Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the Caritas Spes center for internally displaced persons in the Carpathians has welcomed more than 20,000 people, mostly women and children . Here, those who were forced to abandon their homes, find a corner of peace and calm, and start planning for the future again. Some then decide to go abroad, but many do not want to leave Ukraine and wait for the situation to improve in the regions they have abandoned so they can return. Among the guests, there is a large number of teenagers . Young people who are passionate, cheerful, open to new things. Able to study remotely so as not to miss the school year, capable of spending carefree hours playing volleyball or ping pong. To create a feeling of unity among these young people, the nuns of the Caritas Spes center have created a club for children between 12 and 18 years old, where they can do different activities together: cooking a pizza or watching a film, playing board games or following catechism. 
The main purpose of the meetings organized for the club’s teenagers is to provide space for communication and knowledge of the foundations of faith, as well as of themselves. It is important – especially for the youngest – that they are guaranteed participation in an active society, similar to the one they lived in when they were at home, that they have new experiences, that they make new friends and that they talk to each other.
Lera , 15 years old, from Zaporizhia, describes her life at the Caritas Spes center as follows: “It is a safe, fun, beautiful place, my mother is calm here and does not worry about me. During youth meetings we listen to different stories, play games, eat delicacies, travel to beautiful places. They tell us many interesting things about religion and faith. I am Orthodox and I do not plan to change my religion. But it is interesting to listen, a lot of information was a revelation for me. I am glad that we have a club. It helps to bring people together and make friends.” Veronica , an 11-year-old girl, also likes this idea of the club: “I like to attend club meetings, communicate, spend time with my peers. I like the Center, I don’t want to go home.” Nastya , 13, shares this opinion: “ I don’t want to go home. I think we’ll go back one day, but I don’t want that now. I like walking around here, meeting people, playing, making new friends. If it weren’t for the club, the evenings would be sadder.” (The text is a summary of the article published on the Caritas-Spes website from which the photographs are also taken)
