Contribution to the future of the country: families affected by the war receive a "second wind" at the "Recover" project
The Vadym Stolar Charitable Foundation, within one of the priority areas of its work - social and psychological support of Ukrainians - conducted the fourth stage of the "Recover" project.
This initiative is aimed at families who lost one of their parents due to the war or were left without a home. For psychological and physical recovery, the Foundation arranges for them weekly visits to hotels in picturesque and safe corners of our country.
Qualified specialists work with parents and children - from animators to psychologists and art therapists. Volunteers do everything to make the guests feel cozy and comfortable, organizing their life and leisure.
"For me and for the entire team, the project "Recover" is of special importance, because it is our contribution to the future. Our goal is to give people an emotional reset, an opportunity to gather strength and return to a full life. We unite people from all over Ukraine into one big family. "Recover" is an important contribution to the happy future of the country and people," explains the founder of the Foundation, Vadym Stolar.
People's deputy and Foundation volunteer Nataliya Prykhodko says that from the very beginning of the project, its organizers understood that this is a story with a continuation.
"Already during the first stage of our "Recover" project, we realized that we will definitely continue. We looked into people's eyes and understood how important such a reboot is to them. Unfortunately, the war continues, and an even greater number of Ukrainians need our help and moral support. We want to give people a certain "second wind", Nataliya emphasizes.
"More than 150 people participated in this stage of the "Recover" project. And in general, since August 2022, the project has covered almost 700 people. We see the results that people leave with, and we understand that this inspires them to live on, move on and wait for our victory," - the volunteer is convinced.
She emphasizes that there is a large team of volunteers and professionals working at “Recover”. These are psychologists, art therapists, and animators - people who help adults and children reset their thoughts in a picturesque and safe place in the Carpathians.
As psychologist Natalya explains, project participants found themselves in very difficult life situations, experienced grief and loss. Therefore, it is very important for them to recover emotionally, to distract themselves, to switch their attention. And also to gain strength and resources to learn to continue living in the circumstances in which they found themselves.
"Such projects help people understand that they are not alone in their troubles. Unfortunately, there are many such families. But after taking part in "Recover", they open up, communicate, smile. And they help each other - and this is very important," - commented psychologist Inna.
The representatives of the project team admit that they get something special, a unique experience and emotions every time they visit.
Lyudmila, the coordinator of "Recover", said that it is difficult to be in such a rich rhythm for seven days. But when you see the sincere, cheerful eyes of children and the smiles of adults, you forget about physical fatigue: "The hardest thing is to part with people with whom you became one family in a week. I am fascinated by how people's moods change from the first to the last day on our project. These are incredible people who inspire us to continue "Recover" in the future.
"Each run is unique and not similar to the previous one, in particular, the fourth was incredibly spring-like, kind, positive. Every time we see the smiles on children's faces, feel their hugs, but every smile or hug is unique, like every child. However, mothers' smiles and hugs please us no less than children. All the troubles that have befallen them, they experience much more deeply and more complexly than children. And when we realize that we managed to console the parents even a little, we believe that we have fulfilled our task, and even exceeded it," - commented the animator Artur.
The guy explains that the team prepares separately for each run, so each time the program is unique:
"This time we welcomed spring and were preparing for Easter. They also went to the forest to look for primroses - and found them. The children were delighted! And they ended the fourth season with an Easter quest, coloring eggs and a themed party."
In fact, the work of the team cannot be called easy, because it is emotionally exhausting.
"This is emotionally difficult work, it requires large internal costs, the internal resource of a specialist. But that's exactly what we can do. And I believe that today everyone should do what they can, for our country, for our victory," - Natalya, the psychologist of the project, is convinced.
"The most difficult thing is when the emotions of children and adults are combined. When I approach the boy at the beginning of the run and ask him: "Tell me, who did you come here with?" He answers: "With mom... and dad." And I raise my eyes, look at my mother and realize that my father has not come and will never come again," adds the animator Olya from her experience.
However, all difficulties seem less serious when the project team sees the results of their efforts. And when the participants themselves at the end of the run do not hold back their emotions - and even more so. These live feedbacks from people are really inspiring!
Participant Svitlana: "We became a friendly family, charged with positive emotions, rested, got to know the Carpathians. Now I will find the energy to support others. The children are very satisfied, they liked everything: master classes, quests, hikes, excursions, swimming pool, communication with animators. Many thanks to the whole team!”
Oksana: "Thank you to everyone who worked on the project "Recover"! You are incredible! Thanks to you, each of us took a big step forward in order to live on."
Even the little participants, in particular Oleksandra, whose younger brother learned to dance during the project, do not hold back their delight.
"It was the most fabulous week in my life, I received so many positive emotions - I can't put it into words! We fell in love with you. Now one of my dreams will be to meet you again!" - she assures.
When you see the sincere emotions, joy, and happiness of people who have suffered so much grief, you want to subscribe to the words of one of the participants named Maria: "You are doing something incredible! May you continue to implement such projects and help those who need it so much!
How to get help from the "Recover" project of the Vadym Stolar Foundation?
- Meet the criteria that allow you to participate in the project, namely: families with children under 18 years old, in which one of the parents was taken away by the war, as well as those who lost their homes.
- Prepare documents confirming that the family belongs to one of the categories targeted by the project.
- Follow the news of the Vadym Stolar Foundation in social networks or on the website so as not to miss the opening of registration on the Foundation's website.
Links:
- Website: https://stolarfund.com
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/VadymStolarBF
- Telegram: https://t.me/vadymstolarbf
