Masha, a participant in an integration event for IDP children in Cherkasy

The opportunity to transform into a fairy tale character and live the life of a fairy tale hero was a dream come true for me. I have always dreamed of performing in a children’s studio. Unfortunately, my mother and I evacuated from Donetska Oblast not long ago, and we did not have the opportunity to attend classes, but now, thanks to my introduction to the world of theater, I will be able to make my dream come true.

When planning the event for IDP children living in the Cherkasy community, we wanted to give the young IDPs a chance to socialize with their peers, learn new things, and have fun. They attended four acting classes conducted by actors from the Taras Shevchenko Cherkaska Oblast Academic Theater of Ukrainian Music and Drama.

The children (both IDPs and locals) performed scenes from various plays, practiced their diction, facial expressions, and movement, learned to pronounce sounds correctly, and discussed important topics such as the nature of emotions, the multifaceted nature of social relationships, and the role of each person in Ukraine’s victory. The curriculum proved to be intense, but the participants were satisfied and wanted to continue performing together in the future.

Our other integration event for children was held in Kolomyya, Ivano-Frankivska Oblast. Boys and girls who had recently moved to the city, together with their local peers, went on an educational quest that introduced them to the traditions of Easter, as well as to the city itself and the culture of the Prykarpattia region. The children learned to dance hayivky, sing kolomyikas, studied Hutsul ornaments, and had lots of fun together. 

Vitaliy Svitlyk, regional coordinator of the United Voices in Action program

Such events are very important because children who were forced to move to a new community by the war were taken out of their familiar environment. At home, they had friends, classes, and clubs, but here everything is different for them. They may feel abandoned. Such events unite children: they meet their peers, complete tasks together, and find common interests. At the beginning of the quest, they were still reserved and didn’t talk to each other much, but by the end, they were having lively discussions. This helps IDP children to integrate faster and avoid being isolated in the CCs or apartments where they live and from which they may not even leave, as they still study online at their schools.

We have many more events for children in different cities of Ukraine ahead. We will continue to share our insights with you.