Finding herself after losing her home: how Svitlana Shcherbyna helps children in the community

Svitlana at the Ukrainian celebration in the Child Friendly Space in Khomutets village, March 2025. Photo: Oleksandra Rozhniatovska

Svitlana Shcherbyna lived in Bakhmut, Donetsk region — a city that today has been almost completely destroyed as a result of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. She lived with her family in a house she had built with her own hands, as she is a civil engineer by profession, and construction was not a burden for her but a true source of joy. Later, she decided to devote more time to raising her grandchildren and therefore completed courses in child psychology. 

On February 24, 2022, their usual life was destroyed. Gathering their children, grandchildren, and essential belongings, the family was forced to flee under shelling, first to Kremenchuk and later to the urban-type settlement of Brusyliv in the Zhytomyr region. In 2022, residents of the Brusyliv community in the Zhytomyr region welcomed a large number of internally displaced persons, actively providing support and demonstrating unity, humanity, and mutual assistance. One local resident offered Svitlana and her family free accommodation. She particularly noted the compassion of the community members, their empathy and willingness to help, which enabled the family to feel safe, cared for, and supported during a difficult period. 

When the desire to help becomes a lever for change 

Svitlana at the children's crafts fair in the Child Friendly Space, Khomutets village, Zhytomyr region, July 2025. Photo: Natalia Rozhniatovska 

After relocating, almost everything felt frightening: the lack of work, anxious thoughts, and sleepless nights. Nevertheless, Svitlana tried to maintain an active life position. This is why she began volunteering at a hub for internally displaced persons and later became involved in the cultural sector of the Brusyliv community, actively participating in the organization and implementation of various community events. 

Trying to focus on helping children, in June 2023 Svitlana began working as a specialist at the Child Friendly Space in Khomutets village, Brusyliv community, Zhytomyr region, established by the All-Ukrainian Foundation for Children Rights (AUFCR). Such spaces help internally displaced persons adapt to the community, receive comprehensive assistance, and access psychological support, which is critically important for people forced to leave their homes

Through the project “Strengthening Gender-Responsive Psychosocial Support and Protection for Vulnerable Women, Girls, and Boys in Host and War-Affected Communities,” implemented with technical support of UN Women Ukraine and funded by the United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), Svitlana had the opportunity to become part of a professional team in the Zhytomyr region, using her knowledge, experience, and sincere desire to help children. Overall, within the framework of the project, communities provided psychological and psychosocial support, referral services, and assistance to people affected by gender-based violence. 

“At first, it was not easy to work,” Svitlana recalls.  

People who were forced to start their lives from scratch were in a state of deep psychological and physical exhaustion, and many did not believe in the effectiveness of psychological support. However, over time, child psychology sessions, group meetings with parents, theatrical performances, and creative activities for children gradually began to revive the community. 

Svitlana at the Ukrainian celebration in the Child Friendly Space in Khomutets village, Zhytomyr region, March 2025. Photo: Oleksandra Rozhniatovska 

Svitlana pointed that the greatest reward and source of inspiration for restoring her emotional well-being after forced displacement were the joyful children’s voices at the Child Friendly Space, applause during events, and the first gifts for children.

“I came back to life. I became a mother, a grandmother, a sister, and a friend again,” the woman says. 

Despite all the challenges around her, Svitlana is convinced that children must be protected every day, with faith in a brighter future. 

“We cannot wait for our Victory — we must bring it closer. Bring it closer with our open hands extended to children. With the understanding that we, adults, are needed by children now more than ever. By our own children, by our neighbors’ children, by the children we pass on the street. We must protect their minds, their mental health, and their belief that we — Ukrainians — have existed, exist, and will continue to exist,” she emphasizes.

Svitlana’s story is a story of resilience, faith in life, and love for people. Thanks to people like her, and to projects that support their strength and self-realization, children will grow up surrounded by care and love, despite the daily challenges caused by war.

The project implemented by AUFCR, funded by The United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) with technical support of UN Women Ukraine. The United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) mobilizes critical support for local and grassroots civil society organizations working on women, peace and security and humanitarian action. WPHF is a flexible and rapid financing mechanism supporting quality interventions designed to enhance the capacity of women to prevent conflict, respond to crises and emergencies, and seize key peacebuilding opportunities.

This publication is produced with funding from the United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), however, the views expressed and content included does not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.