Most of us, unfortunately, know what it is like to spend sleepless nights because of air raid alerts. But for some families, war has long ceased to be an exception—it has become part of everyday life. They live in border communities where explosions and drone attacks are a constant reality, and even moments of silence often mean only a temporary pause.
Specifically for parents and children from frontline communities, the team of REALIS Charity Foundation organized the first two sessions of the DACHA Recreational and Psychosocial Rehabilitation Camps. Over the course of two weeks, participants relaxed in nature, took part in sessions with psychologists, art therapy activities, family events, and simply spent quality time together—free from constant stress and anxiety. During this time, we talked, got to know one another, and listened to each other’s stories. Some participants agreed to share their experiences with us. For security reasons, their names have been changed.
«For the first time in a long while, we found a sense of peace here»
Nila came to the camp with her two daughters. Their family lives very close to the border. «It is very frightening where we live. We don’t hide anywhere. As we say, by God’s grace, we’ll survive», she says. At the camp, they were able to experience peace for the first time in a long while. At first, her older daughter missed home, but after a few days she said, «Mom, I don’t want to go home anymore. I want to stay here». The girls enjoyed attending the activities and quickly connected with the psychologists, while for Nila, the adult group sessions became an important part of the program. «Before this, we kept everything inside, but here we finally had a chance to talk about it». According to Nila, after the sessions she began responding to her daughters more calmly, and at the end of the camp she admitted with a smile, «We keep saying that we don’t want to go home. We hope we’ll be invited back again!»
«During this time, I found inner peace»
Marina lives about thirty kilometers from the state border and is raising two sons. Since the beginning of the full-scale war, the family had not gone on vacation even once, and the decision to come to the camp was not an easy one. «We live under constant stress because you never know where it will strike or what the consequences will be». The sessions with psychologists and the art therapy activities became especially valuable for Marina. They helped her better understand her own emotions and look at communication with her children from a new perspective. The family format of the camp proved to be just as important: «You don’t have to spend time cooking or going to work, so you have more time to be with your children. At the same time, you get to know yourself better through the activities. During this time, I found a sense of inner peace». She also has especially warm memories of the group games in which both parents and children took part. «I am resting here one hundred percent».
«You will be heard»
Andrii is 23 years old. He came to the camp with his niece and nephew. He says that, above all, he wanted the children to enjoy the experience. However, over the course of the two weeks, he gained something valuable for himself as well. «The best part is that you can speak, and you will be heard. And you will hear someone else, if you want to listen». The art therapy session where participants created a timeline of their lives left the strongest impression on him. «You switch your brain off and just draw. You don’t overthink it, and then something starts to emerge. And you sit there thinking: wow, there’s actually so much in my life—things that have already happened, and things that are still ahead of me». He also found the conversations about communicating with children especially helpful. «When you don’t shout but try to understand, just sit down beside them and talk—that works much better». When asked what he would take home from the camp, Andrii answers simply: «Self-development. And understanding children—how to find common ground with them».
Every family’s experience is different. Yet almost all participants spoke about similar things: a sense of safety, the opportunity to spend time with their children, the support of psychologists, new friendships, and that special sense of peace that is so often missing from the lives of people living close to the war. This is why the team at DACHA camps continues to organize these camps—to give families the chance to rest, regain their strength, and return home with the feeling that they are not alone in facing their experiences
«Integrated support for war-affected children, families and communities» Project is funded by the European Union and implemented by the Solidarity Fund PL in Ukraine in frames of PRO_MentalHealth Psychosocial Support Programme.