Close to four million Ukrainians live as refugees in their own country. Their hometowns are either occupied or under constant bomb threat. The situation is most difficult for the children, many of whom have been traumatized.
Five-year-old Sofia Chornoval’s hometown of Orikhiv is on the front line. Under Russian shelling, the family was first forced to seek shelter, then flee headlong.
– It’s terrible. I even brought my stuffed animal. I have a dinosaur there too. It makes noise. Because it sounded so much at night, I hugged it, says five-year-old Sofia Chornoval to TV4 Nyheterna.
“Having difficulty speaking”
But at the trauma center up in the valleys of the Ukrainian Carpathians, the wounds of the war healed – slowly. Little Sofia and mother Lilla have applied there to get help with trauma treatment.
TV4 News’ broadcasters have visited the child trauma center in Truskavets in the relatively safe western Ukraine. Here, children severely affected by war receive the support they so badly need.
– They have experienced a lot of trauma and find it difficult to talk about it, both children and adults, says child psychologist Iryna Levkovych.
– We try to help them by employing them and helping them deal with the trauma, she continues.
Dare to look ahead
The treatment here has helped the family move on. Now mother Lilla dares to look ahead.
– She has opened up. Here the children can rest, draw and do what they like most, says mother Lilla Chornoval.
– We try to enjoy life here as best we can, she continues.
Little Sofia also, like so many others here in Ukraine, wants to remind you that we are thinking of you. She wants to send a greeting to Sweden.
– Don’t forget us, please. I want to say hello to everyone and wish the Swedish children all the best, she says.