Author:
Євгенія Малащук
The first month of spring was busy at the regional centers of the Voices of Children Foundation. Each hosted one-day intensives for children affected by war. The young participants took part in psychological workshops, creative activities, excursions, and exciting quests—and made new friends along the way.
In total, 19 intensives took place in March, engaging more than 300 children aged 9 to 15. Our regional centers supported 2,335 people this month, including 1,840 children and 495 adults. Our specialists conducted over 1,000 individual consultations, 174 psychological sessions, and 326 psychosocial group sessions.
As part of one of our favorite traditions, we're happy to share some of the highlights from our young visitors.
In total, 19 intensives took place in March, engaging more than 300 children aged 9 to 15. Our regional centers supported 2,335 people this month, including 1,840 children and 495 adults. Our specialists conducted over 1,000 individual consultations, 174 psychological sessions, and 326 psychosocial group sessions.
As part of one of our favorite traditions, we're happy to share some of the highlights from our young visitors.
14-year-old Veronika and 11-year-old Elina Planted Trees in Truskavets
Of course, they didn't do it alone—they worked together with their friends. Twenty teenagers aged 11–14 participated in the intensive, during which they planted small arborvitae trees (thuja) around the Center.
We didn't even expect the process to be so engaging for the children or that it would spark so many emotions. We had 12 saplings and a few spades, so the kids split into teams and divided the tasks so everyone could participate,
It was Elina's first time planting a tree, which made the process even more exciting.
We had to put on gloves, dig a hole, place the sapling in it, and carefully cover it back up—it was exciting! After the intensive, I came back to the Center to check on the trees. I hope someone is watering them,
Veronika, on the other hand, felt like a pro and helped guide the others on how to use a spade properly.
My grandma had a big farm in Kherson region, where we're from. I helped her plant raspberries, tomatoes—even wheat for the chickens. So, I know how it's done. Some of the kids didn't know how to use a spade, so I told them to press down with their feet—it makes digging easier. The trees we planted are called thujas. They look like little spruces but with soft branches that don't prick,
Yulia Zhuravchak was thrilled with how friendly and positive the group was.
They enthusiastically joined every activity we offered. From the very start, they played 'Snowball Game'—an icebreaker exercise where each participant had to remember and repeat all the names of those who came before them before saying their own. Usually, kids give up once the list gets long. But this group completed this game successfully. A real team!
In addition to the intensives, March was full of creative workshops at our regional centers. The children sculpted, cut, assembled, and painted—and for some, it was a brand-new experience.
8-Year-Old Daryna from Lviv Painted with Acrylic Paints for the First Time
Daryna enjoys creative activities. At home, she does origami—she watches video tutorials on her own and patiently folds paper figures. The most time-consuming project was a cat, which took her three days to complete using the papercraft technique. Now, the cat and her other creations "live" in a special box where Daryna keeps her handmade treasures.
Daryna always takes home every piece she makes during art sessions at the Lviv Center of the Voices of Children Foundation. But this time, she had to leave her latest creation—a painting made with acrylic paints—at the Center for a day so it could dry properly: acrylic takes a long time to set.
The new painting technique attracted her.
Daryna always takes home every piece she makes during art sessions at the Lviv Center of the Voices of Children Foundation. But this time, she had to leave her latest creation—a painting made with acrylic paints—at the Center for a day so it could dry properly: acrylic takes a long time to set.
The new painting technique attracted her.
I got to put little blotches wherever I wanted on the paper. Then I used a modeling spatula to spread the paint around,
Anastasiia Shynkovych, the Center's psychologist, explains that this technique gives children a wide space for self-expression.
It's a complete experiment, pure creative freedom. In general, art therapy is a very effective psychotherapy method that helps children process their emotions. Additionally, painting or sculpting together helps establish contact with a child more quickly. And, of course, art is a doorway to new experiences—which is incredibly valuable for kids. I see this in Daryna's case. She eagerly experiments with different artistic materials and is gradually opening up more and more through her creations,
As always, the psychologists at our regional centers were there in March to support and empower children.
10-Year-Old Marharita from Sumy Won a Dance Competition with Her Team
Marharita used to train professionally in acrobatics, but after Russia's full-scale invasion, her coach left the city. She was initially upset but soon discovered a new passion—modern dance. In March, her dance group Starlight took part in the ART DIALOGUES choreographic art competition, which was held in Ternopil.
Before the trip, Marharita was incredibly nervous. She was afraid of making a mistake during the performance and worried she might let her team down. She shared all of these feelings with the psychologists from our Foundation's mobile team working in Sumy.
One of them, Sofiia Stetsenko, explains that they did everything they could to help Marharita cope with her anxiety.
Before the trip, Marharita was incredibly nervous. She was afraid of making a mistake during the performance and worried she might let her team down. She shared all of these feelings with the psychologists from our Foundation's mobile team working in Sumy.
One of them, Sofiia Stetsenko, explains that they did everything they could to help Marharita cope with her anxiety.
We tried various techniques, including breathing exercises that help overcome fear. We even held a rehearsal of her performance. Other children also pitched in, sharing what helps them manage nerves and sending Marharita their best wishes for a successful performance,
The performance by Marharita and her fellow dancers turned out to be a great success—they placed first in their age category! Together with the Sumy mobile team, we're celebrating Marharita's achievement and wishing her many more brilliant performances in the future.
And that wasn't all—March also brought new tastes and fun times for the kids at the entertainment center.
6-Year-Old Platon from Kyiv Learned to Make Khachapuri
The Kyiv restaurant Chachapuri invites children attending our regional Center to join family-style cooking workshops every month. This time, 15 young "chefs" learned how to prepare khachapuri. During the workshop, the children could discover the culture and traditions of Georgian cuisine.
The restaurant staff treated us, moms, with some delicious appetizers. So, while the kids were busy cooking, we could relax and chat. It was a warm, pleasant day,
Katya admits that she picked up a few cooking hacks during the workshop that she hadn't known before.
I love cooking—I've made khachapuri before—but I didn't know you're supposed to mix the egg with the cheese for the filling. And they showed the kids how to stuff the edges with cheese, too. It turned out even tastier that way.
Platon and his mom often spend time in the kitchen together. The little family has a unique tradition: Katya and her son make potato-filled dumplings (varenyky) every Christmas. Now, like other participants in the workshop, they have one more cozy and delicious memory to share.
Another flavorful March highlight—the KFC restaurant chain invited 20 children from the modular housing settlement in the village of Liubymivka, Bucha district. The settlement is home to families displaced by the war. It wasn't the first time young visitors from our Kyiv regional Center were welcomed by KFC—the partnership has been ongoing for two years now. And every visit is a fun and delicious adventure for the kids.
Another flavorful March highlight—the KFC restaurant chain invited 20 children from the modular housing settlement in the village of Liubymivka, Bucha district. The settlement is home to families displaced by the war. It wasn't the first time young visitors from our Kyiv regional Center were welcomed by KFC—the partnership has been ongoing for two years now. And every visit is a fun and delicious adventure for the kids.
In addition, 80 children from vulnerable groups visited the Krayina Mriy Entertainment Center in March. Their day was just as vibrant and exciting.
Together with you, we can support even more children who need it. You may help us with your donation.
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