March 27, 2025

Our Creative Hub – happiness and hope for children

At our Creative Hub, children come for creative activities, mothers find a support network, and our Social Worker helps families find stability. As the war and the needs change, we adapt and respond, bringing happiness and hope for the future.

The 200+ children who use the Hub come from different backgrounds. Some were displaced, and find it a relief to be able to interact with other children who also left behind homes and families, so understand what they have experienced. Some children have parents in the military and worry what the future will bring. Some children are affected by poverty, which was made worse by the war when parents lost jobs. The chance to have aid like new winter shoes and a gift at Christmas, along with the therapeutic activities, brings so much happiness.

Our child-centered approach remains central to our mission. Through the Creative Hub, we continue to offer a safe space for children to express themselves, process their experiences, and build resilience through art therapy, educational programs, and social engagement. Recognizing the importance of family well-being, we are also implementing new initiatives that support parents—helping them navigate the challenges of reintegration, mental health struggles, and economic stability.” – Anastasia Lychak, Program Manager

Important highlights of 2024:

  • 207 children and 83 adults benefited from the Creative Hub in 2024, engaging in a variety of activities aimed at emotional well-being, creativity, and education.
  • The space was visited 2,523 times, highlighting its role as a community hub.
  • 129 art-therapy sessions, primarily group-based, helped children process emotions and build resilience.
  • 26 events brought families and communities together, including celebrations for Easter, Christmas, and other cultural occasions.
  • 10 non-residential camps during school breaks kept children engaged in a structured, enjoyable environment while giving parents time for work and personal development.
Through the activities, over 90% of parents have seen positive improvements in children’s behaviour and emotional wellbeing.
By also offering aid, we give children a good chance of feeling secure and able to learn.

Svitlana – how we helped through the hardest time in her life

At an unexpected and challenging point in her life, Svitlana Dnistryanska found herself alone with three young children. During our first meeting, she opened up about her pain and despair over the loss of her husband—a loving father and the pillar of their family. While the family recognized the need for significant changes, they struggled to envision how to rebuild their lives. Svitlana faced numerous challenges with her children, and when we first met, she sought therapeutic support to help her process her loss, rebuild her life, and become a source of strength for her children.

Our collaboration began in 2023, with a comprehensive and personalized approach to supporting the family. We addressed their immediate needs, providing humanitarian aid, including food supplies and household essentials. Before the start of the school year, we also ensured the children had school supplies, sportswear, and shoes.

Throughout our long-term partnership, Svitlana consistently expressed her gratitude, often emphasizing how our organization became a vital “second pillar” for her during the hardest time in her life.

Svitlana's two daughters and son enthusiastically participate in activities at the Creative Hub, taking inspiration from their mother, who is equally involved. Svitlana has engaged in art therapy and completed the “GROWTH” program run by our partners, Tutapona. Here is her heartfelt feedback:

“Thank you for these valuable meetings and the helpful information. Thank you for helping me believe in myself! Our meetings motivate and inspire me. I truly believe everything will be okay!”

Svitlana knows that the doors of our organization are always open to her. Here, she feels heard, understood, and supported. We work to fill her and her family with hope, strength, and the belief that they can move forward and never give up.

Supporting children in Ukraine

"Looking ahead, the Aid in Wartime team remains committed to adapting and refining our strategies to ensure that children affected by conflict have the support they need to heal, thrive, and envision a brighter future." - Anastasia Lychak, Program Manager

We would like to thank our donors, who make it possible for our team to be a pillar of support for children in wartime. Sternstunden e.V. has funded most of the costs for children from March to December 2024, DTCare has funded the art therapy, and donors in Germany enable our dedicated team and meet children’s needs. Donations from our Betterplace appeal have also helped to fund the expert advice from a Social Worker.

Thank you!

Sponsor a child

You can sponsor a child in Ukraine or Malawi and change their life for the better with a monthly donation of €30. In this time of crisis more children need the security of regular sponsorship to support their education and meet their basic needs.