Sophya P, Grade 10, Kyiv
War has been a part of humanity from the beginning of our time. Over the thousands of years wars have brought millions of lives lost, political disputes, economic devastation, and much more. But the greatest tragedy of war is the price the innocent pay… civilians; some die and some bear witness to the death of others. Many that survive acquire lifelong trauma. Due to humans having to adapt to their surroundings, we have found different ways to cope. One of the ways is therapy, more specifically art therapy. My name is Sophya P. and I am a grade 10 student in PSI. I started to pursue drawing in 2020 as a way to escape being cooped up in our house during the lockdown. But when the full scale invasion started in February 2024, I fully understood the benefits of art and the unspoken therapy that goes with it. The main focus of art therapy is to focus on the good things and not the bad ones. With this practice the aim is to put your full attention into an artwork that makes you feel good. For my personal project I worked with kids that were confronting the difficulties brought on by the war, childhood traumas and treatments, and I assisted them in articulating their emotions and experiences through drawing. In this process, I witnessed how art enabled them to transform their pain, fears, and aspirations into something concrete.
Art emerged as a healing instrument, providing a means of expression when verbal communication fell short. By establishing a secure environment for the children to delve into their thoughts and feelings, I observed the beneficial effects of art therapy in alleviating anxiety and enhancing emotional health. The objective of this project was not only to support these children in managing the trauma of war but also to underscore the therapeutic value of art during crises. By creating murals and individual artworks, the children were able to reclaim their stories and foster a sense of agency amidst challenging circumstances. The act of creating art empowered them to find their voice, serving as a method for them to navigate the turmoil surrounding them.
