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Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has traumatized many adults and children in the war-torn country. To help, Nataliya Vyetrova created the Ukraine Volya Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps Ukrainian children cope. Mykhailo Komadovsky has the story, narrated by Anna Rice.
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((PLAYBOOK SLUG: TV Ukraine Volya Foundation – Komadovsky
HEADLINE: US-Based Nonprofit Helps Ukrainian Children Deal With War-Related Trauma
TEASER:
PUBLISHED AT: 02/01/2023 AT 8:35AM
BYLINE: Mykhailo Komadovsky
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Washington
VIDEOGRAPHER:
VIDEO EDITOR:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Kenochs; Bowman
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, see courtesies
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB TV X only RADIO __
TRT: 2:51
VID APPROVED BY: KE
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES: ))
((INTRO))
[[Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has traumatized many adults and children in the war-torn country. To help, Nataliya Vyetrova created the Ukraine Volya Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps Ukrainian children cope. Mykhailo Komadovsky has the story, narrated by Anna Rice.]]
((NARRATION))
A laptop and a small desk are all Nataliya Vyetrova – founder of the nonprofit called Ukraine Volya Foundation – needs to help her fellow Ukrainians.
A sustainable fashion expert before the war, she now dedicates her time to helping Ukrainian children deal with war-related trauma. Her journey started at a pro-Ukraine rally in the U.S.
((Nataliya Vyetrova, Ukraine Volya Foundation)) ((RUS))
“When I was at one of the rallies, I just realized I was at the wrong place. My desire to be with my people, with Ukrainians, was stronger than the desire to help from here. So, one morning I woke up and told my husband I’m going. I got a ticket, and two days later packed my backpack and went.”
((NARRATION))
((Mandatory courtesy: Ukraine Volya Foundation))
After an initial trip, she returned to Washington with a plan.
((End courtesy))
She raised some funds and headed back to Lviv.
Two months later, she’d managed to
((Mandatory courtesy: Ukraine Volya Foundation))
equip a center for the internally displaced in Lviv. She made sure dozens of families had enough clothing, food and attention.
But soon she realized the people she cared for needed more than physical things.
((End courtesy))
((Nataliya Vyetrova, Ukraine Volya Foundation)) ((RUS))
“The most important thing for me are children. My soft spot… At the time, no one was talking about war-related trauma! So, I started this conversation, and people said, ‘What are you talking about? There’s no food, no clothing, hardly any beds, and you’re talking about some psychological help!’”
((NARRATION))
((Mandatory courtesy: Ukraine Volya Foundation))
The program she set up was devised by clinical psychologists skilled at helping children cope with all kinds of trauma, from natural disasters to violent crime and war.
The program uses games as a way for adults to communicate with children about their trauma and allow them to get past it.
A year into the war, Vyetrova says she is seeing delayed trauma starting to show up.
Nataliya is looking for help everywhere, including from Ukraine’s First Lady.
((Nataliya Vyetrova, Ukraine Volya Foundation)) ((RUS))
“We should meet with Olena Zelenskaya, we need the government’s support. She was one of the first to start talking about Ukrainian children’s psychological state – not just children. But everyone affected. All Ukrainians are traumatized; how can mom or dad help their kid if they themselves are traumatized?”
((NARRATION))
Today, Vyetrova is planning her next trip to Ukraine, where she will bring warm clothes for the children and new methods to provide psychological help.
She – like millions of others – can’t wait for the war to be over, though she plans to keep offering help long after it ends.
ццц
((Mykhailo Komadovsky, for VOA News, Washington))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateFebruary 1, 2023 08:48 EST
BylineMykhailo Komadovsky
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
