“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in nature.”
— Unknown Author
Last weekend, the “Aybolit: On the Way to Recovery” project organized one more psychological retreat for Lisova Polyana rehabilitation center patients. This time, the group was joined by veterans who had survived captivity.
“Every such trip opens a new world. In every new encounter with veterans, we see strength, resilience, and dignity. In every defender’s story, there is so much courage that it takes your breath away,” shares Viktoria Kramarenko, head of the “Wings of Victory” Charitable Foundation.
According to her, the unique value of these retreats lies in their setting: the picturesque pine forests of the Irpin region, where it’s easier to find calm, release anxiety, and draw strength from mutual support. “Amid the scent of the forest and the rustle of leaves, we created a space where everyone could relieve tension, let go of heavy thoughts, and feel relief,” says Kramarenko.
As always, upon arrival, the project team prepared the space: arranging furniture, cooking meals, and setting up areas for art therapy and sports activities. However, Aybolit strives to diversify the program each time. This retreat featured singer, volunteer, and psychologist Yuliya Zubrova, whose guitar songs about the frontline united the participants.
A key part of the retreat was the psychotherapeutic session led by Bella Zlatova, a psychologist from Lisova Polyana. She guided participants through self-help exercises for anxiety and stress, work with metaphorical cards, and group discussions about personal triggers. Her practical examples helped attendees better understand how to reduce stress and restore inner balance.
The day was filled with heartfelt conversations, trust-building exercises, breathing practices, and recovery activities. Participants learned to listen to themselves and each other anew, finding balance between inner peace and the external world.
Group games, circle discussions, and art therapy with natural materials also helped open hearts and foster unity. The atmosphere of trust and camaraderie created a space where every warrior could see not only the reality of war but also a place for recovery, light, and hope.
“We sang together, grilled shashlik, set the table,” recalls Kramarenko. “Some felt like children again, enjoying the swing. Some guys competed passionately in football matches and other ball games suggested by Bella Zlatova. Some preferred badminton, others bonded with Gabriela, the dog, who blended perfectly into our lively group, offering sincerity and unforced joy.”
Delicious food, the scent of autumn and pine, songs, and art therapy with beeswax candles—all combined to create an unparalleled atmosphere of healing, kindness, and love. A psychological retreat is not just a break—it’s a step toward recovery. “It’s a moment when nature heals, and human warmth gives strength to move forward,” says Viktoria Kramarenko.
‼ 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.
We also express our sincere gratitude to our permanent spon
sors, without whom the activities of the project would be impossible:
@RGOW Projekte, Switzerland
@Олесь Клименко та Соня Атлантова
@БФ Святого Мартіна Де Порес
@Partnerschaftsaktion Ost im Bistum Magdeburg, Germany
@МБФ «Сприяння Розвитку Медицини»
@БФ «Час служити»
Stand strong!
