Maria’s Story: How the support of a mobile team helped a girl regain confidence and inner balance

Maria loves drawing. For her, design is not only about learning but also a way to express herself and feel balance in life. When she chooses colors and thinks through a composition, confidence appears in her eyes. But it was not always like this.

In May 2024, Maria arrived in Kharkiv region with her grandmother. New living conditions, limited space, and differing views among family members created tension, which significantly affected the girl’s health. At that time, the family began receiving support from the specialists of the mobile psychosocial support team of the NGO Responsible Citizens.

The specialists worked systematically. A psychologist helped Maria restore her inner calm, learn to manage emotions, and cope with anxiety. A social worker coordinated contacts with medical services, educational institutions, and volunteers, organizing practical assistance and resources for the family. Together, they created a safe environment where the girl could focus on her studies.

The family received comprehensive support, including multi-purpose cash assistance from the Zaporizhzhia Charitable Foundation “Unity for the Future” and participation in an art rehabilitation activity organized by the Charitable Foundation “Development and Social Justice of Ukraine.”

After returning home following short-term treatment, Maria arranged a small space for learning and creativity. The family began spending more time together, sharing thoughts and supporting one another. Each day the girl felt more confident and emotionally stable. The crisis gradually passed.

The support of the mobile team helped Maria restore her emotional resilience. Today she participates in youth activities, finds friends with similar interests, and discovers new opportunities.

The project “Comprehensive Multi-Sectoral Assistance for Vulnerable Families in Kharkiv Region” is implemented by the NGO Responsible Citizens in partnership with the Charitable Foundation “Unity for the Future” and the Charitable Foundation “Development and Social Justice of Ukraine” with financial support from the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund (UHF).

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs / OCHA Ukraine

For security reasons, the names of the individuals and some details have been changed.