At Camp Lighthouse in Ukraine, Vitalii works as a leisure and sports instructor. A psychologist by training, he was inspired by his own teenage camp experience, which showed him the value of holiday camps for children from conflict zones.
“I am originally from the Donetsk region,” Vitalii begins. “When the war in Ukraine started in 2014, my family lived near the frontline. I was 15. After a while, I got the chance to attend a holiday camp much like this one. It changed my paradigm. I realised I could do more in a safe place, so I decided to move to Kyiv.”
After the camp, he returned home, told his parents he was moving, and withdrew from high school. “They weren’t happy, but they saw I had more options in Kyiv.”
In Kyiv, Vitalii finished school, earned a degree in psychology, and worked as a camp counsellor. When the pandemic paused the camps, he took on jobs in video production and addiction counselling. In 2022, he was invited to join Camp Lighthouse by Olha, a former colleague.
Camp Lighthouse is a safe haven for children impacted by the trauma of war, offering a respite from the daily hardships of conflict. Established by SOS Children’s Villages Ukraine, the camp provides children with the chance to escape the sounds of air-raid sirens and shelling, offering two-week stays in a quiet, rustic setting. Activities like dancing, art workshops, and psychological support help children release stress and trauma, with a structured daily routine that encourages creativity, socialising, and personal growth.
At Camp Lighthouse, Vitalii organises outdoor activities, including movement workshops and hiking. “I try to give children experiences they’ve never had. In September 2023, we built a dinghy out of wooden pallets, took it across the lake, and camped overnight. All the teenagers said it was their first time. My only regret is that we thought of it just before the weather turned cold.”
Vitalii understands the trauma many children face. “Their stories are close to me because they are my stories too. I know what it’s like to hear shelling as a child.” He highlights the importance of stable adult support: “In my youth, I found a supportive adult at the camp I attended as a teenager—a psychologist who still supports us at Camp Lighthouse.”
Nature is where Vitalii finds peace. “When I feel bad, I go to the mountains or forest. It makes me feel safe.” He shares this with the children, many of whom have never been outside their region.
One moment stands out for him: “During a 2023 campfire, a teen from Kherson said, ‘I can’t believe I’m looking at the stars, with no shelling, no need to hide the light. I feel so different.’”
Although he’s resilient, Vitalii admits it’s hard to hear painful stories. “Sometimes I just want to cry. It’s difficult to understand why, in today’s world, we still haven’t stopped killing each other.”
Find out more about Camp Lighthouse here.