By Olena Shulha
Since the beginning of the war on Ukraine, the Mykolaiv region has been one of the most impacted areas, targeted by incessant air strikes and bombings. Entire neighborhoods have been leveled, and electricity and running water are luxuries thousands are living without. As winter began and temperatures began to plummet, Kidsave evacuated 22 children living in a shelter in Mykolaiv without electricity to the Kidsave Miracles Center in western Ukraine.
For those 22 children, their time at the Kidsave Miracles Center became a gentle turning point. After years of living in fear, spending hours cowering in bomb shelters, the Miracles Center became a place where they could finally exhale, feel safe, and experience what it means to be cared for, seen, and truly valued.
Each day was filled with bright and joyful moments: quests, football matches, excursions, creative workshops, board games, energizing activities, and evening cartoon screenings. Through thoughtfully designed therapeutic activities, our team gently supported them in processing difficult emotions and coping with the impact of traumatic experiences. The children laughed a lot, learned to build friendships, support one another, and gradually began to open up.
At the beginning, many of them were very shy and cautious. For these children, simple things mattered the most: a hug, a kind word, attention, and sincere reactions to the small gifts and notes they wrote every day.
One story that stands out is Vlad’s. When he first arrived, he was very withdrawn. He didn’t want to talk, participate in activities, and often tried to provoke other children. But behind this behavior was hiding a very bright and curious boy. Vlad knew a lot about different countries, the history of Ukraine, and its remarkable people.
Little by little, he began to change. He started sitting closer to the front of the room, taking part in contests, games, and quizzes, and communicating more with other children. And during the farewell evening, Vlad built the Lego Eiffel Tower and said: “Paris is considered to be the city of love. And here at KMC we were treated with love.”
It is for moments like these that we do this work, so that every child knows they are important, valued, and not alone.
And the most meaningful outcome is how the lives of the kids began to change: six children found loving, permanent families, and four were reunited with their biological families returning not just to a home, but to a sense of belonging, connection, and hope for the future.
At Kidsave Miracles Center, we do everything we can to turn moments of care and connection into real, life-changing miracles for every child.
