A Psychological Rehabilitation Camp for “Children of Heroes” Beneficiaries Took Place in Zakarpattia

From January 20 to February 3, 2025, a psychological rehabilitation camp for beneficiaries of the Children of Heroes Charity Fund took place with the financial support of Credit Agricole. Over two weeks, 60 children aged 6 to 16 from various regions of Ukraine, including Kyiv, Lviv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Sumy, Zhytomyr, and other cities, participated in an intensive recovery and psychological support program. The project was implemented by the Children of Heroes Charity Fund in partnership with Credit Agricole Bank, with a total budget of 5,031,000 UAH.

“Supporting children and families affected by the war is one of our key priorities within the CSR program We Care,” said Viktoriia Toryanyk, Director of Brand and Communications at Credit Agricole. “This initiative holds a special place in our hearts because it helps children navigate one of the most difficult periods of their lives. Unfortunately, nothing can bring their parents back, but we are doing everything possible to support their recovery and rehabilitation. Thanks to ongoing support from our Group, we have allocated 150 million UAH to charity since the beginning of the war. This is Credit Agricole’s contribution to rebuilding the future.”

The camp took place in Zakarpattia region, near the village of Ust-Chorne, in the picturesque protected area of the Carpathians. The unique location of the hotel complex allowed the children to experience the harmony of nature, enjoy breathtaking mountain views, and benefit from the fresh, clean air for their well-being.

Specialists worked under the British program “Children and Grief”, designed to help stabilize children’s emotional well-being, provide psychoeducation, and support their adaptation to new life circumstances. Each day, children participated in psychological training sessions, art therapy, and film therapy. Additionally, the camp offered 15 individual counseling sessions, which helped children engage more effectively in group activities and made it easier to process traumatic experiences.

Alongside the psychological program, the children had the opportunity to engage in sports activities such as football, badminton, and morning exercises. They also took part in various excursions. They hiked to Mount Lyubovi (Mount Love), visited the city of Mukachevo, and explored the eco-trail near the “Crystal Waterfall,” where they had a chance to see rare plant species.

Every evening, camp counselors held “Good Night” sessions, where children gathered with their mentors to reflect on the day’s events, share their emotions, and support one another. A special focus in the program was given to film therapy—after watching movies with deep psychological themes, the children discussed them with their mentors, analyzed the characters’ behavior, and drew important life lessons.

At the beginning of the program, most children showed high levels of anxiety, emotional instability, and difficulties in communication. Many also experienced feelings of guilt, fear of another loss, and other psychological challenges. Some children displayed aggressive or provocative behavior, while others avoided expressing emotions openly or showed excessive attachment to adults.

However, thanks to a comprehensive approach to working with the children, significant improvements in their emotional well-being were noticeable by the end of the camp. The children became more open, actively participated in group activities, expressed their emotions more easily, and learned to manage them better. Many participants experienced a decrease in anxiety, improved interactions with their peers, and a growing sense of confidence.

This was the first of three camp sessions funded by our partner. Two more sessions are ahead, giving even more children the opportunity to receive essential psychological support and recovery.

We will continue to share updates on the progress of the upcoming sessions and their impact.