Children experiencing occupation and forced deportation rehabilitated for the first time by Gen.Ukrainian

Gen.Ukrainian successfully conducted two summer psychoeducational rehabilitation intensives, Gen.Camp, providing psychological support to 100 children from Mykolaiv, Mariupol, Kharkiv, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia regions.

Gen.Camp

The first camp focused on children who had lost their parents in the war. The second was particularly significant, as it targeted children who had experienced forced deportation or lived in temporarily occupied territories (TOTs).

These children had faced interrogations, witnessed violence against their parents, and endured ideological brainwashing. This initiative was made possible through collaboration with the Ukrainian Network for Children’s Rights and the Coordination Center for the Development of Family Education and Child Care.

The main symptoms observed in the children from the second camp included emotional withdrawal, complicated grief, feelings of helplessness, constant tension, a loss of trust in people, and a pervasive sense of insecurity. Gen. Ukrainian specialists emphasized the importance of creating a safe emotional environment and tailoring individualized programs to help these children process their emotions, overcome trauma, and move forward.

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For the first time, we worked with children who had survived the traumatic experiences of occupation and forced deportation. We are proud that our expertise facilitated their rehabilitation, as this is one of the most challenging forms of trauma to address. Such interventions are critical not only for the reintegration of these children into Ukraine’s educational and social systems but also for developing global solutions. Addressing the mental health consequences of war can help reduce the psychological roots of future conflicts, terrorism, and hatred.

Shared Oksana Lebedeva, founder of Gen.Ukrainian

Another key challenge was counteracting the long-term effects of Russian propaganda. To address this, Gen. Camp partnered with EdCamp Ukraine, providing educational support to help children debunk russian myths and reconnect with Ukrainian history.

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Providing psychological support to children who have returned from deportation or occupation is a crucial element of their reintegration and adaptation. Collaborative efforts and high-quality interventions enable us to study these children’s experiences to improve future integration programs. Successful reintegration into society without segregation practices is vital for ensuring their rights and rebuilding normalcy in their lives, which ultimately benefits society as a whole.

Said Daria Kasyanova, chair of the board of the Ukrainian Network for Children’s Rights

The Gen.Camp project was made possible through the financial and organizational support of COURAGE, dobro.ua, Ukrposhta, Stolichna Yuvelirna Fabrika, Hey Guide, and their charity projects, as well as Milk Bar, KATSURINA, and CRUMB. Scientific backing was provided by Old Dominion University (USA) and the Adolescent Resource Center (Latvia).

Each partner of Gen.Ukrainian contributes to building a brighter future for children who have endured the traumas of war. Business support plays a vital role in implementing these rehabilitation programs, which create lasting positive change in the lives of children — the future of our country.

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Psychological support to children is provided free of charge thanks to patronage

The purpose of the Gen. Camp:
stabilization of the psychological and emotional state of a child after a traumatic experience.

The duration of the program: 21 days.
Location: Ukraine.

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