From January 7 to 18, 2026, with financial support from the UNWLA, chaplains and volunteers of the “Orphans Care Center” organized two “Christmas School” camps in Yaremche for orphans, internally displaced children, and children from vulnerable families.
Each camp lasted for 6 days and hosted 73 kids and teenagers.
The first camp, which took place from January 7 to 12, was attended by students of the Livchytsi Special Boarding School and the Lviv Special School of Maria Pokrova. They were accompanied by Deacon Nazariy Pryshlyak, chaplain of the Orphans Care Center, and volunteers from the “Helping Hands” community. The central theme of the camp was “The Value of Me, You, Us.”
Through catechesis and various activities, children had the opportunity to understand the importance of community and caring for one another.
“This camp was filled with special emotions. I would describe it in three words: trust, love, and care. The children learned to trust us, and we learned to trust them. We discovered their personalities and characters. Each child was unique, yet open to our initiatives. What I appreciated most was that they learned to trust us, as we were constantly present with them, setting aside our own needs to spend quality time together – something they truly valued.”
Deacon Nazariy Pryshlyak
The second camp, held from January 12 to 18, brought together teenagers from family-type children’s homes participating in the “#Svoyi” project. Adolescence is often a time when young people are exposed to risky influences. To address this, the camp theme was: “I have value. I am worthy of love. I can take care of myself.”
Each day focused on a subtheme, where children worked with psychologist Yulia Liadyk and spiritual mentor Fr. Stepan Myshkovskyi from the DiiaTY Mental Health Hub. They discussed emotions, personal boundaries, past mistakes, and future planning. These sessions were interactive and game-based rather than lecture-style, helping participants better understand themselves and their emotions.
“I am glad this camp was not just recreational. The children gained knowledge, learned, and worked on themselves. I am confident it will stay in their memory for a long time. Camps like this build community, where children remain connected even afterward, becoming friends.”
Brother Andriy Kharkiv
Both camps combined daily reflection, hands-on workshops, and team activities, creating a space where children could open up, feel supported, and build lasting friendships. These camps are more than a temporary retreat — they are a step toward helping children believe in themselves, develop resilience, and experience care, trust, and community.
Elizabeth Buniak, UNWLA, Social Welfare National Chair
We are deeply grateful to our donors whose generosity makes this work possible. Your support brings warmth, stability, and hope to children who need it most. As the needs continue, we invite you to stand with us in sustaining and expanding these life-changing programs, ensuring that even more children have the opportunity to heal, grow, and thrive.
