"Childhood Has an Expiration Date": Olena Rozvadovska and Olha Tymchenko Spoke at National Prayer Breakfast Panel

Author:

Mariia Kucova

Olena Rozvadovska, the head of "Voices of Children", and Olha Tymchenko, the head of advocacy projects for the Foundation, spoke at the panel discussion "Childhood Has an Expiration Date: Bring Kids Back". The event took place during the [Ukrainian] National Prayer Breakfast, which brought together 836 individuals from 15 countries, including representatives of 12 religious denominations.

The Foundation representatives addressed the situation of children during the war: how to return and rehabilitate deported children, and how to help minors with the traumatic experiences of war, among other topics. The discussion was moderated by the Children's Ombudswoman Daria Herasymchuk.

For children, not enough is done unless everything is done. For those still under military occupation, this is vital. Their lives literally depend on whether we do everything we can today or look for excuses,
Olena Rozvadovska emphasized.

Children Choose Ukraine Despite Everything

Olha Tymchenko shared the story of 17-year-old Valeriia, who survived Russian deportation and escaped military occupation on her own. The expert noted that children who, despite everything, chose Ukraine are heroes to her.

Hearing stories about these children is truly heartbreaking. I immediately want to do everything possible for them to feel that they are needed here. Needed by their country. That we have been waiting for them. That we will help. That we are grateful for their choice. A choice that not every adult can make,
said Olha Tymchenko.

Olha's commitment goes beyond words. She actually took concrete action by becoming the legal guardian of Valeriia, one of these children. Their story has inspired others who had been considering taking in a child but couldn't bring themselves to do it.

How Our Foundation Helps Children Repatriated from Russian Deportation

Children who have survived Russian deportations need comprehensive and long-term rehabilitation, as they face numerous psychological issues. Specialists from the "Voices of Children" Charitable Foundation officially began working in this direction in the summer of 2023: since then, they have been supporting returned children at the Foundation's regional Centers and providing psychological support during interviews with law enforcement agencies. The Foundation's psychologists have helped 75 children with deportation experiences.

Moreover, the "Voices of Children" team plans to build a Rehabilitation Center in the Kyiv region, specifically to assist children returned from Russian deportation.

Despite the significant efforts of the civic sector, the roles of the state and international partners remain crucial.

This is a very difficult topic, a difficult time, and the challenges are so tough that sometimes I try not to look too far ahead. Sometimes it is unbearable to live with such knowledge. We just need to keep pushing forward, no matter what,
Olena Rozvadovska concluded.