Empowering Families - Svitlana's Path from Displacement to Humanitarian Work
Due to the war in Ukraine, millions of refugees have been forced to seek safety across the globe, unable to return to their homeland. The crisis continues to endanger countless families, leaving them with no choice but to adapt to unfamiliar environments while shouldering the heavy burden of caring for their children, who remain the most vulnerable victims of this crisis. Till now more than 6 million Ukrainians across Europe and beyond are striving to rebuild their lives amidst ongoing uncertainty. Despite the challenges, their ultimate goal remains unchanged: to one day return to a peaceful homeland. In the meantime, host countries like Georgia have stepped forward, offering refuge to displaced families and providing a temporary haven as they navigate the challenges of starting anew in foreign lands.
“Reflecting on my life, I realise that all my experiences and my past life have prepared me for this mission. I empathise with pains and feelings of those in need, I know how to approach and assist these people. My aim is to create a secure and positive environment for each and every individual who approaches us,” says Svitlana. A refugee from Ukraine herself, now she helps other Ukrainian families and children restore their lives in Georgia.
“Up until February 2022, I lived a happy and peaceful life with my family in Kyiv before one day, the sound of explosions woke me up. The streets were full of cars, and there was panic and chaos in the city. In a rush, I put my children and pets in the car, and we headed to the countryside,” Sveta recalls.
She and her family spent a tense week in the countryside, still hearing shootings, never feeling truly safe. The children were scared and asked their mother to take them farther away. After a chaotic journey, passing through several places, including Poland, they eventually reached Georgia.
“ It was here, far from home, that we finally found a place to breathe, to regroup, and to start piecing our lives back together.”
Adapting to a new environment was difficult, but with the kindness of strangers and the support of World Vision Georgia, they managed to keep going. Svitlana first heard about World Vision from fellow Ukrainians who, like her, fled to Georgia in search of a secure place and stability. Initially, she approached World Vision as a beneficiary and soon became a team member. She began her journey as a Community Mobiliser for the Ukraine Crisis Response project in the country and is now working as a Happy Space Coordinator. Happy Space is an Education and Development Centre established by World Vision Georgia aimed at supporting children and their families. Its primary mission is to foster children's development while empowering refugee parents to overcome challenges by equipping them with essential skills, ultimately contributing to their overall well-being. 
“I wanted to be part of a team that helps others. It’s deeply meaningful to me to contribute to the process of bringing relief to Ukrainian refugees, as I understand their problems and needs. My background in psychology also helps me stay strong, effective, and beneficial to others. Initially, we started with one room, providing individual psychosocial consultations for adults and organising mythodrama and music therapy sessions for children to help them overcome the stress they had experienced. We realised that, apart from addressing refugees' basic needs, they also required other forms of support to maintain their mental health and resilience. As more people sought our help, we expanded by opening two centres in the major cities of Tbilisi (the capital) and Batumi (a seaside town in the country) where most of the refugees reside,” she explains.
Svitlana, a psychologist by profession, uses her expertise to understand and support other refugees now. At the centre, she works daily to create a safe and nurturing environment where children and parents can feel at home, make new friends, and build meaningful connections far from their homeland.
“At Happy Space, we offer activities for all age groups, from children to elderly (60+). Here, we deliver daily language classes, catch-up classes, cultural and art sessions, and craft courses for children, youth, and adults. Recognising that a child's well-being is influenced by their family and environment, we focus on supporting all family members. Our nonformal education and psycho-social sessions aim to help vulnerable families overcome stress, adapt to new surroundings, maintain good mental health, and develop essential skills for a self-sustained life. I want them to feel resilient and empowered, seeing themselves as individuals who have triumphed over their challenges and are now shaping a brighter future. On the one hand, I feel immense pride and happiness when I hear that we are teaching children well, that our sessions are of high quality, and that everyone here feels safe and supported. On the other hand, my deepest wish is for a world where no child has to suffer, where humanitarian efforts and psychosocial support are no longer needed, and where all nations embrace peace, love, and kindness above all else," Svitlana notes.
Happy Space, shining as a beacon of hope, truly lives up to its name, with both children and parents leaving the centre with smiles. More than just a centre, it has become a community hub where refugees can feel at home—a place where they can come to chat, share their joys and challenges, and connect with one another. To date, more than 6,000 individuals have benefited from its diverse services, offering them hope, support, and a sense of belonging. The centre remains steadfast in its greatest mission: to continue supporting and uplifting the vulnerable, helping them build a brighter future.
The centre operates within Ukraine Crisis Response Programme, funded by World Vision International and Aktion Deutschland Hilft (ADH).
By Lika Chigladze
Communications Officer, World Vision Georgia