Halyna Maniuk, a retired teacher from Beryslav in the Kherson region, is one of the participants. She spent many years teaching at a pedagogical college before the war drastically altered her life. Forced to leave her hometown, she speaks with sorrow about the loss of colleagues and students. In Beryslav, she left behind her home, cherished belongings, and books—a painful reminder of what has been lost.
Halyna Maniuk in the role of Morkva Horikhivna. Photo courtesy of the project's archive
However, life goes on. Maniuk believes that staying active is what helps her move forward. She avoids idleness, strives to stay busy, learns new skills, and focuses on providing psychological support to herself and others. And what made this possible? A carrot, which translates into Ukrainian as morkva. Morkva Horikhivna, to be exact—or more accurately, a unique project designed to support children while engaging older women in the process.
What is the problem?
In Ukraine today, child psychologists primarily focus on children who have endured psychological trauma, are facing severe emotional difficulties, or require long-term rehabilitation. However, there is another group of children—those who, while not having experienced significant trauma, still need psychological support due to the stresses of living in wartime conditions.
"These are often children navigating age-related crises, social challenges, or difficult developmental stages. Because their needs are not considered urgent and resources are limited, these children frequently fall outside the scope of psychological support," explains Anastasiia Svoboda, head of Academy of Care. "This issue is particularly pressing for families who cannot afford professional services. Donor programs and state support typically prioritize children of military personnel, veterans, or fallen heroes, leaving others without access to necessary help."
What is the solution?
The Academy of Care has discovered a way to broaden its positive impact on children. To offer basic psychological support to those whose needs are not urgent but still require attention and care, the organization decided to involve older adults. Through a specialized program teaching the basics of psychology, women aged 60 and older acquire new skills and connect with their "grandchildren" in the persona of the animated character of a carrot named Morkva Horikhivna.
How does it work?
Combine children's curiosity with the life experience of older people
Project participant Maryna Chepak creates a "magic bell" for a child. Photo courtesy of the project archive
At the start of the year, Rubryka reported on a Kharkiv-based initiative where child psychologists supported young Ukrainians dealing with the challenges of war by adopting the persona of a fairy-tale character, Morkvynka. This project, titled Chest of Miracles, inspired the Academy of Care's follow-up initiative, The Course of Morkva Horikhivna.
The concept emerged when Anastasiia Svoboda, head of the Academy of Care, came across an article highlighting the involvement of older adults in psychological support programs. The article described successful projects in the United States and Switzerland, where collaborations between care homes and kindergartens created opportunities for intergenerational learning. Psychologists praised these initiatives for their effectiveness:
- Older adults have ample time, patience, and composure, allowing them to focus on meaningful interactions with children through play, conversation, and joint activities.
- Children, brimming with curiosity and energy, enjoy engaging with individuals who answer their questions patiently and embrace their inquisitiveness.
"I was captivated by this idea," says Svoboda. "I immediately envisioned how many older women, like my mother, could thrive as Morkva Horikhivna—connecting with children with love and enthusiasm, inspiring them with their energy, and finding renewed purpose by contributing to a vital social initiative."
However, bringing this vision to life was not without challenges. Women aged 60 and older needed to learn more than just the basics of psychology and effective communication with children. They also had to acquire technical skills, such as using apps, participating in Zoom meetings, and managing online documentation. Despite the difficulties, the project team remained committed to realizing an idea that could unlock the women's potential and bring them joy.
Project participant Olena Kravchenko practices using the MaPanda application. Photo courtesy of the project archive
The Academy of Care developed a specialized training course for older women, equipping them with practical online skills and foundational psychology knowledge. Participants learn about child development stages, communication strategies, and basic psychoeducational techniques. In collaboration with the Charity Foundation Enjoying Life and the University of the Third Age Proton, the Academy invited its first group of participants—ten older women who are now actively engaged in the project.
Interestingly, the program's first participant was Anastasiia Svoboda's mother, Liliana. She underwent training during the product hypothesis testing phase and even narrated the fairy tale used in the program. This story was shared with approximately 500 children aged four to eight, accompanied by a feedback request. The overwhelmingly positive response—over 90% of reviews were favorable—validated the initiative and confirmed its potential. The project was ready to move forward!
Morkva Horikhivna's superpower
Morkva Horikhivna interacts with a child using the MaPanda application. Photo courtesy of the project archive
The methodology remains the same as with Morkvynka: children receive calls through the MaPanda app, where the fairy-tale character establishes an emotional connection with the child, making them feel comfortable and play together as friends. The child remains unaware that each game is designed to help them navigate the challenges of war or growing up.
The key difference lies in the character itself. Instead of the child-like Morkvynka, who was on the same level as the child, the new character is the wise and experienced Morkva Horikhivna.
Morkva Horikhivna is a modern, stylish grandmother with pink hair and sneakers. Like Morkvynka, she practices yoga and shares humorous stories from her life. However, the main shift is in her mentoring approach. The Academy of Care believes that Morkva Horikhivna creates a more supportive environment within families. Her three-way calls on the app offer guidance not only for the children but also for their adult loved ones. After all, who wouldn't listen to a grandma?
