Everyday chores, household worries, constant anxiety, and fear for their loved ones often leave women with no time for themselves. This is especially true in wartime, when new challenges arise day after day.

That is why it matters so much to have a place where you can stop, even for just a few days, to rest and recover your strength. To enjoy a slow, warm morning, a hot cup of coffee, a quiet conversation, and the sound of children laughing. And to be surrounded by people who understand, who don’t ask difficult questions or demand answers, but simply offer support and a shoulder to lean on.

The Voice of Romni summer camp became that kind of space for women who came together with their children. The camp offered shared activities, rest, psychological support, and a chance to spend time without constantly bracing for the next air raid alert.

Hanna Kailo and her daughter lived through the occupation of Rubizhne in Luhansk region. In 2022, they managed to leave the city. After everything they had been through, the camp was their first real chance to fully rest.

“My daughter and I had been looking forward to this so much. It isn’t just a holiday, it’s a complete reset. There’s nature here, peace, a sense of balance. It takes my breath away. It’s like a gulp of fresh air,” Hanna shares.

Behind every participant’s story lies the experience of war, displacement, loss, and the daily work of caring for children. Despite everything they have endured, these women keep building lives for their families. That is why it is so important for them not only to overcome hardships, but also to have the chance to restore their own strength.

“So many of my relatives were killed during this time. I was left alone with two children who are still minors. I needed a break like this, a chance to relax in a cozy place where you can let go of this terrible daily reality and forget about the sirens and the explosions. This is the first time I’ve had such a wonderful opportunity to rest together with my children,” says camp participant Tetiana Bohunova.

Women came to the camp from different regions of Ukraine. For many of them, war remains part of everyday life.

“I’m from Konotop in Sumy region. It’s not very quiet in Konotop, but we’re still living there. Thank you for this project and for organizing all of this. My child loves it here. He can’t even hear the air raid alerts,” says Amina Babich.

A few days in a safe environment offer a chance to realize how much small moments of joy matter, how important it is to care for yourself, and how deeply that shapes your quality of life. After all, caring for others shouldn’t mean giving up on caring for yourself.

This summer, we created a space where women and their children could feel supported and, at least for a few days, set aside the worries and daily burdens of war. A place where they could feel that someone was caring for them, too.

The project “Comprehensive Support and Psychosocial Rehabilitation for Vulnerable Families in Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, and Sumy Regions” is implemented by the NGO Association of Roma Women Voice of Romni with the support of the International Rescue Committee in Ukraine.