Reintegration of children: a journey that takes months and often years

Restoring trust in the world and people, regaining identity and a sense of security is one of the goals of the reintegration team for children returned from deportation or occupation. This work is part of the reintegration component of the President of Ukraine’s Bring Kids Back UA initiative in cooperation with Ukrainian non-governmental organizations and international foundations.

“For me, reintegration means helping a child find a connection with himself, with people, with society. To make them feel that they are part of Ukraine again,” says Natalia Humeniuk, case manager of the Ukrainian Child Rights Network.

According to her, for some families, support work can last three months, for others – several years. Each case is unique and therefore it is impossible to define clear stages of reintegration. According to Ms. Natalia, it begins at the border, during the first meeting with case managers.

“We take the child by the hand and accompany him to a safe place. Because even 17-18-year-old boys are afraid: “What if they take them away again?”. And this is also part of reintegration – to believe that in Ukraine you will not be harmed, but protected,” says Natalia Humeniuk.

Next, you need to provide basic things: a roof over your head, warm clothes, food, and documents. Sometimes the first Ukrainian passport becomes a symbol for a child that he or she is truly home.

“One beneficiary sent me a video after she received her passport. She said with tears in her eyes: “Congratulate me, I am now a citizen of Ukraine.” This is the moment when the connection with the country is restored,” said Rita Madalits, case manager of the Ukrainian Child Rights Network.

Photo is illustrative, from open sources

She notes that reintegration is not just about solving everyday issues. It is about “rooting,” overcoming the so-called lost connection syndrome. Every little thing is important in this process: from documents to the first Ukrainian New Year. When a child lives safely through the seasons, studies, communicates, and dreams, it is a sign that he or she is gradually returning to a full life.

“Everyone has their own scale of pain and their own path. If a child has experienced violence, loss, and isolation, it is as if he or she has lost his or her support, his or her roots. And our job is to help them find new meanings,” says Natalia Humeniuk.

The duration of reintegration also depends on whether there is support in the family, community, and school. After all, upon returning, children often face not only bureaucracy but also misunderstanding and sometimes bullying.

“Reintegration is not the end. It is an ongoing journey. And on it, a child needs not only help – he or she needs a society that sees, understands and accepts,” says Natalia Humeniuk.

Comprehensive support is provided to 226 children as part of the project “Strengthening Comprehensive Reintegration Support for Returning Children”, which is being implemented as part of the reintegration component of the President’s initiative “Bring Kids Back UA”.

“Reintegration is an individual process that requires solutions for a particular child. Returning home is a start, and then it is important to have a team by your side to help you restore security, stability and connection with life here at home in Ukraine. We are working with partners for this very purpose – so that every child can go through this path and not be left alone with it,” said Kyrylo Lapko, Head of Reintegration and Partnerships at the Coordination Center for the Development of Family-Based Care and Education.

To make the reintegration process effective, families with children receive various types of assistance depending on their needs. This includes rental housing, vouchers for clothing and food, and special medical procedures for children with disabilities, including glasses or lenses. In addition, families can receive legal support and parents can receive career counseling and training.

The project “Strengthening Comprehensive Reintegration Support for Returning Children” is being implemented as part of the reintegration component of the Presidential Initiative “Bring Kids Back UA”, in partnership with the Coordination Center for the Development of Family-Based Care and Education. It is implemented by a consortium: Ukrainian Child Rights Network, CO “SOS Children’s Villages Ukraine”, ICF “Ukrainian Foundation for Public Health”, NGO “League of Social Workers of Ukraine”, CO “Save Ukraine”, CO “Voices of Children”, with the support of UNICEF and funding from Canada, Norway and the United States.