Supporting resilience: the power of psychosocial care in overcoming life’s difficulties

“I try to stay positive, but everything is piling up on me. I simply can’t give up because I need to support the school and take care of all the necessary paperwork to ensure continuity for the children" 

Just less than 10 kilometers from the frontline in Zaporizhzhia oblast, southern Ukraine, Olena faced the difficult decision to leave her home for a safer village nearby. 

Olena is an English teacher and deputy director at a school in Huliaipole, a small city in Zaporizhzhia oblast. This summer, she was able to find a moment of respite by spending her holidays at a camp in Ivano-Frankivsk (western Ukraine) with her two daughters and students, offering a brief escape amid difficult times. 

Tragically, upon returning home, they were confronted with the urgent reality that her village had begun forced evacuation, and all residents were being required to leave to ensure their safety.

This was a challenging moment for Olena and her family – marking the third time in their lives they had to abandon everything to stay safe: first fleeing Mariinka in Donetsk region in 2014, relocating within Huliaipole, and then to a nearby village at the crossroads of three oblasts (Zaporizhzhia, Donetska and Dnipropetrovska) in 2022.

This time, Olena relocated to Lviv with her two young daughters, Sofia (13) and Anastasiia (15), seeking safety and stability. They received support at a social apartment, providing them with a temporary refuge amid the ongoing crisis. This apartment is operated by World Vision’s local partner, the Ukrainian Foundation for Public Health (UFPH), a part of the Comprehensive Support for Mothers and Children through the Halfway Houses project, supported by World Vision US. 

“My work means so much to me — it keeps me grounded and helps me get through tough times”

Olena demonstrates strength and resilience in the face of ongoing challenges. However, she continues to experience significant emotional and psychological strain. Thanks to support from the apartment management, she has received not only practical assistance but also vital emotional comfort and open communication. 

For Olena, maintaining her resilience is deeply linked to her sense of purpose and the opportunity to continue her work, which remains a crucial source of strength for her during these difficult times.

“I try to stay positive, but everything is piling up on me,” Olena shares. “My work means so much to me — it keeps me grounded and helps me get through tough times,” she adds.

Overall, the social apartment offers psychological, social, and legal support in a safe environment for women and children. Services include job placement, financial improvement, and educational programs for children, as well as empowerment sessions for women. 

Activities like handicrafts and drawing provide moral support and help residents stay resilient. Olena and her children benefit from this supportive environment, which helps them maintain strength and hope amid challenges. 

Sofia and Anastasiia were enrolled in music school and dance classes here in Lviv to support their communication and social interaction, which is especially important as they continue studying online due to the ongoing conflict and lack regular contact with friends.

Olena and her daughters support their school together. “It’s incredibly challenging emotionally. But I simply can’t give up because I need to support the school and take care of all the necessary paperwork to ensure continuity for the children. Despite everything, we’ve managed to keep our school operational and have transitioned to online learning. Right now, we are caring for 51 students, including my two daughters”– shares Olena.

Olena’s story is an urgent reminder of the hardships faced by many educators across Ukraine today. According to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, starting September 1, 2025, the Ukrainian government stops funding teachers' salaries in schools with fewer than 45 students. From September 1, 2026, this will apply to schools with fewer than 60 students. The ongoing war makes it even harder, putting the right to education for about 1.6 million children at great risk and threatening their future.

Olena’s main motivation is to keep her responsibilities with her children and her studies on track, requiring a great deal of strength. 

“Our students are wonderful and truly incredible. When the school year started in September (another one during wartime), everyone was excited to join classes even online. Now all turn their cameras on, and their curiosity is evident. When I join the virtual classroom, the students are already waiting eager to begin their lesson”.

It is truly inspiring to see Olena’s unwavering dedication to her work and her students. What she deeply needs is timely support, which she gratefully receives from the managers at the social apartment. 

Olena also finds solace and joy in her extracurricular activity, as she provides tutoring to her students. Her dedication and kindness have earned her widespread respect and recommendations within her new community, allowing her to attract more students and expand her reach. This work gives her a sense of purpose and safety, reminding her of the impact she has on the lives of children who need her most.

Olena shares, "I am so thankful for the support and for the opportunities this project offers." Her resilience and appreciation reflect her unwavering spirit and the importance of community support in overcoming difficult circumstances.

World Vision has reached over 242,000 children through education, supported 7,800 community resilience programmes, and provided psychosocial support to more than 144,000 individuals – offering hope and healing to families affected by ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Story and photos by Anastasiia Haviuk, Communications Officer