Sharing the stories of those who turn to us for help is never easy. Many of these stories are impossible to tell out loud — it’s hard to even imagine the horrors of war they’ve endured.

And yet, whenever we meet with our partners, we strive to show them exactly who they are helping when they support Voice of Romni’s initiatives. Behind every project, behind every number, are real human lives.

Anzhelika Bielova, President of Voice of Romni, had the honour of speaking in New York at the 30th anniversary celebration of the Global Fund for Children — our trusted partners who stood by us during the most difficult times back in 2022. In her speech, Anzhelika shared how their support was felt in Ukraine and how it changed the lives of hundreds of children.

In September 2022, the Voice of Romni team received our first grant from GFC. It wasn’t just a financial resource — it was a chance to save lives. Thanks to that support, we opened a children’s space in Uzhhorod where kids could find care and psychological support.

Anzhelika shared two of many stories from our work:

  • On April 8, 2022, a six-year-old boy from Kramatorsk was at the train station with his family when a Russian missile strike hit. Sixty-one people were killed that day, including seven children. The family relocated to Zakarpattia, but even there, the boy would hide under the table at the sound of air raid sirens, suffering from a nervous tic. Through regular sessions with Voice of Romni’s psychologist, he gradually overcame his fear and returned to a sense of normalcy.
  • An 11-year-old girl from Kharkiv experienced a Russian shelling attack that left her with severe psychological trauma. She began harming herself due to PTSD. Our psychologists worked with her using trauma-focused therapy and art therapy, helping her slowly heal and move forward.

These are just two out of hundreds of stories we’ve heard in our work. And thousands more are still in need of help. War leaves deep wounds, and we must ensure proper recovery for the most vulnerable.

Currently, Voice of Romni runs three permanent children’s spaces where kids receive long-term psychological therapy. Our team continues to deepen its expertise every day.

“Every year we organize family camps where those who have survived occupation, loss of loved ones, and displacement can rest in the mountains, receive care and support, breathe freely, live without sirens, and feel that they are not alone — and that they can move forward,” Anzhelika added.

That’s why flexible funding for grassroots organizations is so crucial. Thanks to the support of our partners — including the Global Fund for Children — we can continue expanding our reach and helping more children each time.

Voice of Romni warmly congratulates the Global Fund for Children on 30 years of dedicated work that changes the lives of children around the world. Thank you for your unwavering support and belief in us. Together, we are building a better world!