16 East SOS Team Members Recharged at a Retreat to Continue Supporting Those in Need

From July 25 to 27, 2025, the East SOS field lawyers, psychologists, social workers, and case managers from Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, and Mykolaiv took part in a three-day retreat in a cozy location in the Dnipro region.

The foundation’s work is a daily response to the pain, challenges, and needs of people affected by the war. Our team members meet evacuees with open hearts, assist people both locally and online, and create safe spaces built on trust. To help sustain their inner resources, we created conditions where participants could spend several days immersed in an atmosphere of recovery and peace.

“A retreat is an opportunity to step away from the rush, quiet the emotional noise, and truly hear yourself. It’s a moment to pause, allow ourselves to be calm, and refill from within. Our foundation cares not only about effective work, but also about the well-being of our team. Caring for each other is our strength, our unity, and our ability to support others,” said Maryna Danyliuk, Manager of the Psychological Direction.

The program combined restorative and creative practices. Participants explored art therapy techniques such as:

‭• Sound therapy with drumming;
‭• Game therapy to prevent burnout and ease stress.
‭• These sessions, combined with open discussions and nature walks, created a supportive environment where participants could release tension and restore inner balance.

“It was a perfect rest for both body and soul. I could truly slow down and reconnect with myself, and now feel renewed, fulfilled, and grateful,” shared Oksana Akchebash, Social Worker at East SOS.

“The idea of switching off from everyday life and allowing yourself everything you truly want for two days was incredibly valuable,” shared psychologist Oleksandr Haisonok.

The retreat programs for East SOS teams were made possible with the support of KURVE Wustrow under the project “Empowering Civil Society for Nonviolent Conflict Transformation with the Participation of State Actors.”