The project "Improving the Protection of Children in Emergencies in Ukraine by Providing Safe Shelters, Food and Non-Food Items, and Psychosocial Support" is diverse and multi-faceted. An important part of the project is caring for children, filling their leisure time with meaningful activities, and creating a healthy environment for communication, learning, and self-development.

As part of the continuation of the project, which the Medical Aid Committee in Zakarpattya is implementing with the support of "terre des hommes Deutschland e.V." and funding from the German Federal Foreign Office, the children’s section has been divided among several non-governmental organizations, including partners from the NGO "Happy Children". Their team is implementing the "Gentle Heart" program, which is active in the Zakarpattia and Kharkiv regions.

"Gentle Heart" is a program of therapeutic support for school-age children through hippotherapy (or interaction with animals from animal shelters) and creative activities. The first part includes getting to know and interacting with horses, learning about their diet and habits, and learning to ride, while the second part focuses on creativity and entertainment. In particular, the young participants made toys, drew pictures, and created souvenirs as a keepsake.

"We want children to find joy in simple things and discover inner strength through love and communication – things that fill them up and give them the resources to move forward. In this program, we create a therapeutic space where children learn to overcome stress and recover through interaction with animals and creativity", says Lyudmyla Syuzeva, head of the NGO "Happy Children".

During July and August, 12 events were held, with 130 children participating. There are still 10 interesting and educational activities ahead.

"Gentle Heart" is a program of therapeutic support for school-age children through hippotherapy (or interaction with animals from animal shelters) and creative activities. The program implements comprehensive therapeutic measures that combine hippotherapy or interaction with animals from animal shelters, exercises to stabilize emotional state, creative master classes, game and art therapy practices (games for self-expression and development of positive thinking).