Since 2016, the Charitable Foundation “A Trace Fire” has been conducting work in Kharkiv utilizing the trauma pedagogy approach. The Center for Creativity and Science was established by the foundation. Children can practice for free for university admission exams there. They can also showcase their talents. The number of kids participating in clubs has gone up from 60 to 160 in the time since the russian federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began.
“When the full-scale war began, we initially thought about evacuating our Center to the west of Ukraine. We did not think that it would be possible to carry out any activity in Kharkiv. But it happened so that most of our team remained in the city. We decided not to move simply because we saw that in Poltava as well as in the west of the country many centers for displaced children are being opened” said the head of the board of the charitable foundation “A Trace of Fire,” Viktoriya Nesterenko.
During the first month of war, the Fund employees helped with placing Kharkiv children who were being evacuated. Very soon they resumed online classes as well.
“First of all, it became clear that the war will not stop in three days. Life goes on, and it is necessary to somehow continue to live it. Secondly, the children had to switch to something positive, at least for a bit. We had one family in the occupied area that had access to the internet. They were the first family-type orphanage that was very interested in resuming the online classes. We held classes for several hours a day and of course we simply talked, reassured, and supported,” continues Victoria.
In May of last year, the Center resumed classes in the “New Buildings” area of the city.
“In June, we began submitting grant applications, but we kept getting declined. People were afraid to finance projects for children in Kharkiv. Then I saw Yulia Konotoptseva’s post, in which she said that she was looking for organizations in Kharkiv that work with children. Their response was immediate. They instantly helped us with products and art materials. Later on, other people started helping as well. However, at that very critical moment, it was priceless to receive help from the “Global 2000 Children of Ukraine” Foundation. It was an extraordinary gift.” Victoria emphasized.
“Global 2000” Fund also helped to purchase educational materials and musical instruments for the percussion band.
“Then there was a pause with no urgent needs, and we didn’t want to be a burden for anyone either. It turned out, though, that during that time we grew from 60 to 160 children. We also began offering assistance to the church, from which we rent space. The church started organizing game nights for adolescents. So, we volunteered and now, in addition to playing with the kids and offering art therapy, we also provide them food. Global 2000 once more stepped forward and gave us the money we needed for a month to buy food and help low-income families in order to meet this nutritional necessity. This extends far beyond simple material support. People understand the value of what you do and support you at the moment when it is critically needed,” says the board chairman of “A Trace of Fire” Charitable Fund.
As of right now, “A Trace of Fire” Fund is prepared to discuss its experience with developing the trauma pedagogy technique. In the meanwhile, more people are attending clubs. Every day, kids bring their friends, and the Center’s for Creativity and Science requirements are expanding as well.
“Several factors need to be taken into account, including rent, teacher wages, and room equipment. It turns out that our fund now needs something that is regrettably not paid frequently—teacher wages,” stated Victoria.