Bringing Light to Childhood in Times of War: Results of the 15-Day Charity Camp
Our program was packed with events and included a visit to the interactive science museum. It was a very educational trip, during which we gained an understanding of what empathy is and how to be humane, when visiting Vedmezhy Pritulok Domazhir (Help for Homeless Animals). And I can say that our children are very sensitive. They cried, listening to the stories of how the bears ended up in the shelter.
One of the camp days was the holiday of Ivan Kupala, the celebration of the summer solstice.
Our children learned about the traditions of this holiday, such as collecting herbs and flowers, and decorating their homes with them. They also learned that our ancestors believed in the miraculous properties of the dew that fell on the night of Ivan Kupala, and washed their faces with dew. On this night, people also thanked and honored other powers they worshipped, like the Fire, the Water and the Earth.
We also visited the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, where the miraculous image of the crucified Jesus Christ made of clay is located.
Father Andrey told the children about the church, and suddenly the children fell silent. And then they began to line up in a neat queue and climb up to the icon one by one. I was there to help them climb the steps to the icon, and then I turned away so as not to interfere with their communication with God. I listened *with my back*. None of them asked for a phone or toys. The children asked for their mother not to be nervous, for the Lord to help them be honest, to bring them peace and to help stop the war. And the youngest, a real angel, focused and serious, asked: *Lord, make it so that my father returns alive and well*.
And I stood there and knew that this is why we live, work, organize these camps, travel, get tired, and dream.
The 15 days of our charity camp flew by in an instant. The last day was special because a priest from the Archeparchy of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Archdiocese of the UGCC, visited us - Roman Oliynyk.
Thanks to his support and the participation of the Healing of Wounds of the War in Ukraine Fund, children of parents who are defending Ukraine received financial support to participate in the camp.
His visit demonstrated trust, support, and a shared belief that childhood should be warmed by care and light even in the darkest times.