PoM and War Childhood Museum are thrilled to announce the successful completion of our project in Ukraine, where 357 children participated in workshops designed to provide safe spaces for healing and self-expression. In this collaboration, we created environments where children could explore their feelings and experiences, fostering resilience amidst the challenges they face.
The project utilized diverse approaches, including art therapy, creative writing, movement classes, and even career-oriented workshops for teens. Through our experiences with various methods and engagement with different age groups, we have gained valuable insights that will inform our future programming and offerings. The feedback we received highlighted the impact of these activities, with children expressing eagerness to participate in future events. Both parents and children provided overwhelmingly positive feedback about the workshops. One parent remarked:
“Such meetings distract both children and adults from the difficult present. Thank you for organizing such interesting, entertaining, and informative events.”
Stories like that of an 8-year-old boy, who found the courage to share his experiences after attending our workshop, reinforce our commitment to creating safe and trusting environments for children.
A particularly meaningful experience during the project was a workshop focused on collage creation. Collage is a form of artistic expression, allowing children to piece together different elements into a single, cohesive image, to construct visual narratives of their experiences. The topic, “How I Spent My Summer,” encouraged them to reflect on joyful moments, yet many also included symbols and elements representing the war around them. The children found a creative way to express emotions that might have been difficult to articulate in words.
Another workshop focused on dance-movement therapy. According to the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA), dance-movement therapy promotes health and emotional well-being, helping individuals manage stress and release built-up tension in the body. Movement-based expression allowed children to reconnect with their bodies, process emotions, and experience joy. As the sessions progressed, the children became more engaged, finding comfort and connection through movement. By the end of the workshops, they were laughing and interacting freely with their peers.
These workshops exemplify the importance of holistic approaches in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) for children affected by conflict. Creative and body-based interventions, such as art, dance, and storytelling, provide alternative pathways for emotional processing and healing. Through these activities, children can externalize their emotions in a safe and supportive environment, fostering resilience and strengthening their sense of self.
Looking ahead, the War Childhood Museum is excited to incorporate the insights gained from this project into the development of its permanent space in Ukraine. The goal is to continue providing supportive platforms that empower children, nurture their creativity, and facilitate healing.