Members of the “Renewal of Ukraine” foundation from Odessa were guests at the Caritas children’s home – Lively exchange
Rheine. “It is very moving and impressive to hear the strength with which you are working for the children. We as a city would also like to set an example of solidarity,” said Mayor Dr. Peter Lüttmann during a conversation with Anna and Tomin Anton from the “Renewal of Ukraine” foundation in Odessa. Both were guests of the Caritas children’s home and the town twinning association Rheine in the Ems city. The focus of the five-day visit was on professional advice from employees of the Caritas children’s and youth home, who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of traumatized young people.
Unfortunately, only two representatives from Odessa were able to take part in the visit to the Rheineyouth facility. Other educators and therapists from “Renewal of Ukraine” were denied permission to leave the country due to martial law at the Ukrainian border. However, some impressions and treatment approaches were exchanged through video conferences. The complex disorders were discussed in the expert talks and treatment approaches were discussed.
“What does the constant war situation do to the children?” the mayor wanted to know from the two therapists from Odessa. “Most of the children are severely traumatized. They have lost their parents, lost their homes or seen their parents killed. There are regular bomb attacks, alarms all day and, for the last month, rocket alarms every night. There is hardly a chance to sleep. All the children are in a very difficult psychosocial state,” said Tomin Anton.
“Just sad,” Peter Lüttmann stated. He wanted to know whether there was still cohesion among the population. In the areas of Ukraine affected by the war, everyone wanted the war to end quickly. “They are alive today and hope to survive the coming night. Whether it will ultimately require Ukraine to cede territory is not a question for them,” said Anton. People are tired of war, “the parents want a peaceful life for their children”. The foundation organizes psychotherapies and educational therapies for these children in a civic network. In this respect, the exchange with the experts from the Caritas children’s home was also very important and significant.
At the moment, however, the aim can only be to alleviate the traumatic experiences of children and young people. According to Anton, it will only be possible to fundamentally deal with the psychological trauma once the war is over. This is why the many projects made possible by the financial support of the town twinning association are so valuable, Anna and Tomin Anton continued.
The twinning association would like to continue to support “Renewal of Ukraine” in Odessa and Mykolayiv with targeted and ongoing therapy projects for the children. Anyone wishing to support the twinning association with donations can use the donation account IBAN DE 65 4035 0005 0000 0642 53, keyword: Ukrainehilfe, at Stadtsparkasse Rheine.