In the quiet beauty of Ukraine's Carpathian mountains, 15-year-old Dima recalls the moment his father left for the military amid Russia's full-scale invasion. On that day, his dad promised to do everything to ensure Dima's life would remain normal. Days later, he was deployed to the front lines, leaving Dima and his mother in heavy uncertainty.
Dima is now among 50 children at a summer camp designed for Ukrainian youth whose loved ones have vanished during the war. As they gather around a campfire, lighting candles in memory of their missing family members, they share deeply personal stories that connect them through collective trauma. Some children’s fathers are missing in action; others remain unaccounted from occupied territories. The Ukrainian government has reported over 70,000 people listed as missing.
Run by the charity Gen.Ukrainian, this camp represents a safe haven for children affected by war. Lead psychologist Vanui Martirosyan explains many attendees experience layered traumas, where the absence of their fathers is compounded by additional losses within their families. “They cannot plan for the future because they live in a state of uncertainty,” she laments. The children often sift through Russian social media searching for news, which can lead to exposure to disturbing content related to the war.
Dima reflects on his last communication with his father before he went missing. In a video, his father hinted at safety and reassured Dima, but the following day brought devastating news; he was declared missing. The emotional weight intensified when Dima's mother began to investigate his father's disappearance, learning conflicting reports about what may have happened to him.
As the camp progresses, group therapy sessions provide significant emotional release for the children. In one session, a psychologist demonstrates a feelings chart and encourages them to articulate their emotions. Through art therapy, many children express hope and nostalgia, like a seven-year-old boy who painted a piece titled "Daddy Comes Home," portraying himself and his father under a bright sky colored in the hues of the Ukrainian flag.
The children also benefit from normal childhood activities—hikes, swimming, and games—offering a critical respite from the chaos of war-torn cities, where air raid sirens constantly interrupt their lives. Sixteen-year-old Nastia remembers her soldier father, who went missing a year ago. Her memories are tinged with warmth and longing, underscoring her hope to create new memories with him.
At the camp's conclusion, emotions run high as children bid farewell, having forged bonds over their shared struggles. Founder of Gen.Ukrainian, Oksana Lebedieva, notes the significant healing power of community and emphasizes the daunting scale of trauma experienced by millions of Ukrainian children.
The camp has not only provided a temporary escape, but also a chance for these children to understand that they are not alone in their grief, and that there is support available in facing the stark realities of their lives.
