World Vision’s child-friendly spaces continue to make a difference in the lives of Ukrainian children

“This is my daughter, Victoria, whom we lovingly call Vika. She is nine-years old now, a wonderful surprise when I gave birth to her at age 42”, says Lyudmyla with pride.

When Vika was born, everything seemed perfectly normal. Her first year was filled with the usual milestones of babyhood—first smiles, tentative steps, and an infectious curiosity about the world.

But as she approached her first birthday, Lyudmyla noticed something that troubled her. Vika was quiet unlike other children her age. Concerned, Lyudmyla sought medical advice. After a series of evaluations, the diagnoses came: autism, hyperactivity, and epileptic encephalopathy.

Their world, once filled with the routine joys of early parenthood, now revolved around neurologists, therapies, and a strict regimen of medications.

Life took a harsher turn when the war in Ukraine intensified. Lyudmyla’s family from Senelnikovsky District found themselves on the frontline. The village, once a peaceful home, became a perilous place, especially as the conflict in the nearby Donetsk region escalated.

The school Vika was supposed to attend was reduced to rubble by bombings, and the oil depot where Lyudmyla’s husband worked as a mechanic was also destroyed. The increasing danger left them with no choice but to abandon their life there and relocate to Dnipro in May 2022.

"Every day I think about her future and the challenges we might face. My hope is that this story highlights the importance of such programs and the incredible difference they make in the lives of families like ours."

The explosions that rocked their village amplified Vika’s fears and anxieties, making her condition even more challenging to manage. But amidst the chaos, they found a beacon of hope at a local child-friendly space in Dnipro.

“Before, she wouldn’t make eye contact or respond to her name. Now she is beginning to engage more with the world around her,” Lyudmyla says, her eyes glistened with tears.

Supported by Aktion Deutschland Hift  the center provides a number of everyday activities for children of different ages like crafts, arts, sports, among others. Staffed with psychologists and a speech therapist, it became their sanctuary.

“At present, I am unemployed and studying to better support my daughter. I’ve completed a course to become a child’s assistant, which allows me to be more effective in helping Vika, especially during her school hours,” Lyudmyla shares.

Vika attends a regular school in Dnipro, a significant step for her. However, the fear of losing this support constantly looms over Lyudmyla. “My biggest fear is the project being discontinued. The support is crucial for Vika’s and our overall well-being. Without it, I don’t know how we would cope,” she confesses.

The uncertainty of the future weighs heavily on her mind. She adds, “Every day I think about her future and the challenges we might face. My hope is that this story highlights the importance of such programs and the incredible difference they make in the lives of families like ours.”

“The project covered Kherson, Dnipro and Kharkiv regions of Ukraine focused on child protection, mental health and psychological support for both children and adults and included cash-for-protection for identified cases.

Story by Communications Officer Anna Lukianenko I Photos by GC Communications Specialist Abigala Conway