Our last nature retreat coincided with Medical Workers’ Day. On this occasion, the “Aybolit: On the Way to Recovery” project team sincerely congratulates everyone saving lives at the front and in the rear.
Each retreat reveals new insights. With every new participant, we encounter remarkable strength, endurance, and dignity. In every defender’s story, the courage takes our breath away.
This time, 14 veterans participated—including not only middle-aged soldiers but also very young men. Some deployed to the front at age 18 instead of beginning university. Two years of intense combat and severe injuries haven’t broken their spirit. They’re recovering to rejoin the ranks. For them, the war and Ukraine’s Armed Forces have become more than service—they’re now their profession, life, and destiny. They lost their youth but preserved their dignity.
Our team meticulously prepared activities including sports, eco-bag painting, communal campfire cooking, and heartfelt conversations. These made the day vibrant and warm, with time passing unnoticed.
Svitlana’s homemade lunch so relaxed our guests that we joked about bringing camp cots next time for afternoon naps! Perhaps we’ll launch a business with outdoor dining and lounge areas 🙂
Thank you, Svitlana! Everyone raved about the delicious meal!
Psychologist Viktoria worked nonstop throughout the retreat—even without coffee breaks. By the way, Viktoria and Pavel (our executive director) recently married, and we all celebrated the newlyweds.
Participants created inspired eco-bag designs that emerged vibrant, authentic, and deeply meaningful.
‼ This initiative is realized by the Wings of Victory charity within the Capable and Resistant Program implemented by the East Europe Foundation with the financial support of Switzerland.
Stand strong!
