– “When I arrived here, the first thing I heard was the birds singing. I had not heard that sound for a long time.”;

– “We have a TV in our room and our own bathroom. My son already does not want to leave.”

These may seem like simple things. Birds singing outside the window. Silence without constant sirens and shelling. A cozy room. The chance to spend time with your child without rushing anywhere. But for many people, during the war, these simple things have become a true luxury.

For the families who have come to stay with us for six days, this is an opportunity to step out of the exhausting cycle of daily worries, anxiety, and loss, at least for a short time, to regain strength and feel that they are cared for.

The first camp session has brought together 12 vulnerable families from Kharkiv, Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Zakarpattia, and Lviv regions. In total, there are 30 participants: 12 mothers and 18 children. Some are learning about us for the first time, while others have already attended our vocational courses or brought their children to educational activities.

But every family has its own story of struggle. Among our participants are wives of fallen heroes and wounded defenders, single mothers, mothers of many children, caregivers, mothers who have experienced loss because of the war, Roma families, and families living in modular housing. We feel the pain of each of them. And we know that they deserve rest, support, and care.

An active programme has already begun for the women, including sessions with a psychologist, physical activities, and a space where they can finally exhale, reconnect with their inner resources, and feel supported. For the children, it is a time for games, creativity, new friends, and sincere childhood laughter.

Our experience shows that such camps become spaces of support and warm human connection that can change lives. Mothers and children return home different: more confident, more determined, and with renewed faith in a better future. Sometimes, just a few days of rest are enough to regain the strength to keep moving forward.

At Voice of Romni, this is not the first time we have walked this path of transformation together with our participants. Ahead of our team are two months of dedicated work to ensure that every family feels safe, comfortable, and welcomed here. For us, it is a great responsibility to accompany vulnerable families on their path to recovery.

The project “Comprehensive Support and Psychosocial Rehabilitation for Vulnerable Families in Dnipro, 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.