Jacaranda: Challenges give way to beautiful outcomes

Illness struck. Unexpected things happened. One by one, last-minute changes rippled through our carefully laid plans for the Jacaranda training and emotional support camp. Trainees dropped out. Children couldn’t come. Volunteers had to cancel.

But here’s what didn’t change: the absolute commitment of everyone involved to making this work. And it did work. Beautifully. 

Eighteen Ukrainians from six different organizations came together for the training. They learned the Jacaranda approach to emotional support. They practiced it with each other. They built relationships. Those relationships weren’t only important for the success of the camp. They provided the foundation for these trainees to keep learning from and encouraging each other as they work towards the future.

Zhanna, one of the trainees from our partner church in Kryvyi Rih, says: “I really received a great blessing by attending this training. Jacaranda made a significant contribution to the understanding that children who have experienced trauma need special attention, and this knowledge helps to shape our classes and work with them from the head and the heart. The Jacaranda training gave key insights on how to develop emotional intelligence, teach children effective communication, and help them to better understand themselves and others.”

Trainee team building session (and it’s bring-your-child-to-work here too!)

And the camp itself? Thirty-eight children attended. They had a fantastic time. And they received the emotional support they needed: children carrying the weight of war found the freedom to be children again.