The Right of the Child to Development and Protection: Stories of Support from Kamianske and Zaporizhzhia
During the war, every childhood story is a separate path toward safety, development, and recovery.
But there is something that unites all the families who turn to our specialists: the need for support that protects the child’s rights every day.
Kamianske. Matvii’s family changed their place of residence many times after his father was injured during shelling in Sievierodonetsk. Due to constant relocations, the boy did not attend kindergarten, had almost no communication with peers, and faced difficulties at school.
Specialists from NGO “Responsible Citizens” assessed the child’s psycho-emotional state, helped Matvii learn to recognize and regulate his emotions, and master self-stabilization techniques. A psychologist also worked with his mother to reduce her anxiety and provide practical tools to support her son.
The teacher received recommendations on how to interact with the boy and organize a safe educational environment.
The results came quickly: Matvii became more attentive and calm, better controlled his emotions, and relationships in the classroom noticeably improved. The family also received financial assistance, a clothing voucher, and a hygiene kit.
Zaporizhzhia.
When Khrystyna Tkachenko and her three-year-old daughter Alina left Velyka Bilozerka, they found themselves in a new city without support. Alina had difficulties with speech sounds, and her mother felt severe emotional exhaustion — something many single parents experience during forced internal displacement.
In Zaporizhzhia, the family turned to the Child-Friendly Space operating within a UNICEF Ukraine project implemented by NGO “Responsible Citizens.” Here, Alina began sessions with a speech therapist, Khrystyna received psychological support, and joint art-therapy sessions helped them both regain a sense of safety. Thanks to the specialists’ comprehensive work, Alina became more confident, improved her pronunciation, and Khrystyna became calmer and less anxious. After another shelling, when the girl’s fears returned and stuttering appeared, the Child-Friendly Space team quickly provided additional support and helped stabilize her condition.
“Here we found the belief that everything will be alright,” the mother says.
Both of these stories are about different families, different challenges, and different paths to safety. But they share one thing: the protection of a child’s rights does not stop even during war. When specialists are nearby and ready to support a family, a child’s right to development, emotional resilience, education, and care becomes real — not merely declarative.
Більше новин
-
When war takes away stability, the community provides support: stories from Donetsk regionWe share real stories of families from the Donetsk region because behind each one are daily steps toward recovery.
-
April 4 — International day for mine awareness and assistance in mine actionResponsible Citizens NGO works systematically to ensure that mine risk education is accessible to everyone — especially to children and families living in frontline areas. We firmly believe: knowledge saves lives. And although awareness is growing, the risks remain high. That’s why we go beyond Mine Risk Awareness Week — our activities take place year-round.
-
Registration for educators’ training now open!The NGO “Responsible Citizens,” in partnership with Mercy Corps and with funding from the UK government, invites educators and teachers to participate i...
-
12 km from the frontline: Support for those who need it mostIn the frontline communities of Donetsk region, the team of Responsible Citizens NGO is registering residents for multi-purpose cash assistance. This initiative is part of the project “Local, inclusive, and multisectoral emergency aid for war-affected people in Ukraine”, implemented in partnership with Mercy Corps and financially supported by the UK government.
-
NGO “Responsible Citizens” participates in HORIZONTAL 5.0 Festival “Women’s Voice: From Idea to Action”Participants gathered to discuss current social challenges, strengthen cooperation, and define ways to effectively support women in crisis conditions.
-
A Meeting of UNICEF Partner Organizations Held in KharkivThe NGO “Responsible Citizens,” as a partner of the UNICEF Representation in Ukraine, was invited to participate in a special event at the Yermilov Cent...
-
Employees of the NGO “Responsible Citizens” completed a HEAT training course—a program on survival and response in high-risk areasThe staff of the NGO “Responsible Citizens” have completed a four-day intensive HEAT (Hostile Environment Awareness Training) course, designed to prepar...
-
