All stories
05.08.2025
“They Helped Me in a Magical Way!”: a Child’s Perspective on the Power of Psychological Support
Yevhen is 12. Cheerful, open, and playful—the kind of person you instantly get along with. Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, he has lived in several cities and even countries. In 2022, he left his hometown of Mykolaiv, spent eight months in Poland, then moved to Lviv. But every move Yevhen sees not as a loss, but as an adventure.
For the teenager, Lviv has truly become home. Here he has friends, a regular life, and—most importantly—in-person schooling. It’s also home to the Voices of Children center, where Yevhen first came because of his lack of confidence.
My lack of confidence kept me from doing sports. I trained well, I showed good results, but when it came to competitions, it was like I was doing it for the first time,
A psychologist—who, coincidentally, was also named Yevhen—helped him “in a magical way,” as the boy puts it. They talked a lot: about personal things, fears, and inner strength. It was that same psychologist who suggested Yevhen participate in Voices Camp.
He remembers that spring camp in the Carpathians down to the smallest detail.
Those days were really great, I’d even say perfect days. I’ll remember them for the rest of my life. When I have sons of my own, I’ll tell them the camp was just awesome!
Lots of activities, support from mentors, conversations with new friends he’s still in touch with. And here, at Voices Camp, Yevhen truly opened up. That’s also where he left his self-doubt behind.
Now Yevhen visits his hometown of Mykolaiv during school vacations. He would like to stay in Lviv forever. His biggest dream, though, is for peace, so that his loved ones are safe, and life can go back to simply being life: with school, friends, and memories of the Carpathians.
Copy link