Winter retreat for mothers of large families fosters resilience and provides respite
Nestled in a deep valley of the Eastern Carpathians, the village of Tukhlya hosts a retreat for mothers of large families, far away from the thunders of war, sirens but most importantly, their duties and responsibilities. Here, time stands still and the daily stress seems to pause. Over several rotations, “Happy Family” – the NGO organising the events – have invited 135 mothers and their children to the camp in an effort to give them a mental toolkit to handle challenges and time to breath – something most of them have lacked ever since the onset of war three years ago. The initiative received funding from Hungarian Interchurch Aid and ACT Alliance as part of their community grants programme
This week, the camp welcomed 18 mothers of large families and their children. All of them are either internally displaced, or live in areas close to the frontline. These women have devoted their lives to their families, often at the cost of their own health and well-being. No wonder that they are exhausted by the daily trials, and show signs of severe burnout.
Many of them admitted that they did not remember the last time they were out in nature, and some saw the mountains for the first time. “I always thought only about my children – their clothes, food, education,” says Yulia, a mother of five who lost her husband in the war a year ago and is still grieving the loss of her beloved. “Here, for the first time in a long time, I was able to stop and think about myself.”
The psychological strain put on these mothers by the war is immense. Even in relatively peaceful regions, they face constant stress and overwhelming responsibilities. They are the backbone of their families, learning to be strong in the face of adversity. Yet without proper support, this strength comes at a cost: emotional exhaustion that makes it nearly impossible to continue being that crucial pillar of support.
To recharge and recapacitate the participants, the programme includes psychological sessions, hiking, physical exercises, art therapy, and stress-relieving activities. Each day begins with light exercises in the fresh air to restore body tone. Hiking on mountain trails gives the women a meditative experience, reconnecting them with nature.
“I used to think that the mountains were for someone else, not for me,” said one of the participants. The women admit that they are too busy to even think about traveling. But here, they realize how important it is to stop, breathe this air, and give themselves a chance to recover.
While mothers work on restoring their internal resources and stabilizing their emotional state under the guidance of psychotherapists, their children participate in art workshops and games under the guidance of child psychologists. This allows the women to focus on themselves, freeing them from the constant care of their little ones.
Nevertheless, a majority of the women hesitated to attend right before departing. “How could I leave everything? What about my earnings for these days?” Yulia reflects. “But now I realize how much I needed this time to regain my strength and return home with love and energy. When I’m not at my best, my children feel it.” She admits she would have deeply regretted missing the opportunity.
For half of the participants, this was their first experience in seeking psychological help or participating in group sessions. “These exercises helped me to understand myself better, to listen to my emotions. I also learned several techniques I can use in daily life,” says Nataliya, a displaced woman who fled to Lviv after losing her home due to the war in the east of Ukraine.
The retreat in Tukhlya offers more than rest – it fosters resilience. It provides a safe space for women to restore their strength and reconnect with themselves. While no retreat can erase the daily hardships these mothers face, it equips them with tools to maintain their and their families’ mental well-being. Through initiatives like this, Hungarian Interchurch Aid’s community grants empower women to continue their journeys with renewed hope and capacity.
