Give a Child in Ukraine a Summer of Hope
For children living through war, this camp is a chance to feel safe, laugh freely, and be children again.
Donate NowFor Children Living Through War, This Changes Everything
In parts of Ukraine, children fall asleep to the sound of sirens and wake to uncertainty.
For many, this has been normal life for years.
But then they arrive at camp.
Suddenly, everything is different. The noise fades. The tension lifts. Laughter begins to replace fear.
For a few days, they are not defined by war. They are simply children again.
This is what you have helped make possible.
A Safe Place in the Mountains
The camp takes place in the Carpathian Mountains, far from the front line.
Here, children experience something rare. Quiet. Peace. Safety.
It gives them space to breathe, rest, and begin to recover.
Joy Returns
From the moment the children arrive, something begins to change.
The noise of war is replaced with something very different. Laughter. Energy. Excitement. The simple sound of children enjoying life again.
Days are full from start to finish. Walking together through forests, swimming in rivers, and hiking up into the mountains where they can look out across the landscape and just breathe.
Back at camp, the energy continues. Water fights break out, volleyball games take over the field, and songs are sung late into the evening.
There are quieter moments too. Crafts, face painting, and gymnastics sessions where children can express themselves, try new things, and build confidence.
Some moments are loud and chaotic. Others are calm and creative. All of them matter.
Because for many of these children, this is the first time in a long time they have been free to simply behave like children.
Ilya’s Story
In Zaporizhzhia, just 30km from the front line, 10-year-old Ilya lives a life most of us can barely imagine.
Home is where his heart is. Despite the danger, his family refuses to leave. He lives with his mum, dad, and two siblings, which means his father is not called to join the army.
Every night, rockets, sirens, and drones fill the air. Ilya can tell the difference between Ukrainian and Russian drones just from their sound. Overhead battles are part of his everyday reality. Incredibly, he even keeps a small collection of destroyed drones at home.
When asked about the future, he says he wants to be a doctor. But if the war continues, he feels he must become a soldier.
I do not want to move away. But I want peace.
One of his most treasured possessions is a hat given to him by a Ukrainian pilot shortly before the pilot was killed. He wears it proudly alongside a t-shirt that reads “Good vibes only”, a striking contrast to the world he knows.
This summer, Ilya came to camp. Far from the noise of war, he found quiet, safety, and the simple joy of good food and friendship.
For a few days, he was allowed to be a child again.
Roma – Choosing Hope
Roma is from Volyn, near the border with Belarus. While his region has not seen direct fighting, the war has still shaped his life.
He is one of eight children. When the war began, his school closed for six months. Instead of learning, he worked on the family farm, caring for animals and helping his family survive.
Roma does not want that life forever. He is training as a plumber and dreams of visiting his brother in Germany, but his heart remains firmly in Ukraine.
I want to stay here. But I want peace. Without peace there is nothing.
Every evening at 7pm, he gathers with his community to pray for peace. A simple act that holds hope together.
At camp, Roma stepped into leadership. Always helping, always encouraging others. A young man with quiet strength and responsibility.
Bogdan’s Story
At this summer’s camp in Skola, we met Bogdan, a teenager from a nearby village.
His father went to fight on the front line and never returned. With no body for a funeral, his family has been left in limbo, caught between hope and grief.
At the same time, his mother is battling stage 4 cancer.
The weight of this closed Bogdan off from the world. He stayed at home, withdrawn and silent, carrying more than any young person should.
When invited to camp, he did not want to come. But the team kept encouraging him.
And finally, he said yes.
What happened next was remarkable.
Surrounded by kindness, friendship, and laughter, Bogdan began to open up.
I have my son back again. His eyes are shining. He is alive again.
Those were the words his mum shared through tears.
For the first time in a long time, Bogdan felt joy again.
Why This Work Matters
The day after we returned from Ukraine, we received devastating news.
Three children from the Zaporizhzhia region, who were supposed to be at camp with us, were killed in a rocket attack.
If they had been at camp, they would still be alive.
This is the reality for children living close to the front line.
Every day carries risk. Every day brings uncertainty.
For many, camp is not just a place of joy. It is a place of safety.
Be Part of the Story
We are looking for volunteers to be part of this life-changing work and help run the camp.
This is an opportunity to make a real difference, to support children who have lived through so much, and to see first hand the impact of the camp.
The next trip will take place from 16th to 23rd August.
The cost is £900, which includes everything you need for the week.
If you feel this is something you would like to be part of, we would love to hear from you.
Help Us Reach 1,000 Children
Your support can change a child’s story.
£20
A day at camp
£50
Meals and activities
£100
A full experience
£250
Improves facilities
Every child deserves the chance to feel safe, to laugh, and to simply be a child again. For just £20 a day, or £100 for a full week, you can give a child in Ukraine that opportunity, including all food, activities, and care during their time at camp. This summer, we are hoping to welcome 1,000 children, each with their own story, each in need of hope and rest. Alongside this, we are working to build a permanent toilet and shower block at the camp, costing £24,000, to provide safe and dignified facilities for the children for years to come. If you are able, we would be incredibly grateful for your support in any way. Together, we can continue to make this possible.