Project participant Olha Serbina at work. Photo courtesy of the project archive
"Our project provides children with access to support, allows professionals to stay focused on their core mission, and helps women aged 60+ find new purpose, contribute meaningfully to society, and apply the knowledge they've gained to their own life situations," says Svoboda.
Morkva Horikhivna is a modern, stylish grandmother who will always support and help. Photo courtesy of the project archive
Of the five calls from Morkva Horikhivna, two are tripartite, meaning they include an adult close to the child. According to the Academy of Care, this is crucial for strengthening family bonds and fostering a supportive environment. Other tools within the project, such as games and the Tracker of Good Habits, also contribute to this goal by helping families develop habits that prioritize mental health long after the calls have ended.
A central theme of love for Ukraine runs through all the project calls. Morkva Horikhivna teaches children about significant Ukrainian traditions, such as making borscht, embroidering, and singing the national anthem. In a fun and engaging way, she also emphasizes the importance of gratitude for those who help the country stand strong: soldiers, doctors, volunteers, and teachers.
Does it really work?
Animated fairy-tale character Markva Horikhivna. Photo courtesy of the project archive
Therapeutic free calls from Morkva Horikhivna to children began on November 25. The first wave of the project is currently underway, with 50 children participating. Participants were selected through social media and mailing lists, particularly among those who had previously joined the Academy of Care's projects.
Any child aged 6 to 8 can join the upcoming stages of the initiative. Registration is open, and children in this age range can sign up for therapeutic communication with Morkva Horikhivna via the provided link.
"The only exception is that we do not invite children with deep traumatic experiences or special educational needs to this project, as experienced specialists should work with them. We are preparing special programs for such children, which we will announce next year," explains Svoboda.
Life-changing education
As for the elderly participants in the project, the organizers are confident: it's something that resonates deeply with Ukrainian women aged 60+.
"The level of involvement from the ladies is impressive. Some even dye their hair orange to 'get used to the role,'" says Svoboda.
The participants are aged 60 to 72, and for them, this project marks a new chapter in their lives, one that brings energy and excitement. The women themselves share their emotions and experiences about participating in the project here.
Nataliia Huhlenko during her studies. Photo courtesy of the project archive
Nataliia Huhlenko, one of the participants in the project, is an actress who began pursuing this profession only a few years ago, after retiring. She has faced significant challenges with her own children—two of her older children had serious diagnoses, and she spent a great deal of time in hospitals and sanatoriums with them. Intuitively, she found ways to support not only her own children but also others, even offering comfort to some mothers. Now that all three of Huhlenko's children are adults, she hopes that the training and tools provided by the Academy of Care will build on her experiences, allowing her to help other children during these difficult times.
Viktoriia Birkentale during a call. Photo courtesy of the project archive
"All the problems and joys of children whose lives have been affected by their parents' divorce, their escape from Mariupol, and their adaptation to a new city and kindergarten are familiar and close to me," shares Viktoria Birkentale, another participant in the project. During shelling, she taught her grandchildren breathing exercises to help stabilize their emotional state, even if just a little.
Birkentale views volunteering as her calling. She makes trench candles for the front, weaves camouflage nets, and creates warm clothes for Ukraine's defenders. She firmly believes that retirement is no reason to stop contributing. When she heard about this project, she recognized it as a perfect opportunity to gain new skills and contribute to an important cause.
Svoboda proudly adds that since the project began, the bank of inspiring stories from participants has been growing daily.
The project participants "play miracles" every day—sharing wonderful moments in a group chat, supporting each other, and discussing how their lives are changing thanks to the project.
"As cliché as it may sound, our people are truly 'burning' with their work. The feedback we receive from ladies playing Morkva Horikhivna is our 'fuel' to keep creating and working," says Svoboda.
For the team, this project has been a chance to show women that no matter their age, they can be actively involved in society, feel needed, and be of value. And, most importantly, be happy.
The Academy of Care is already considering a character for grandfathers—Mr. Morkovii ("Mr. Carrot").
Even more useful solutions!
Academy of Care unites generations
A girl plays with Morkvynka. Photo courtesy of the project archive
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, over 4,000 families have participated in the Academy of Care's projects, and as Svoboda notes, they confirm the positive impact and high effectiveness of the methodology.
The projects featuring the character Morkvynka, and now Morkva Horikhivna, are thriving and continue to evolve. Svoboda emphasizes that these projects are not only about supporting children and involving older adults but also about providing young people the chance to become part of a community of changemakers. Recently, the organization engaged 80 students from LNU, UCU, and KhPI for internships, training them in the Academy's methodology. From this group, the 11 best students were selected and are now working alongside the main psychologists on a project that provides psychological support to children from families of veterans, soldiers, and fallen heroes. This large-scale program, which will run for seven months, aims to support more than 1,000 children from various foundations, NGOs, and organizations dedicated to military families.
Thus, the Academy of Care has created a comprehensive ecosystem where generations complement one another: the experience of older adults, the energy of youth, and the curiosity of children all work together to foster the harmonious development of mental health in Ukraine.
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