Olena Zelenska, Together with the Team of the Foundation, Visited the Voices Camp for Children Affected by the Full-Scale War
July 29, 2025
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The First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, together with the team of the Foundation, visited the Voices Camp in Bukovyna – a summer camp organized by the Voices of Children Charitable Foundation to support the psycho-emotional recovery of young Ukrainians affected by the war. Among the participants are children from the families of internally displaced persons, military personnel, as well as those living in frontline or de-occupied areas.
During the visit, the First Lady joined a creative master class, took part in a psychological session held in a play-based format, and spoke with the team of psychologists.
Voices Camp is part of the Foundation’s systematic efforts to provide psychosocial support to children. The project was organized by the Voices of Children Charitable Foundation with the support of and in cooperation with the Olena Zelenska Foundation. This is the second year of partnership, and over the course of the collaboration, 498 children have taken part in the camps.
The camp format combines recreation with professional psychological support. Through creativity, play, communication, and therapeutic activities, children not only recover but also gradually regain a sense of safety and trust. Everything is tailored to each child’s individual experience.
“Loss, forced maturity, constant stress – unfortunately, all of this has become part of childhood for many Ukrainian children. That is why psychosocial support is one of the core areas the Foundation is developing. Voices Camp is not just a place for rest. It is a safe space where a child is heard, accepted, and supported in coping with their experience of war. We see such initiatives as an investment in future generations and in the future of our country,” said Olena Zelenska, First Lady of Ukraine and founder of the Foundation.
For the third year in a row, the Foundation has been supporting various psychological camps aimed at helping children who have experienced the traumatic effects of war. Among them are those who have lost their parents, were forced to flee their homes, live in frontline areas, or have endured deportation. During this time, the Foundation has supported the organization of 14 such rehabilitation camp sessions for more than 800 children across Ukraine.
“Voices Camp is an example of how care, empathy, and professionalism can create a safe space of trust, calm, and recovery for a child. Within the psychosocial support focus area, our Foundation implements exactly these kinds of initiatives – and we strive to make them accessible to as many children in need as possible,” emphasized Nina Horbachova, Director of the Olena Zelenska Foundation.
At the camp, children aged 9 to 16 find rest and support. They are guided by a dedicated team: four camp leaders, two psychologists, an event facilitator, and administrators who coordinate the camp’s daily operations.
Tina Karol, People's Artist of Ukraine and founder of the Tina Karol Charitable Foundation, which has been systematically supporting children in difficult life circumstances for over 11 years, also visited the camp.
Olympic champion in Greco-Roman wrestling, Zhan Beleniuk, also joined the meeting. He supported the initiative and spent the day with the children.
“Our camps are designed to give children the inner resources to overcome the consequences of war, to address their needs, and to strengthen their resilience in difficult conditions. Every detail matters – from a well-thought-out program with adaptive activities to an atmosphere of trust, peer community, and professional adult support. We are grateful to have the support of the Olena Zelenska Foundation on this journey,” emphasized Olena Rozvadovska, co-founder of the Voices of Children Foundation.
The organization of the camp was made possible thanks to the financial support of an international partner – the Swedish Postcode Lottery Foundation.
“A generation of Ukrainian children and youth is growing up in the shadow of war – facing disrupted routines, the loss of loved ones, and deep psychological trauma. Their need for mental health support has never been greater. We are therefore proud to support the Olena Zelenska Foundation in their work with Voices Camp, where they help strengthen emotional resilience, and offer a glimpse of hope to young people directly affected by the war,” said Andreas Eriksson, Secretary General of the Swedish Postcode Lottery Foundation.
