Building resilience. Training by Training, Goal by Goal

The Team Game That Engages, Develops, and Unites

From the very beginning of the Help Ukrainians sport initiative aimed at children’s integration, it became clear that football had to be part of the program. The children themselves chose it — there was no pressure or persuasion. As soon as the ball appeared, so did energy, enthusiasm, and interaction.

In 2023, Help Ukrainians launched a project supporting children displaced with their families by war. The aim of the project is to provide access to sports, and to help them cope with emotional trauma and barriers to integration with their new communities. 

Why Football?

Since the project’s launch in 2023, we’ve tested and launched various sport sections — sport dance, hockey, swimming, martial arts, and general physical training. Football quickly proved to be one of the most in-demand and engaging activities.

For us, football is a sport which support through action. Step by step, training by training, a child becomes more confident, free, and stronger, learns to collaborate with others and feel part of a team. It naturally nurtures leadership, trust, and mutual help.

How the Section Works

The football section began regular training in early 2024. Today, it brings together more than 30 children of Ukrainian origin living in Galați. All sessions are free of charge and part of the broader sport integration program.

Led by Dmytro Sydorov, a Ukrainian and UEFA licensed coach, Master of Physical Education, and author of a research thesis on the influence of football on the psychophysiological condition of displaced children. His approach is based on respect, engagement, and gradual progress, helping to build emotional stability.

We are not aiming for athletic records. Our goal is for the child to want to return — and to become more confident and calm each day.

🗣 What the Children Say

“I like playing with my friends.” — Klimenkov Artem, 6 y.o.

“I really like playing football and going to training — it just feels good.” — Lobanova Milana, 8 y.o.

“I really enjoy it! I used to be on another team. But when I found out I was leaving forever… I was very upset. But here, I found a good, new, active team. I’m glad I have the opportunity to play football with kids who understand my native language.” — Mednikov Roman, 12 y.o.

“I love playing football. It teaches me new things, and I want to keep learning and improving.”
— Slobodianykov Vladyslav, 15 y.o.

“I love football, and dream to become a professional in the future” – Karazhei Maxim,  10 y.o.

Special attention is given to joint training sessions with parents, which help restore trust, strengthen family bonds, and make sport a shared and positive experience.

🗣What the Parents Say

“Our son loves football training.”

 “Everything’s great. Dmytro is doing an excellent job.”

 “Thank you so much for organizing the football section. Roman really enjoys both the training and the coach.”

 “My daughter Milana enjoys football sessions very much. She always looks forward to playing at the stadium with her peers and the coach. Thank you for making this possible.”

 “Following the training, the child became more active and loved sports activities.”

“Thank you so much for the opportunity to do sports. I’ve noticed how much Maxim has changed — he looks forward to training and can’t wait to go. He’s become more active, his willpower and cheerfulness have come through. It feels like a small family with a wonderful coach. Sport is so important for our children in these difficult times. Thank you so much for the football sessions!”

“My son Danyl is very happy to have the opportunity to play football with other Ukrainian children! I’m really pleased with the coach’s work — he found an approach to every child. Thank you so much to your organization!”

For Roman, football is a very important part of his life. When we had to move, I was very worried that he would have to give up something he truly cared about. It was a huge relief and joy to learn that there are football trainings in Galați with a Ukrainian coach, since the language barrier is quite a challenge.
Every Sunday we look forward to practice! I’m so grateful for this opportunity — it helped my child go through the relocation much more smoothly, make new friends, and continue doing what he loves.”

For the Help Ukrainians team, the football section is an important part of the wider adaptation and integration process for children and families. It complements other directions within the Sport Integration project, which has already involved over 800 participants, with more than 1,700 training sessions, competitions, dance shows, summer camps, and tournaments held.

What’s Next

The children are currently undergoing a complete training cycle. One of our upcoming goals is to organize friendly matches with mixed teams of Ukrainian and Romanian children. This will offer an exciting challenge and help break communication and cultural barriers through live, playful interaction.

We are also exploring opportunities to expand the section, so that more children and families will have access to football — and the support it brings in coping with the challenges of integration and the emotional impacts of forced displacement due to the war in Ukraine.

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The project is supported by Damen Foundation, HIAS Romania, local schools, and sports clubs.