Once upon a time, in a country where laughter mingled with tears and hope shone even in the darkest of times, there lived a little Ukrainian girl named Milana. Milana was a funny, pretty girl with sparkling eyes that held galaxies of curiosity and wonder. Her infectious laughter echoed through the corridors of the Caritas Austria Day Centre for Children in Konotop, bringing joy to all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Mila was particularly fond of yoghurt, and her eyes lit up like stars when a bowl of the creamy treat was placed in front of her. For Mila, the simple pleasure of eating yoghurt was a symbol of the small joys that manage to flourish even in the midst of life’s difficulties.
Milana, from Ukraine.
Milana’s mother, Tanya, was the guardian of her daughter’s childhood, the protector of her dreams from the harsh reality that life imposed on them. Like any mother, Tanya’s heart ached at the thought that her child would be touched by the horrors of war that engulfed their land. And so Tanya’s constant task was to shelter Mila from the outside storm, to create a warm and safe haven for her amidst the chaos.
In these troubled days, Tanya pondered a profound question: How to explain to a young impressionable mind what war is? With creativity and boundless love, Tanya turned to the power of play. In the silence of the night they would go on a whimsical journey of “hide-and-seek”, seeking refuge in the nearest shelter when an imaginary danger was looming.
Another favourite game was “Big Train Adventure”, when Tanya and Milana pretended they were travelling to faraway lands. In a quiet whisper, Tanya taught Milana the rules of the game: save water and food, hide in the dark, move silently like passengers on a secret mission. Into these implausible games, Tanya gently wove lessons in preparedness and resilience, turning a hard reality into a bizarre challenge that Milana accepted with enthusiasm.
The bittersweet truth was that while Tanya protected Milana’s heart with these games, she herself carried the weight of the pain, fear, confusion and sadness that littered their world. And yet there was hope in the corner of Tanya’s eyes that these games would protect Milana’s delicate psyche and allow her to feel a little more of the joy of childhood.
Tanya knew that only a mother could fulfil such a role – the guardian of dreams, the fortress against fear. And when Milana laughed and played, Tanya took comfort in the fact that for a brief moment she had managed to preserve the magic of her daughter’s childhood.
Caritas Austria Day Centre for Children.
But who would take up the burden? Where in a world overflowing with problems could she find relief? The answer, though not easy to find, turned out to be in the compassion of others. Tanya discovered that amidst the chaos, there are caring people who are willing to lend a helping hand to ease her burden.
Thus continued the story of Milana and Tanya, who epitomised the resilience of the human spirit, spirit of caring, loving mother. Through creativity, play and a mother’s love, they weathered the stormy waves of uncertainty, proving that even in the face of adversity, hope, love and joy can flourish. As Milana laughed at her favourite yoghurt and Tanya cradled her in her arms, sheltering her in their play, they reminded us all that the heart’s capacity to love, protect and heal is a strength that overcomes even the darkest of times.