Kyiv volunteers initiate project to support internally displaced children

From June 12 to July 7, volunteers from the PORUCH union ran the "PORUCH-CAMP" social project in Kyiv for 80 children displaced by war and living in temporarily occupied territories. Over the course of 20 days, volunteers held 20 excursions and 12 art therapy classes, bringing some joy to the kids.

 What is the problem?

Ukrainian children have been living in war conditions for over a year. Constant air raids and shelling, changing the city of residence, and sometimes the loss of relatives – all these factors negatively affect their emotional state and future development.

  What is the solution?

"PORUCH-CAMP" is a social project aimed at the socialization and adaptation of IDP children in a new city. While in the camp, they visited various exciting places, acquired new skills, had fun, and at the same time received psychological support and assistance. And also found friends and learned something new," Rusana Sharlai, the organizer of the Charitable Fund Volunteer Union "PORUCH," said.

How does it work?

Every morning at "PORUCH-CAMP" started with physical activity and a conversation circle, after which the children went on excursions. Over the course of the week, they visited the Science Museum, Kyiv Planetarium, Ukraine in Miniature Park–Museum, Yasnohorodka Family Eco–Park, Mezhyhirya National Park, and the KidsWill profession city for children.

At the end of each shift, the children and their parents sincerely thanked the volunteers for the initiative.

"I just want to thank the organizers from the bottom of my heart! This is an essential event for kids here—it gives them a chance to forget about the sirens, the explosions, and the horrible things they face now. My kid ran to you in the morning and I couldn't get him back at the end of the day. He met new people and, who knows, maybe even made some friends. On the way home, he was thrilled to tell me about the amazing day he had spent with you!" — this is one of the many reviews the volunteers received from parents whose children attended "PORUCH-CAMP."

Volunteers ran four five–day shifts with twenty kids each, which resulted in eighty internally displaced children from the battle or occupation zone visiting PORUCH–CAMP.

Earlier, Rubryka wrote that a veteran – cyborg from the Donetsk airport – created a children's camp.