A Talisman for Hope and Protection

Daniil is only nine years old and has already experienced terrifying things in war. He bravely told us his story. Photo: Words Help.

When Daniil was born, the war in eastern Ukraine had been taking its toll for a year. When he was one, the family was displaced for the first time from Luhansk to Sievierodonetsk. There, they spent six years of relative peace. Kindergarten, first grade, sports, friends. Daniil’s little sister Varvara was born in 2021. “I had a great life”, says Daniil. “We even got a cat.”

When Daniil was seven, the war caught up with the family again – and everything changed. The day they fled again was terrifying for the young boy. Early in the morning on February 24^th, 2022, his mother woke him and his little sister up to the noise of impacting missiles. “It was very loud and scary in the morning, and we had to hide in the bathroom,” Daniil reports.

His father was not home at that time, attending service. When he came home, he told his family that they had to grab the most necessary things, get in the car and leave as quickly as possible. he told the family that they had to grab the most necessary things, get in the car and leave as quickly as possible.

Things left behind

When the family had to flee, Daniil grabbed his little angel figurine at the last moment. Photo: Words Help.

“There were a lot of things left in the apartment that were important to me, and I still remember them,” says Daniil. At the last moment, he stuffed a small angel figurine in his backpack. Then his mother set off with him and his sister. The situation was chaotic, the streets jammed with desperate people running for their lives. “There were a lot of cars and accidents, and it was very hard for my mom to drive”, Daniil remembers. Six-month-old Varvara was crying almost all the way. Daniil himself was sad and scared – because worst of all, his father had to stay behind. “And it was not clear when we would see each other.”

Like so many other Ukrainian families in those chaotic early days of the countrywide war against Ukraine, Daniil’s family was separated. And none knew when, if ever, they would reunite with those family members who would now serve in the military. In addition to the stress of fleeing, this was and is traumatizing especially for children.

A priceless talisman

Daniil believes the angel protects him and his family, supporting his peace of mind. Photo: Words Help.

For Daniil, the little angel figurine became priceless in this situation. He had been given it as a gift for New Year 2022. He says: “An angel is like a talisman. It flies over us all the time and protects us.“ A day after leaving their home in the city of Sievierodonetsk, Daniil and his mother and sister reached Dnipro and stayed there for about six months. Then they had to move again, this time to Odesa.

Daniil’s angel stayed by his side: „In the city of Dnipro and now in Odesa, it was always on my desk, where I wrote, did my homework, moulded with clay, and drew. I ask it to protect my father. [I believe] it watches over us to make sure that everything is fine, connects us with people who help us and with those whom we can help.“

Some of the people who helped Daniil and his family were the mental health experts from our partner organization Words Help. He attended individual counselling sessions that we offer together with our partners to help children like Daniil cope with the terrible experiences of war.

The consequences of war

A counselling session like this with our partner Mental Health Service helps children like Daniil cope with traumatic experiences. Photo: Mental Health Service

No child should have to live through a war. Family separations, displacement, bombings, and constant disruptions of education – only some of the consequences of war – frequently lead to anxiety, stress, grief, lack of sleep, aggression, and depression. As a result, the mental health of millions of young Ukrainians is currently at risk. True healing can only begin once there is peace.

Until then, we are by the side of families and other war-affected people in Ukraine together with our partner organizations Malteser Ukraine, Mental Health Service and Words Help: With offers of specialized mental and psychosocial support, trainings for medical staff, social cohesion activities. In addition, winterization and relief acitivites are part of our aid. Thanks to the support of the German Federal Foreign Office, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and Aktion Deutschland Hilft, we have already supported thousands of children, women, and men with our services.

This Christmas, please join in our efforts and support war-affected people everywhere with your donation. Because money can’t buy peace, but it can provide a sense of hope.

Priceless - About objects of immeasurable value

What object is priceless to you? This is what we asked some of the people we were able to support this year: people who have to build a new life with unimaginable strength under the most difficult conditions. The objects they told us about play a central role in their everyday lives. And behind each one is a unique story full of hope and precious memories. This Christmas season, we share these inspiring stories with you and give you the chance to gift a piece of priceless hope with your donation.

Donate now to support our work in Ukraine!

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A Talisman for Hope and Protection

Things left behind

A priceless talisman

The consequences of war

Priceless - About objects of immeasurable value

Health and dignity for people in need

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A Talisman for Hope and Protection

Things left behind

A priceless talisman

The consequences of war

Priceless - About objects of immeasurable value

Health and dignity for people in need

Donation account

Learn more

Sign up and stay connected

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