On her way to boxing training with a friend, she witnessed an explosion. “It was kind of like a helicopter but when we turned around, we saw a rocket. Then, there was a big explosion in the nearby village. It was so strong that everything was trembling. It was very scary.”
Roda and her grandmother were forced to flee, leaving behind most of their belongings, including her beloved puppy. After a long and exhausting search for shelter, they found refuge in a War Child-funded centre near the Slovakian border. But the trauma of her experiences continued to haunt her.
With support from War Child and local partners, Roda received psychological counselling, education, and participated in art therapy. Through art, she found comfort in creating simple items, something that now helps ease her nightmares.
I like the psychologist. One time, when she visited, we made a toy. It’s a little stick person made of clay, sticks and canvas. I turn on the light, cuddle my clay toy and then I feel safe.Roda, aged 12.
Despite new friendships, moments of joy, and the progress she has made, Roda’s deepest wish remains the same: to return home to her puppy and the life she once knew.
