Zinaida is a 63-year-old internally displaced woman from the town of Borova in Izium District. Her 45-year-old daughter, Valentyna, has a Group III disability. For a long time, they have supported one another through difficult life circumstances. The daily challenges related to health and the stress caused by the events of recent years were often emotionally difficult for them.
Zinaida spent her whole life in Borova. Her home, her family, and her familiar sense of peace were all there. In 2023, a shell struck near the woman’s house and damaged her home. Due to the constant shelling, it was no longer safe to remain in Borova, so the family was forced to leave their home and move to Kharkiv. Active hostilities are still ongoing in Borova, so returning home is not yet possible. Despite this, Zinaida hopes that one day she will be able to see her hometown again.
To receive support and restore their inner balance, the women began attending psycho-emotional support activities conducted by specialists from NGO Girls. At each session, cognitive behavioral therapy methods were used. The women practiced special exercises and techniques to better understand their emotions, identify and change negative thoughts, and reduce anxiety, stress, and tension.
The psychologist helped them identify destructive beliefs, develop more positive attitudes, and practice relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, and other ways of calming themselves. Gradually, the mother and daughter learned to manage negative emotions, cope with anxiety, and restore their inner balance.
The specialists also involved the women in art therapy. During the creative sessions, Zinaida and Valentyna drew, worked with colors, and created symbolic images of their feelings and experiences. This became a safe space where they could speak openly about their emotions and feel the support of other participants. Art therapy helped Valentyna express emotional tension through creativity, while Zinaida felt relief through communication and by sharing her experiences with others.
A social worker also advised the family on housing recovery: how to apply for the restoration of their damaged house, how to register to receive assistance, and what documents were required for this. This information gave Zinaida and Valentyna a sense of control and hope that their housing issue could be resolved.
Valentyna also received a dignity kit from a partner organization, which included a power bank, a flashlight, and hygiene items.
Thanks to their participation in the activities and the support they received, Zinaida and Valentyna felt that they were not alone.
They found a new circle of communication, support from like-minded people and specialists, and, most importantly, the belief that their needs matter and that their voices are heard.
Today, the women continue to attend the meetings, apply the skills they have gained in their daily lives, and look to the future with hope. For them, these activities have become not only an opportunity for recovery, but also a source of strength, confidence, and belief in their own abilities.
Assistance is provided within the framework of the project “Strengthening Access and Service Provision for SRH Support and GBV Prevention among Conflict-Affected Women and Girls in Eastern and Southern Ukraine” in cooperation with the international humanitarian organization CARE, with the support of the German Federal Foreign Office.
