”Here, nothing stands in our way. We have the freedom to play and enjoy”
Refugee children in Moldova make new friends and overcome the trauma of war by participating in activities organized by the Blue Dot mobile team.
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Children from Ukraine who seek safety in Moldova need new friends and more opportunities to overcome the significant changes in their lives and feel safe. Since the onset of the conflict, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in the Republic of Moldova and its partners have been working to improve the child protection system and integration of refugee families into Moldovan communities by developing essential services such as education, health, and protection. The mobile Blue Dot is one of the initiatives designed to achieve this objective.
For almost six months, a team of specialists in child protection, psychology and education has been visiting the villages in the Stefan Voda district to organize educational and counselling activities for Moldovan and Ukrainian children. Diana is one of the psychologists who help these children to communicate more effectively, express their feelings, and overcome specific cultural or linguistic barriers.
To fully understand the importance of these activities, it is enough to see the enthusiasm of the beneficiaries. In the town hall of the Talmaza village, children and parents eagerly await another session of activities organized by Diana and her colleagues. "In Talmaza, we work with two groups and have organized six weekly sessions. We have prepared a specialized programme that includes various case studies, discussions, social games, and activities to develop memory, logic, and motor skills.
We have already observed encouraging results. Children have made new friends. Moreover, we are proud of the positive feedback from parents, who express their gratitude and ask for a new visit," says Diana as she prepares to begin the activities with the children. Today, children have the mission to create artwork inspired by the Pascale holidays.
Adelina, 13, from Mykolaiv, Ukraine, is a faithful participant in the activities organized by the Blue Dot mobile team. For almost a year, Adelina and her family have found safety in Moldova. She is trying to take advantage of every opportunity to develop new skills and make new friends. "I love such interactive activities, to do something interesting and beautiful with other children. We always communicate and participate in various games," says Adelina.
Children in Moldova also need communication and new friends. For instance, 13-year-old Vasilisa from Talmaza enjoys interacting with other children and young people. "I liked it from the first day. I have met new people and learned about new languages, which are interesting. I have also made two new friends. Moreover, thanks to the activities here, I am learning to create various things," says Vasilisa. On the other hand, for ten-year-old Ariana from Ukraine, these activities mean freedom, joy, and peace. "Here, nothing stands in our way. We have the freedom to play and enjoy,” she says.
Since the beginning of the war, over 300 refugees, including children, have found safety in the Talmaza village, 37 kilometres away from the Ukrainian border. To be closer to the needs of those who have fled the war and to provide more support, UNICEF and its partners are working with local authorities, including for this project. "We have many children, and they are of different ethnicities. Thanks to this project, funded by the European Union, we were able to carry out these activities. The children are excited and have become friends. I have already noticed positive changes," says Eugeniu Pruteanu, the mayor of Talmaza village.
To date, 108,000 refugees from Ukraine have found safety in Moldova, with 26% of them being children. From the first month of the war, UNICEF has established 11 Blue Dot centres in Moldova, and five of them are still active. These centres provide access to safe spaces, creative activities for children, psychological and legal counselling services, as well as food and hygiene essentials. More than 52,000 refugees, including over 26,000 children, have benefited from the services of the Blue Dot centres founded in Moldova.
UNICEF thanks donors, such as the European Union Humanitarian Aid, for supporting the activity of the Blue Dot centres in Moldova, including the mobile Blue Dot.
