Primary prevention for Ukrainian children in Czech schools
Every Ukrainian child in a Czech school has someone who died, a depressed mother, or a father at the front. And their classmates should know about it. We help schools open the topic of war, trauma, and veteran status in a safe way.
What we talk about with children
- Who is a veteran?: We explain to children in an understandable way what it means to be a veteran, what experiences they carry from war, and why they sometimes behave differently than expected.
- What trauma looks like: What happens in the brain of someone who lived through war? Why does dad have flashbacks? Why is mom always sad? We work with real stories children can understand.
- Peer support: Ukrainian children have Czech friends in class. They should know what their classmates went through — loss of loved ones, depressed parents, fathers at the front. We build understanding.
- What to do when…: Practical guides for children and teachers: how to respond to a war flashback, how to support a friend in crisis, when to call for help. A safe space for questions.
Why it matters
There are tens of thousands of Ukrainian children in Czech schools. Most arrived with traumatic experiences — bombing, fleeing, family breakdown. Their Czech classmates often don't understand why their friend behaves differently, why they cry, why they're afraid of loud sounds.
Our prevention program creates a safe space where war and its impacts are discussed openly. Children learn what trauma is, how it manifests, and how they can support their classmates. Teachers receive concrete tools for working with the class.
It's not just about information — it's about building empathy, understanding, and cohesion in the classroom. When children understand what others have been through, they can respond with sensitivity instead of rejection.
- 50,000+ – Ukrainian children in Czech schools
- 78% – of children have a loved one affected by war
- 9/10 – teachers say they lack adequate tools
Epione z.s. · IČO 24437751 · K lánu 498/6, Vokovice, 160 00 Praha · info@epionecare.com