Horytsvit 4

Our 4th camp took place with spring in full bloom – but up on the Carpathian ridges, that means still in the kingdom of snow.

Our team watched the blankets of snow on the slopes slowly melt into babbling streams, and watched stiffness, wariness and indifference melt away in the group as the teenagers’ joyful voices began to ring out, lively and clear.

When a group is being put together, we don’t know the participants in advance and haven’t seen them; all we have is a short application form.

And every time, we are amazed at how the people who end up in one place complement each other and share similar experiences and similar needs!

In the 4th camp, a trusting, emotionally safe atmosphere formed very quickly. In the circle, the teenagers gave each other lots of support and encouragement, offered their skills and knowledge, and were keen to spend their free time together.

This openness made transformation possible for those participants who had been deeply affected by the war…

Now we know for sure that a friendly environment, where you can express your feelings and don’t have to be anyone but yourself, heals even the most painful wounds.

That is why the Horytsvit team works to give as many teenagers in Ukraine as possible the chance to recover and live a full life!