From Therapy to Transformation: Supporting Children in Moldova and Ukraine
Here’s an update on our work so far across Moldova and Ukraine — from strengthening occupational therapy services to supporting young people affected by war.
Over recent months, ChildAid has been working closely with trusted partners to deliver practical, long‑term support for children and young people, while laying foundations for sustainable change in the countries where we work.
This update shares the most recent progress, key developments, and what comes next.
October 2025: A Milestone in Moldova and a New Beginning
October 2025 marked a major milestone in ChildAid’s long‑term work in Moldova, bringing to a close a multi‑year Occupational Therapy (OT) development programme — and opening an important new chapter focused on education, sustainability, and long‑term impact for children with disabilities.
Since 2019, ChildAid has worked in close partnership with the Tony Hawks Centre, Moldovan universities, and international occupational therapy experts to strengthen paediatric occupational therapy across the country. Supported by Rotary Club partners in Moldova, this programme has helped shift professional practice, improve access to specialist care, and change perceptions around disability and inclusion.
The programme concluded with a national conference, “Prospects for the Development of Occupational Therapy in the Republic of Moldova,” organised by ChildAid, the Tony Hawks Centre, the State University, and Rotary partners.
A key outcome was continued progress towards establishing a university‑level Occupational Therapy course in Moldova.
A New Initiative: Occupational Therapy at Home
Building on the success of the training programme, the Tony Hawks Centre will now pilot a 10‑month home‑based occupational therapy assessment initiative, supported through Rotary project funding.
This next phase will:
- Use a specialist OT assessment tool
- Include structured home visits
- Identify environmental barriers affecting children’s daily participation
- Provide tailored recommendations for families
This work represents an important shift — moving occupational therapy beyond specialist centres and into children’s everyday home environments, where long‑term change is most effective.
Rotary Partnership: A Steady Force for Change in Moldova
ChildAid’s partnership with Rotary continues to play a vital role in strengthening services for children in Moldova. During the October visit, Rotarian partners joined ChildAid staff for visits to several projects supported through this collaboration:
- A new Neonatal Unit, delivered in collaboration with MadAid providing critical care for vulnerable newborns
- Occupational therapy services and training at the Tony Hawks Centre
- Schools in rural Moldova, including Valcinet School, where a new sensory‑room screen now offers autistic children a calming space to regulate, learn, and feel safe
Finding Steady Ground: Supporting Teenagers in Ukraine
The Challenge
Ukrainian teenagers are facing immense emotional strain caused by displacement, poverty, family breakdown, and ongoing conflict. Many are coping silently with trauma and loss, without access to appropriate emotional support. At any one time, ChildAid supports more than 100 vulnerable teenagers — orphans, social orphans, and those displaced by war — who risk becoming a lost generation without intervention.
Alongside our Rotary‑supported work in Moldova, ChildAid continues to respond to the urgent needs of children and young people affected by war in Ukraine. Building on previous art therapy projects, workshops, and summer camps, we are launching a new programme focused specifically on teenagers — a group that is often overlooked.
The Solution: Finding Steady Ground
Finding Steady Ground is a ChildAid‑led programme designed to help teenagers develop practical tools for emotional regulation, resilience, and recovery. The programme will be delivered through trusted one‑to‑one and group sessions in:
- Kamianske
- Makariv
- Mukachevo
- Uzhhorod
Participants learn to:
- Calm their minds and bodies
- Understand and manage emotions
- Focus on what they can control
- Develop coping strategies for loss and stress
- Reconnect safely with peers
- Rediscover confidence and moments of joy
Next, we will support implementation, gather early feedback, and continue fundraising.
This programme offers steady ground in uncertain times — and with continued support, more young people will gain tools they can rely on throughout their lives.
Thank You
From strengthening occupational therapy services in Moldova to supporting traumatised teenagers in Ukraine, this work reflects a shared commitment from therapy to lasting change.
Together, we are helping children access care, develop resilience, and build brighter futures — even in the most challenging circumstances.
