Children across Ukraine are in desperate need of safety, stability, protection and psychosocial care. War and mass displacement has harmed families’ livelihoods and economic opportunities, leaving many without sufficient income to meet their basic needs and unable to provide adequate support for their children. Russsia’s aggression in Ukraine has already seen millions of children forced from their homes, with some fleeing across the border into neighbouring countries while others are seeking safety in underground shelters.
In 2021 Princess Angelika Jarosławska Sapieha initiated the international campaign and art contest for children “Children are painting Peace on Earth”. Thousands of Children from Ukraine, especially Eastern part of Ukraine, paint peace and learn how to express their emotions by art, develop children imagination and deal with stress and trauma.
Due to the difficult war situation in Ukraine, Ukrainian children from orphanages and those who fled their homeland before the war also participate in this year’s project. Princess Angelika regularly visits children and their families, devoting herself to talking about peace and manifesting this passion in numerous drawings and paintings.
Princess Angelika pays special attention to the worldwide community to the problem of PTSD among children affected by war and its consequences. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the children there are experiencing the devastating consequences of living in a war zone – post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are the most common mental health disorders in the aftermath of war – for both adults and children. Children who experience repeated trauma may develop a kind of emotional numbing to deaden or block the pain and trauma. Refugee children suffer both from the effects of coming from a war zone and of adjusting to an unfamiliar culture. These stressors also affect their families which in turn has an adverse effect on them. And the longer wars go on, the worse it is for children. Children who have witnessed war and conflict have higher rates of depression and anxiety long into adulthood.
Ukrainian officials claimed that the Russians were using PFM-1 air-dropped anti-personnel mines. The shape of the PFM-1 is dictated by function, but the fact remains that it is attractive to children. Russia is reportedly using air-dropped butterfly mines in Ukraine that look like plastic toys.
Princess Angelika is the patron of the world demining campaign. During meetings with children and families from Ukraine, she educates about the mines and put the attention of the international community to the threats posed by them. This problem was analyzed at the last NGO CSW 66 Parallel Event meeting, where panelists from 7 countries discussed the dangers of using butterfly mines.
Children for Children
In March a special gala “Polish Businesswoman Awards” took place, where Angelika Jarosławska Sapieha was awarded. At the Gala there was a special auction for children from Ukraine, organized by SOS Wioski Dziecięce.Princess Angelika Jarosławska Sapieha prepared for an auctions paintings created by Ukrainian children for the contest “Children Painting Peace” in 2021. The auction was a great success. In total, from auctions more than 50 000 złoty was collected for necessary support for Ukrainian children.
„Children Painting Peace on Earth” is a project aimed at the youngest, for whom we are guides in getting to know the world.
When children explore the world, they learn to recognize what is good and valuable and what is bad. We have to create a friendly and safe environment for them.
Today, 415 million children all over the world are growing up in war zones, two times more than in 1995.
War seen through the eyes of a child leaves them with great trauma.
Official reports show that there are more and more armed conflicts in the world.
Their victims are always the weakest – mothers and their children. Peace is more than just the absence of conflict.
Peace is the greatest value, but its maintenance requires constant work and moral education of the young generation.
We must promote moral education and build sensitivity in the youngest, who will one day be adults, shaping the future and future of our world. Each human step began with a single thought.
How to paint Peace?
There are no limits to children’s imagination. There may be thousands of ideas.
By learning through play, painting peace on Earth, and listening about the value of peace, our children will become happier and more responsible adults.
International Peace Ambassador
Angelika Jarosławska Sapieha
