New Project Announcement: “Rekindling Childhood in War”
Nashville, TN – January 22, 2026 – Founder Abigail Widynski is pleased to announce the launch of “Rekindling Childhood in War,” a national trauma healing initiative serving children affected by the war in Ukraine throughout 2026. The project represents a defining milestone within Sovereign Philanthropy’s Children & War impact pillar and brings to life a vision shaped over several years of research, partnership-building, and field engagement.
The project’s foundations were laid in 2022, when Widynski designed and initiated a trauma healing and art therapy initiative for evacuated Ukrainian refugees in Germany. That early work was carried out through tri-country, trilingual partnerships spanning academia, non-profit organizations, and religious institutions. As the war continued and children’s needs intensified inside Ukraine, the vision evolved into a national effort focused on delivering healing where children live and learn today.
“Rekindling Childhood in War” will train and certify 60 children’s frontline workers—including teachers, caregivers, pastors, orphanage volunteers, and faith-based leaders—to lead trauma healing groups for children ages five through the teen years, along with dedicated sessions for caregivers. Operating across 14 regions of Ukraine, the project is expected to serve approximately 600 children, with trauma healing groups completing in early September 2026.
Training will be delivered through a series of four-day regional retreats held in safe, nature-based locations in Western Ukraine. In addition to equipping participants with evidence-based trauma healing tools, the retreats are intentionally designed to provide rest and respite for frontline workers who have been serving children amid prolonged conflict.
“This project reflects a conviction I and many others alongside me carry and have carried since the earliest days of this work,” said Widynski.
“I believe the light in a child’s eyes never goes out. War may try to dim it, but it will not extinguish it. We have the privilege and responsibility to come alongside Ukraine’s children now—through psychological and spiritual healing, presence, and tangible hope—so that their light can shine brighter and brighter. Seeing this vision become a national initiative grounded in local expertise is deeply meaningful. Together, we are rekindling childhood in war.” — Abigail Widynski
With the launch of “Rekindling Childhood in War,” Sovereign Philanthropy expands its commitment to investing in the tomorrow of wartime communities by equipping those already serving on the frontlines of care.
Partnership announcements will be shared this week, reflecting a commitment to engaging trusted local experts and institutions across Ukraine. Special appreciation is given to interested friends of this important work with children.
For more information, visit www.sovereign-philanthropy.org and follow @sovereignphilanthropy on Instagram.
