemed to have ended. There is no home, and my daughter is still in the occupied territory.” – Olha, Prymorsk, Zaporizhzhia region
Olha lived in the occupied town Primorsk. Her house was searched by the russian military. The russian occupation service threatened to take her minor daughter away. She refused to work in a school under russian occupation. She negotiated with the russian checkpoint guards for a road opening into Ukraine. Her younger daughter was hospitalized, and her older daughter decided to stay in the occupied city.
“We already felt this freedom and wanted to get out at any cost. Even despite the loss of life, we decided to get out .” – Inna, Kherson
Inna escaped russian occupation in Kherson on her the third attempt, under threat of losing life, but full of courage and determination.
“We had a small red women’s car, two girls, and two children. And there were many cars behind us.” – Inna, Kherson
What seemed to be a safe place away from russian occupation did not make Inna happy. Inna could not talk about her experience, not even think of it: lost her home, without direct family support, desperate to find a sense of life.
“I came here. I had the feeling that I didn’t understand how to live. I couldn’t talk about it for two years. At this camp, I started to understand myself, and my desires. What I want, how I see my life ahead. We have strength, strength to change something, to live on.” – Inna, Kherson
The three-week retreat created a necessary environment for families to recover. Individual and group sessions, art therapy, physical activities, diverse workshops, and supportive community — a toolbox to help families overcome past traumas and ignite hope.
“I am full of energy, being aware that life goes on. One must live. One must live for the sake of the child, family, and values. We are beginning to understand each other and finding common ground. But now I think very differently.” – Olha, Prymorsk, Zaporizhzhia region
Medical Insurance Children of Heroes Foundation
Children of fallen soldiers need help, especially essential medical care. A sickeningly typical situation for families of “Children of Heroes”: a mother with children, leaving their house, the father loses his life defending Ukraine, and a child gets sick far away from home. Supporting the health of children is a way to honor and respect the sacrifices of Ukrainian soldiers.
Viktor, a 6-year-old boy from Kharkiv region, once a happy only child, needs systematic medical care. His father, a candy maker before 2022, was killed in action in August 2023. His mother, and only support, is a kindergarten worker on an unpaid leave in a war-torn Kharkiv region. Now, Viktor is excited for his first school year.
Three girls Sofiyka, Solomiya, and Karolina had to evacuate twice. In 2016 from Luhansk to Kharkiv, and in 2022 from Kharkiv. While their father, a veteran, was killed in action in 2023, the family could not claim state support until his body was obtained in 2024. During air raid alerts, the girls have to retreat to cold underground bomb shelters, and with every time, their health worsens. Now, the girls are dreaming of going back to Kharkiv.
Medical insurance is not widespread in Ukraine. Thanks to 2024 funding, as of the end of March, Nova Ukraine has already supported 192 families within the initiative of the Children of Heroes Foundation, which cares for children who have lost one or both parents due to the russian war. Nova Ukraine has supported this initiative since 2023.
Program of Psychoemotional Stabilization and Renewal Throughout the Year from TUR (Tourist Ukrainian Family)
A joint getaway brings a family together. A peaceful and joyful getaway brings traumatized families closer. The project, initiated by Touristic Ukrainian Family and supported by Nova Ukraine, has offered a five-day retreat to 390 individuals: mothers and their children. A dream world for Ukrainian families: a peaceful setting, in peaceful mountains, with an intense schedule full of outdoor adventures and therapeutic activities and no time to check the news. For five days, there is a place and time to restore families and fill the moment with wonder.
While mothers watch their children open up and enjoy at last, fellow mothers build their supportive community by finding reassurance and encouragement to keep going. Children are active together. In the end, even a reserved child joins the group and smiles. A lot can be achieved with care for such families to move forward.
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