In the city of Lutsk, Ukraine, Yulia and her young son found themselves trapped in the darkness of a basement as the war began to unfold around them. With the sounds of air raid sirens echoing through the streets, the terrifying reality of conflict set in. For Yulia’s son, a child with Down syndrome, the unfamiliar sounds and the sense of chaos that filled the air caused overwhelming panic and distress. The basement, once a refuge, became a place of fear and confusion, as the outside world seemed to crumble.

But amidst the darkness, a beacon of hope appeared in the form of UNICEF’s “PORUCH” project, which was created to help children with Down syndrome find a sense of security, normalcy, and connection in the midst of war. Through this initiative, Yulia’s son, along with other children facing similar challenges, now has access to a safe space where he can engage with others, ease his anxiety, and slowly rebuild the confidence that war had tried to take away.

At PORUCH, children are given the opportunity to connect with friends, play guided games led by trained psychologists, and participate in activities specifically designed to reduce the emotional toll of their circumstances. The games are more than just a distraction; they are tools that help children manage their feelings, build resilience, and find moments of joy even in the darkest times. For Yulia’s son, these activities provide the comfort and reassurance that he so desperately needs, offering him the chance to laugh, play, and experience the companionship of others his age.

In the face of war, when so much has been torn apart, the PORUCH project is an emotional lifeline for these children and their families. It’s a reminder that, even in the most difficult of circumstances, there are spaces where love, care, and healing can still thrive. For Yulia, seeing her son find moments of peace and joy again is a gift she never expected in the midst of conflict. It is proof that even in the shadow of war, hope, connection, and comfort can be restored — one child, one moment at a time.