For children, art can be a therapeutic coping mechanism to help process fear. They help children maintain a connection to home, whether under fire or in exile.
Gut wrenching to see Putin robbing the childhood for a generation of Ukrainians. It is also infuriating that the Russian asset in the WH will do everything in his power to shrill for this monster, and 77 million Americans chose him.
I feel the same way — it’s deeply upsetting. I know I had a good and peaceful childhood in Ukraine, and my heart aches so much for the children now. Can this even be called a happy childhood?
Restored my sense that beauty and purity and hope cannot be wholly eclipsed in a person by anyone else , including the perpetrators of war and authoritarianism .
I am happy to see this subject covered in depth. it is always the children who seem to be forgotten and the damage to them pass unnoticed. And thank you for the name of the study which shows that 75% of children show symptoms of PTSD or other. I was aware that the Zelenskayya Foundation had underestimated at 44%, and also aware there were higher numbers out there, but not sure of which studies.
Some months ago, I had made Counter Offensive aware of two inspirational Ukrainian artists in Lviv who have brought the power of art to heal to over 4,000 children since the full-scale invasion. They are 100% volunteers and they bring comfort to displaced children, hurt and orphaned children, children in hospitals and refugee centres in Lviv. Our little group of volunteers help carry the art and their messages to western countries to let the children tell their stories, which knowing they are seen lifts their spirits.
This is such important and moving work. Art truly has the power to heal, especially for children who have gone through trauma. I deeply appreciate that you’re supporting them not just creatively, but emotionally too — and helping carry their voices out into the world. Children need to know they’re not alone, and being seen and acknowledged is already a part of the healing.
Thank you for your support. I have admired the work of Tim and the Counteroffensive since the inception. We have recently wrapped up two exhibitions - one in Zaragoza and one in Vancouver, with one at Oxford in the Bodleian Library still underway. a number of our volunteers are on our way to Ukraine to work in various roles for the summer. Our programme of exhibitions starts up again in October in Edinburgh and Mainz. We are here - sunflowerdreamsproject.org.
Thanks again Counteroffensive for bringing the plight of Ukraine's children to the fore and giving due credit to the tireless art healing programmes helping them.
Heartbreaking to see a small child drawing a picture of the dead 💩🥫 - such an image speaks volumes of the child's state of mind, that all they hear is their parents' wishing that the chief Orc was dead. No child should have to live through war - especially an unrighteous invasion by a neighbouring dick-tator. And then their are the children who have been stolen by the Orcs, to be reprogrammed and turned against their Ukrainian identity, for which no sanctions are severe enough.
I feel this so deeply. The thought of children internalizing this kind of fear, anger, and grief is just unbearable. No child should ever have to process war, let alone draw it. And the stolen children — it's one of the darkest, most horrifying parts of this invasion. Rewriting their identity is not just a war crime, it’s an attempt to erase an entire culture through its youngest. It’s unforgivable.
Gut wrenching to see Putin robbing the childhood for a generation of Ukrainians. It is also infuriating that the Russian asset in the WH will do everything in his power to shrill for this monster, and 77 million Americans chose him.
I feel the same way — it’s deeply upsetting. I know I had a good and peaceful childhood in Ukraine, and my heart aches so much for the children now. Can this even be called a happy childhood?
Restored my sense that beauty and purity and hope cannot be wholly eclipsed in a person by anyone else , including the perpetrators of war and authoritarianism .
Hang on to that hope, Susan. I'm so very glad you're with us to bring a little bit of perspective, and hope we can give you a little bit of optimism.
Thank you . I shall hang onto to it and continue to respond to the work you all do because where there is such commitment there is hope.
I am happy to see this subject covered in depth. it is always the children who seem to be forgotten and the damage to them pass unnoticed. And thank you for the name of the study which shows that 75% of children show symptoms of PTSD or other. I was aware that the Zelenskayya Foundation had underestimated at 44%, and also aware there were higher numbers out there, but not sure of which studies.
Some months ago, I had made Counter Offensive aware of two inspirational Ukrainian artists in Lviv who have brought the power of art to heal to over 4,000 children since the full-scale invasion. They are 100% volunteers and they bring comfort to displaced children, hurt and orphaned children, children in hospitals and refugee centres in Lviv. Our little group of volunteers help carry the art and their messages to western countries to let the children tell their stories, which knowing they are seen lifts their spirits.
This is such important and moving work. Art truly has the power to heal, especially for children who have gone through trauma. I deeply appreciate that you’re supporting them not just creatively, but emotionally too — and helping carry their voices out into the world. Children need to know they’re not alone, and being seen and acknowledged is already a part of the healing.
Thank you for your support. I have admired the work of Tim and the Counteroffensive since the inception. We have recently wrapped up two exhibitions - one in Zaragoza and one in Vancouver, with one at Oxford in the Bodleian Library still underway. a number of our volunteers are on our way to Ukraine to work in various roles for the summer. Our programme of exhibitions starts up again in October in Edinburgh and Mainz. We are here - sunflowerdreamsproject.org.
Thanks again Counteroffensive for bringing the plight of Ukraine's children to the fore and giving due credit to the tireless art healing programmes helping them.
I was in a very dark and self-centered place this morning, despair really, about our times . This article with the beautiful art
Heartbreaking to see a small child drawing a picture of the dead 💩🥫 - such an image speaks volumes of the child's state of mind, that all they hear is their parents' wishing that the chief Orc was dead. No child should have to live through war - especially an unrighteous invasion by a neighbouring dick-tator. And then their are the children who have been stolen by the Orcs, to be reprogrammed and turned against their Ukrainian identity, for which no sanctions are severe enough.
I feel this so deeply. The thought of children internalizing this kind of fear, anger, and grief is just unbearable. No child should ever have to process war, let alone draw it. And the stolen children — it's one of the darkest, most horrifying parts of this invasion. Rewriting their identity is not just a war crime, it’s an attempt to erase an entire culture through its youngest. It’s unforgivable.
Very good writing here!