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
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Building the team for Zaporizhzhia’s first Resilience CenterThe NGO “Responsible Citizens”, with the support of UNICEF in Ukraine.
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NGO Responsible Citizens surveyed 1,004 people in Donetsk region to assess displacement trends and humanitarian needsNGO Responsible Citizens surveyed 1,004 people in Donetsk region to better understand the scale of displacement and current humanitarian needs. Such studies help to plan actions that address the challenges families face every day.
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“I will gain experience and open a family-type children’s home. This is my dream,” says Ivan, a social worker from Kryvyi Rih.Ivan's story is about how small actions grow into big dreams. As a schoolboy, he helped displaced people from Donetsk and Luhansk regions—collecting sweet gifts for children, writing motivational notes, and joining volunteer initiatives. Back then, he had no idea that this help would be the beginning of a long journey.
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Strengthening Support for Family-Based CareOlena Bieloliptseva, Education Projects Coordinator at the NGO Responsible Citizens, took part in the inaugural meeting of the Coordination Center for the Development of Family-Based Upbringing and Child Care.
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Child-Friendly Spaces: 13 new support centers open in Dnipropetrovsk RegionNew spaces have opened in Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Kamianske, as well as in the villages of Krynychky, Lozuvatka, Buzivka, and Chernechchyna.
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Ukrainian leadership in action: shaping the future of Humanitarian AidOn May 23, the Responsible Citizens team took part in the 3rd Annual International Conference “Ukrainian Leadership in Aid,” organized by the Alliance of Ukrainian Civil Society Organizations and international partners.
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Psychological support for families with children: the experience of ZaporizhzhiaIn collaboration with the Zaporizhzhia City Center for Social Services, the psychologists of the NGO “Responsible Citizens” are conducting comprehensive...
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November 2 — Social Workers’ DayThis day is an opportunity to thank those who support people in difficult life circumstances every single day. Social workers step in when all other resources are exhausted — when a person has lost their home, loved ones, job, or sense of safety.